UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena yesterday that confessed to the public that they failed to look after party supporters under the previous government.

"We know they have numerours issues. There was no one to look into the grievances of party supporters. They could not meet the ministers of the previous government and present their problem. There was no one at Sirikotha to attend to their problems. As a result of these shortcomings, their frustration grew leading to a major split in the party. We have identified these issues and working out a mechanism through which we can bring back those who left the party," Wijewardena said, addressing a UNP meeting in Polonnaruwa.

The UNP Deputy Leader also added they ahd received many requests from party supporters to reunite with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the main opposition party led by Sajith Premadasa. Wijewardena said he was certain that the supporters of the SJB too were expressing similar sentiments.

However, when asked about the matter, a senior SJB MP said there would not be any kind of merger between the two parties as long as former Prime Minnister Ranil Wickremesinghe remains the leader of the UNP.

"Our supporters want us to embark on a clean journey devoid of the UNP's burden. This largely stems from their opposition to the conduct of the former Prime Minister. This is clearly manifested in the number of votes received by the UNP at the last Parliamentary election. The SJB has no intention of alienating the interests of its own supporters by forming an alliance with a party headed by a failed, unsuccessful leader," the MP said.

He added that the recent discussion Opposition Leader Premadasa held with Wickremesinghe was purely based on the content of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) report on political victimisation — a common concern for both parties.