Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader-led political alliance, ‘Samagi Jana Balwegaya’ to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections was officially formed today in Colombo.
The inauguration ceremony of the Samagi Jana Balwegaya was held this morning at the Nelum Pokuna Theater under the patronage of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who also leads the alliance.
A number of representatives of the United National Party, Parliamentarians and Local Government members also attended the event. However, it is noteworthy that several senior members of the UNP, including leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, were absent.
Representatives of five political parties, 20 civil organizations and several trade unions signed agreements with the alliance today.
Constituent parties of the former United National Front, the Jathika Hela Urumaya, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the Tamil Progressive Alliance and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress formally joined the alliance.
Speaking at the occasion, Leader of the Alliance Sajith Premadasa said he will initiate a public revolution through the formation of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. He said a number of political factions are part of the alliance and noted that he is confident of claiming victory at the next General Election.
The General Secretary of the Alliance, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at the event said the UNP working committee approved the forming of the alliance to contest the general election. He said a majority of the UNP are also in favor of contesting the upcoming election under a broad alliance.
The Working Committee of the United National Party gave Sajith Premadasa the power to form a new alliance. Although the alliance was officially formed with the approval of the UNP Working Committee, no agreement has been reached with the UNP on the symbol of the alliance to contest at the general election.
At the Working Committee meeting yesterday, only seven members of the Working Committee including Sajith Premadasa agreed to the proposal to use the ‘telephone’ as the symbol of the new alliance.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
