Sri Lanka’s SJB to Launch Joint Political Programme with UNP Under Its Leadership

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has decided to launch a joint political programme with the ruling United National Party (UNP) under SJB’s leadership and direction.
 
 
The SJB Working Committee, which met this week, unanimously endorsed the proposal in what party officials described as a historic decision. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said both the Working and Management Committees had agreed to work together on a shared policy framework aimed at offering practical and democratic solutions to the country’s challenges, while maintaining the distinct identities of both parties.
 
 
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara noted that this marks the first formal collaboration between the two parties since the SJB’s breakaway from the UNP in 2020. He reaffirmed that Premadasa remains the Leader of the Opposition, dismissing speculation of a leadership dispute.
 
 
Party officials said grassroots members have welcomed the move, seeing it as a step toward building a stronger and united opposition front.