Don't negotiate with us unless the two unite: Samara Sampath

21-Sep-2025

.

It is inevitable that Ranil and Sajith must unite within the next year. Had they contested the presidential election together, we would already be in power. Therefore, neither side should approach us for talks unless they unite, said MP Samara Sampath Dissanayake.

Speaking at the UNP’s 79th convention on September 20, he continued:

By next year, Ranil and Sajith must unite. The UNP is the only party that safeguarded Parliament with a single seat. This party will never fall and can never be defeated.

I do not love the party, but I love its leader. That is why, when he was arrested, I waited outside the prison till dawn.

With just one UNP vote, combined with 133 from other parties, we made Ranil Wickremesinghe President, and he pulled the country up from the depths.

At a TV program, Minister Bimal Rathnayake asked what Ranil had done for the country. Ranil has done everything except one thing — he did not imprison the JVP who tried to set Parliament on fire in 2022. 

Had he done that, all of them would be in prison today.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa built an airport, Anura asked if it was really news just because a plane landed there. Then I ask him — is painting bus stands also considered an achievement?

Inside and outside Parliament, we will oppose the government in every way. Together, the SLPP and we have 6.5 million votes. But Sajith alone has 6.5 million votes.

Anura now holds our votes. By stripping presidential privileges, Mahinda’s vote base under Anura will shrink. If Ranil and Sajith unite, the bus will be full, leaving us without a seat.

Had they contested the last presidential election together, we would have won with 6.6 million votes. Therefore, at least now, unite. Do not come to us for talks unless both sides join, he said.