The SJB has expelled two of its local government members and suspended six others for defying party directives and backing the NPP in the contests to elect heads of hung local Councils.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara confirmed that Kolonnawa Municipal Councillor Susil Kumara Costa and Kandeketiya Pradeshiya Sabha Councillor Navarathna Mudiyanselage Wijepala had been expelled with immediate effect.
The SJB has suspended the membership of six councillors from the Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha. A statement signed by Madduma Bandara stated that the suspensions were due to the councillors’ failure to adhere to decisions made by the party’s Management Committee and Working Committee regarding leadership appointments within the Council.
The suspended members are HM Susil Herath, AM Penalabode Gedara Anil Indrajith Dassanayake, K.W. Dhananjaya Sampath Karadagolla, A.G. Priyaranjana Kumara Ratnayake, HM Kusuma Kumari and Krishanthi Dilrukshi Premaratne.
Party sources said disciplinary actions were necessary to preserve internal cohesion and underscore the SJB’s stance against members who align with rival parties for personal or political gain.
By Akitha Perera