Govt. intending to recruit entire SJB: Harin

Monday, 15 May 2023 05:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando yesterday said the Government aims to recruit the entire parliamentary group of the main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) soon.

“We do not want to take in one MP at a time. Instead, we want to rake in the SJB in its entirety,” he said.

The Minister said that though he has not given up his SJB membership, he considers himself an UNPer as he has only contested under the party. Fernando himself joined the Government in May last year against the wishes of the SJB.

While SJB Vice President P. Harrison yesterday announced his decision to leave the SJB, it is rumoured that MP Vaidvel Suresh may also follow suit. Suresh was seen attending a public meeting with Fernando yesterday in Badulla. There the MP claimed he intends to work closely with Fernando in the future.