In a dramatic political development, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday it was prepared to work with the main opposition United National Party (UNP) in launching a combined trade union struggle to win the demands of the public and private sector employees.

Former parliamentarian and National Trade Union Center (NTUC) President K.D. Lalkantha said the 2013 Budget had let down the working class and as such the JVP was ready to consider a request from the UNP for a common opposition alliance on the theme, ‘Move forward separately and attack collectively’.

Commenting on the remarks made by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that the UNP and the JVP were working together on a common political agenda, Mr. Lalkantha said the JVP would consider a written request by the UNP positively. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)