SJB project -Make Sri Lanka Ukraine Again
SJB is a breakaway group of the old traditional right-wing party UNP. The party breakaways have no ideological issues, as none of the parties are ideologically committed to anything (except neoliberal economic policies). The breakaway happened when Sajith Premadasa was not given the necessary power within the UNP; they broke away and started their own party called SJB. There is no ideological difference between UNP and SJB There is a long run of attempts by both parties to unite these two parties, as they have no ideological difference other than personal gains over power. The only difference is SJB is more populist than UNP. As an example, UNP will say with no hesitation that they are pro-IMF and pro-West. SJB, on the other hand, will never say this out loud (although people like Harsha would very much say it out loud). So let's take a look at what these people, like Sajith and Ranil, have collectively achieved in the very recent history.
Sajith and Ranil and all the current SJB MPs were very active in the Yahapalanya times; most of them even had ministerial portfolios. Below are some of the greatest achievements of that Yahapalanya government.
Going for IMF and listed 15 state-owned enterprises for privatisation
Buying 12 billion worth of ISB, the highest borrowing in Sri Lankan history.
The Economic & Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) was established with India.
HVDC Power Interconnection Pre-feasibility—Pre-feasibility was completed in February 2016 for the undersea HVDC power link between India and Sri Lanka.
Because of US pressure, trade hostilities were created with Russia (ban of asbestos).
Hostilities with China (port city Hambantota Harbour)
ACSA (Acquisition & Cross‑Servicing Agreement) was updated around 2017, enabling mutual logistics support, supplies, refuelling, and joint exercises with the USA.
SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) discussions took place, although a finalised agreement was still pending by 2019.
MCC Compact (~US$500m) was negotiated in 2018 for infrastructure upgrades; implementation was delayed due to the 2018 constitutional crisis.
Draughting the central bank independence act
Draughting the LGBTQ legalisation act
Their biggest two contributions to Sri Lanka in the recent past are leading Sri Lanka to bankruptcy by acquiring massive unsustainable debt. Secondly, to ensure that we run proxy operations against friendly countries in the multipolar world, such as China and Russia. Which is basically what Ukraine did, and the rest is history in Ukraine.
Even in the last manifesto, SJB openly mentions that they want to be the Indian Ocean's rules-based order country. Which means they want to be the western proxy party in Sri Lanka (Make Sri Lanka Ukraine Again mission). They clearly state that they have no problem with the IMF program. If someone wants to imagine SJB/UNP rule, imagine Ukraine.