Mano scoffs at rumours of leaving SJB

By Yohan Perera  

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan yesterday scoffed at rumours that his party was to leave the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and withdraw from the elections.

 “There was a report in the media that we were to leave SJB shortly. This is far from being the truth. We are more close to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa than before. TPA as one of the pioneers of SJB will never leave that alliance,” Mr. Ganesan said in a statement.   

“The fake news that is running in the media is the work of some group which is politically bankrupt,” he added.   
In contrast to this former Minister and UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake on Tuesday said around 20 candidates from SJB will withdraw in the time to come. Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera who was to contest from Matara District, Niluka Ekanayake, who was set to contest the general election from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for Ratnapura District and Denet Paniyanduwage who was to contest from SJB for Galle District have already withdrawn from the elections as of now. Both Ms. Ekanayake and Mr. Paniyanduwage had announced that they have joined SLPP.