SJB reveals discussions with Gota in 2022 on power transition

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has denied allegations that their leader Sajith Premadasa refused the Premiership when it was offered by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

At a press conference yesterday, de Silva disclosed that on the evening of 10 May 2022, four SJB members met with Rajapaksa to discuss the transition of power.

“Four MPs — I, Eran Wickramaratne, Kabir Hashim, and Ranjith Madduma Bandara — met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and the discussion lasted until 10:20 p.m.,” de Silva said at the briefing joined by MP Eran Wickramaratne.

He confirmed that the group discussed the transition of power with the former President. De Silva noted that at that time, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had presented the most significant proposals for governance, which were accepted nationwide.

“It called for the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to be brought forward within weeks,” he noted. The MP stated that when the people demanded for Gotabaya to go home, they were referring not only to the President but also to the need for systemic change and the abolition of the executive Presidency, which concentrates power on one individual.

De Silva emphasised that these were the key topics discussed during the meeting. “He (Premadasa) did not flee as accused,” he asserted.

According to de Silva, Ministers Ramesh Pathirana and MP Nalaka Godahewa were witnesses to the exchange. “This is the truth. Ask Gotabaya Rajapaksa if this is not what occurred,” he challenged.

Good news claimed by Govt. yet to be seen in the flesh: SJB