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Former President Sirisena in thrust to revive UPFA

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/19

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) met last week under SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena to discuss plans to revitalize itself and upgrade its manifesto to suit the times.

Conducted via zoom, the meeting was attended by Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader and Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Mahajana Paksha leader MP Asanka Navaratne and other party leaders, party sources said.

“It is time that UPFA stood up again,” former President Sirisena said. “We must strengthen UPFA so that many like-minded parties and groups could join under a single banner.”

“Deputy Chairman of the SLPP Thilanga Sumathipala has moved a motion that we should prepare a new manifesto containing policies covering social, cultural and economic matters to rebuild the nation. We have that proposal as a base and it has been approved by all members of the SLFP Executive Committee. We would obtain proposals from other parties in the coming two weeks,” Sirisena said.

Lengthy discussions were held on the preparation of a plan of action for the UPFA. These centered on reviving the UPFA under the betel leaf symbol which Sirisena said had the trust of people.

MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena spoke of the need to accommodate proposals of other political parties and to invite them all for future discussions to decide the future course of the UPFA.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman, Mangala Samaraweera and Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party’s P.M. Podi Appuhamy.

SLFP Senior Deputy Chairman Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said the SLFP Central Committee had recently decided on reactivating the UPFA. The alliance will be formed with all progressive political elements including leftist, patriotic, and nationalist political parties as well as parties unrepresented in Parliament.

Thilanga Sumathipala said that the entire political paradigm has been changed by the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a need to think beyond the policies that had been upheld and accepted as the best prior to the pandemic. Covid has outdated these. We must build a formidable political force on the basis of people-friendly political policies and should accommodate friendly parties to form a grand alliance. We must uphold policies that could build our nation. It is the UPFA that could accommodate all forces,” he said.

He added that the UPFA that came to being in 2004 by joining forces of all progressive and leftist parties under the leadership of the SLFP had a record of winning two presidential elections, two general elections and winning seven provincial councils in three elections. In the 2015 general election the UPFA won 95 parliamentary seats.

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UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

5 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

10 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

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We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

12 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.