In an interesting revelation, UNP Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera today said that all the “secret” discussions with former SLFP General Secretary was done inside the Parliament and in the vicinity of Temple Trees.

It was widely believed that former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Samaraweera were instrumental in making the former General Secretary of the SLFP the Presidential Candidate of the opposition.

 “We did not have to go to Singapore to hold discussions, we never stepped out of Sri Lanka to have ‘secret’ meetings. H of them were done inside the Parliament itself and the rest were done in the vicinity of the Presidential residence”, Samaraweera said speaking to reporters in Colombo this morning at the Opposition Leader’s Office.

Samaraweera also asserted that a total of 14 Parliamentarians and over 50 Provincial Councilors and  PS members of the UPFA have already joined the common opposition to ensure the victory of its presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

“And more will join in the future,” he added.

 Meanwhile, addressing the same press conference, former Minister Rajitha Senaratne said they received  survey reports from the State Intelligent Services and according to those reports Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena is ahead of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at least by 10 per cent.

Senaratne also stated that some members of the UPFA are working “underground” for Maithripala Sirisena and they will emerge at the right time. He added that a majority of the Parliament is displeased with the government’s conduct and they are working in secrecy for the Common Candidate.  

Both Samaraweera and Senaratne act as official spokespersons of Common Candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena.