• General Secy. denies claims few SJB MPs voted in favour of Wickremesinghe 

By Darshana Abayasingha

SJB General Secretary Ranjit Madduma Bandara

SJB General Secretary Ranjit Madduma Bandara yesterday denied claims that some party members had voted in favour of President Ranil Wickremasinghe and noted that the Opposition strength had

grown from 63 to 90 members. 

Madduma Bandara reiterated that the composition of Parliament and yesterday’s vote does not reflect the will of the people and that elections must be held as soon as possible to ensure correct representation. 

He added the House is still dominated by SLPP Parliamentarians who ascended to power during the tenure of deposed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and many of them had voted to maintain special perks including vehicle permits. 

He added that SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa had withdrawn from the vote and decided to support Dullas Alahapperuma as he was a clean politician. Premadasa’s action was also in response to requests from the Maha Sangha, Bandara added. 

“We must establish a House that represents the people’s aspirations, and this must take place soon. The Parliament is full of members appointed by the President who was rejected by the people and the ‘Aragalaya’. The robbers have got together and appointed someone. We had hoped to appoint a Cabinet with just 15 members and to work without obtaining any benefits,” he added. 

However, he said the SJB will closely monitor the plans and progress of the new Government and offer necessary support to lift the country out of its present predicament.

SJB General Secretary’s comments were echoed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna and Kavinda Jayawardena, who stressed on the party’s commitment to only engage with individuals and groups devoid of corruption.

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