The United National Party (UNP) and other opposition factions have indicated their willingness to support Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa as a Prime Ministerial candidate, contingent on his agreement to form a common opposition alliance under a shared symbol.

Former MP Saman Ratnapriya, a close associate of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, said that while they are open to backing Premadasa, the SJB’s preference for a telephone symbol presents a hurdle. “A common alliance cannot be formed under a symbol of a partner; it must be a unified symbol,” Ratnapriya noted that a decision on this symbol would be made within two days.

On the other side, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara revealed that the party has requested Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign from the UNP leadership to facilitate Sajith Premadasa’s leadership and the alliance's formation. However, Ranil Wickremesinghe has not yet agreed to step down.

Complicating the discussions, former MP Manusha Nanayakkara mentioned that some UNP members are advocating for the return of the elephant symbol, underscoring the ongoing debate over the common symbol. "We are considering all options, which is why a final agreement has yet to be reached," he said.