SLMC Leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem it is learnt has once again started auctioning the party’s electoral success.

The difference in the auction this time is that Hakeem has opted only to discuss with the government.

The first condition by him to the government in order to get the SLMC support to establish the Eastern Provincial Council is for him to be appointed as the Ports and Aviation Minister. Another condition is to appoint a member of the SLMC to the post of Deputy External Affairs Minister. The other key condition is that four member names by the SLMC be appointed as Sri Lankan ambassadors overseas.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Hakeem reached an agreement on the SLMC conditions during the post election discussions to get the SLMC to contest under the UPFA. However, the SLCM decided to contest separately and has now become the decisive factor in forming the administration of the Eastern Provincial Council.

Negotiations with Hakeem this time around are being carried out by parliamentarian and President’s confidential financial advisor Sajin Vass Gunawardena.