SJB divisions become visible

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Divisions within Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) became visible yesterday when some MPs of the party including party leader Sajith Premadasa walked out of chambers when President Ranil Wickremesinghe began his throne speech while another group of members from the party remained.  

Yet another group of MPs were not present at yesterday’s session.  

One group including Mr. Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella , Imthiaz Bakeer Markar and Tissa Attanayake walked out when President began his speech while MPs Rajitha Senaratne, Sarath Fonseka, Ishaq Rahaman , A.H.M. Fowzie and Vadivel Suresh remained.  

Another group including Gayantha Karunathileke, Thalatha Athukorala, and Rohni Kaviratne were absent.  

Harini Amarasuriya was the only MP present from National People’s Power(NPP).

 C. V. Vigneswaran was the only opposition Tamil MP who was present while TNA and Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam were absent.