• It was only those MPs who wanted compensation to renovate their damaged houses and those who want vehicle permits who have voted for Mr. Wickremesinghe

By Yohan Perera 

No one in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has voted in favour of incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the election held to elect a new head of state, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday. 

“No one in SJB had accepted any bribe, as there are no corrupt persons in our camp. No one will leave SJB. In fact, we have managed to increase the opposition MPs to 90. It was only those MPs who wanted compensation to renovate their damaged houses and those who want vehicle permits who have voted for Mr. Wickremesinghe,” Mr. Madduma Bandara told a media briefing. 

Mr. Madduma Bandara said SJB will continuously work with MP Dullas Alahapperuma and his team. “There is no problem in Mr. Alahapperuma forming a new political party with yellow colour as SJB also uses yellow together with green as its colour,” he said.  Asked whether SJB would accept the premiership if offered, the SJB General Secretary said the working committee of the party will discuss the issue and decide on it.