Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Gayantha Karunathilaka announced that the committee report exploring the formation of an alliance between the United National Party (UNP) and the SJB will be submitted to the party leadership today.
Speaking at a media briefing, he said there are strong expectations among party members at the village and grassroots levels regarding this potential merger. “We have received the blessings and support of our members at the grassroots level for this initiative,” he said.
Karunathilaka noted that the SJB’s Management Committee met recently and unanimously decided to work in collaboration with the United National Party. The decision was subsequently approved by the UNP Working Committee as well.
He added that SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa appointed a committee chaired by MP Kabir Hashim to develop a program outlining how the two parties could cooperate under the leadership of the main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. The report of this committee, he said, will be handed over to the party today.
Meanwhile, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that discussions on the proposed merger with the SJB will be taken up at the Management Committee and Working Committee meetings scheduled for next Wednesday. He emphasized that the UNP will not hesitate to take on the responsibility of governing the country if the present government collapses.
