In a move that had everyone reaching for their popcorn, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Thalatha Athukorala made a grand exit from Parliament on Wednesday. But this wasn’t just any regular resignation. Oh no, this was the kind that had more twists and turns than a soap opera cliffhanger.
Athukorala, the seasoned politician from Ratnapura, known for her long-standing allegiance to the United National Party (UNP), decided she’d had enough. Her disappointment was as thick as a curry, simmering away, as she delivered a speech that could only be described as “juicy.” Her main beef? The decision by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to run for President separately—like two rival cousins fighting over the last piece of cake at a family dinner.
Mother Party
In a heartfelt, emotional, and slightly scolding tone, Athukorala lamented the split of her beloved “mother party,” the UNP. According to her, the party’s division was less of a political strategy and more of a selfish decision that ignored the country’s future—because why think long-term when you can have a short-term political showdown?
Now, Athukorala isn’t just any MP. She’s practically parliamentary royalty, with a political career stretching back to 2004. Her brother, the late Gamini Athukorala, was a UNP stalwart, so you can imagine her dismay watching the party split like a shattered teacup. In the last general election, she secured a decent 45,105 votes in Ratnapura, proving she’s got some serious political chops.
Crucial Moment
But today, she decided that being an MP wasn’t quite what it used to be. In her words, this “crucial moment” called for something dramatic—like resigning in the middle of a parliamentary session, because why not make a statement? As she took her leave, she made it clear that her political journey isn’t over. In fact, it sounds like she’s just warming up.
So, what’s next for Thalatha Athukorala? Only time will tell.
Karu Paranawithana is to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala as he is next in the party’s list in the Ratnapura District.
