14 August 2024 08:13 am Views - 50
By Yohan Perera
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rajitha Senaratne who did a political somersault yesterday said he shifted sides and decided to support incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe because of his love for the nation.
“I love Sajith, but I love my nation more,” he said.
“I decided to support President Wickremesinghe to show my gratitude for his efforts to bring stability to the nation after the Aragalaya,” Dr. Senaratne said after signing an agreement with the President.
“I am a person who has shifted my political stance on behalf of the nation from time to time. I was a leader of a student union during my days at medical college. I was then involved with the SLFP. Later, I realised that socialism is not the answer to economic issues and accepted the open economy. I joined the UNP in 1993. In 2007, I realised that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was capable of winning the war against terrorism. Therefore, I, along with Karu Jayasuriya, joined the Rajapaksa government. I left that government in 2015 and persuaded former President Maithripala Sirisena to leave it because President Rajapaksa did not live up to expectations. Later, in 2022, I saw how President Wickremesinghe brought stability to the nation, and now I am here to support him,” he said.
“I have nothing against Opposition Leader and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa. I had a two-hour discussion with him prior to my departure from the SJB. Mr. Premadasa promised me that he would allocate three national list slots to anyone of my choice. He promised me many other things. However, I told him that I have made a decision on behalf of the nation, setting aside my political aspirations,” he added.
It is expected that a few more SJB members will come out in support of President Wickremesinghe in the coming days.