Mangala decides not to contest parliamentary election

Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera announced today (9) that he has decided not to contest the upcoming parliamentary election.  

Mr Samaraweera had handed in nominations to contest the upcoming parliamentary election from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB). However, issuing a statement today, he requested voters in the Matara district not to cast their preferential votes for him though his name will be on the electoral list as a candidate from the SJB. 

The former minister added that he has already notified United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa of his decision. 

Mr Samaraweera also held a discussion yesterday (8) at his residence in Matara with local government representatives where he notified them of his decision. 

During the discussion, he had told them that the Presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been inefficient and shortsighted and that this has been proved in a short span of just six months. He further claimed that ethnic and religious divisions had widened while the country has also become militarized. He further observed that during a time of such great crisis, the opposition is acting as if it does not even have a clear understanding of what its role should be. 

He added that if the country is to overcome this crisis, the fundamental principles of the UNP should be implemented and expressed his regret at the current division within the party. 

The former minister though, stressed that he was only stepping down from the politics of being a Member of Parliament, and not from politics. He further said that he expects the blessings of the brave people of Matara, who had been with him over 30 years of parliamentary politics, for him to commence a new political journey.