United National Party (UNP) Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said he is prepared to step down from party leadership at any time if his position becomes an obstacle to unity between the UNP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

According to Lankadeepa, Wickremesinghe made these remarks during the UNP Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday (17) at Sirikotha, the party’s headquarters in Pitakotte. He reportedly stated that he would have no objection to relinquishing the party leadership if a merger with the SJB is agreed upon.

Discussions on cooperation between the UNP and the SJB are currently underway. The UNP has appointed a committee comprising Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka, while talks on the SJB side are being led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Wickremesinghe noted that he has yet to receive an official progress report on the discussions but stressed to the Executive Committee that the talks must be concluded swiftly, warning against unnecessary delays.

He emphasized that opposition parties should unite from next year to build a strong people’s force against the government and urged that the ongoing negotiations be expedited.

The former President further stated that if a consensus is reached on merging the UNP and SJB, and if the UNP Executive Committee proposes that Sajith Premadasa or another individual assume leadership, he would raise no objections. He added that he personally supports the idea of the UNP and SJB coming together.

Reiterating his stance, Wickremesinghe said he is ready to step down from leadership at any moment if it helps achieve unity.

“I have been the party leader for a long time. I became the country’s President and reached the highest position possible. At the most difficult moment for the country, I took responsibility and worked to uplift it. Therefore, stepping aside is not a problem for me. But this process must be concluded quickly,” he told the committee.