By Yohan Perera   

Whilst highlighting that attractive incentives offered by  the National People’s Power (NPP) had led to the defeat of Samagi Jana  Balawegaya (SJB), its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara  yesterday said electoral setbacks are a common phenomenon in Sri Lankan  politics.   

Mr. Madduma Bandara told Daily Mirror that attractive  pledges given by the NPP such as reducing prices of essential goods and tax  cuts have led the people to give a huge mandate for the NPP.   “People were drawn towards the attractive pledges given by  the NPP instead of us, which offered more practical promises,” he said.     
“Electoral setbacks have been a common phenomenon in the  history of Sri Lankan politics. Even UNP suffered a great defeat in 1970  winning only 14 seats and later won a landslide victory in 1977.  Therefore, electoral setbacks are nothing new,” he said.   Parties also lose their strongholds at times,” he said,  referring to SJB’s significant defeat in the Colombo Central at this  year’s General Election. NPP emerged victorious in Colombo Central with  39,160 votes. Both UNP and its breakaway SJB has been winning Colombo  Central since 1994. The constituency was won by former President  Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga the PA candidate in the 1994  Presidential Election.   

Meanwhile, Mr. Madduma Bandara said his party will have to undergo a major reorganisation process soon.