Nov 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says it has ideological differences with the UNP and therefore would not join forces with the main opposition United National Party (UNP).

However, JVP politburo member, K. D. Lal Kantha told the media that the two parties could still work together on common issues.

He said the JVP could work with the UNP on certain issues like workers' rights and the demand for a salary hike.

Lal Kantha made these comments to the media in response to a statement made recently by the UNP leadership of a possible future alliance between the two parties.

The JVP politburo member reiterated that the party would never form an alliance with the UNP.

Nevertheless, he noted that the JVP's National Trade Union Center (NTUC) could work with the UNP's Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) on the salary issue.