The SJB will decide its official position today (6) regarding Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa’s attendance at the launch of former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila’s book on Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), SJB National Organiser and former MP Tissa Attanayaka confirmed that Premadasa attended the launch, but said the move should not be interpreted as support for any political position connected to the event. 

He said the focus of the event itself had been overshadowed by debate over Premadasa’s presence. “The main interest of everyone is to identify the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Following an invitation from Gammanpila, Premadasa attended the event out of general interest and not for political reasons,” he said.

Attanayaka added that views within the party differ regarding Premadasa’s attendance, and the matter would be discussed at today’s management meeting before a final decision is announced.

The book, titled Searching for the Mastermind behind the Easter Sunday Attacks, was launched on 31 March.

Several political figures attended the launch, including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Premadasa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and a number of retired military officials.

However, several SJB MPs have disputed reports that Premadasa attended the event, triggering internal discussion within the party over how to respond.