By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs who voiced their opinions yesterday came out with different ideas on the strategies which the party should adopt in the future.   

Accordingly MP Harshana Rajakaruna said his party will back President Ranil Wickremesinghe if he changes his policy.   

Mr. Rajakaruna said Mr. Wickremesinghe is a young parrot who had fallen into a den of thieves. “President seemed to be controlled by the SLPP camp. He seemed to be a changed man. Mr. Wickremesinghe used to talk about safeguarding democracy and human rights earlier. However he seems to have changed the stance as many have been arrested on terrorism charges. Even heads of media institutions are summoned for questioning. This may be because he is being controlled by the SLPP,” Mr. Rajakaruna said.   

Asked whether SJB would support him if he distances himself from SLPP, he said they will support Mr. Wickremesinghe if he changes his policy. “We don’t look at personalities but we will support him if he changes his policies,” he said.   

MP S. M. Marikkar who also participated in the press conference said his party is of the opinion that a snap general election should be held. “We will support a resolution to this effect if such a thing is presented to Parliament. We will take to the streets calling for general elections in the near future,” he said.   Also he said the way in which President Wickremesinghe acts today is not something new as he did not appreciate those who supported him even during the Yahapalanaya government.   

MP Hector Appuhamy also came out with a different idea and said his party will allow the President to continue for some time and support an all party programme without taking up ministerial portfolios. “We will support an all party programme because we would be blamed for not giving time for the President to perform,” he said. Also he said the President should take care of UNPers who were suppressed during the SLPP government. 

• MP Hector Appuhamy said his  party will support an  all party programme without taking up ministerial portfolios
• MP Harshana Rajakaruna said his party will back President Ranil Wickremesinghe if he changes his policy