Crisis erupts within SJB | Sunday Observer

Crisis erupts within SJB

3 October, 2021

A political crisis has erupted within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) as 53 Parliamentarians of the party have divided themselves into five factions and work separately. According to SJB internal sources, the crisis had emerged due to the arbitrary decisions taken by a group of Parliamentarians aligned with Party Leader Sajith Premadasa disregarding the decisions taken by the management committees and the Polit Bureau. It has also become a serious issue as the Party Leader acts in an arbitrary manner without consulting the party seniors.

Even though the issue had been discussed on several occasions, the Party Leader has not changed his stance of taking unilateral decisions.

The internal rift within the SJB became evident when SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri openly launched a verbal attack on Party and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa a couple of days ago.

At a recent press conference MP Wijesiri said if Sajith Premadasa attempts to ensure his survival by only highlighting the mistakes of the Government without promoting an alternative plan, he would become a joker to the public.

Political sources also said that at present some SJB Parliamentarians remain silent without actively participating in the political activities of the party. A conflict of ideas has also developed between MPs Chaminda Wijesiri and Ravindra Samaraweera regarding the Badulla district leadership.

A similar clash has emerged between MPs Thalatha Atukorale and Hesha Withanage for the Ratnapura district leadership and the Kolonna electoral organiser post.

SJB MP Champika Ranawaka is engaged in separate political activities with his 43 Brigade. It has also become another challenging issue as several SJB MPs are closely working with him.

Over 10 SJB Parliamentarians also maintain close contact with UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. Another significant fact is that the leaders of the Tamil and Muslim coalition parties of the SJB engage in political activities separately.

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