A May Day rally organized by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in Thalawakale yesterday (1st) was abruptly concluded after attendees began leaving shortly after Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa addressed the crowd.
Following his speech at the rally, Premadasa reportedly left the event, stating he had another meeting to attend. This prompted a significant number of attendees to depart the grounds.
Former Member of Parliament Thusara Indunil made considerable efforts to persuade the crowd to stay, but his attempts were unsuccessful, leading to the early termination of the rally.
Sources indicate that several key figures within the SJB who were scheduled to speak at the event expressed their disappointment over the situation. Their frustration reportedly intensified upon learning that Premadasa had returned to Colombo midway through the rally to participate in ‘Bai Thaksalawa,’ a program hosted by popular singer Iraj Weeraratne and Milinda Rajapaksa, the former media spokesperson for ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
