From SL Mirror
Despite widespread speculations, none of the heavyweights of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party attended the meeting in Medamulana which marked former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's entry into the electoral fray.
Pro-Rajapaksa camp expected Oppositon Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha and SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to attend the meeting, showing their support to the former President. However, none of them was present at the meeting, much to the disappointment of Rajapaksa and his group.
Although it was stated that over 100 SLFP MPs would attend the meeting, the total number of MPs who were present at the Medamulana residence of the former President was much less.
Among those who participated in the meeting were former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva and Lanka Sama Samaja Party Leader Prof. Tissa Vitarana.
During the meeting, the President did not disclose whether he would contest from the SLFP. He repeatedly mentioned the names of party leaders who supported him following his defeat at the Presidential election in January. The former President extended his gratitude to Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudewa Nanayyakkara, Dinesh, Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila and other SLFP Parliamentarians who campaigned for him for the past six months.
Rajapaksa, in his speech, gave several indications that he might contest separately at the Parliamentary election with the support of several UPFA parties and a group of SLFP MPs.
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