KANDY - It is a pity that the United National Party (UNP) made arrangements to establish the United National Alliance (UNA) on November 03, the infamous day the Portuguese landed on Sri Lanka’s soil, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said at Tuesday’s (03) meeting of the Central Provincial Council.

He said that what was more unfortunate was that the UNP signed the agreement with the other parties in the absence of the party’s National Organiser S. B. Dissanayaka.

Opposition Leader of the Central Provincial Council S. B. Dissanayaka who was occupying the seat in front quipped, "I love this Provincial Council more".

The Chief Minister said "The first European, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka on Nov. 03, 1505. That day is a sad day for Sri Lanka. I wonder why this particular day is chosen to sign the Alliance agreement by the UNP. We wonder what connections the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had with Goa".

When journalists inquired about his absence at the signing of the United National Alliance agreement, S. B. Dissanayaka said in a lighter vein, "There is no answer to that question".

However, in answer to a subsequent query outside the Assembly Hall of the Provincial Council, he hinted that the problem would be settled if he was made the common candidate.