SJB ready to face referendum: Tissa Attanayake

12 September 2022 11:55 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Responding to the remark made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would go for a referendum if the parties fail to agree on electoral reforms, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said they are ready for it.

“President can hold a referendum if he wants and we are ready for it," SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanyake told a press conference.

“President can even go ahead and have a parliamentary election as Parliament does not reflect the mandate given by the people in 2020 any longer,” he said.

“President should also come up with a proposal about the electoral reforms. There should be some kind of proposals for electoral reforms for any party to agree or not. The government has not come up with any proposal on electoral reforms to date,” he said.

Asked about the remarks made by USAID Administrator Samantha Power who called for political reforms, Mr. Attanayake said SJB also holds the same stand. “We are also of the opinion that political reforms demanded by those who held protests should be met,” he said.

About the participation of SJB members at the UNHCR sessions, Mr. Attanayake said SJB is only monitoring. “ SJB is only actively monitoring the UNHCR sessions and we do not intend to carry tales,” he said.

“The Sri Lankan government will have to face a tough task with a new resolution that is to come up at the UNHCR on economic crimes,” he added. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 20

Man Monday, 12 September 2022 12:19 PM

As no proposal, available it is a just eye wash for USAID for aids. That was why he wished to amend the PTA while enforcing it.

sunil Monday, 12 September 2022 12:21 PM

Tissa were you ever elected by the people in an election

Gayan Monday, 12 September 2022 12:25 PM

The proportionate system need to be scrapped along with provincial council system. White elephants.

Tissa Fernando Monday, 12 September 2022 12:35 PM

SJB will loose in big way. People do not want to change from the ignorant stupidity to the total stupidity.

sam Monday, 12 September 2022 12:49 PM

We want a general election and not a referendum

Lamk Monday, 12 September 2022 01:30 PM

President is not ready for any election right now ? He will make a collective political suicide if he does ? He is not politically stupid to do this . People are angry and they will teach a good lesson if he goes to any poll. He will trick all with his crafty trick after all he is cunning than his uncle

Priyanee Wijesekera Monday, 12 September 2022 01:35 PM

Mr Dinesh Gunawardena 's committee DID present a report on electoral reforms

Waco Monday, 12 September 2022 02:14 PM

What the nation needs are , a General Election and a Presidential Election. Country must eliminate the Looter, Rouges, and Who take commissions.

Lanka game of thrones Monday, 12 September 2022 02:23 PM

SJB great effort to first pick up the baton about the election. Hope the Dullas SLPP faction, the JVP, and the other non-government parties all join in the chorus. Ranil upon hearing that will quickly give up on the sweet talk he made to the USAID cash cow. He should of course invite them to come again, with more aid, so he can then make further (meaningless) proclamations, and milk the cow for all she's worth.

All boru show Monday, 12 September 2022 08:26 PM

Tissue this old fox will not go for a Referendum because he knows how unpopular he is among the people. He will play all his cards to hoodwink the people.

Dee Monday, 12 September 2022 08:59 PM

Do you expect the government to take loans for a election like you'll did in 2019?

Kitul tree climber Monday, 12 September 2022 10:22 PM

SJB MPs participated in UNHCR meeting. The man who climbed the Kitul tree dad a valid reason for it, So do SJB who did not face any election for more than a decade.

Kala Balaya Monday, 12 September 2022 10:28 PM

After the next election there will be many splinter groups unable to form a stable government

Prabodha Monday, 12 September 2022 11:10 PM

We need urgent electoral reforms to ensure that we create the opportunity for good people to be elected to parliament. Get rid of proportional representation and go back to the first past the post. At least that way the people have more control of who ends up in parliament through their vote, and also that the elected representatives could be more accountable to the people electing them, rather than being slaves of the party that they rode upon. So the SJB is wrong to oppose it, for their narrow pollical opportunism.

Boru Na Atha .... Atha ..... Tuesday, 13 September 2022 07:46 AM

Referendum or Elections, never expect to win even a seat warning for Ranil (UNP) or Mahinda (SLPP).

Meera Tuesday, 13 September 2022 07:47 AM

Don't worry Tissa, if Ranil drags the referendum we will drag him and his Potuwa goons out before December 2022.

tilak Tuesday, 13 September 2022 09:30 AM

what difference is another election going to make. We have had so many elections, has that resolved any of our issues. It will be the same bunch of looters that will get elected

SJB supporter. Tuesday, 13 September 2022 10:32 AM

SJB will not see much progress with a wrong National Organiser. High time a more popular one acceptable to the voters is appointed.

JOSEPH de Silva Tuesday, 13 September 2022 01:51 PM

I believe what Ranil W said was unless the Parliament approves a revised electoral system based on Dinesh G committee recommendations in the last Parliament he will put into the people for a referendum. Wish to get clarification from a knowledgeable person.

Joseph de Silva Tuesday, 13 September 2022 03:38 PM

Daily Mirror. Very sad that you don't publish my Very relevant comment about what President said about a Referendum. As I understand what he said was, if Parliamenevom does not debate and approve the recommendations in Dines G Committee Report, he will call a Referendum. Honestly I wished to know the facts.you giving space only to your blue eyed boys? Further. I am a ardent reader of your print edition.

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SJB ready to face referendum: Tissa Attanayake

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