General elections SJB likely to contest under Swan symbol

By Yohan Perera  

Talks between the hierarchy of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Democratic National Front (DNF) has ended on a positive note with the DNF agreeing to lend the swan symbol provided it is allowed to retain some posts, some senior UNPers said yesterday. 

SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told Daily Mirror that talks were successful with the new alliance likely to contest the general elections under the Swan symbol. 
However, Daily Mirror reliably learns from other sources that some posts including that of the secretary will be retained by the DNF.   

The latest development was the result of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe stressing the need for a quick solution to the UNP crisis. He said this when he met some party seniors before leaving for India.   

Meanwhile, some UNPers including Vajira Abeywardene and National Organiser Navin Dissanayake were of the opinion that the UNP-led alliance should contest under the elephant symbol at least in districts such as Nuwara Eliya.