Imthiyas Baqir Marker, chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and former Member of Parliament, has officially stepped down from his position. However, sources confirm that while he has relinquished his role as chairman, he remains a member of the party.
The specific reasons behind his resignation remain unclear.
In December, Baqir Marker had called for a comprehensive restructuring of the SJB, urging the party leadership to focus on strengthening internal democracy and fostering closer ties with grassroots members. He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between the party leadership and its broader membership base.
With a political career spanning five decades, Baqir Marker played a crucial role in the formation of the SJB, having previously served as a senior vice-chairman of the United National Party (UNP).
He initially entered politics in the 1970s as a student leader in the UNP’s youth wing before becoming a Member of Parliament from 1988 to 2004. Over the years, he held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Housing and Minister of Mass Media.
Baqir Marker made a return to Parliament in 2020 through the SJB’s national list. He is widely recognized as an advocate for democracy, social justice, and national unity.
