Colombo, October 3, 2024 – Senior politician Lakshman Kiriella is facing a political crisis within his own family as preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections heat up. Kiriella, who had hoped to secure a seat in Parliament through the national list of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), now finds his position uncertain due to increased demand for national list slots and the unexpected political ambitions of his daughter.
According to party insiders, the leadership of the SJB has received an overwhelming number of requests from candidates seeking to be included in the national list, which guarantees a seat in Parliament without contesting an electoral district. In light of this, the party has urged many aspiring members to compete in their respective constituencies rather than rely on the national list.
Kiriella, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, had reportedly planned to enter Parliament through the national list once again. However, this plan now seems uncertain, as the demand for national list seats has intensified. At the same time, his daughter has expressed her desire to contest in the upcoming election, specifically in the Kandy district—traditionally Kiriella’s stronghold.
Originally, the understanding was that Lakshman Kiriella would secure the national list position while his daughter focused on her candidacy. But with the national list slots becoming scarce, she has reportedly insisted on contesting the election, which could leave her father without a clear path to remain in active politics.
Sources suggest that if Kiriella does not receive the national list nomination, he may be forced to step aside to make room for his daughter’s political ambitions, potentially marking the end of his long political career. The situation has created a dilemma within the family, as both father and daughter are eager to maintain a presence in Parliament.
With the SJB preparing for a competitive election, the fate of Kiriella’s political future remains uncertain, and a decision on whether he will retire from active politics or contest the elections is yet to be made.
