The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday handed over its finalised seven-member National List of nominees to the Election Commission. 

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara handed over the seven-member list to the Election Commission last evening. According to the SJB, the party’s National List includes Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Tissa Attanayake, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Eran Wickramaratne, Harin Fernando, Mayantha Dissanayaka and Diana Gamage. 

The SJB, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya (AJBP) delayed finalise their respective National Lists, pushing the Election Commission to delay the gazetting of the National List of the 2020 Parliament.

SJB coalition partners, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), held discussions regarding securing a National List seat for their respective parties.

However, TPA Leader Mano Ganesan and SLMC Head Rauff Hakeem both told the press earlier in the week that they had left the decision in the hands of SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa. 

With seven National List seats, the SJB is the largest Opposition party in the 2020 Parliament.

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