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Imthiaz likens SJB to disparate coalition that brought Dudley to power

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Imthiaz and Sajith

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Although the political parties within the Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) did not agree on some matters, they saw eye to eye on fundamental principles, SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says.

Markar said so when he was asked what, he thought, had unified the diverse factions within the SJS. The alliance comprises various individuals with conflicting ideologies and personal vendettas.

“Yes, there are very different people in the SJS. This is similar to the coalition that brought Dudley Senanayake into power in 1965. The national front government Senanayake formed consisted of both left- and right-wing parties. It included figures as varied as K.M.P. Rajaratne from Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna, I.M.R.A. Iriyagolle from the Sinhala Bhasha Peramuna, Marxist pioneer Philip Gunawardene, S.J.V. Chelvanayakam from the Federal Party, and G.G. Ponnambalam from the Tamil Congress. These are also people with conflicting ideologies and personal vendettas, however, this coalition worked well together, and the government completed its full five-year term. Senanayake achieved this because he gained the trust of leaders of all communities,” he said.

Markar noted that presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has similarly succeeded in bringing together leaders from across the nation. The SJS includes respected figures from the Muslim, Sinhalese, and Tamil communities, indicating that Premadasa’s support base is not limited to any one ethnic or religious group.

He emphasised that the 21 September election differs significantly from previous polls in Sri Lanka, as the economy is now at the forefront, with most voters eager to understand the economic policies of political parties.

“We at the SJB are fully aware of the concerns people have. We witnessed the devastation caused by Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s amateurish economic policies. The SJB has released three policy documents outlining our plans to recover and revitalise the economy. But we also recognise that merely publishing documents is insufficient. Our economic team holds weekly briefings where they answer questions posed by journalists. We have 27 sectoral committees, covering areas such as the economy, education, agriculture, and health, and each committee consists of experts in their respective fields. We have approximately 1,500 experts working with us,” he said.

Markar also pushed back against the narrative that the 2.2 million votes in the North and East are the decisive factor in the upcoming election, insisting that every vote across the country matters. Nevertheless, the SJB is acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by each community.

“When it comes to young voters, we treat them with great respect. They are a highly informed demographic. They seek systemic change and demand the reduction of corruption, the establishment of the rule of law, and the creation of a more equal society. This reflects the aspirations of the Aragalaya movement,” he said.

Markar, who previously worked with late Ranasinghe Premadasa, remarked that Sajith Premadasa shares his father’s commitment to supporting the common people. Despite being in opposition, Sajith Premadasa has made considerable efforts to serve the public, according to the SJB MP.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts

Published

32 mins ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.00 noon 19 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 19 February 2026

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

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.

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Navy and Coast Guard seize 04 Indian fishing vessels poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Published

55 mins ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

During operations conducted in the dark hours of 18 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 04 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar and off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

Recognizing the detrimental effects of poaching on marine resources and the livelihoods of local fishing communities, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard continue to conduct regular operations as proactive measures to deter such activities. These efforts underscore the collective robust approach and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine ecosystems while ensuring the economic security and wellbeing of its citizens.

The 02 fishing boats along with the 10 fishermen held in Mannar were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar and the remaining 02 fishing boats intercepted off the Delft Island, together with 12 Indian fishermen were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy for onward legal proceedings.

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Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka pays courtesy call on PM

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka Dr. Siri Walt paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on the 17th of February at the Temple Trees.

Welcoming the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka the Prime Minister briefed the Ambassador on her recent visit to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting noting that the series of high-level bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the Forum, along with two important industry visits provided valuable insights for Sri Lanka’s economic engagement.

The discussion focused on Switzerland’s vocational education and training (VET) system, with particular interest in exploring possible cooperation and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

The Prime Minister also conveyed her appreciation for the assistance extended by the Government of Switzerland following Cyclone Ditwah. She emphasized Sri Lanka’s need for enhanced technical assistance during the ongoing rebuilding phase, especially in relation to the reconstruction of bridges and railway infrastructure.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Switzerland, and to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

First Secretary (Political) of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo Ms. Justine Boillat, First Secretary (Migration) of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo Ms. Andrea Kienast and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatt and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Foreign Employment, Tourism.attended the meeting.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]