• Says will also peruse options at party level 

The main parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stated that it would take all possible action, both legally and as a party, over the alleged verbal insults directed at SJB councillor Nikini Ayodhya by Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Chairperson S.J.M. Jayaratne of the National People’s Power (NPP).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the Chairperson’s behaviour was “inappropriate” and that the party would pursue every available course of action in response. “The PS Chairperson has insulted her. That is something very inappropriate. We will take all possible action both legally and as a party. We will always stand for Ayodhya.”

Attempts to contact NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe proved futile.

Ayodhya told a media conference in Chilaw last week that she had decided to step down from politics due to repeated alleged insults from the chairperson. She said that she intended to hand over her resignation to the Party Leader. The media conference was organised by the Local Government Women’s Forum. Ayodhya said that she had been verbally insulted inside the chairperson’s office on 12 November, which led her to lodge a complaint with the Arachchikattuwa Police. She further claimed that the chairperson humiliated her on social media platforms. The Police had stated that the complainant was unwilling to reach a settlement. The matter had accordingly been referred to the Mediation Board.