Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has appointed veteran parliamentarian Kabir Hashim as Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya for 2026, in a move to strengthen the party’s organisational structure.
The appointment, made on April 10, comes a day after the SJB-led no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated by a 153-49 margin in Parliament, with the ruling NPP’s comfortable majority holding firm.
Hashim is a senior SJB member who has previously served as Minister of Highways and Road Development. His appointment signals the party’s intent to consolidate its leadership ranks ahead of what it sees as upcoming political challenges.
The SJB has been the most vocal opposition force in recent weeks, spearheading the energy minister censure motion over the Lakvijaya coal procurement controversy and pressing the government on fuel price reductions following the Iran-US ceasefire.
While the NCM failed to dislodge the energy minister, it served as a platform for the opposition to publicly scrutinise government energy policy. The chairmanship appointment suggests the SJB is now focusing on internal party organisation rather than immediate parliamentary confrontation, as the country heads into the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period.
