The Colombo District has seen a profound shift in voter dynamics in the 2024 general election, with Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Sajith Premadasa suffering a significant decline in support.
Premadasa, who garnered an impressive 305,744 votes in the 2020 parliamentary election, managed only 145,611 votes this time — a loss of 160,133 votes.
Meanwhile, the National People’s Power (NPP) has made significant inroads into areas traditionally dominated by the United National Party (UNP) and subsequently the SJB as well.
Historically, constituencies such as Colombo-North, Central, East, and West have been strongholds for the UNP, having a long history of electoral victories. In 2020, Premadasa’s SJB wrested control of these areas, consolidating its power. However, the tide has turned in this election, with the NPP claiming dominance in these constituencies.
This shift signals a major political realignment in the Colombo district, often regarded as the heart of the UNP’s support base.
However, SJB leader Premadasa was placed second in the Colombo district preference votes list in the 2024 General Election with 145,611 votes while fellow party members Dr. Harsha De Silva, Mujibur Rahuman and S.M. Marikkar have also secured seats from the district.
