Sri Lanka, July 9 -- Imthiaz Bakeer Markar is a prominent member of the newly-formed Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and is on its National List for the upcoming parliamentary polls. The son of former Speaker M.A. Bakeer Marker, Imthiaz has a longstanding involvement with the United National Party (UNP). He spoke to on the role and goals of the SJB in the current political climate. Excerpts:

The SJB is the offspring and creation of the UNP which seeks to follow the UNP's founding principles. I'm a member of the UNP Working Committee (WC) which unanimously voted to unite all anti-government forces and build a new political movement. The WC also unanimously chose UNP deputy-leader Sajith Premadasa to lead this movement, and wanted him named ...