Bandarigoda from Galle to succeed Manusha Nanayakkara

By Rathindra Kuruwita

SJB General Secretary Moneragala District MP Ranjith Maddumabandara Friday said they would appoint Bandulalal Bandarigoda, the next in line from Galle district, and someone from the national list for the vacancies created by the removal of Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando following a Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court Friday (09) upheld the decision by main opposition SJB to suspend the party memberships of Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando.

The court dismissed a petition filed by the two ministers, who sought to have the SJB’s decision to expel them from the party declared unlawful.

The verdict was delivered by a three-member Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Arjuna Obeysekara.

Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that there were many seeking the entry to Parliament to cover the vacancy created by Fernando. The party would make a decision in the coming days, he said.

Nanayakkara and Fernando entered Parliament on the SJB ticket but later joined President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in mid-2022, accepting ministerial portfolios in defiance of party directives. Both ministers resigned from their positions on 09 July 2022, along with the rest of the Cabinet, after then-President Rajapaksa informed the Speaker of his intention to resign. However, they were reappointed to their respective ministerial roles by President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he formed a new Cabinet on 22 July 2022

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that Nanayakkara and Fernando believed that they could violate the party constitution and insult the voters because they had the backing of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“On Friday, the Supreme Court gave a historical judgement against those who crossover for personal gain. This is a great victory for democracy. I hope this will discourage people from crossing over,” he said.