Vice chairman of the United National Party (UNP) Navin Dissanayake says the party must unite with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) or face permanent political irrelevance.
He said that former president Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only leader capable of reviving the economy.
Speaking at a party meeting in Kandy, Dissanayake said 70 per cent of UNP members support a merger with the SJB.
He asserted that neither party can win separately, and called for a single joint candidate list for the Provincial Council election.
He said he had already held talks with SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and was willing to contest as chief minister of the Central Province under a common ticket.
Dissanayake was critical of the SJB’s record as the official opposition, noting that the public no longer believes a credible opposition exists.
“Rising fuel and food prices are hurting ordinary people, yet no strong voice is challenging the government. If the SJB is not providing that, the UNP must take up the banner,” he said.
He also acknowledged the UNP’s own weaknesses — no functioning branch networks, no trade union presence, and electoral organisers yet to be appointed.
The SJB, he said, has its own internal divisions. “They fight among themselves even more than we do,” he added.
On the changing electorate, he warned that the party must adapt to younger voters who no longer follow family political loyalties, or it will have no future.