If the SJB alliance breaks, a Ranil-Namal alliance

If discussions for the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to reunite fail, a special proposal has emerged from within the United National Party itself to form an alliance with Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Member of Parliament, as an alternative. Internal party sources confirm that if the UNP-SJB political alliance collapses, there is a strong tendency for the party to inevitably be pushed towards such a political decision.

Due to the strong friendship and mutual cordiality between former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mr. Namal Rajapaksa, many believe that there will be no opposition from either side in forming such a broad alliance. Concurrently, reliable political sources reveal that the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna held several rounds of special discussions with a group of MPs representing the opposition over the past few days.

Although discussions are underway with the aim of merging the United National Party and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, activists from both parties point out that these discussions have not yet shown any success. Although proposals were made for these two parties to work together in the last presidential and general elections, the program failed due to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya leadership not responding favorably.

A group of prominent activists, including SJB electoral organizers, have already pointed out to the party leadership that if they do not ally with the United National Party in the current political climate, victory will remain further out of reach. Although a special set of proposals regarding party unification has been sent to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya by the UNP Working Committee, it is reported that no official response has been received yet. Party members emphasize that discussing individually with UNP MPs, while setting aside a response to the relevant proposals, does not support the alliance formation process.