Ranil invites Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

02-Sep-2025

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has invited Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to attend the annual convention of the United National Party (UNP), scheduled for September 6.

According to an English-language media outlet, Wickremesinghe said the convention would mark the first step toward building unity among opposition parties.

He also indicated that the restrictions imposed on members who had defected from the UNP to join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) would be lifted.

Wickremesinghe, who was recently arrested on allegations of using state funds for a private trip to the UK and later released on bail, is now attempting to unite the opposition, UNP sources said.

To facilitate wider participation by opposition members, the party has decided to shift the venue of the convention to a more accessible location.

It is also reported that relations between Sajith Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe have been improving since the severe split of 2020.

Meanwhile, invitations have also been extended to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Chandrika Kumaratunga to attend the convention.