A group of SJB district representatives and electoral organizers has reportedly questioned the party leadership over how Midigama Lasa (Weligama PS Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara) was granted nomination for the recent local government election despite facing six criminal cases, Lankadeepa reported.

Lankadeepa report said that according to party sources, the members have urged the SJB General Secretary to issue a clear explanation, stating that accountability must be taken for allowing Wickramasekara to contest under such circumstances.

They pointed out that Wickramasekara had been charged in six separate criminal cases, including one related to narcotics, for which he had even received a suspended prison sentence.

The local representatives stressed that it was unacceptable for the party to claim ignorance of these pending cases when granting him candidacy and called for a formal internal inquiry into the matter.

They also indicated their intention to meet with the SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to discuss the issue further.

Attempts to contact SJB General Secretary and MP Ranjith Maddumabandara for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls, Lankadeepa said.