Decision Only After Official Invitation: Ranjith Madduma Bandara

04-Sep-2025

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Participation in the United National Party’s annual convention will be decided only after an official invitation is extended, said Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). 

He emphasized that their present political unity is solely against the repressive measures of the current coalition government, and that decisions regarding the future political journey would be taken in due course.

Speaking at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, during ongoing discussions with party leaders and in response to questions about the UNP convention, Madduma Bandara noted:

“There are reports that UNP membership will be restored to those previously expelled. But we are members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya; we already have membership of that party. Therefore, we face no issues regarding UNP membership. Our collective journey is specifically against the repressive actions imposed by the government on the opposition.

Political strategy will be considered at election time. Until then, we will raise our voices against the authoritarianism of this government. Since no invitation has yet been received for the UNP convention, we cannot decide independently whether or not to participate—it must be a party decision.

We have no objection to legal action against those involved in corruption and fraud. But using that as a basis to repress opposition parties is unacceptable. Those who set fire to buses and power generators in the past now walk free. In reality, it is they who deserve to be imprisoned.

At present, the law is applied differently: one law for ministers like Vasanta Samarasinghe, and another for opposition MPs. It is against such discriminatory practices that we have united. As for future political moves, nothing can be said at this point,” he concluded.