A pro-Sajith Premadasa newspaper, Mawrata, has leveled serious accusations against internal factions within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), alleging a concerted effort to sabotage the party leader despite the SJB’s increased vote base in the recent elections.
The report claims that Mr. Premadasa did not receive adequate support from within the party, suggesting that the SJB could have achieved a significantly greater victory if not for internal undermining.
Further allegations point to the SJB media unit for allegedly inviting MPs with opposing views to press conferences and for sowing discord among younger parliamentarians. MPs Prasad Sirivardhana, Charith Abeysinghe, and Waruna Deeptha Rajapaksa are reportedly facing internal opposition amidst these accusations.
The newspaper also details an alleged conspiracy following the previous presidential election defeat, where senior SJB figures, including Kavinda Jayawardhana, Hirunika Premachandra, and Eranda Welikange, purportedly pushed for Sajith Premadasa’s removal as party leader in favor of Harsha de Silva.
The Mawrata report includes extensive quotes detailing these alleged internal sabotaging efforts. The newspaper claims that while Mr. Premadasa campaigned tirelessly nationwide, certain senior members actively criticized him behind his back, questioned his ability to win elections, and ridiculed his appearance and speaking style. The report states they have ample evidence of these actions and intend to reveal the identities of these “conspirators” in a future special article.
The report further alleges that these individuals plotted in Colombo to oust Mr. Premadasa after the elections, anticipating a poor performance by the SJB. It contrasts this with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) strategy of mobilizing its MPs at the grassroots level, suggesting the SJB could have performed much better had its senior members actively supported the campaign.
The SJB media unit is also accused of being aligned with these “conspirators,” actively working to undermine Mr. Premadasa and failing to defend him against attacks. The report claims the media unit prioritizes inviting dissenting MPs to press conferences and spreads negativity among young parliamentarians.
Adding to the turmoil, the resignation of SJB Chairman Imithiyas Bakeer Markar during the election period is highlighted as another element of the alleged conspiracy. The report questions the timing and public nature of his resignation, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to weaken the SJB’s electoral prospects. Despite this, Mr. Premadasa reappointed Mr. Markar as chairman.
The report also sheds light on alleged attacks targeting rising young SJB leaders Prasad Sirivardhana, Charith Abeysinghe, and Waruna Deeptha Rajapaksa. These MPs are credited with spearheading a successful social media campaign for the SJB in the recent local government elections, a significant improvement from previous elections where the party struggled in this area. However, their success has reportedly triggered opposition from within the party’s senior ranks, indicating resistance to the rise of new leadership.
The newspaper asserts that the conspiracy to undermine Mr. Premadasa and the SJB dates back to the previous presidential election. It claims that senior SJB members actively worked against efforts by individuals from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to join and support Mr. Premadasa. They allegedly slandered these potential allies and opposed their appointment as organizers. Following Mr. Premadasa’s defeat, these “conspirators” allegedly sought to align the SJB with the United National Party (UNP) and its leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The report further details an alleged attempt to sabotage the SJB’s May Day rally held just six days before the local government elections. It claims that senior members shirked responsibility for organizing the rally in Colombo, with the task ultimately being taken up by plantation leaders Digambaram and Radhakrishnan in Thalawakelle.
An incident concerning Mr. Premadasa’s rushed departure from the Thalawakelle May Day rally due to adverse weather conditions for his return helicopter flight is also highlighted. The report criticizes senior SJB leaders and the media unit for failing to clarify the situation, allowing the government and other factions to launch a social media attack against Mr. Premadasa and the SJB. Only Mr. Radhakrishnan publicly defended Mr. Premadasa’s actions.
The Mawrata report hints at further revelations, stating their intention to expose another plan by these “conspirators” in their upcoming “Rajya Rahas” column. They claim these individuals anticipated an SJB defeat in the local government elections and plotted to convene the SJB parliamentary group to demand Mr. Premadasa’s resignation as party leader immediately after a poor showing.
The report suggests that Mr. Premadasa was aware of these internal machinations but chose to remain silent and focused on the election campaign to avoid creating further divisions within the party. It also alleges a prior conspiracy to prevent Mr. Premadasa from obtaining the position of Leader of the Opposition after the general election, including the drafting of a related letter.
Furthermore, the report mentions a post-general election meeting of these “conspirators” at the residence of an SJB MP in Gampaha, some of whom have since joined Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government.
The report also points to the incident where Thalatha Athukorala publicly criticized Mr. Premadasa after joining the UNP. It notes the silence of senior SJB members in defending their leader, with only young MPs Hesha Vithanage and S.M. Marikkar speaking out in his support. The report concludes by highlighting the contrast between the “conspirators'” expectation of an SJB defeat and the young MPs’ confidence in the party’s victory.
Finally, the report reiterates the allegation that certain senior SJB members, including Kavinda Jayawardhana, Hirunika Premachandra, and Eranda Weliange, called for Mr. Premadasa to step down as leader in favor of Harsha de Silva following the presidential election defeat, despite Mr. de Silva’s poor performance in his electorate.
