• Supreme Lanka Coalition’s Wimal/Udaya/Rathana Thera claim UNP-SLPP marriage occurred months ago in May, monk claims SLPP taking refuge with Ranil 

Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya (Supreme Lanka Coalition) Opposition Parliamentarians Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, and Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday (14) that the alliance between the Parties of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President and incumbent Government MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, namely the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), was formed many months ago.

In response to rumours of a UNP-SLPP alliance, National Freedom Front Leader Weerawansa told the media that the two Parties have already joined together. “They have already joined together. Those must be talks of their registration (referring to recent statements in this regard),” said Weerawansa.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Gammanpila commented that the union between the two said Parties was formed in May. “Is that news? As far as we know, that union was formed in May,” claimed Gammanpila.

Our Power of People Party MP Rathana Thera claimed that the SLPP has taken refuge with Wickremesinghe.

These statements were made following a meeting between the members of the Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya, an alliance led by Weerawansa which was formed three months ago amongst Opposition parties.

Speaking at a media briefing this week, SLPP General Secretary and MP, Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that the SLPP is ready to work with the UNP in a way that does not harm the policies of the two Parties, claiming that the SLPP has given all forms of support in the Parliament to elect Wickremesinghe as the President, and that a relationship has been built between the two Parties based on that. 

“We should look how far we can go without harming the policies of the SLPP and the UNP. If we can do something significant for the country, we will definitely work with the UNP following discussions. The SLPP is ready to go forward with any party if doing so will be of help to improve the country and change the future of the country’s youth,” said Kariyawasam.