• Independent group blame SJB for breaking unity in opposition
• Independent group engaged in a political game -Sajith

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has prevented an  opportunity of establishing unity among the opposition, new elected  Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya charged yesterday.   

“We go into an agreement with the SJB to come together in  nominating a single member from the Opposition. This would have helped  bring about unity within the opposition but SJB prevented it by  nominating a member for Deputy Speaker’s post,” Mr. Siyambalapitiya said.    Mr. Siyambalapitiya said he will continue to be an  opposition MP, though he would accept the Deputy Speaker’s post. “The  SLFP and the independent group will remain in the opposition, though it  voted together with the SLPP in electing a new Deputy Speaker,” he said.    
Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said the real stand  of the independent group was exposed yesterday. “It was proved that the  independent group was a part of the government though they have sat in  the opposition,” he said.   

“It was proved that the independent group and the SLPP were playing a political game,” he added.   
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the fact  that was proved yesterday was that the ruling party could not nominate  an MP for the Deputy Speaker’s post. “Both MPs who were nominated for  the Deputy Speaker’s post were from the opposition.   

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said the only nominee from the opposition was Imthiaz Bakeer Markar.   
MP. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the SJB expected that  SLPP was going to nominate its own candidate for the Deputy Speaker’s  post and has changed its stand at the last moment. “We decided to  nominate Mr. Bakeer Markar at the last moment,” he said.

•  It was proved that the  independent group was a part of the government though they sat in  the opposition