SLFP-UNP signs the historic agreement

Turning a new page in the Sri Lankan history, two main parties, the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) singed the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Temple Trees today.

SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena and the UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema signed the MoU at the Temple Trees few minutes after 12 noon in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, UNP leaders including Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya and leaders of several political parties were present.

The signing took place amidst chanting of pirith by Buddhist monks. Hindu, Christian and Muslim priest too offered their prayers at the occasion. The Sri Lanak Rupavahini Corporation and several other television channels telecasted the event live.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met last night to finalise the historic SLFP-UNP agreement.  President Rajapaksa summoned a special Cabinet meeting at 11.00am today before the historic event.

The SLFP Central Committee, which met yesterday, has unanimously approved the signing of the MoU with the UNP. The President as the Leader of the SLFP briefed the Central Committee members of the mechanism of the MoU and the outcome of the discussions held between the two parties.
 
After an extensive round of talks, the Central Committee members, decided to hold further talks with the UNP on the legal aspects of the MoU, and subsequently to sign the MoU.