SJB comes up with range of electoral pledges at May Day rally

Colombo, May 1 (Daily Mirror)- In what seemed like a long list of electoral pledges,  the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) came out with a set of promises at its May Day rally which they would implement if elected to office.

The pledges included full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, a fresh probe on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, creating smart farmers and fishermen, creating a conducive environment for investors, creating employment opportunities and creating Silicon Valley type IT zones in every district.

Other pledges included paying a higher interest rate for the deposits of senior citizens and creating smart schools.

There were no pledges or any proposals aimed at upholding labour rights in line with May Day.

“Some say that people in this country should not cling on to politics which are centered on promises as politicians in this country have failed to deliver what they have pledged over the years. However, failure to deliver promises is not an offence which the SJB has committed to date,” SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said at the party’s May Day rally.

“We will implement a policy of inclusiveness where the minorities are concerned. Accordingly, we will also put a stop to extremism. We will also conduct fresh probes on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and bring those who are responsible to book. This will be done with the blessings of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith,” he said.

Premadasa denied that some SJB MPs have obtained liquor licenses. 

“No one in my party has obtained liquor licenses. However, I will cancel all liquor licenses through a resolution in Parliament when my government comes to power,” he added.

“No one in my party can be bought over by monetary rewards,” he said.