SJB allies decide to participate despite decision of higher-ups

Some allies of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have decided to participate in the opening sessions of Parliament despite the decision of SJB higher-ups to boycott the sessions tomorrow.

SJB ally Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) is to attend the sessions today. TPA MP V. Radhakrishnan said his party has decided to participate in the sessions tomorrow. "We made our own decision as a separate party though we are one of the allies to SJB" " he told Dailymirror.

TPA Leader said his party expects the President to state what he intends doing for the Indian origin Tamils.

"On behalf of TPA I have continuously emphasized the need to address the issues faced by the Indian origin Tamils and we expect the President to mention about it in today's policy statement," he said in his Facebook post.

SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem said his party will also attend the sessions today.

"We will attend Parliament tomorrow. We feel such decisions must be taken collectively after proper deliberation with the Coalition parties. If we are dissatisfied with any aspect of the President's policy statement, we feel we should be prepared to challenge him in Parliament rather than boycotting," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said his party will stick to its decision and boycott. "We decided to boycott. We felt that proroguing Parliament from time to time will hamper activities of Parliament. The government also might try to takeover chairmanship of the Public Finance Committee which had to go to the opposition as per standing orders, as it did in 2020," he told a media briefing.(Yohan Perera)