By Peace Talks Collapse: UNP-SJB Merger Stalls Amid Internal Struggles
After the defeats in both the presidential and general elections, talks between the United National Party (UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) were initiated with the prospect of forming a grand alliance. However, from the outset, political insiders suggested that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was using these negotiations as a strategic ploy to weaken the SJB and its leader, Sajith Premadasa.
Reports indicate that from the beginning, these discussions were never about unity but rather about dismantling the SJB from within. Our investigative reporting uncovered details of secret meetings held at private residences, such as the one at Ruwan Wijewardene’s house at Hyde Park Corner, where UNP and SJB members discussed potential defections. Another crucial meeting in Kandy, chaired by UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, involved identifying SJB MPs willing to switch allegiance.
Ranil’s Alleged Strategy
Ranil Wickremesinghe’s master plan, as per insiders, was twofold: first, to eliminate Sajith as the leader of the SJB, and second, to strip the party of its telephone symbol, effectively neutralizing its electoral presence. He allegedly sought to lure SJB members with political incentives such as land grants and financial assistance. Some of these MPs were even seen frequenting Ranil’s office at the Presidential Secretariat rather than their own parliamentary offices.
Harin Fernando’s Unexpected Entry
A major turning point in these peace talks was the unexpected arrival of Harin Fernando at a meeting hosted by SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna. Harin, who had defected from SJB to join Ranil’s camp, was not an invited participant but arrived with Thalatha Athukorala, indicating a deliberate move by Ranil to influence the negotiations. This immediately raised suspicions within the SJB, as Harin had previously engaged in public attacks against Sajith Premadasa and the party.
Harin’s presence triggered severe backlash within SJB ranks. Many party MPs demanded that he be expelled from discussions, arguing that his involvement was part of Ranil’s scheme to infiltrate and weaken the SJB from within. However, the SJB representatives at the meeting failed to challenge Harin’s participation, raising doubts about their stance in the negotiations.
Sajith’s Firm Stand
Amid growing internal tensions, Sajith Premadasa called an emergency meeting with SJB MPs. Reports suggest that several party members expressed deep concerns over the peace talks and the risk of aligning with a party that included individuals with allegations of corruption.
Sajith reassured his loyalists that the SJB would not ally with corrupt individuals and would contest elections independently under the telephone symbol. He firmly stated, “The SJB will never join hands with thieves and will contest the upcoming elections only under the phone symbol.”
The meeting also revealed divisions within the SJB itself. Some senior members, including Kabir Hashim, were accused of favoring an alliance with Ranil, despite their past opposition to working with figures from Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government. This internal conflict further fueled tensions within the party.
The Future of the Grand Alliance
While some insiders claim that the grand alliance discussions have only been put on hold, others argue that Sajith and his loyalists will eventually have no choice but to merge with the UNP. However, Sajith appears determined to fight for the independence of the SJB. His recent move to unite opposition parties against government repression further signals his commitment to keeping the SJB separate.
Last week, Sajith successfully gathered leaders from across the opposition, including members from the Tamil National Alliance, Muslim political groups, and various regional parties, to discuss collective resistance against government policies. This unity among opposition factions has strengthened Sajith’s position and made a UNP-SJB merger even less likely.
Final Decision: Talks Halted
Following the recent developments, Sajith made a decisive move to halt all discussions with the UNP. He stated that any future alliances would only involve clean, non-corrupt political figures, ensuring that the SJB remains independent.
Meanwhile, UNP insiders believe that Ranil is still working behind the scenes to break the SJB from within. However, with strong grassroots support and mounting resistance from within his own party, Sajith appears ready to fight his corner, determined to keep the SJB intact and independent.
The coming weeks will determine whether the grand alliance remains a distant dream or if political realities force a compromise. For now, the peace talks have collapsed, and the battle for political dominance continues.
