By Skandha Gunasekara President Maithripala Sirisena and Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa met on Friday (22) to discuss the formation of a broad alliance between the two factions headed by them. UPFA Parliamentarian and member of the Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila said that the meeting which took place at the President’s official residence had resulted in the two groups – the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – deciding to begin discussions on the formation of a new broad political alliance. He said that it had also been decided that the topic of their next presidential candidate would be addressed after the new alliance had been formed. However, he said at present, the SLPP members were of the opinion that Opposition Leader Rajapaksa should be the presidential candidate while the SLFPers were of the view that President Sirisena should contest once again. Furthermore, he said a committee headed by MP Dullas Alahapperuma appointed to formulate a constitution for the alliance had sought the views of the two leaders on several core issues. MP Gammanpila said that the committee would present the draft of the constitution at the next meeting. In addition, a committee appointed to draft a policy document for the alliance would table its draft document at the next meeting as well. Moreover, another committee on anti-government agitation, of which the convener is MP S.B. Dissanayake, will also table its proposals at the next meeting.