During a press briefing, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman claimed that nearly 80 senior ministries and parliamentarians intend to flee the country following the impending presidential election on September 21, 2024.
Rahman added that many of these officials, who were previously close to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, had now distanced themselves. According to him, some ministers and important spokespersons for the President have began to doubt their political future under his leadership, with many regretting their previous acts and feeling marginalized inside the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
“Information has come to light that they have realised Ranil Wickremesinghe’s true nature. Some of them who regret their actions have realised that they have lost the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and cannot continue with the President, and are at a crossroads now,” MP Rahman stated.
The MP further revealed that approximately 80 people have already obtained visas, suggesting that they no longer see President Wickremesinghe as their protector.
Rahman further stated that the group had concluded that the President was using them to help National Peoples’ Power (NPP) nominee Anura Kumara Dissanayake win the election.