By Rathindra Kuruwita

The GL Peiris-led splinter group of the SLPP, the Nidahasa Janatha Sabawa (NJS), has signed an MOU with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to form an alliance in view of upcoming elections on Friday (05).

Six NJS MPs, namely, Professor Peiris, Dilan Perera, K.P. Kumarasiri, Upali Galappatty, Wasantha Yapa Bandara and  Nalaka Godahewa signed the MoU at the BMICH on Friday morning.

“The country is on the verge of collapse. People are yearning for someone who can dig the country out of the hole it is in. The majority of Lankans believe that it is the SJB that can guide the country out of this crisis. Prof. G.L Peiris and others have joined us and this is a great boost to our efforts,” SJB General Secretary and Moneragala District MP Ranjith Maddumabandara said addressing the meeting.

Prof. Peiris said the government has been rejected by the people. Those at the helm are not sensitive to the grievances of the people.

“The government talks about turning the economy around. The only thing they have done is to steal from the EPF. This is not a miracle, but a nightmare. Sajith Premadasa has redefined the role of Opposition Leader. Traditionally, the opposition only criticized the government. Premadasa changed this. He has distributed so many goods to schools and the poor. He has done this without any power. He has policies and a vision,” Peiris said.

Sajith Premadasa said that his party would eradicate corruption in the country. In the coming months, more political parties and politicians will join the SJB, he said. “They are not joining us for material gain or for positions,” he declared.

MP Dilan Perera said that they wanted to come into an agreement with Premadasa about 20 months ago, when he supported Dullas Alahapperuma’s candidacy to be elected president through the vote of the MPs.

“More people will join us. Even Dullas Alahapperuma might join us. This is only the beginning,” he said.

Perera said that the Ranil-Rajapaksa government is afraid of the SJB forming alliances with other groups. Many attempts had been made to undermine the NJS joining hands with the SJB, he said.