Whilst Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group has unanimously decided to vote against the Emergency Bill tomorrow, there seemed to be different opinions about an all party government as some MPs representing the party opine that the party should play a role in an all party government without accepting ministerial portfolios.

SJB Gampaha District MP Harshana Rajakauna who spoke to media after the party’s working committee and parliamentary group meeting, said his party would support a multi-party government without accepting ministerial portfolios. 
“We are of the opinion that SJB should play a role in the government without accepting any ministerial portfolios. We have also requested the government to appoint MP Harsha de Silva as the Chairman of Public Finance Committee. Also we believe that SJB should play a role in committees,” Mr. Rajakaruna said.

MP Rajitha Senaratne said SJB will not play a role in an all party government which the ruling party envisages. “What the ruling party and President Ranil Wickremesinghe intend doing is to woo MPs to their camp by offering ministries and money. Therefore we don’t intend to be a party of such a government,” he said.

He alleged that monetary rewards have been given to MPs to get them to vote for Mr.  Wickremesinghe when electing a new President.

However MPs Thursha Indunil Amarasena, Mujibur Rahman, Harshana Rajakaruna and Tissa Attanayake confirmed that SJB will vote against Emergency today.

“We will see whether any SJB MPs would vote in favour of Emergency and confirmed the claim made by Minister Harin Fernando that some SJBer have voted against the decision of their party on July 20.,” MP Amarasena said. (Yohan Perera)