News
SJB picking up the pieces for another major election bout
Despite the loss suffered by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) at the electoral level, some of the former parliamentarians have vowed to make a comeback at the upcoming parliamentary elections, while explaining reasons for the setbacks.
NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake emerged victorious with 105 electorates, while Sajith Premadasa secured success in 50 electorates.
The outcome has sparked various reactions from the representatives of the electorates where they fell short, shedding light on their perspectives and insights regarding the results and their implications for future political dynamics in the country.
Despite these admissions, several ex-MPs from the SJB remain hopeful about their chances in the next elections, emphasising that the presidential defeat serves as a wake-up call.
“We need to rethink our strategies and reconnect with the people. There is no doubt that this election has reshaped the political landscape, but we believe there’s still space for our vision if we can address the concerns raised during this campaign,” said SJB’s Harshana Rajakaruna, representing the Dompe electorate in the Gampaha electoral district.
He acknowledged the challenges in this year’s presidential election, attributing the loss to widespread frustration among the electorate with the previous government.
He noted that voters were seeking significant change and rejected established political groups in favour of exploring alternatives. Many constituents were eager to give another party a chance to see what might emerge from the change.
Mr. Rajakaruna also highlighted the impact of social media on their campaign, stating that the National People’s Power (NPP) effectively harnessed it to their advantage.
Looking ahead to the parliamentary elections, he said he is determined to tackle the challenges. As the newly appointed leader of the SJB group in the Gampaha district, he believes in a revival to secure a majority in parliament. Grassroots campaigning, has begun.
SJB Samagi Jana Sandhanaya, Ashoka Abeysinghe, representing Kurunegala electorate of Kurunegala district, attributed the loss to social media impact. Kurunegala electorate is based in a town where most of the upper middle-class, middle-class, and state service employees live. Most adults and youth using social media were drawn to the NPP.
He also pointed to the significant role social media played in shaping the election outcome. “NPP’s social media presence was incredibly strong. They used it to their full advantage, which was a factor we could not match,” Mr. Abeysinghe explained.
Despite the setback, he is looking forward to the parliamentary elections. “I have been appointed as the leader of SJB’s Kurunegala district group, and we are determined to turn things around. Our grassroots campaign is already in motion, and we believe we can secure a majority in parliament.’’
He said there is not enough time to organise and launch their campaign, but the party is fully committed to doing its utmost to protect the progress made. The goal is to spread the economic policies to every corner of the country, addressing what is perceived as a significant shortcoming of the current government.
Similarly, many other MPs from the SJB echoed the sentiment that a desire for change had swept the electorate, and this overwhelming call for transformation led to a defeat. Many acknowledged that AKD’s victory reflected the people’s need for new faces in politics and their disillusionment with traditional political players.
NPP’s aggressive push for reforms, coupled with AKD’s strong anti-establishment stance, seemed to resonate with a large segment of the population, particularly the youth, who have long been dissatisfied with the political state of affairs. Many losing MPs from established parties, including Mr. Premadasa’s SJB, admitted that their platforms had failed to effectively address this growing demand for radical change.
SJB parliamentarian Nalin Bandara, representing the Bingiriya area of the Kurunegala district, announced that the nomination board has been finalised as the party seeks to introduce new faces, including professionals, businesspersons, and youth who have strong ties to the community and can relate to the voters’ experiences. He acknowledged that the defeat was largely due to the effective use of social media and innovative campaign strategies by opponents.
However, Mr. Bandara expressed optimism about addressing these challenges. He believes the SJB could secure a significant margin in the parliamentary election.
SJB parliamentarian Dilip Wedaarachchi, representing the Tangalle electorate in the Hambantota district, acknowledged that while the party did not secure a majority in this election, it experienced an increase of 7,000 votes compared with the previous election.
He said organisers are talking to various stakeholders to formulate effective strategies for the future.
These strategies include leveraging social media to improve their presence and communicate directly with voters, as well as establishing strong connections within the community.
He also highlighted the importance of prioritising and clearly articulating solutions to pressing local issues such as economic development, healthcare, and infrastructure.
SJB parliamentarian Hector Appuhami, who represents Puttalam, said that while the electorate secured the majority in the presidential election, their focus remains on attracting those who did not vote. He said the SJB has the most comprehensive policy plan for the country, highlighting the importance of decentralising power among multiple parties rather than concentrating it within a single party.
SLPP parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody from Ratgama, Galle, who supported the SJB, said voters should choose a candidate who truly represents their interests.
He attributed the party’s loss of a majority to the widespread demand for significant change in the political system, cautioning that this election should not be viewed as a test run.
To improve chances of success, Mr. Weerakkody announced an independent nomination board to select candidates with strong community ties and who can genuinely relate to the experiences of voters. He noted that grassroots campaigning has begun, focusing on effectively communicating the party’s vision and capabilities to the electorate.
Reflecting on past electoral outcomes, he urged voters to be realistic, emphasising the need for a candidate with a clear vision for the future.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!