Rumours rife over SJB members trying to join UNP

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which referred to reports that some of its candidates are trying to re join the United National Party (UNP), yesterday said the latter should not fish in troubled waters.

SJB candidate and former Non Cabinet Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe came out with this remark when journalists questioned him on the report which said some of SJB candidates were to rejoin the UNP.

“ We know how the UNP leaders get into deals with the government. Sometimes we wonder whether the UNP Leader is the Deputy Prime Minister. Therefore we would like to request the UNP not to fish in troubled waters,” he said. However the report was not denied.

Speculation was rife that some SJB candidates including ministers of the former government were to be back in the UNP fold. It was said some of them are already having discussions with the UNP leadership to re join the party. The Daily Mirror also learnt from sources close to UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that six ministers and nine former MPs have begun a dialogue with the UNP leadership to re join the party.

A Former UNP deputy Minister who did not wish to be quoted said some SJB candidates have expressed their willingness to rejoin UNP but said it was doubtful if everyone will be accommodated. (Yohan Perera)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana