--By A Staff Writer
(Lanka-e-News -01.Jan.2025, 11.40 PM) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was once hailed as a beacon of hope for Sri Lankan politics. Today, it’s looking more like the set of a reality TV show, complete with public spats, backstabbing, and enough drama to keep gossip columns busy for weeks. The latest episode? A very public showdown between SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and party chairman Imtiaz Bakeer Markar. Grab your popcorn; this one’s a doozy.
It all started with a letter. Not a love letter, mind you, but a scathing 12-point critique penned by none other than party chairman Imtiaz Bakeer Markar. In it, he accused Sajith Premadasa of being as clear as a Colombo fog in December. Leadership direction? Nonexistent. Decisions? Harmful. Party unity? Who needs it?
Imtiaz’s letter was less constructive criticism and more of a roast, and it sent shockwaves through the party. Some SJB members were reportedly seen furiously Googling, “How to jump ship without looking suspicious.”
Not one to take criticism lying down, Sajith Premadasa came out swinging. According to insiders, Sajith dismissed Imtiaz’s complaints with a level of scorn usually reserved for losing cricket teams. “Imtiaz,” Sajith reportedly fumed, “can’t even win 2,000 votes in an election, yet he has the audacity to question my leadership?”
He wasn’t done there. Sajith accused Imtiaz of trying to sneak into Parliament through the national list—a strategy that, to Imtiaz’s chagrin, failed spectacularly. Adding salt to the wound, Sajith claimed Imtiaz had undermined fellow SJB candidate Ifthikar Jameel in Beruwala, all while lobbying for his son’s candidacy. “Nepotism much?” Sajith allegedly quipped.
The cherry on this bitter cake? Sajith’s biting remarks about Imtiaz’s son. While Imtiaz had painted his offspring as a senior United Nations official, Sajith wasn’t buying it. “A low-key worker in a Colombo-07 office doesn’t make you the Secretary-General,” Sajith reportedly sneered. Ouch.
This isn’t Imtiaz’s first rodeo when it comes to political betrayals, Sajith reminded anyone within earshot. From allegedly undermining Ranil Wickremesinghe during their United National Party (UNP) days to now turning on Sajith, Imtiaz seems to have made a career out of biting the hand that feeds him.
Sajith, in a fit of frustration, reportedly declared, “He’s not just backstabbing; he’s back-flipping while doing it!”
As the drama unfolded, Sajith decided enough was enough. He issued an ultimatum: Imtiaz must resign from his chairmanship by mid-January 2025. “If he doesn’t step down,” Sajith allegedly warned, “I’ll personally show him the door.”
Party insiders say Sajith is already drawing up plans to replace Imtiaz, with a shortlist of candidates that reportedly includes everyone from loyal SJB members to a particularly diplomatic tea vendor at Parliament.
Just when you thought the drama couldn’t get juicier, Sajith dropped another bombshell. He accused Imtiaz’s family of involvement in a VAT scam. While details remain murky, the allegation has added a criminal twist to an already chaotic narrative.
“First, he wants to lecture me about leadership. Now, this?” Sajith reportedly fumed. “Maybe he should sort out his family’s tax issues before criticizing mine.”
In response to the chaos, Imtiaz has reportedly confided in close allies about his frustrations. Chief among them? His failure to secure a spot as a national list MP. Sources say he blames Sajith for the “mishap,” though others might argue that a lack of public support could have something to do with it.
The public spat has left SJB members in a bind. Some are rallying behind Sajith, praising his no-nonsense approach. Others are quietly siding with Imtiaz, viewing him as a voice of reason in a party they see as increasingly chaotic.
And then there are the fence-sitters, who are reportedly considering forming a new party: the Samagi Jana Drama-Watchers.
The SJB’s internal conflict couldn’t have come at a worse time. With national elections looming, the party’s focus should be on uniting against political opponents. Instead, it’s engaged in a self-destructive battle that risks alienating voters and weakening its credibility.
Political analysts are already speculating about the long-term consequences. Will Sajith emerge stronger, having rooted out dissent within the party? Or will Imtiaz’s critiques gain traction, leading to a larger upheaval?
As January 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on the SJB’s next moves. Will Imtiaz step down gracefully, or will Sajith have to wield his political axe? Either way, this drama is far from over. In the meantime, we can only hope that the party’s actual policies and vision for the country get as much airtime as its internal squabbles.
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by (2025-01-01 23:13:05)
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