SJB reiterates its willingness to help revive economy without accepting ministerial posts

By Akitha Perera

The SJB would assist the government in reviving the economy, but it would not take ministerial positions, SJB General Secretary, MP Ranjith Maddumabandara said. Addressing the media in Colombo, Maddumabandara said people were keen to see the formation of an all-party government.

“The SJB, too, had a number of discussions on the matter. We have decided to assist the government in stabilising the economy.”

MP Maddumabandara said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had in his policy statement, said that he wanted to strengthen Parliament. He proposed to establish the committee system in Parliament, the SJB MP said.

“So, we have decided to have representation on those committees and faciliate the revival of the country. We don’t want to take up positions and add to the burden of the people. Already there is a struggle for ministerial posts in the government. We are not interested in ministerial posts,” he said.

The SJB General Secretary said there was an attempt to divide the party. “This will not happen. When Wickremesinghe became Prime Minister there was a lot of speculation that a large number of SJB MPs would join him. Only two did. Now they are saying that 20 MPs, including me, are close to Ranil. I think before publishing this kind of news, the media should at least give me a call,” he said.

MP Maddumabandara said he is not interested in joining a government full of crooks. He said that the President has been appointed a month ago and he still has not been able to establish an all-party government.

“The SJB gave a blueprint that the government can use. MP Harsha de Silva presented it in Parliament. The government can at least use that to rally parties,” he said.