President Maithripala Sirisena and newly-appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have arrived at an understanding to contest the Parliamentary election as a common alliance under the name "Nidahas Podujana Peramuna."

The discussion between the two leaders had taken place last night, a day after Rajapaksa and a host MPs relinquished their SLFP membership and joined the Sri Lanka Podujana Party. 

The name "Nidahas Podujana Peramuna" signifies the alliance between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. 

Asian Mirror learns that the proposal is yet to be presented to the party seniors of the SLPP who will make a final decision on the matter. 

Some stalwarts of the SLPP are firmly of the view that the party should contest under their own name, with the flower bud symbol.