• Claims opposition leader’s post   
• Sajith to remain as the party leader   

By Yohan Perera   

Whilst stating that the party can withstand any tremor or adverse situation, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said it will go along with its present leader Sajith Premadasa and thus make a claim for the opposition leader’s post.   

“ There is no need for a leadership change as Mr. Premadasa has only functioned for four and a half years as the party leader unlike UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who has faced defeat many times since he became the leader in 1994,” SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a media briefing.   

 He said the party would claim the opposition leaders post as it is most eligible for it. SJB garnerd the second highest in the opposition winning 40 seats at the General Election.   

“The party which wins the largest number of seats in the opposition is eligible for the opposition leaders’ post. Therefore the SJB has a right to claim it as it has obtained 40 seats and thus become the largest opposition party,” Madduma Bandara said.   

Asked what would happen if some in his own camp wants another member as the opposition leader, the SJB General Secretary said no one has challenged Mr. Premadasa yet.   

He also dismissed claims made by some members of the party that mishandling of the party by some members led to the SJB’s defeat.   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said his party will withstand any adverse situation.   

“Late President J. R. Jayewardene proposed that UNP should support the SLFP led government of late Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike of 1970 after the latter obtained a two thirds majority. However others such as late Dudley Senanayake and R. Premadasa were against the move. UNP came close to a division but was able to withstand the tremor. SJB might also face tremors but we also possess a capability withstanding such situations,” Bakeer Markar said.   

He also indicated that there would not be a leadership change in the SJB. “JVP contested the district council election in 1981. The party suffered defeats ever since it come on to the democratic stream. JVP came into power for the first time decades after it was formed. It will be the same with SJB. We will rectify our shortcomings and come back,” he added.   

These remarks from the party leaders comes amidst some newly elected MPs such as Ajith P. Perera and Hesha Vithanage calling for major reorganization of the party.