News
SLPP dissidents led by Lanza to launch campaign in support of President Wickremesinghe
Presidential Election 2024
By Shamindra Ferdinando
A group of SLPP MPs calling themselves New Alliance will soon launch a campaign in support of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s candidature at the forthcoming presidential election.
The New Alliance announced that their inaugural meeting would be held at Ja-ela on Saturday (27) from 3pm.
The group said that the rally would be held under the patronage of their Gampaha District leader and Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando. Among those who had been scheduled to attend the meeting were Education Minister and Leader of the House Susil Premjayantha and dissident MPs Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Priyankara Jayaratne and Nimal Lanza, representing Kurunegala, Puttalam and Gampaha districts, respectively.
The scheduled public meeting is the first since the New Alliance estab lished a new campaign office on January 1 this year at No 118, Lake Drive, Rajagiriya.
At the opening of the new office, MP Lanza declared that they were confident of securing the support of many of those MPs who had distanced themselves from the SLPP and other political parties after having entered parliament on their tickets. Lawmaker Lanza said that there were 71 such dissidents in parliament now.
Political sources said that among those who had declared their support for the incumbent president while representing the SLPP in the cabinet were Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera and Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga who is also the Chief Government Whip.
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella last week told The Island that none of their lawmakers would switch allegiance to President Wickremesinghe in spite of UNP’s efforts to lure them. Of the 54 member SJB group, so far five-Diana Gamage, Harin Fernando, Manusha Nanayakkara, Vadiwel Suresh and A.H.M. Fowzie had voted with the government.Sources said that the New Alliance seemed bent on working out an arrangement with President Wickremesinghe at the next parliamentary poll.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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