• Moves out of Hambantota after 20 years

By Skandha Gunasekara The Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Sajith Premadasa would contest the upcoming parliamentary elections from the Colombo District as it would be the most convenient electorate for him to govern from if he was to become Prime Minister, The Sunday Morning learnt. Former United National Front (UNF) parliamentarian Ajith P. Perera, who is now in the SJB, told The Sunday Morning that the decision was taken as it is the most convenient and time-saving option. “As the Leader of the Opposition and thereafter, once he becomes the Prime Minister, the Colombo District would be the best option when it comes to carrying out his official duties. It would be less time consuming as well,” Perera said. Perera said that the SJB was confident of winning the election and that Premadasa’s win is assured from Colombo. “Sajith Premadasa will have a comfortable victory from the Colombo District,” Perera said. Premadasa has contested from the Hambantota District since he was elected to Parliament in 2000, when he volunteered to contest from the deep South, while this would be the first time he contests from any other district. His late father, former President Ranasinghe Premadasa however contested from Colombo Central in the Colombo District, the area in which he was also born. However, on 2 March, former MP and member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa called on Premadasa to contest the upcoming general election from the Hambantota District. “We ask Mr. Premadasa not to abandon UNP supporters in Hambantota. You must remain with us. We will do no harm to you,” Rajapaksa said while addressing an SLPP meeting in Kesbewa.