UPFA Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama said only Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa could nominate the Sri Lanka Podujana Party's Presidential candidate.

Speaking to the media in Kalutara, Welgama said he was still a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

"Not only me, but even Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa is also an SLFPer," Welgama said, adding that his political camp is yet to nominate a Presidential candidate.

Welgama made these remark as the SLFP and the SLPP are holding discussions to form a common political front before the next Presidential election.

It is however learnt that the discussions have come to a deadlock with the SLFP exerting pressure on the SLPP to accept President Maithripala Sirisena as the presidential candidate of the common alliance.