Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed disappointment over the silence of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarians in the face of allegations levelled against him regarding the misuse of funds at the Central Cultural Fund, Divaina newspaper reported.

Speaking at Management Committee held yesterday (15 July), Sajith Premadasa reportedly stated that if no one within the party is willing to defend him, he will be compelled to stand up for himself, according to a senior SJB source who spoke to Divaina.

During the meeting, several parliamentarians stressed the urgent need for the party to present a credible and comprehensive economic vision to the country, rather than relying on traditional political approaches.

Chaired by Sajith Premadasa, the committee convened for the first time in several months at 10 a.m., with primary attention focused on guiding newly elected members from the recent local government elections. Discussions centred on the responsibilities of these new representatives and the need to provide leadership training and capacity building through workshops.

The committee also discussed the appointment of electoral organisers and the establishment of branch-level committees.

Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar, expressing his views during the meeting, stated that what the country now demands is not conventional politics but a viable economic direction that can stabilise the nation. He remarked that the SJB’s failure to present such a framework has contributed to the National People’s Power (NPP) – which secured only around 4% of the vote in previous elections – being seen as a viable governing force.

Marikkar further noted that a public perception exists that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is capable of handling the country’s economic recovery, a perception that the SJB currently lacks among the public.

MPs Kabir Hashim and Harsha de Silva were also among those who shared similar concerns during the meeting. (Courtesy: Divaina)