Ranil’s move to grab Opposition Leader’s post lands SJB in quandary – govt.

All of us are behind Sajith – Kiriella

By Saman Indrajith

State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self-Employment and Business Development Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament yesterday (8) that the main opposition SJB facing a leadership issue following the announcement that UNP leader Ranil Wickremewsinghe would soon enter Parliament and be appointed the Opposition Leader.

Minister Semasinghe said that MPs of SJB led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa were in a quandary. “I am sure that a large number of SJB MPs will go back to their former leader Wickremsinghe because all in SJB are very upset and frustrated by the immature leadership displayed by Premadasa. Chief Opposition Whip will confirm this fact because he knows the way the MPs of his party feel about this matter.”

Chief Opposition Whip MP Kiriella said all MPs of the SJB had met the previous day and passed a resolution to the effect that all of them would accept the leadership of Premadasa. “Our leader is Sajith Premadasa and there is no change in our position,” MP Kiriella said, while some Opposition MPs including MP Bakeer Markar thumped the desks.

Minister Semasinghe: “It proves what I have been telling is true. The need for the passing of that resolution arose because of dissension in the SJB. There would have been no need to pass such a resolution to assure that there would be no break of rank and file if there had been no problem”.