-By LeN Political Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -14.July.2025, 11.20 PM) Hirunika Premachandra, the outspoken former MP and loyalist of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has made a rather unexpected admission: that she once sought confidential political advice from none other than Dr. Rajitha Senaratne – the now-elusive former Cabinet Minister and long-time political operator.
Speaking publicly in what many saw as a thinly veiled critique-cum-confession, Premachandra acknowledged that “Uncle Rajitha”, as he is informally referred to within political circles, had been something of a shadow adviser to her during crucial moments of her political journey.
This revelation comes at a time when Senaratne himself has seemingly vanished from the political landscape – and, quite possibly, from the country altogether. With a warrant reportedly issued for his statement regarding a corruption probe, attention has turned not only to his legal troubles but also to those who once kept him close.
At the heart of the controversy is a highly questionable sand mining contract linked to the Kirinda Fisheries Harbour. The agreement, allegedly awarded to a Korean company under dubious terms, has cost the Sri Lankan government more than Rs. 262 million in losses. The Bribery and Corruption Commission (CIABOC) has summoned Senaratne to provide a formal statement as part of its ongoing investigation.
However, despite repeated summons, Senaratne has yet to comply. Official reports suggest he may have already left the country, possibly to avoid legal consequences – a move that has reignited public debate over the rule of law, political impunity, and the shadowy movements of Sri Lanka’s old guard.
It is within this volatile context that Hirunika’s remarks have drawn scrutiny. Though she did not directly criticise Senaratne for his alleged flight from justice, her acknowledgment of his behind-the-scenes influence has left political analysts and SJB insiders questioning where her—and indeed her party’s—loyalties lie.
As questions grow about the SJB’s stance on Senaratne’s disappearance, many are now watching Sajith Premadasa closely. The Opposition Leader, who has thus far remained publicly silent on the matter, is under increasing pressure to clarify his position: Does the SJB still count Senaratne as one of its own? Or is the party finally drawing a line between its future aspirations and the murky political legacies of the past?
For Hirunika, the admission may be an attempt at transparency—or an early sign of distancing herself from what may soon become a legal and political liability. But critics argue it also reflects the perennial problem in Sri Lankan politics: the quiet but enduring grip of senior powerbrokers who pull strings from behind the scenes, only to disappear when accountability comes knocking.
“Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has long been a fixture in our political landscape,” said one senior political observer. “His absence now isn’t just physical—it’s symbolic. It tells you everything about the kind of political culture we’ve tolerated for too long.”
Meanwhile, civil society groups and legal experts are urging the authorities to pursue international channels if necessary, to bring Senaratne back to face questioning. “There cannot be one law for the people and another for the powerful,” one lawyer told The Lankaenews.
The controversy also casts a wider shadow over the SJB’s image as a reformist alternative to the Rajapaksa-dominated past. As the party positions itself for future electoral battles, it must wrestle with the ghosts of its political inheritance—including figures like Senaratne, who straddle both the past and present with equal controversy.
Hirunika Premachandra’s comments may have been off-the-cuff, but they have exposed fault lines within the party that can no longer be ignored. Whether she will clarify or double down remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: “Uncle Rajitha” may be out of sight—but he’s certainly not out of mind.
-By LeN Political Correspondent
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by (2025-07-14 18:08:25)
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