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SJB asks Mahinda why he protects Ranil if SLPP plans to go it alone at next election
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balawegaya spokesperson Mujibur Rahuman yesterday (27) said that ruling SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa owed an explanation why his party continued to protect President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SLPP conveniently ignored an opportunity to force an early parliamentary election by defeating President Wickrtemesinghe’s Budget for 2024.
The former Colombo District parliamentarian said so in response to lawmaker Mahinda Rajapaksa’s declaration at a public event at Kirindiwela, Gampaha, that his intention was to regain power at the next national election.
Pointing out that both the ex-President and all Cabinet ministers, including Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, elected on the SLPP ticket, and those appointed on its National List, voted for UNP leader Wickremesinghe’s Budget, Rahuman emphasised the SLPP was the engine of the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government.
The final vote on the 2024 Budget received 122 votes in favour and was passed by a majority of 41 votes.
The SJB’s Mayoral candidate for the Colombo Municipal Council said that except for two, namely Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando of the SJB, the rest of the ministers were all SLPPers.
Rahuman said: “The former President cannot deceive the public by such meaningless utterances.” The ex-MP reminded that some of those in the Cabinet already had publicly declared their support for President Wickremesinghe at the next presidential poll.
Addressing a gathering at a trade exhibition and carnival at Kirindiwella, organised by the Urban Development and Housing Ministry, MP Rajapaksa said on Tuesday (26) his intention was to gain power and not to serve as the Opposition Leader.
Responding to media queries as he left the venue, MP Rajapaksa ruled out the possibility of changing electoral organizers. However, new appointments have been made in place of those who left the party, the ex-President said.
After having endorsed Wickremesinghe revenue proposals that would cause steep increase in taxes, with effect from next week, the former President ironically called for a reasonable tax regime, Rahuman said.
Obviously, the SLPP leader has quite conveniently forgotten the Supreme Court ruling in respect of the fundamental rights applications delivered on Nov 14.
Regardless of various public declarations, the SLPP seemed comfortable in retaining the UNP leader as the President, ex-MP Rahuman said. Responding to another query, Rahuman alleged that President Wickremesinghe put off Local Government polls indefinitely with the blessings of the SLPP. The Premier played a significant role in Wickremesinghe strategy, the former parliamentarian said, urging the public to be wary of the incumbent government’s machinations.
According to Rahuman, the SLPP’s decision to appoint Wickremesinghe as the eighth President to complete the re remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term was a strategic move meant to build an alliance.
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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP
Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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