Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) will join forces against the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accusing the administration of attempting to undermine democracy and establish one-party rule.
Premadasa made the remarks at a discussion titled “J.R., Governance and the Middle Path,” held at the National Library and Documentation Services Board auditorium in Colombo on Thursday (17).
Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe also attended the event, organised by the Alumni Association of the D.S. Senanayake Political Academy, which is affiliated with the SJB.
Premadasa said the two parties were coming together to establish a policy-based political alternative rather than pursue political positions, privileges or personal benefits.
He said the proposed cooperation would be based on a progressive, people-oriented policy framework aimed at addressing the country’s economic and political challenges.
The Opposition Leader accused the government of attempting to consolidate power under a single party and claimed that Sri Lanka was facing a critical turning point.
He said the SJB and UNP would work together to oppose what he described as the government’s attempts to weaken democratic institutions.
Premadasa also outlined the economic direction he believes the two parties should pursue, advocating a middle path based on the political and economic philosophy of former President J.R. Jayewardene.
He said this approach would combine a market economy with social welfare and social democracy, arguing that Sri Lanka needed a system that supported economic growth while protecting vulnerable communities.
Referring to the country’s economic difficulties, Premadasa claimed that between 30% and 40% of the population was living in poverty and that many micro, small and medium-sized businesses were struggling.
He said the SJB and UNP would unite around a common programme to address these challenges and provide an alternative to the current administration.
The announcement follows earlier efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two parties. In May, Premadasa said the SJB and UNP had already come together and were prepared to move forward collectively.
Premadasa did not announce a formal merger, electoral agreement or leadership arrangement in his remarks at Thursday’s event.
