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UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorale stated that the objective of the ongoing discussions between the United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to finalise a common nomination list for the Provincial Council Elections.
Addressing a media briefing in Kandy yesterday (30), Athukorale mentioned that discussions between the two parties have reached a successful stage, though leadership and party symbol-related matters have not yet been addressed. She also hinted at the possibility of contesting the Provincial Council Elections under a common symbol.
“The issues of leadership and party symbol can be sorted out later. These discussions are happening within a faction of the UNP itself. The SJB consists of former UNP members who split from the party. Currently, there are two leaders representing these two groups. There are members within both parties who believe in unification. We have initiated a process towards that. Future discussions will address challenges as they arise. We haven’t yet reached the stage of discussing leadership matters. However, both party leaders have fully endorsed these discussions, and there is a possibility that we might contest the elections under a common symbol,” she added.
Asela Kuruluwansa
