Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sajith Premadasa, expressed confidence in the party's ability to secure a parliamentary majority, stating that there are no issues in working with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Premadasa said that the SJB has assembled a strong team with a clear vision for the country’s development, positioning it as the most suitable choice for leadership in the current political landscape.

“Some question whether it is okay to give a parliamentary majority to a party when the President comes from another party. I think there is no problem with that, because we, the SJB, don’t have any issues working with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,” Premadasa added.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa said if he had been elected as President, he would have renegotiated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and taken steps to reduce the tax burden on the people. He questioned the Government as to why it has been unable to reduce taxes following discussions with the IMF.

Addressing a meeting with SJB members and activists in the Awissawella electorate, Premadasa stated that the people expected the Government to engage with the IMF and take steps to reduce the indirect tax burden on them. However, the Government has yet to fulfill this promise, and the taxes remain the same. The Government also claims it would continue the IMF programme without amendments, forgetting their own election promises, Premadasa asserted.

Speaking further, Premadasa said he would like to know what happened during the discussions between the new Government and the IMF, as well as the Government’s plans to reduce taxes.

“If I had been elected as President, I would have renegotiated with the IMF. Now, if we win the General Election, we can do that under an SJB Government because this Government would not do that, even though they promised,” he said.

Former MP Hirunika Premachandra, who recently announced her resignation from the position of National Organizer of the Samagi Wanitha Balawegaya, the women’s wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stated that the decision was made to allow her to focus on the upcoming general election, in which she is also a candidate.

Speaking at the SJB’s daily media briefing on 16 October, alongside SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara, she explained,

"I decided to step down from my position at the Samagi Wanitha Balawegaya, not because I wanted to cause any discomfort to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa or General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara. During the presidential election, I traveled across the country to attend numerous meetings, which limited my ability to concentrate on political activities in the Kaduwela electorate. Since I am contesting in the general election, I need to prioritize political activities in my constituency.

The responsibilities of the women’s wing are typically rotated among different individuals each year, so I felt it was appropriate to step down and allow someone else to take on the role."

She added that although Maddumabandara was initially reluctant to accept her resignation, she remained firm in her decision. After discussions, the SJB Leader offered a solution that addressed her concerns, leading her to speak at the press conference.

Premachandra further emphasized that she has no intention of causing any issues within the party. "We all trust Sajith Premadasa. We did our best to elect him as President, but unfortunately, we were not successful. Our focus now is on the general election, and we aim to win as many seats as possible. I will do everything I can to achieve that goal," she added,

Popular actress Damitha Abeyrathne today (16) said she is considering resigning from politics due to the disappointment of the fiasco she faced regarding nominations from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

“I didn’t want to resign. I wanted to embark on a long journey in mainstream politics. The nomination board approved my candidacy and even contradicted me for that. But they conspired against me, so I have to resign.”

Abeyrathne was hopeful of receiving nominations under the SJB ticket for the Ratnapura District. She actively participated in election propaganda campaigns for the party, and her candidacy had been confirmed. However, the SJB removed her name from the nomination list at the last moment without informing her. She found out about it when she went to the Ratnapura District Secretariat to submit her nomination.

SJB Ratnapura District Team Leader Hesha Withanage later stated that although Abeyrathne worked hard on the district election campaigns, the party did not want to "import" candidates from other districts to contest in the general election.

Speaking to the media today (16), visibly upset Abeyrathne expressed her suspicion that Hesha Withanage was behind the "conspiracy" against her, as he might have thought that he could not secure a position at the top of the preferential vote list in the district because of her.

“I think he was scared that I would surpass his number of votes in the election. SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa also confirmed my candidacy. This is not democracy; this is totally unacceptable. If I was not getting the nominations, they could have informed me beforehand. It was as simple as that. But they didn’t inform me. This violates the rights of a common person. Hesha Withanage invited me, saying that since Thalatha Atukorale is no longer in the party or the district, I could fill her place,” she said.

“The SJB could have won easily in the upcoming election. But owing to the unprofessionalism and ungratefulness of them, now the victory is not even close. I saw that SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara said that my nomination issue was caused by a miscommunication. That is a joke. I urge Maddumabandara not to make such irresponsible statements,” Abeyrathne added.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP S.M Marrikkar says his party will work towards defeating the government's proposed tax reforms. He said the party would vote against the proposed tax hikes in parliament. “As representatives of the people, we cannot vote for these exorbitant tax hikes at a time when the price of goods have increased significantly. We will not vote for these proposed tax percentages,” he said.

The MP, who is also the media spokesman of the SJB made these comments at a press conference held at the Opposition leader’s office in Colombo yesterday.

“When Gotabaya Rajapaksa reduced taxes we pointed out that this was an incorrect decision and that it would negatively affect the economy. Therefore the SJB believes taxes must be increased. But any increase must be fair and reasonable.” he said.

According to the MP, the people are not able to bear these proposed taxes. “As the Minister of Finance, the President must reduce these proposed percentages. If not we will block this from being passed in parliament.” he said. The MP also warned the party will ensure the country’s middle class takes to the streets in protest if the President fails to heed their calls. He accused the President of attempting to increase government revenue by placing an increased tax burden on the people and also by selling government assets. “It does not appear the government is currently formulating a long-term plan with a particular aim for the purpose of increasing revenue,” he noted.

Marikkar proposed the government must look into other alternative revenue-making methods such as the promotion of medical tourism in Sri Lanka and the ICT sector. “Instead of a proper plan, President Wickremesinghe is attempting to address the country’s issues through a short-term solution that heavily burdens the country’s people,” he said.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya, organiser of the Kegalle district Lakshman Dissanayake was arrested on Thursday (1) evening under the suspicion of shooting his personal secretary dead.

According to sources, the deceased identified as 36-year-old Sakunthala Weerasinghe from Kamburugala had also been in a long time relationship with Dissanayake. Relatives claim the duo have been involved in several altercations recently over the woman’s impending marriage to another.

The body of the woman with gunshot injuries was discovered inside the Party Office building of Lakshman Dissanayake.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has proposed a dole or a government allowance be provided to the lower income classes affected by the recent electricity tariff hike. Proposing the measure, SJB MP S.M Marikkar said “The underprivileged and lower income classes cannot bear the hike along with the water tariff hike as their income will not increase. We, therefore, propose a dole be given out” he said. According to Marikkar when hiking tariffs the government must make a note of the manner in which the people are living today.

He made these comments at the adjournment debate held in parliament yesterday on the recent electricity tariff hike.

Listing out all the issues faced by the people due to the economic crisis Marikkar said it was in such a scenario that the government is seeking to increase the tariffs.

“The government is blaming the hike on high production costs. One of the main reasons behind the excessive electricity production costs is corruption and overstaffing. Who provided employment in excess? It happened during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Corruption of officials such as when purchasing power from private firms is also a reason, '' the SJB MP added.

A possible imminent rift within the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) is being reported. Accordingly, sources say the group led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma will split from the main SLPP and is set to function independently. 

It is also reported another SLPP faction will join hands with the United National Party (UNP) in the coming days. 

Meanwhile, it is also claimed the group led by Dullas Alahapperuma has decided to form a new political movement together with several political parties and groups. Political sources stated that the group led by Alahapperuma is currently in discussions with groups led by Wimal Weerawansa, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Patali Champika Ranawaka.

According to sources within the Dullas Alahapperuma group, this step has been taken to end nepotism and revolutionism to create a reformist political movement.

Meanwhile, sources said that many ministers who are with the government are preparing to join the UNP in the near future.

It is reported that MPs joining the government from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Sri Lanka Freedom Party, as well as several people who left the government and became independent MPs in the recent past, are now prepared to join the UNP.

It is stated that this group will include several people who are currently representing the Cabinet.