We endeavoured to merge UNP, SJB - Mano

Whilst stating that he together with MP Rauff Hakeem initiated an effort to bring UNP and SJB under one umbrella, MP Mano Ganesan said they had to abandon the idea since the SJB leadership did not respond. 

"It is true that Rauff Hakeem and I had initiated a path to bring UNP and SJB under one umbrella. Later we had to abandon the initiative as SJB did not respond," Ganesan told the Dailly Mirror. 

"However the subject of "premiership" never popped up in our discussion. All media reports claiming that the President had sent messages to opposition leader Sajith Premadasa offering Premiership were false and baseless," he added.  (Yohan Perera)