SLPP–UNP Alliance Is a Timely Necessity, Says Namal Rajapaksa

05-Jan-2026

.

The merger of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) is viewed as positive news and a significant development that should take place in Sri Lankan politics, said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa.

Commenting on the merger and current political developments, he stated that political parties must unite and form alliances as required by the times.

He further said that under the present system, even when mistakes are made by the government or ministers, it is officials who are forced to resign, whereas responsibility should lie with politicians. He criticized the practice of penalizing officials, citing incidents where police officers are transferred following accidents caused by intoxicated ruling-party MPs.

Referring to the Grade 6 English textbook controversy, he accused Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of shifting blame onto officials. He urged the government to stop pressuring public servants across all sectors.

While education reforms aligned with global changes are necessary, he said it remains unclear what reforms the current Education Minister envisions. Those who promised systemic reform have instead weakened institutions, and accountability will follow, he warned.

Rajapaksa also called on the government to deliver all promised relief to disaster-affected communities, pledging continued support from his party.

He reiterated that the SJB–UNP merger is welcome and stressed that his party’s goal is not to weaken other parties but to rescue the public from economic hardship. He urged the government to be prepared for this task, warning that a lack of planning amid global political and trade shifts could further damage the economy.