The Election Commission says that there is no apparent problem with the legitimacy of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, which is the main opposition in the Parliament, and that the dual citizenship of individuals does not hinder the registration of political parties. Sri Lanka Latest News
Former Minister of State Diana Gamage and her partner Senaka de Silva once owned a political party called ‘Ape Jatiya Peramuna’ which has been transferred to a group led by the current opposition and Samagi Jana Balawega leader Sajith Premadasa ahead of the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Later it was renamed as Samagi Jana Balavegaya.
Diana Gamage’s loss of her parliamentary seat due to her UK citizenship has prompted her to threaten to take back ownership of Samagi Jana Balawega due to concerns raised about its legitimacy.
The Election Commission is responsible for the registration of political parties, ensuring that they comply with the legal requirements and regulations laid down by the relevant legal provisions.
Election Commission Chairman Mr.R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told the Morning newspaper that Diana Gamage was once the secretary of our national front, but after changes were made in the party’s constitution and officers, the right was transferred to another party.
Our National Front has been renamed as Samagi Jana Balavegaya and has been recognized as Samagi Jana Balavegaya by the Election Commission.
The chairman has stated that there is no clear problem in this regard as the nominations for the current Samagi Jana Balawega MPs have been issued in the name of its current General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara.
According to the existing legal provisions, there is no obstacle for a person with dual citizenship to register a political party.
The Election Commission points out that even a person from abroad can register a political party as there is no mention of dual citizenship under the relevant legal provisions.
Speaking to the media recently, Samagi Jana Balavega General Secretary Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara emphasized that the transfer of party rights to the Premadasa-led group was completed in 2019 according to all necessary procedures and there are no legal issues regarding its legality.
He also mentioned that Samagi Jana Balawegaya hopes to take legal action against Diana Gamage for submitting misleading documents while nominating her as a National List Member of Parliament.
