Would have fared better if not for attempts of sabotage

• I am still maintaining the idea that SJB was an alliance formed with the approval of UNP working committee'
• Many remarks were made with the intention of sabotaging our efforts to take SJB to the people

By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader over the weekend said his alliance would have fared better at the general elections this year if not for the attempts of sabotage by certain groups and still believe that his alliance is one that was established with the blessings of the UNP working committee.  

Mr. Premadasa told a press conference on Saturday that certain people attempted to sabotage SJB right from the beginning. “Many remarks were made with the intention of sabotaging our efforts to take SJB to the people. They said our nominations would be rejected while it was also said that there are legal lacunas when it came to the registration of the party. We would have fared better if not for these remarks,” Mr. Premadasa said.   

“I am still maintaining the idea that SJB was an alliance formed with the approval of UNP working committee,” he added.   

Asked whether he would now take over Sirikotha as the party leader, Mr. Premadasa said he never said he would take over the UNP Headquarters. “We never said we would capture UNP Headquarters. I only said that I would accept the responsibility of all UNPers who support me and vote for me. Those UNPers who voted for me has now vested me with that task,” he said.   

Also, Mr. Premadasa said he is willing to accommodate any party which is willing to accept the policies of SJB. “We will accept anyone who will welcome our policies such as defeating terrorism, our efforts to improve the living standards of the ordinary citizens of this country,” he said in this regard.   

• We never said we would capture UNP Headquarters