Sajith dismisses future alliance with Ranil

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday dismissed any possibility of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) forming an alliance with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the United National Party (UNP) led by the latter. 

Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa said numerous reports are being circulated, insinuating a potential alliance between the SJB and UNP in anticipation of the 2024 elections. “These are false,” Premadasa said. 

In one recent report on a website, it was claimed discussions between the SJB and UNP commenced this week to form an alliance ahead of the polls.

“Ranil and Sajith will never join hands. I am affirming this declaration in Parliament today,” Premadasa said. 

Avoiding direct reference to the outlets spreading the news as media organisations, Premadasa indicated that they were “propaganda machinery” disseminating falsehoods for financial gain from the Government. He also demanded these organisations stop disseminating falsehoods.

Premadasa held the position of Deputy Leader within the United National Party (UNP) when he was a member, with Wickremesinghe serving as the party leader. However, he and many others broke away from the UNP and established the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in 2020.