Top SJB members to be expelled soon: UNP

• Expulsion process to be carried out on phase by phase basis

By Yohan Perera   

The United National Party will expel top members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) including its leader Sajith Premadasa in the second round, and it will be announced in a few days time, party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.    

Mr. Kariyawasam told the Daily Mirror that Mr. Premadasa could be among those who will be expelled in the second round. “ I cannot exactly say whether Mr. Premadasa will be included in the next expulsion list but it is likely that he will be included. The expulsion process will be carried out on a phase by phase basis,” he said.   

He said some who were contesting under the SJB might rejoin the UNP after the general elections on August 5.   

Only a few SJB big guns were included in the list of expulsions made last Tuesday. Those who were included were Sarath Fonseka, Ranjan Ramanayake, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P Perera, Sydney Jayaratne, Asoka Abeysinghe, Bandulalal Bandarigoda and Vadivel Suresh.   

SJB big guns such as Sajith Premadasa, S. M. Marikar, Harsha de Silva, P Harrison, Lakshman Kiriella, Eran Wickramaratne, Kavinda Jayawardene, Harshana Rajakaruna, Harin Fernando, Ranjith Aluvihare, Wasantha Aluvihare and Talatha Athukorala were not included in the list of 54 candidates expelled on Tuesday.