SJB’s Thalatha Athukorala resigns as MP
Posted on August 21st, 2024
Courtesy Adaderana
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ratnapura District MP Thalatha Athukorala has informed parliament that she will be resigning from her position as a Member of Parliament.
She made the announcement while delivering a statement in Parliament today (21).
Thalatha Athukorala, the sister of the late United National Party (UNP) politician Gamini Athukorala, first entered Parliament in 2004.
She has been re-elected in subsequent general elections in 2010, 2015, and 2020 from the Ratnapura District.
In the 2020 general election, she secured her seat in Parliament as a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) with 45,105 votes from the Ratnapura District.
Delivering her special statement in parliament today, Athukorala said the following:
This is a very emotional moment for me. On one side, our ‘mother party’ – the United National Party has split into two. Both the leader and former deputy leader of that party have become political enemies. Both are vying to become president. At a time when everyone is trying to unite, I cannot wholeheartedly agree with the decision for our camp to divide and contest separately.”
I believe that the decision for the two leaders to separate and contest is a selfish political decision taken without thinking about the future of the country. History will prove that in the near future. If I continue to remain silent about it, I will also become an indirect contributor to that sin.”
I will never stop my political journey and I will say that with pride and courage at this moment. I have no regrets of leaving my position as an MP. Today, I am facing that crucial moment and this is the first time I am informing this to the parliament.”
I do not wish for the party to split even though I won as a candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, I still continue to think whether the decision we took back then without thinking about the future was the correct decision.”
The thought of whether I contributed to the division of our great party makes me feel sadder than the happiness of the MP position I gained.”