New collective backs Sajith Premadasa

The “Collective of University Lecturers, Attorneys, and Professionals” have expressed their support to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)’s candidate Sajith Premadasa and urged voters to choose wisely in this presidential election.

Addressing a press briefing, Upul Jayasuriya, PC and former Chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), has raised allegations of government mishandling of state resources. He asserted that under the leadership of Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the presidency would guarantee transparency in economic management.

Dr. Chandima Wijegunawardana, leader of the Sri Lanka Humanity Party, expressed concerns about the current crises in Sri Lanka, including medicine shortages, rising prices, and children facing hunger. She noted that the country only avoided such issues during the tenure of former President late Ranasinghe Premadasa, father of SJB’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa.

Dr. Wijegunawardana praised Mr. Premadasa for having a strong economic plan to prevent mismanagement that includes a nutrition plan for school children and emphasized his commitment to action over words, advocating for women’s safety and encouraged the public to make a wise choice in selecting their leader.

Attorney-at-Law (AAL) Janaka Edirisinghe warned against reelecting a demagogue, as was done in the previous presidential election, stressing the dangers of choosing a leader without a solid economic plan, which could lead to disastrous outcomes. He criticized the current government’s focus on national economic growth without addressing the needs of ordinary families.

AAL Edirisinghe commended Mr. Premadasa’s comprehensive plan that balances national and family economies, contrasting it with other parties’ unrealistic manifestos that could undermine public freedom. He emphasized that this election is not just about leadership but directly impacts the lives of the general public.

Political and Financial Analyst and SJB Working Committee member Kusum Wijetilleke added that Mr. Premadasa is a realistic choice, given the economic mismanagement by previous governments.

He criticized State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe for failing to provide concrete plans for the future and instead praising the President at a recent Ceylon Chamber of Commerce event. Mr. Wijetilleke also pointed out that some party manifestos lack clarity on funding for their promises, making them unreliable although they have a wide acceptance among Sri Lankans.

Dr. Mahim Mendis, former Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Open University of Sri Lanka, was also in attendance at the event.

From left: Mr. Kusum Wijetilleke, AAL Janaka Edirisinghe, Upul Jayasuriya PC, Dr. Chandima Wijegunawardana, and Dr. Mahim Mendis