Ex-Army Chief Mahesh joins SJB

Former Army Commander and unsuccessful candidate at the 2019 Presidential Election General (Retd.) Mahesh Senanayake yesterday (17) joined the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).At the 2019 presidential poll, Senanayake polled about 50,000 votes and was placed fourth after Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He contested under the symbol of the National People’s Party (NPP).

Having joined the SJB, General Senanayake received the appointment as the leader of the ‘Samagi Ranaviru Balawegaya’, affiliated to the SJB.

Senanayake was the 22nd Commander of the Army and served for over two years in the position. Prior to that, he had served as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.

After formally retiring from the Sri Lanka Army, he was promoted to the rank of General by then President Maithripala Sirisena on 20 August, 2019.Senanayake is the second retired Army Commander to join the SJB. Daya Ratnayake was the first. A few months ago, retired Navy Commander Admiral Daya Sandagiri also joined the SJB.