Actress Damitha Abeyrathna announced today (21) that she is joining the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), parting ways with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
In a media briefing, Abeyrathna stated that the DNA will be her platform for future political activities. She had initially hoped to receive nominations under the SJB ticket for the Ratnapura District and actively participated in election propaganda campaigns for the party, with her candidacy confirmed.
However, the SJB removed her name from the nomination list at the last moment without informing her. She discovered this when she went to the Ratnapura District Secretariat to submit her nomination.
SJB Ratnapura District Team Leader Hesha Withanage later explained that while Abeyrathna worked hard on the district election campaigns, the party did not want to "import" candidates from other districts to contest in the general election.