In a fiery critique, Champika Ranawaka warns that the SJB under Sajith Premadasa is on the verge of collapse—comparing its fate to the UNP and SLPP. He accuses Sajith of silencing dissent and breaking political promises.
“This will be the last time the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) survives under Sajith Premadasa’s leadership,” declared former MP Patali Champika Ranawaka in a bold interview aired on a private television channel.
Ranawaka, now the leader of the United Republican Front (UJF), warned that Sajith’s SJB is heading toward the same political graveyard as the once-dominant United National Party (UNP), the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). “Mark my words SJB will meet the same fate,” he stressed.
Ranawaka alleged that Sajith is on a mission to politically eliminate potential rivals within his party rather than foster unity. According to him, this became evident during the last general election, when Sajith allegedly failed to deliver the promised district-level representation to the UJF.
Sajith Premadasa, whose political journey began in the Hambantota District as part of the UNP, served as its Deputy Leader and contested the 2019 presidential election under its banner only to lose. Following internal divisions within the UNP, Sajith formed the SJB and took over as its leader. In the 2020 general elections, the SJB secured the position of main opposition, and Sajith became the Leader of the Opposition.
Patali Champika Ranawaka, who began his political life with the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), is widely recognized for his intellectual style and firm stance on national policy. He has held cabinet positions in multiple governments, including those led by both the UNP and the UPFA, where he contributed to energy, environment, and urban development reforms.
Now, as the head of the UJF, Champika says he’s building a new political force, one untainted by what he calls “the elite control and weak leadership” dominating traditional parties.
With the next election looming, the future of the SJB—and Sajith Premadasa’s grip on it is now under intense public scrutiny.
