Ten former Ministers to contest from SJB ticket – Tissa
Former MP Tissa Attanayake revealed that ten former prominent Ministers from the previous government, who did not support Sajith Premadasa in the Presidential Election, have requested nominations from the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya (SJB) for the upcoming General Election.
Attanayake stated that these ex-Ministers represent the Colombo, Hambantota, Kurunegala, and Badulla districts. Speaking further during a press conference following the inauguration of the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya’s General Election operations office in Kandy on October 5, Attanayake said:
“The nominations for the General Election are currently being prepared at the party headquarters. Organisers who have worked with us for a long time should be given prominence.
“We are also focusing on giving youth, women, and professionals the chance to fill the vacancies on the nomination lists. Accordingly, about 25% of our nominations will be for new faces,” he said.
He also mentioned that the party’s General Secretary held discussions with the United National Party (UNP), but no final agreement has arrived yet. “This week, the General Secretary will brief the party on the outcomes of those discussions. However, we have decided not to grant nominations to anyone facing allegations of corruption or fraud,” he added.
Attanayake also touched on the reasons for the Presidential Election defeat, noting that they had presented a comprehensive plan for rebuilding the country. “However, it seems the people voted mainly with the belief that the stolen assets held abroad by politicians should be brought back to the country. We are still waiting to see if the promises made by the National People’s Power (NPP) will be fulfilled. If laws are passed for that, we are ready to support it.”
He further commented on the voter turnout during the last Presidential Election, highlighting that 4.5 million eligible voters did not participate. “Only one-third of the total electorate endorsed the current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. However, he was legally elected as President, and although we were defeated, we are not giving up. Our goal is to move forward and achieve victory.”
Attanayake also urged public sector employees to resist pressure and act in their interests during the General Election. “If the public gives us more power, a balance of governance will emerge. The country will not collapse if the President is on one side and the government on the other. By enforcing the law properly and eradicating corruption and fraud, the nation will grow stronger,” he said.
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