The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has officially decided to contest the upcoming local government elections independently, marking an apparent end to alliance negotiations with the United National Party (UNP). The party has taken concrete steps to move forward alone by appointing nomination boards across all districts to compile candidate lists in preparation for the elections.
Despite ongoing discussions among opposition parties, including the UNP and other factions, regarding the possibility of a unified electoral front, SJB’s decision to appoint nomination boards suggests that no final agreement has been reached. This move raises questions about internal divisions within the opposition, as the lack of a cohesive strategy could potentially weaken their chances against the ruling party in key electoral battlegrounds.
Political analysts suggest that SJB’s move may be driven by its desire to assert its political independence, rather than being seen as a subsidiary of the UNP, the party from which many of its members originally split. Additionally, UNP leader and President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political positioning has been a contentious issue, with SJB reluctant to align with the ruling government’s policies while the UNP explores potential collaborations with both government and opposition factions.
With the appointment of nomination boards before a final decision on alliances, it appears that the window for a UNP-SJB partnership is closing rapidly. However, the final days leading up to the election could still see last-minute shifts in alliances, depending on political negotiations and electoral calculations.
