UNP and SJB rift will draw two-thirds majority closer: SLPP

• S.B. predicts disillusioned UNP voters will either not vote or will move towards SLPP
• Says split will help SLPP coalition to get more seats and trounce opposition  
• Confident of getting two-thirds without support of minority political parties
• Believes Ampara and Trinco will also be won by SLPP 

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said the rift between the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will be beneficial for them and will aid to secure a two-thirds majority at the forthcoming General Election.

Speaking to reporters at the SLPP head office, former parliamentarian and SLPP senior member S.B. Dissanayake said the division among the UNP would likely deteriorate their vote base and encourage disillusioned voters to either stay away from the polls or turn towards the SLPP. The split between the UNP and SJB will reduce the chance of a strong campaign by those parties at the election, he predicted.

“The rift between the UNP and SJB will lead some of their loyalists to hold neutral positions and a considerable number of conventional UNP supporters will not even cast their votes at the election. Others may decide to change their party. Therefore, this time we have a better chance of getting a two-third majority at the forthcoming General Election,” he speculated. 

According to Dissanayake, when a political party splits, about 25% of its supporters could leave out of frustration and 10% could remain neutral. The rest of the 65% is likely to split between the two groups, which will be beneficial to the rival political party, he added. “In the Nuwara Eliya District, the UNP will have all of the strong members on their side and SJB will be weak but the split will be beneficial to the SLPP. That will increase our chances of getting more seats in the district compared to previous instances,” he predicted.

The former parliamentarian said a considerable number of UNP supporters have already pledged their support to the SLPP following the rift between the SJB and UNP. He noted recent developments had also led them to predict the SLPP will have a better chance of increasing seats in every district compared to previous elections.  

“The recent developments in the political arena predict that we have a better chance of getting two-thirds majority without the support of minority political parties. We expect to win Ampara and Trincomalee Districts this time and hope this will be a historical win in Sri Lankan political history,” he added. Referring to fixing the election date, the former parliamentarian said he hopes the EC will not further delay the election considering the prevailing situation in the country.