SJB disciplinary committee to keep errant MPs in line

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has decided to appoint a disciplinary committee to take action against party members who issue statements that promote the government or are considered detrimental to the party.

SJB Thushara Indunil Amarasena speaking to reporters in Colombo after a party meeting said the SJB’s Working Committee had decided to appoint a disciplinary committee with powers to take action against such members.

“Today the Working Committee decided to appoint a strong disciplinary committee to take immediate disciplinary action against anyone who issues statements that damage the SJB or promote other parties or the government,” he said.

The decision comes in the wake of speculation over the past few weeks that a number of high-profile SJB parliamentarians were planning to cross over to the government accepting an open invitation from President Ranil Wickremesinghe to support his government’s International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed reforms.

Party seniors have rejected all reports of imminent crossovers, save for that of one prominent MP from the Kalutara district