UNP General Secretary today asserted that his conscience could not be bought for money.

He was referring to certain media reports claiming the UNP General Secretary was negotiating with the government for a crossover. An online publication alleged that he had been offered a large amount of money to give his consent for a crossover – mainly to “balance” the defection of the  former SLFP General Secretary.

“The government cannot buy me over. My conscience could not be bought for money. No one in the UNP cannot be bought for money!” an emotional General Secretary said addressing a meeting at Sirikotha a short while ago.

Speaking on his efforts to unite the main opposition party, Attanayake said he realized that the party was not in a position to embark on a victorious journey as long as it remains divided. He was referring to the role he played in creating an “understanding” between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Hambanthota District MP Sajith Premadasa, who was later appointed as the Deputy Leader of the party.

Premadasa was also present at the party headquarters when the UNP General Secretary made this emotional speech.

“Members of the United National Party have been facing a hard time since 1994. Sacrifices made by our members are not easy; but we couldn't do justice to them who suffered for decades. We need a leader who can mete out justice to them,” Attanayake said in his speech.

Meanwhile, addressing the same meeting, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said he noticed from the speech of Attanayake that the General Secretary of the party was hurt. 

The Deputy Leader said the United National Party, the country’s main opposition, has spent enough time in the opposition.He also added that common candidate Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to protect the members of the UNP.

 “Therefore, the party and its leader decided that the UNP should make a sacrifice to make way for Maithripala Sirisena to become the common candidate of the opposition,” Premadasa added while saying that the state media and those who are supporting the LTTE are slinging mud at the leaders of the common opposition.