Sajith Premadasa

Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing.

See on the map

Details

Role: Leader of the Opposition in the 10th Parliament, recognised November 2024; leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya since February 2020
Elections: Runner-up in the presidential elections of November 2019 and September 2024
Earlier: Minister of Housing and Construction from September 2015; deputy leader of the United National Party until November 2019
Appears on: Presidents since 2019
Politicians and investigators
Last checked: 12 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Connections (16)

Sajith Premadasa / Runner-up in / Presidential election, 21 September 2024
- The opposition leader finished second.22 Sep 2024 · Ada Derana · Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected President of Sri Lanka
Sajith Premadasa / Leader of, since February 2020 / Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)
- He and his alliance partners took over the Ape Jathika Peramuna and renamed it the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, with him as leader and Ranjith Madduma Bandara as general secretary. The Elections Commissioner General accepted the renaming and the appointments in writing.12 Feb 2020 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Premadasa-faction forms Samagi Jana Balawegaya
- He chaired the SJB working committee meeting of 8 May 2023, which gave him full powers as party leader to build a broad alliance led by the SJB.9 May 2023 · Daily FT · SJB Working Committee rules out national Govt. proposal
- Al Jazeera: the SJB, the main opposition under his leadership, won 40 seats in the November 2024 parliamentary election.18 Nov 2024 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka leader reappoints Amarasuriya as PM, retains finance and defence
Sajith Premadasa / Deputy leader of, until November 2019 / United National Party (UNP)
- After conceding the presidential election he said he was also resigning as the UNP’s deputy leader.17 Nov 2019 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa wins presidency as Premadasa concedes
Sajith Premadasa / Runner-up in / Presidential election, November 2019
- The candidate of the then ruling UNP, he issued a statement conceding defeat and saying it was his privilege to honour the decision of the people.17 Nov 2019 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa wins presidency as Premadasa concedes
Sajith Premadasa / Recognised as Leader of the Opposition by, November 2024 / Anura Kumara Dissanayake
- At the opening session of the 10th Parliament on 21 November 2024, Speaker Asoka Ranwala announced that the president had recognised the SJB MP as Leader of the Opposition.21 Nov 2024 · Ada Derana · Sajith Premadasa named Opposition Leader of 10th Parliament
Sajith Premadasa / Sworn in as minister before, September 2015 / Maithripala Sirisena
- Sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena on 4 September 2015, in the cabinet of the national government, as Minister of Housing and Construction. Ranil Wickremesinghe, as prime minister, was the first to take the oath.4 Sep 2015 · Ada Derana · New Ministers sworn in
Ramanathan Archchuna / Sat in the Opposition Leader’s seat meant for, November 2024 / Sajith Premadasa
- He refused requests by Parliament staff to move from the Opposition Leader’s seat, saying tradition was being changed. Premadasa, who had been named Opposition Leader, sat at the corner of the front row. Parliament sources said no action could be taken because MPs were allowed to sit wherever they wanted.21 Nov 2024 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat
Sajith Premadasa / Raised in Parliament the privileges of, July 2026 / Ramanathan Archchuna
- After a warrant was issued while Archchuna was reportedly attending a sitting, Premadasa told Parliament the MP’s privileges had been violated and urged the Speaker to decide on the matter at once.24 Jul 2026 · Newswire · Archchuna misses court to attend Parliament; arrest warrant sparks privilege row
Sajith Premadasa / Leader of the Opposition in / Parliament of Sri Lanka
- Reports in November 2024 that he had been named Opposition Leader.21 Nov 2024 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Independent MP refuses to vacate Opposition Leader’s seat
Sajith Premadasa / Son of / Ranasinghe Premadasa
- Describes him as the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was assassinated in May 1993.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Harsha de Silva / Headed the economic team of, 2024 / Sajith Premadasa
- He headed Premadasa’s economic troika and was slated to be Finance Minister if Premadasa was elected.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Rishad Bathiudeen / Backed in the 2024 presidential election / Sajith Premadasa
- Says he extended his support to the SJB candidate.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Dayasiri Jayasekara / Backed in the 2024 presidential election / Sajith Premadasa
- In August 2024 he announced that the SLFP faction he led would support the SJB candidate.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Patali Champika Ranawaka / Backed in the 2024 presidential election / Sajith Premadasa
- In August 2024 he announced his support for the SJB candidate.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Nalaka Godahewa / Backed in the 2024 presidential election / Sajith Premadasa
- He and several other SLPP MPs announced in February 2024 that they would support the SJB candidate.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
Tillakaratne Dilshan / Pledged support to, August 2024 / Sajith Premadasa
- He pledged his support for the SJB leader in the 2024 presidential election at a meeting with him.14 Aug 2024 · Newswire · Former cricketer TM Dilshan pledges support for Sajith in Presidential Polls