SJB calls for PC polls in the New Year

By Yohan Perera   

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday posed a challenge to the government by calling for the holding of the Provincial Council election as soon as possible during 2026.   

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a media briefing that his party is gearing up for the Provincial Council elections this year.   

He said unity among opposition parties will also be established in 2026.   

“A process to unite the opposition began after the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in August last year. Discussions have been held among opposition parties since the arrest of the former President and it is still continuing,” he said.   

He said the government‘s popularity has declined and the opposition could muster majority of seats in most of the Provincial Councils if an election is held this year. “The government could only muster 43 percent of the votes in the Local Government election last year and it is obvious that its popularity has declined further,” he said.