The United National Party will contest the next Parliamentary election as a common alliance, former Minister and party MP Vajira Abeyardena said.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Abeywardena said a decision would be made on the symbol and other related matters in the near future.

The primary objective of the common alliance, he said, would be to protect democracy.

The former Minister extended an open invitation to all pro-democratic forces to join hands with the new alliance.

At the recently-concluded Presidential election, the UNP-led alliance managed to secure 5.5 million votes.