Two more from SJB withdraw from contesting polls

• Mangala Samaraweera had also done so last week

By J A L Jayasinghe L. B. Senaratne and Yohan Perera  

Niluka Ekanayake, who handed over her nomination to contest the general election from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from Ratnapura District, withdrew from the election becoming the third SJB candidate to do so.   

She said she sent her resignation letters to the Election Commission, Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.  
SJB candidate from the Ratnapura District and former MP Karu Paranavithana commenting on Ms. Ekanayake’s withdrawal said it was not a major issue for his party. 

“Any candidate has the right to do so,” he said adding that it was not clear whether Ms. Ekanayake would quit SJB though she decided to withdraw from the election.   

Last week former minister Mangala Samaraweera who had also handed over his nominations to contest on the SJB ticket from the Matara District withdrew saying he had decided to quit active politics. This was followed by Denet Paniyanduwage another contestant from the SJB from the Galle District. He said he would join the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). 

• SJB candidate from the Ratnapura District and former MP Karu  Paranavithana commenting on Ms. Ekanayake’s withdrawal said it was not a  major issue for his party