Poaching of MPs amidst the UNP-SJB alliance

It is reported that some leaders, under the guise of the United National Party and Samagi Jana Balawegaya's integration program (party extension), are engaged in a cunning attempt to poach MPs, which has created a risk of the integration program being pushed towards failure. A group of MPs allege that the attempt to unite the two parties does not appear to be sincere.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya's Executive Committee meeting was held recently, where a group of members repeatedly questioned the party leadership regarding the alliance between the two parties. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that these activities are successfully moving forward under his leadership. Party sources indicated that the mindset of some leaders, who believe they can achieve victory by going it alone, has become a significant obstacle to the program of working together.

Meanwhile, a majority of the grassroots members of both parties have once again emphasized to the party leaderships that a significant level of victory cannot be achieved without the two parties uniting. Furthermore, sources say that some leaders show strong disapproval of the UNP-SJB alliance due to fear that others might emerge and they might lose their leadership positions.

SJB party members also point out that the loss incurred by Naveen, Karu, and their group, as well as Sajith Premadasa's group, breaking away from the United National Party can only be rectified through such an alliance. Meanwhile, sources stated that the rejection of the three members initially appointed by the United National Party for discussions with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya caused some confusion at the very beginning of the discussion process.