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SJB takes up PM’s LG polls gauntlet 

11 Feb 2022

 
  • Challenges SLPP Govt. to hold polls
  • Johnston says ‘ready, anytime’  
      Main parliamentary Opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB), yesterday (10) said that it accepts the challenge given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to run for an election.  The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party held a public rally attended by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Premier Rajapaksa, and other cabinet ministers and parliamentarians representing the SLPP in Anuradhapura on Wednesday (9). Prime Minister Rajapaksa, addressing the rally, said: “We are used to being with the people on the land, on beaches, and we are used to going on ‘paada yatra (marches)’ – so we are ready to go among the people now, we are ready for this challenge.” Meanwhile, at a press briefing held yesterday, SJB MP and Media Spokesman S.M. Marikkar said: “We would like to tell the Prime Minister that we are also fine with being on the road, the paddy fields, or going for an election. We accept his challenge to hold the Local Government (LG) Elections, which the SLPP postponed in fear.”  He added that the SJB is ready to test the public opinion and promised that the SJB will also hold a rally in Anuradhapura next month.  “Hold the LG polls if you can. We are ready to accept the challenge at any time,” said Marikkar.  Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, speaking in Parliament yesterday, said that the SLPP-led Government is “ready at any time” for an election. 


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