Mr. Jayasuriya made this pledge at the opening of his private office in Kirulpone yesterday. "I will unite Ranil Wickremesigne with Sajith Premadasa and others as it is my duty," he told journalists at the opening ceremony.

Besides, he said it is essential that all fractions to come together in order to take the government on. This he said is essential today as people had begun to blame the Opposition for being silent when the rule of law and democracy in the country is declining.

Mr. Jayasuriya said he would not seek any position as one does not need any post to fulfill his of her duty towards the par ty. Therefore he said he would not accept the membership of the working committee.

He said he had no intention whatsoever to grab the leadership of the par ty though he contested for the leadership. He said he decided to contest following repeated requests made by the Maha Nayaka Thera and others in the par ty.

"Many kept asking me as to why I was not taking any step to bring the par ty together and I too realized that I had to do something to deliver UNP from the crisis and decided to act," he said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka