Samarasinghe has told ‘Anidda’ that the political future of the membership of both parties would be ensured only if Sirisena was named the presidential candidate and Mahinda Rajapaksa given the prime ministerial candidacy.

There is no reason for the incumbent not to get the candidacy in consideration of his conduct after October 26 and the services he has rendered so far, he said.

Otherwise, it is better for the SLFP to contest elections on its own, Samarasinghe said, adding the party could secure more parliamentary seats by doing that.