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UNP dissident members who joined the Government rejected Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s open invitation to return to the party in the event of a general election.
"We left the party since there was no democracy and the situation has not improved. There is no need to go back," Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge said. "I left the UNP with no intention of returning," he said.
Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Guanwardena said that when the President was engaged in the task of bringing the country under one flag, the UNP dissidents would not desert him and become betrayers to the nation. "The LTTE is on its last legs and why should we leave the government?" he queried.
"We are negotiating with the UPFA to contest a future election under the common betel leaf symbol," Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. He said 17 UNP strongmen left the UNP because there were issues with the leadership and joined President Rajapaksa’s government to serve the country.
Meanwhile, contacted for comment, UNP strongman, MP Ravi Karunanayake said: "We will not take back those who betrayed the party. They have been rejected by the people and would never have a chance at the elections. Even if they return, people who lost their way in politics will not be taken back. We are ready to take back only those who engaged in clean politics."
