The United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have agreed to form a common alliance to contest the upcoming elections.
This agreement was made during a discussion held yesterday between the two parties.
There have been extensive discussions about the need for the SJB and UNP to work together, especially after the heavy defeats they suffered at the last presidential and general elections.
In light of this background, the SJB’s working committee recently approved to hold discussions on collaboration with the UNP.
Meanwhile, the UNP, under the leadership of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has also shown interest for such discussions. Its working committee convened on Monday at party headquarters ‘Sirikotha’.
The SJB parliamentary group also met yesterday evening under the patronage of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa at the opposition leader’s office.
Against this background, the first discussion regarding collaboration between the two parties took place last night at a secret location.
Several SJB parliamentarians, including Kabir Hashim, Gayantha Karunathilaka, Mujibur Rahuman, and Harshana Rajakaruna as well as former MP Tissa Aththanayaka participated.
It is reported that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s faction was represented by General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena, and former presidential advisor Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga.
During this meeting, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s faction proposed a merger of the UNP and SJB, but was rejected by Sajith Premadasa’s faction.
However, it is reported that SJB has agreed to collaborate to form a common front for the upcoming elections.
The UNP too has agreed to this proposal, it is learnt.
The two groups have also agreed to meet today for another round of discussions.
(The Leader)
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