The alliance won 54 seats and became the main opposition just six months after its formation.[12] While the alliance traces its political views to the liberal-conservative principles of the UNP, some members of the Sri Lankan media have argued that the SJB has gradually moved to the progressive and democratic political centre over time, and even espouses several social democratic (centre-left) ideals.[13][14]
On 19 February, the United National Party working committee approved a swan for the symbol of a new UNP-led alliance.[17]
On 2 March, the SJB was officially launched at Nelum Pokuna Colombo.[18] On 9 March, the alliance opened its headquarters in Ethulkotte, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte,[2] and on the next day selected a telephone as its election symbol. The alliance handed in its nominations for 25 districts on 19 March for the 2020 general elections, the party's first election.
In May 2020, the Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya (youth wing) and Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya (women's wing) were launched.
Out of 77 UNP MPs, 52 joined the new alliance led by Premadasa. The working committee approved Premadasa as the leader of the alliance and gave him the power to chair the nomination board for the upcoming general elections in 2020.[19] On 14 February 2020, both Premadasa and Ranil Wickramasinghe agreed to contest the elections under the swan symbol and file nominations under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya banner to avoid a division in the United National Party.[20] At the last moment, however, the SJB withdrew from the agreement and a majority of its members submitted nominations under the telephone symbol. Approximately 75 members of parliament joined the alliance. A minority of UNP members filed their nominations under the elephant symbol.
In the 2020 parliamentary elections held on 5 August, the alliance won 54 seats, thus becoming the main opposition party of the country.[21] On 20 August, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was inaugurated as the Leader of the Opposition.[22]
In December 2023, the SJB announced that they would form an alliance in 2024 with other political parties, including the Freedom People's Congress, a breakaway party of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna led by its former chairman G. L. Peiris.[24] This alliance was launched as the Samagi Jana Sandanaya, and nominated party leader Sajith Premadasa as its candidate in the 2024 presidential elections.[25]
Overview
Member parties
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya consists of the following parties.
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