Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has strongly denied rumors of a potential merger between himself and United National Party (UNP) leader President Ranil Wickremesinghe, reaffirming the SJB’s commitment to an independent and clean political stance.
Speaking at a campaign rally at the Samanala Ground in Galle on Tuesday, Premadasa made it clear that the SJB would not align with any political parties that it deemed corrupt. “We have a clear program and a vision, as outlined in our manifesto. The current Government, led by the President, has claimed that many of our proposals are unachievable, yet they are now sending SMS messages to the public in a bid to compete with us,” he said.
Premadasa went on to accuse the rival Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the President of spreading false rumours about a possible alliance between the SJB and the UNP. “I want to address the false rumours being spread by the JVP and the Presidency, who are paying various websites to post misleading news on Facebook of a possible alliance as our victory becomes evident,” he said.
He reiterated that the SJB, if victorious on 21 September, would unite solely with the 22 million citizens of Sri Lanka and would not form alliances with what he referred to as “rotten losers and extremely corrupt political parties”.
Premadasa also referred to a perceived desire among certain leaders for a merger between SJB and the UNP including the President and the leader of the Malimawa (NPP). However, he dismissed the idea of any alliance. “Let them merge. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the Samagi Jana Sandanaya will not align with those who are destroying this country. On 21, a new era for the 22 million people of this nation will begin,” he declared.
Premadasa’s remarks come amidst increasing political speculation and tension ahead of the upcoming Presidential election.