SJB accepts presidential poll would be a three-cornered one

• Wants it’s organisers to ensure Sajith gets 50 per cent 

By Yohan Perera   

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which accepted that there would be a keen tussle between incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and National People’s Power (NPP) at this year’s Presidential Election, has informed its organisers to ensure that its candidate obtains enough votes to win in the 
first round.

SJB is the first political party to have fielded a candidate for this year’s Presidential Election and has openly said that the presidential race would be a three-cornered one, unlike in the past.

SJB MPs Tissa Attanayake and Harsha de Silva were among those who accepted that the presidential poll in 2024 would be a three-cornered one. “We have to accept that this year’s Presidential Election is going to be a tussle among three candidates. It could be a tussle between four candidates depending on who Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) will field at the end of the day,” MP Attanayake said. “Our candidate is ahead at the moment. However, we have to ensure that he obtains more than 50 per cent during the first round,” Attanayake said.

MP Harsha de Silva also said the presidential race would be among three candidates this time. “The area organisers were requested to focus on their constituencies and ensure that our candidate secures sufficient votes,” he said.

The SJB organisers were summoned for a meeting by the party leader over the weekend. The Daily Mirror reliably learnt that some organisers, including Rajitha Senaratne and Thalatha Athukorala, were not present at the meeting. SJB Vice President Sujeewa Senasinghe said Dr. Senaratne had informed them of his inability to participate in the organisers’ meeting. Mr. Premadasa reportedly told the organisers that he does not intend to ally with the Rajapaksas, according to MP Gayantha Karunatilleka.