The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organiser Tissa Attanayake yesterday said that discussions are underway to form a common consensus for cooperation between the SJB and the United National Party (UNP).
He added that the Government is now concerned about the opposition’s move to unite all political groups under the leadership of the SJB.
Attanayake made these comments to the media after meeting and receiving blessings from Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Thera, Chief Incumbent of Gatambe Rajopavanaramaya.
“We are currently exchanging ideas with all opposition political groups to work together, centred around the Samagi Jana Balawegaya,” Attanayake said. “We gained a lot of experience regarding this during the last Local Government election.”
He highlighted that their united effort led to winning control of 101 Local Government bodies after the election.
Attanayake explained that a much greater reason now compels the opposition to work together. He accused the Government of beginning a crackdown and acting in an undemocratic manner, with political victimisation on the rise.
“All opposition parties have decided to form a unified front against this repression,” he said. “Under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, all political parties are working together to protect democracy, oppose this repression, and defeat the current government’s dictatorship.”
He noted that discussions on this collaboration have been successful. Attanayake added that the SJB and UNP belong to the same political bloc. “Discussions have begun to build a common consensus for these two parties to work together,” he said. “How this will be done will be decided in future talks.”
