S.M. Marikkar Calls on Other Parties to at Least Hold Public Meetings

Colombo, September 24 — Speaking at a media briefing held by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar said the public had demonstrated today that the SJB was capable of defeating the current JVP-led government.

Marikkar thanked the people who joined the SJB protest despite the heavy rain and said that, in his view, only a right-wing political party could defeat what he described as a left-wing government.

“We tell those who cannot bring people together to at least hold a conference,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as attacks against the SJB through the media, saying that the party would not respond to such attacks through the media but would respond directly.

“We engage in politics by working hard. We have the support of the people. We do not accept the claim that everyone is on the same side,” he said.

Marikkar said the SJB opposed the proposed 22nd Amendment, claiming that it was contrary to democracy and the law.

He also said the government had failed to fulfil its promises.

“We support the efforts to apprehend those who have committed wrongdoing. However, those who are trying to evade the law are a separate matter,” he said.

Q&A

Responding to questions from journalists, Marikkar said UNP members may have participated in the protest and claimed that the UNP and SJB had already come together.

He said that if an election were held, the two parties would contest together, while acknowledging that all members would not necessarily participate in every activity together.

“We are together. We wholeheartedly invite the UNP to join us. The SLPP will follow a separate path, while we will unite with the UNP,” he said.

Marikkar further claimed that the SJB was the party capable of removing the government, adding that some people were speaking only to protect themselves from criticism.

He also said mainstream media organisations should not descend to what he described as the level of “mercenaries” on social media.

According to Marikkar, the JVP had come to power through an ideological struggle, and there were lessons that could be learned from the JVP regardless of political differences.

“We have to move towards a new system. What is needed is an ideological struggle,” he said.

Referring to a previous political episode involving Kumar Jayakody, Marikkar said the SJB had protested against him at the time, but that Jayakody had won the no-confidence motion. He added that Jayakody was nevertheless compelled to resign shortly afterwards.

“This is also like that,” Marikkar said.