Patali dismisses claims on rift within SJB

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka has dismissed claims that his faction is attempting to oust Sajith Premadasa as opposition leader. "We will not sling mud in such a manner. If we want to criticize something, we will do so in a straightforward manner," Ranawaka told reporters on Wednesday. He also dismissed claims that he is backing Ranil Wickremesinghe to take over as Opposition Leader. "I don't know whether Ranil Wickremesinghe will enter Parliament. I haven't contacted him since 2019. It is upto him to decide whether he wants to enter Parliament," he said. Ranawaka said he aims at eliminating nepotism from politics and ensuring that it involves skilled individuals. "We have to stop the power from being transferred to one's child or grandchild," he said.