Former Minister and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen has expressed disappointment over the recent political direction of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), warning Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa against abandoning the principles on which their political alliance was built.
“We are not slaves of the SJB. The SJB is a political party, and we are partners in that alliance,” Bathiudeen said.
He said his party had worked tirelessly to support Premadasa during two presidential elections, with supporters spending millions of rupees and campaigning day and night.
“We brought together the votes of our people and contributed them to the alliance. It was based on agreements between our parties that National List appointments, parliamentary positions and ministerial portfolios were allocated,” he said.
Bathiudeen expressed concern that the SJB appeared to be moving away from the political positions it maintained during the presidential election.
“I am saddened by their current approach. It appears to me that they are moving away from the position they held during the presidential election,” he said.
The former minister revealed that he had personally contacted Premadasa by telephone to convey his concerns.
“I told him that we stood with him because of his policies and principles. Even if there are political setbacks, he should not compromise those principles,” Bathiudeen said.
Referring to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP), Bathiudeen said the ruling party’s electoral success demonstrated the importance of public confidence in political principles.
He said voters had supported the NPP because they believed in its stated opposition to racism and religious extremism, as well as its promise of systemic change.
Bathiudeen said he remained dissatisfied with the SJB’s recent conduct.
He warned that Sri Lanka’s past experiences demonstrated the dangers of ethnic and religious extremism.
“Our country’s history has shown us that racism and religious extremism are not good for the country, its communities or future generations,” he said.
Bathiudeen’s ACMC formally backed Premadasa’s presidential candidacy in August 2024, signing an agreement with the SJB-led alliance. (Newswire)
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