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Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s motion calling for PC polls postponed

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By Saman Indrajith

The TNA registered its protest in Parliament yesterday when Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Provincial Councils (PC) Elections Act to enable the conduct of the PC polls was put off. MP Sumanthiran stated that the Bill had now been published in the government Gazette.

Sumanthiran criticised the government’s delay in taking up the Bill for debate. He accused the President of failing to deliver on promises made to the Tamil people.

He warned that if the government opposed the Bill, such action would amount to ignoring the interests of the Tamil people.

If the Bill was passed by Parliament, it would help amend the existing Provincial Council Elections (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 2017 and hold the PC polls under the previous electoral system.

Sumanthiran’s motion to amend the PC Elections Act was initially published in the government Gazette on October 11, 2019. Leader of the House, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, said he personally approved the content of Sumanthiran’s motion. “It is because of another motion brought during the Yahapalana era that we are currently in a dilemma regarding Provincial Council elections. Sumanthiran’s motion aims to resolve this deadlock. We all agree with his intention. He raised this issue at the Business Committee meeting. My position is that we must allocate time for a debate on this matter. Sumanthiran should first secure the support of the Opposition for a debate. If there is agreement among the Opposition parties, we are ready to allocate time,” Premajayantha said.

SLPP dissident MP Dayasiri Jayasekera: “The main issue is that we have not been able to hold Provincial Council elections for seven to eight years. Sumanthiran’s motion should be considered for the Third Reading. We can debate it and resolve the issue so that PC elections can be held.”

Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella added: “The Leader of the House agreed to take up this motion and set today as the date. We are prepared to contest the Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system. The motion could be debated. I am asking whether you will bring this Bill up for debate or not.”

Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha responded: “We must listen to MP Gevindu Kumaratunga before making that decision.”

MP Kumaratunga said that many MPs in the House had previously supported postponing the Provincial Council elections, arguing for a new electoral system. He questioned whether Parliament should revert to the previous system after remaining silent for seven to eight years. “Are we mad to act in this manner? Candidates make promises here and there, saying one thing in the South and another in the North. We oppose this and demand that a new government with a new mandate address this matter.”

SLPP dissident MP Dullas Alahapperuma: “President Ranil Wickremesinghe stopped funds allocated to MP Rishard Bathiudeen after he decided to support another candidate.

This is another attack on democracy.”

NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa argued that the Bill should not be debated now but after the elections.

Leader of the House Minister Premajayantha replied: “Parliament is scheduled to meet on October 8 after the presidential election. We can address this matter then. The person elected with the new mandate will make the decision. If we pass this today or tomorrow, could we set dates for Provincial Council elections without considering the presidential elections scheduled for September 21?” he asked.



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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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

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

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

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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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