Visiting USAID administrator Samantha Power will meet leaders of political parties in the opposition in a high-profile discussion at Waters Edge at Battaramulla this afternoon (11), political sources say.
Power will be accompanied by US ambassador Julie J. Chung and the mission director of USAID at the talks.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, SLFP general secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva and TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran will represent the local political parties.
Their meeting at Nelum Hall at Waters Edge is due to begin at 1.00 pm, with the National Democratic institute, which works closely with USAID, having made the booking, while two other halls too, have been reserved for the occasion.
Special parking arrangements have been made at the entrance porch and opposite the main flag poles for vehicles of the participants that include seven SUVs belonging to the US government, according to the sources.
Power calls on President
Meanwhile, administrator Power called on president Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (11), the President's Media Division said.
UPDATE 12.45 p.m.
MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is tipped to represent the National People's Power on behalf of its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the discussion with visiting USAID administrator Samantha Power at the Water's Edge today, it is learnt.
