Sept 15, Colombo: A discussion between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP), which is a major political party allied with it, was held on Wednesday night in Colombo.

The discussion was held under the leadership of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, and Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

The current political situation in the country, the contributions of coalition politics, public welfare facilities, burden of life and providing relief to distressed people, dialogue to be with trade unions and employees in making decisions in public institutions, issues of restructuring institutions, employee rights, issues regarding Aswesuma and Samurdhi subsidies, the problems in the health service including the medicine crisis, the election system, and various laws that need further discussion, were discussed at length.

Since even the International Monetary Fund has proposed to provide more relief to the people affected by the current economic crisis and to people with low income, it was decided to request from the President as the Finance Minister to allocate more funds for people’s welfare and for providing relief to people in the upcoming budget.

The representatives of the two parties stressed that the Samurdhi subsidy should be continued since it is decided by the law that the number of beneficiaries of Aswesuma be gradually decreased.

Representing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, its General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, Attorney at Law and Member of Parliament, and Members of Parliament, Namal Rajapaksa, Gamini Lokuge, Johnston Fernando, S.M. Chandrasena, and Sanjeeva Edirimanna, and representing the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, its General Secretary Tissa Jayawardena Yapa, Attorney at Law, Deputy Secretary Yadamini Gunawardena, Member of Parliament, and political committee members Vijaya Rathnayake and Mahanama Samaranayake participated in the discussion.