Former President and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the party’s Working Committee that he is prepared to step down from the party leadership at any time if his position is an obstacle to a merger or alliance between the UNP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Lankadeepa reported.

He made these remarks at a meeting of the UNP Working Committee held on 17 at the party headquarters, Sirikotha, in Pitakotte.

Discussions aimed at cooperation between the UNP and the SJB are currently under way. A committee comprising UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Thalatha Atukorale and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake has been appointed to represent the UNP, while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is coordinating discussions on behalf of the SJB.

Wickremesinghe told the Working Committee that he has not yet received an official report on the progress of these talks. He stressed that the discussions must be concluded swiftly, noting that there is no time for further delays.

He also emphasised the need for all opposition parties to unite from next year to build a strong public movement against the government, urging that talks with the SJB be expedited in that context.

According to Wickremesinghe, if the discussions result in a consensus that the UNP and the SJB should unite, and if the Working Committee agrees, he has no objection. He reiterated that he personally supports a united front between the two parties.

He further stated that if a proposal is made during the talks for him to step aside as leader and for Sajith Premadasa or another individual to assume leadership, and if the Working Committee approves such a move, he would have no issue with it.

Wickremesinghe reiterated that he is ready at any moment to relinquish the UNP leadership in the interest of achieving unity between the two parties.