Former Ministers Ravi Karunanayake and Navin Dissanayake have indicated the posibility of joining forces with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), should the UNP ignore their siggestions on party positions.

Karunanayake was replaced by Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as the Assistant Leader of the party at the last Working Committee meeting held under the patronage of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Karunanayake and Dissanayake were strongest critiques of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, during the last Parliamentary election.

However, informed political sources said both of them had made efforts to establish links with the SJB as their relations have strained with the UNP Leadership.

Karunanayake had reportedly expressed willingness to become the General Secretary of the party although it did not elicit a positive response from the party leader.

Palitha Range Bandara was appointed the General Secretary of the while several other Wickremesinghe loyalists were appointed to top positions.

However, it is still not clear whether the majority of SJB MPs are willing to welcome Karunanayake to the party with open arms.