Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has officially informed President Maithripala Sirisena that the latter cannot be the Presidential candidate of the SLPP, a senior SLPP spokesman told Asian Mirror this morning. 

The spokesman added that former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is the party's unanimous choice for the Presidential candidacy. 

The majority of SLPP members have vehemently opposed considering Maithripala Sirisena's name for the Presidential candidacy. 

The spokesman confirmed that Rajapaksa and Sirisena had held a one-on-one meeting on the issue of Presidential candidacy. 

However, the discussions between the SLPP and the SLFP on forming a common alliance will continue as scheduled, he said. 

The next round of discussions between the SLFP and the SLPP will take place on April 10.