SJB insists that Ranil should step down from UNP leadership

Colombo, Oct 1 (Daily Mirror) - Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) insists that United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should step down as a condition for an electoral alliance with it in view of the General Election.

Former MP Harshana Rajakaruna said all UNPers should join SJB rather than SJBers joining the UNP.

“Let a few who want to back Party Leader Wickremesinghe remain in Sirikotha with a handful of party members, while others should join us. The best place for the UNPers now is SJB. Also, we are willing to take over UNP if current leader Ranil Wickremesinghe resign and hands over the party to us. We have told Mr. Wickremesinghe to resign from the leadership several times, but he did not heed the request. We are willing to take over UNP if Wickremesinghe leaves, but we doubt whether it will be given to us,” Rajakaruna told media.

However, a process has already begun to get resolutions asking Mr. Wickremesinghe to remain in the leadership from the grassroots level. This began in Galle District during the weekend.

Meanwhile, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena was of the opinion that the best option is to form a common opposition alliance to contest the General Election.

“We will see whether we can bring about a consensus among the opposition parties to contest the General Election as a common force. Forming a common opposition alliance is the best option where the country is concerned, and we will get on with it,” Mr. Abeywardena told the media.

“The main opposition has failed to secure power for the first time in seven decades. The best option available now is to form a common alliance in such a situation. We will see whether we can achieve this goal and inform how we are going to contest the General Election,” he said.