• What the party wants is the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the govt.

By Yohan Perera 

While scoffing rumours that five Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) MPs are to accept ministerial posts on their own, the party yesterday said the entire parliamentary group had unanimously decided against joining an interim government.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told media that the party’s parliamentary group has decided against joining an interim government as what the party wants is the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “We are standing with the people and call for the resignation of President Rajapaksa and the government. Therefore we have decided against accepting ministerial portfolios,” he said. 

“There is no truth in the report that five of our MPs will be joining the government on their own,” he added.
“ Everyone who governed this nation for the  last  74 years are not responsible for  the present situation in the country as politicians such as late Prime Ministers D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, J. R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa were never accused of corruption,” he said. 

MP. Harshana Rajakaruna said the party had decided to go for island wide protests on Thursday April 7. “We have decided to stage protests in every constituency on that day,” he said, 

Referring to the appointment of a temporary cabinet, he said the government had only put old wine in a new bottle. 

• There is no truth in the report that five of our MPs will be joining the government