Sajith pledges to take charge of the Aragalaya to rebuild SL 

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

• Says SJB will launch a revolution to revive SL in the coming days
• Calls on people to vote for best of the best to govern country
• Reveals a conspiracy by regressive force to destroy SJB
• Challenges conspirators to face off against SJB at any upcoming election

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa pledged to take charge of the Aragalaya to launch a revolution that will rebuild Sri Lanka.

Premadasa made this promise to his party supporters at the annual Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party convention held at Campbell Park in Borella yesterday with the participation of parliamentarians and members of the alliance and leaders of several other parties. Noticeably members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna rebel group aka the ‘Nidahas Janatha Sabawa’ Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera and Chandima Weerakkody were in attendance.

Premadasa was unanimously re-elected as the leader of the SJB at the event. MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara were also re-appointed as the party’s Chairman and General Secretary respectively.

MP Dr. Harsha de Silva was appointed as the treasurer of the party while MP Tissa Attanayake was re-appointed as its National Organiser.

“There are a large number of youth imprisoned because of the citizen’s struggle. We will not only stand for them but also take charge of the Aragalaya that arose from the hurt, tears, pain and stresses of the people to launch a massive revolution to rebuild this country,” he said.

Quoting Plato, Premadasa said people often choose talentless charlatans to govern them while searching for the best in other fields. “Therefore, we propose that a talented and capable group be elected into power,” Premadasa suggested to those gathered.

The SJB leader said a conspiracy is afoot to destroy the SJB. “There are forces attempting to destroy the SJB. But as long as I, Sajith Premadasa, the son of Ranasinghe Premadasa is alive, no one will be able to harm the SJB,” he said. Instead of resorting to devious means, Premadasa challenged these parties to face off against the SJB at an upcoming election.

According to Premadasa the Government has no plan to rebuild the country and said Government institutions that are making losses should be restructured and new reforms should be carried out while protecting the rights of employees.

Premadasa said the SJB is carrying out its responsibilities to the people despite being in the opposition. “However, we will gain power soon,” he added. The party has organised a series of protests across the country to commence following yesterday’s convention, a party source said. The protests will seek to push the Government towards announcing an election.

Party General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that this convention was organised to strengthen the party ahead of the upcoming local Government elections.

Addressing those gathered, the new treasurer of the SJB, Dr. Harsha de Silva said the Government failed to heed the warnings by the SJB on an impending economic crisis. “Everything that we warned against took place,” he said.

de Silva, pointing to the increased inflation and interest rates, warned that medium-scale businesses will face collapse in the near future. “Sri Lanka will go down in history as the country that reached a state of poverty the fastest,” he said.

The MP said the current Government has no plan to revive the country. “This group cannot rebuild or revive the country even with Lee Kuan Yew himself. Ranil is merely attempting to save the Rajapaksas and their cohorts,” he said. “Only we can give this country’s youth any hope. Only the SJB can carry out the task of rebuilding Sri Lanka,” he added.