A group of SLFP MPs from the pro-Rajapaksa ‘Joint Opposition’ camp have initiated discussions with senior party officials on a personal level, to reach an amicable settlement regarding the dispute between the Rajapaksa and Sirisena camps in the party.

At least four MPs of the pro-Rajapaksa faction have initiated discussions with SLFP party seniors including former SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera, senior party sources said.

The MPs made a request from senior SLFP officials to persuade the party authorities to hold back disciplinary action against the SLFP MPs who attended Kirulapona May Rally. The rally was attended by nearly 40 SLFP MPs and some other UPFA MPs.

SLFP party seniors are of the view that the success of the Galle May Day rally was the reason for the move by the group of ‘Joint Opposition’ MPs.

The MPs of the pro-Rajapaksa camp involved in the discussions have agreed to corporate with party leadership, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Sirisena camp has insisted that it does not want to remove anyone from the party. However, the leadership of President Sirisena must be accepted, and Rajapaksa can never be the leader, they have also stressed. As a Patron of the SLFP, he can contribute for the party, they have also said.