Talks still on between SJB and UNP: Ruwan

Despite the official notification made by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on Saturday that UNP would contest the General Election under elephant symbol, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today that talks were continuing with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to end differences and face the polls together.

Mr Wijewardene told a press conference that former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was playing a leading role in bringing the two factions together.

"We have already informed the Commission of Elections that UNP would contest the General Election under elephant symbol but talks are continuing to contest under a common symbol," he said.

However, he did not rule out the possibility of SJB contesting under the swan symbol.

"We are ready to contest together if an agreement is reached to contest the election under a common symbol though we have informed the Elections Commission about the move to contest under the elephant," he said.

Asked about certain reports that an agreement had already been reached to contest under swan, the former MP said there was no official report on it yet. (Yohan Perera)