Thalatha resigns from Parliament

Ratnapura District Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Thalatha Athukorala has informed Parliament that she decides to resign from her position as Member of Parliament.

Ms Athukorala announcing her resignation told Parliament that the division within the United National Party (UNP) has now split the party into two factions.

“Both the leader and the former deputy leader, once allies, have become political adversaries, each striving for the presidency,” at a time when unity is crucial, Ms Athukorala said, adding that she cannot fully support the decision for their faction to divide and contest separately.

Ms. Athukorala stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the UNP, has repeatedly requested SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa to help reunite the once-thriving UNP. However, Sajith has declined these requests multiple times.

She also remarked that if Mr Premadasa had exercised patience for another five years for the sake of his political future, they would not be facing their current challenges.

Additionally, she warned Mr  Premadasa that those urging him towards this crisis are only interested in securing a parliamentary seat for themselves, rather than supporting his presidential ambitions.

She criticised the decision for the two leaders to part ways and compete against each other, labeling it a selfish political move that disregards the country’s future. She further expressed her belief that history will soon reveal the negative consequences of this decision.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, she asserted that remaining silent would make her complicit. For this reason, she chose to voice her concerns, refusing to be an indirect contributor to what she sees as a grave error, Ms. Athukorala added.

Despite the challenges, Ms. Athukorala reaffirmed her commitment to her political journey, indicating that she has no regrets about stepping down from her position as an MP.

She also mentioned that this was the first time she was informing parliament of her views.

Although she emerged as a candidate of the SJB, she continues to question whether the decision to split from the UNP was the right one.