July 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) has called on opposition political parties to unite to defeat the government.

UNP Assistant Leader and parliamentarian Joseph Michael Perera extended this open invitation on behalf of the UNP.

He observed that all forces that opposed the current government needed to take joint action.

He noted that the UNP together with several other opposition political parties would hold a protest rally in Gampaha on Monday. The rally would be against the government's failure to address the issues faced by the people.

Perera also expressed confidence that the UNP would record a victory in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts in the upcoming North Central Provincial Council elections.

He explained that the farming community in the province was displeased with the government for the failure to pay them a pension, increase the price of paddy and address the shortage of water that has destroyed many paddy lands.