Government-aligned popular YouTuber channels and news platforms have launched a concerted propaganda campaign claiming that top Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leaders are poised to defect to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration, speculation that intensified after a senior SJB economist accepted a key state appointment.
The rumour mill reached a fever pitch following the appointment of former SJB senior leader and economist Eran Wickramaratne to spearhead Sri Lanka Cricket under the President’s directive.
Government-backed online voices predicted that SJB’s prominent economist and MP Dr. Harsha De Silva would follow suit.
Adding fuel to the fire, a JVP strongman and Minister of Agriculture declared at the official May Day rally that “a few from the opposition will be taken into the government.”
However, Dr. De Silva broke his silence in emphatic fashion. Taking the stage at the SJB’s own May Day rally, he delivered what party insiders described as an “uncharacteristically sharp” speech, though he has otherwise remained silent on the propaganda questioning his loyalty.
Dr. De Silva continues to refuse engagement with claims that he is preparing to align with President Dissanayake.