UNP-SJB unity needed to build strong opposition: Naveen Dissanayake

By Rajith Rajapaksa

Colombo, July 15 (Daily Mirror) - United National Party (UNP) National Organizer Naveen Dissanayake said that forming a strong opposition through cooperation between the UNP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is the need of the present era.

Speaking at a media briefing held in Nuwara Eliya on July 15, Dissanayake said discussions between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding unity had created a foundation to move towards greater cooperation.

“The most important thing is for the UNP and SJB to come together and form a major opposition in this country. This is not about existing groups breaking up. I believe we now have a basic foundation to achieve that,” he said.

Dissanayake said the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), the SJB and the UNP could work together, adding that there was no future for groups moving forward separately.

He said the challenges faced by plantation workers remained unchanged, despite the government increasing their daily wage by Rs. 700. However, he said the increase was insufficient considering the rising cost of essential goods.

He added that during his tenure as Plantation Industries Minister, discussions had been held to introduce a wage formula based on productivity and that greater relief could have been provided to plantation communities if his party had been in power.

Commenting on government spending, Dissanayake criticised the allocation of Rs. 7 million annually from public funds, saying such payments needed to be reconsidered and should not continue indefinitely using taxpayers’ money.

On corruption allegations, he said the UNP supported taking action against those involved in wrongdoing through proper legal procedures without political bias.

“We also want to catch thieves and corrupt individuals. The UNP is clearly on that side,” he said, while accusing the government of engaging in political harassment by targeting opponents.

Dissanayake said the recent prison incident had exposed the government’s incompetence and questioned decisions taken regarding the transfer of a special team to Welikada Prison.

He said sending such teams between prisons was an unusual decision and described it as reckless, adding that the Minister of Justice, the Justice Ministry Secretary and other responsible officials should be held accountable for the deaths of 31 people.