Damitha to file lawsuit against ommission from Ratnapura list

Actress Damitha Abeyratne announced her decision to file a lawsuit against former Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage for the sudden removal of her name from the nomination list of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ratnapura District team for the upcoming Parliamentary Election.

Damitha, who was set to contest in the upcoming election, arrived at the Ratnapura District Secretariat on the 11th to submit her nomination but was left disappointed when she discovered at the last minute that her name was not there.

She had to return empty-handed, facing great discomfort after complaining to the Ratnapura District Secretary, Wasantha Gunaratne, and the Retaining Officer.

Damitha addressed the media outside the District Secretary’s Office and said, “Hesha was the one who invited me to contest from Ratnapura. I have voice recordings of our conversations. My name was removed at the last moment because of Hesha. I will take legal action against him for his disgraceful behaviour. The people of Ratnapura should decide for such individuals in the upcoming election,” Damitha said.

“I have worked extensively for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. After the Aragalaya (struggle), I travelled around the country, tirelessly working for this party and both the party leader and the general secretary were aware of my efforts. When I was asked where I wanted to contest from, I never specifically asked for Ratnapura. During the last Presidential Election, Hesha himself asked me why I wasn’t contesting from Ratnapura, and when he mentioned the need for female representation in the district, I agreed. I have all the evidence to prove this,” she added.

“I received information on the night of October 10 that my name had been replaced. When I asked Hesha, he denied it, and even invited me to come to Ratnapura by 9.30 the next morning. That’s why I came today. I have all the necessary evidence, and if needed, I can present it to the media,” she further said.

Damitha further expressed her disappointment, stating, “After the Aragalaya, I chose Sajith Premadasa’s leadership and gave my full support to the party, despite facing various insults along the way. I will take the necessary steps against this insult and the disgraceful act committed against me. However, I still have faith in Sajith Premadasa’s leadership.”

When asked by a journalist why Damitha Abeyratne’s name was removed from the nomination list, Hesha Withanage explained: “Damitha is a popular actress who has done a great service for the party, but we don’t need to bring in candidates from outside Ratnapura. There are enough capable women from Ratnapura district to contest in the election.”

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