Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar says MP Harsha de Silva was not given the party’s Colombo Leadership due to party policy.
Addressing the media today, MP Marikkar said previously he had lost out on a similar position due to recommendations being made against the appointment, after which the party leader had assumed the post.
“Even though I was the second highest to have obtained votes, recommendations were made not to appoint me as it could result in an issue. Then it was advised for the party leader to take over the post,” he explained.
Stating that a similar occurrence had taken place regarding Harsha de Silva’s appointment this time, MP Marikkar said it seems the party leader intends to continuously hold on to the position.
“In politics, we need to be patient and must endure certain incidents. We will always not get what we want. Even though we are elected as Members of Parliament, there are times when we have to fight to obtain an opportunity to address the House. These are common occurrences,” he added.
MP Marikkar’s comments come in response to a question raised by a journalist over the controversy over MP Harsha de Silva’s appointment, which was seen as an internal power struggle within the SJB recently.
MP Harsha de Silva had also recently expressed his dissatisfaction after SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was granted the Colombo District leadership, sidelining his aspirations for the role. (Newswire)