By Yohan Perera   

Two Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs- Gayantha Karunatileka and Niroshan Perera- endorsed remarks by their colleague Patali Champika Ranawaka that there was a need to unite all the forces.  

SJB MPs Gayantha Karunatileka and Niroshan Perera told a press conference that Mr. Ranawaka’s recent remark is correct, as there is a dire need for such unity among all the forces.   
They were responding to a question raised by the journalists on the media report which quoted Mr. Ranawaka saying SJB alone cannot overcome present challenges.   
“What Mr. Ranawaka meant was that unity is the need of the hour, and we also welcome it,” Mr. Karunatileka said.   
MP Perera said SJB will like to see allies of the government including SLFP leaving the government. “Parties such as SLFP should leave the government and join the opposition without criticising the government while being in the government,” he said.   

Asked about the recent comment made by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa that his party is not willing to form a coalition government, Mr. Perera said what Mr. Premadasa meant was that he is not willing to form a Yahapalana type of government. “One could recall how the allies of Yahapalana government fell out with each other. The stance taken by former President Maithripala Sirisena to join SLFP after assuring that he will remain independent was one reason for the fall of the Yahapalana government,” he added.