SJB infighting Escalates Sarath Fonseka Faces Party Backlash Over Public Critique of Leadership Decision

• Party General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara took a firm stance, urging Fonseka to exercise greater responsibility when communicating with the media 

By Yohan Perera   

Internal discord within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has intensified as Chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka comes under fire from fellow MPs for openly criticizing the party leadership’s appointment of General Daya Ratnayake as a senior advisor.  Party General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara took a firm stance, urging Fonseka to exercise greater responsibility when communicating with the media. 

 MP Bandara emphasized the importance of addressing internal matters discreetly and cautioned against airing grievances in public. “While I have no issue with welcoming newcomers, Field Marshal has opposed the entry of Daya Ratnayake on a personal basis,” he said.   

Former MP Mujibur Rahaman joined the chorus of criticism during a recent media briefing, asking Fonseka to raise concerns within party committees instead of publicly airing grievances. Rahaman highlighted Fonseka’s active involvement in various party committees, suggesting that internal meetings offered a more appropriate platform for addressing such issues.   

Adding fuel to the fire, Rahaman strongly disapproved of Fonseka’s comparison of the democratic credentials of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. He asserted that such comments were unacceptable, questioning Fonseka’s claim and pointing out that if the President was genuinely democratic, Fonseka would not have parted ways with the UNP.