• Should also come up with a proposal with regard to electoral reforms

By Yohan Perera 

Responding to the remark made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he will go for a referendum if the parties fail to agree on electoral reforms, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)  said it is ready for it. 

“President can hold a referendum if he wants and we are ready for it,” SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake  told a press conference. 
“President can even hold a parliamentary election as Parliament does not reflect the mandate given by the people in 2020 any longer,” he said. 
“President should also come up with a proposal with regard to electoral reforms. There should be some kind of proposal for electoral reforms for any party to agree or not. Government had not come up with a proposal on electoral reforms to date,” he said. 

Asked about the remarks made by USAID Administrator Samantha Power who called for political reforms, Mr. Attanayake said SJB also holds the same stand. “We are also of the opinion that political reforms demanded by those who held protests should be met,” he said. 

With regard to participation of SJB members at the UNHCR sessions, Mr. Attanayake said SJB is only monitoring. “ SJB is only actively monitoring the UNHCR sessions and we do not intend to carry tales,” he said in this regard. 
“Sri Lankan government will  have to face a tough task with a new resolution that is to come to the UNHCR on economic crimes,” he also said.