Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairperson and former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has resigned from his position as SJB Chairman.

According to sources, he has stepped down from the chairmanship while remaining a member of the party.

The exact reason for his resignation is not yet known.

In December, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar called on the party leadership to initiate a comprehensive reorganization of the SJB.

He said the party needed to strengthen its connection with grassroots members through inner democracy and build a stronger relationship between the leadership and the membership.

A veteran politician with a career spanning five decades, Bakeer Markar played a key role in forming the SJB after its split from the United National Party (UNP), where head served as a senior Vice President. Bakeer Markar had entered UNP as a student political leader in the 1970s, and led its national student and youth wings prior to taking elected office.

He served as an MP from 1988-2004. holding key ministerial positions, including State Minister of Housing and Minister of Mass Communication.

A widely respected figure, Bakeer Markar withdrew from contesting elections but remained active in political and civic life for the next sixteen years. He re-entered parliament in 2020 from the SJB’s national list. He is known as a strong advocate for democracy, social justice, and national unity. (NewsWire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairperson and former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has urged the party leadership to initiate a comprehensive reorganisation of the SJB.

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has made a written request to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

He has requested a comprehensive reorganization of the SJB with the aim of strengthening its connection with grassroots members, as well as building a strong relationship between the leadership and membership.

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has made 12 key recommendations for this purpose.

The recommendations include;

• Urging the SJB to unify its ideological stance to ensure that the party’s members from top to bottom communicate as one group, allowing the party’s ideology to be successfully socialised. 
• Decisions be made collectively to reinforce the importance of unity within the party by involving members in delegating responsibilities and conducting votes where possible.
• Foster natural leadership through youth and student organisations while avoiding reliance on external influencers or “parachutists.”
• Holding formal and timely meetings for Parliamentarians, party organisers, and committees, including the Executive Council and Party Conference. 
• Assign specific responsibilities to district leaders and conduct quarterly reviews of their progress to enhance accountability.
• Hold regular progress reviews involving the party leader, key officials, and leaders of affiliated organisations, such as those representing youth, women, students, and trade unions. 
• Establish a dedicated social media unit to manage communications effectively and replace election-specific ad-hoc operations with a structured communication program. Ensure the party’s ideological messages and stances on current issues reach both members and the public.
• Engage young voters by developing programs targeting individuals aged 15 to 17, providing them with political understanding and fostering their involvement ahead of upcoming elections. 
• Establish clear criteria for selecting candidates for local Government and Provincial Council Elections, prioritising professionals, social activists, and community leaders.
• Ensuring at least 25% representation for youth and women in local Government and Provincial Council Elections.
•  Limit re-nomination of candidates who failed in previous elections to 35%. 
• Allocate specific time slots for constituency organisers and regional representatives to meet with the party leader and key officials to improve accessibility. (Newswire)

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has shot down rumours of the party allying with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing the media, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said that such rumours are being spread as SJB Presidential candidate MP Sajith Premadasa is predicted as the frontrunner to win the Presidential Election. 

Requesting the public to be vigilant of the false information, MP Markar further said that the SJB will never agree to an alliance between individuals. 

He said that several political parties have joined the SJB based on common consensus with its policy statement, and only such policy-based alliances will be formed. 

MP Markar urged the public to be mindful of fake information which is being spread specifically ahead of the Presidential polls. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar launched his autobiography ‘Mage Kathawa’ at the Ananda College auditorium on Tuesday (Mar 05). 

Several prominent dignitaries and politicians, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, former Presidents Chandrika Kumaratunge and Maithripala Sirisena attended the event. 

Ministers Ramesh Pathirane and Ali Sabry, and MPs G.L Peiris, Sarath Weerasekera, Tissa Attanayake, and Gayantha Karunathileke were also in attendance.

Senior journalist, Dr. Ranga Kalansooriya and Ven. Galkande Dhammananda Thero made key speeches during the event. (NewsWire)

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Five incidents of suicide have been reported at the University of Peradeniya so far this year, Samagi Jana Balwegaya MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar informed the Parliament. 

Addressing the Parliament yesterday (23), MP Markar stated that it is reported that two students who attempted to take their lives are undergoing counselling.

Pointing out this is the current status of university students, the MP revealed that the university authorities have reported that the students are malnourished and are unable to afford regular meals.

“Some students eat only one meal. Their parents cannot afford to send them money. They are unable to concentrate in their lectures, with some fainting during lectures,” he said.

MP Markar further stated that the delay in providing the Mahapola allowance has further affected the situation of the students. 

Stating that the youth are the future of the nation, MP Markar stated urgent action is required on this matter without delay. He also requested the authorities to take the necessary measures to assist university students. 

Responding to the MP, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha stated that Mahapola Scholarship allowance has been provided to a majority of students, while delays have occurred for some due to issues related to wrong information, which is being corrected. 

Minister Premajayantha further stated that funds are also being obtained from the Treasury to provide the Mahapola Scholarship allowance without delays. (NewsWire)

Five students at #Peradeniya #university committed suicide, and two attempted suicide. This is the current status of state universities.

We should not sit by as the future of our country is destroyed in this way. Urgent action is required on this matter without delay!#lka pic.twitter.com/pcfYt74HPt

— Imthiaz Bakeer Markar (@bakeermarkar) June 23, 2023

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