Damitha Abeyratne tippexed out of SJB Ratnapura District list

By Yohan Perera and Ajitha lal Shanthaudaya

Aragalaya- activist turned politician Damitha Abeyratne, who claimed that she would contest the General Elections from the Ratnapura District through Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was in for a shock when she found out that her name was omitted from the nomination list for the Ratnapura District.   

“I inquired from former MP Hesha Withanage whether I will be included in the SJB’s Ratnapura District list. He responded positively. He requested me to come to the Divisional Secretariat. I then proceeded towards the Divisional Secretariat and found out that my name was omitted from the list,” she told media.   

“I have informed Party Leader Sajith Premadasa of injustice. I don’t blame him for this. He has been misled by Hesha Withanage. Hesha has informed Mr. Premadasa that my name was removed following a request that I made. Hesha has acted in an indecent manner,” she added.   

When contacted by Daily Mirror Ms. Abeyratne confirmed that her name has been tippexed.   

Mr. Withanage when contacted by Daily Mirror said Ms. Abeyratne’s name was deleted as the entire party machinery was against her inclusion. “I as the District leader of the party had to listen to party members of the district. They did not want any outsider included from the Ratnapura District,” he said.   

Withanage denied the claim made by Ms. Abeyratne that he had misled party leader Premadasa.   

A similar incident occurred in 2010 when the former MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi’s name was tippexed out and replaced by another name. Mr. Kuttiarachchi was to contest representing the United National Party (UNP) from Monaragala District.