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SLPP loses simple majority, bid to collect signatures in support of PM failed – Udaya
‘Certain defeat at NCM vote can be avoided only by PM’s resignation’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (25) claimed that the ruling SLPP government parliamentary group no longer had a simple majority in Parliament.
Addressing the media at the PHU office, at Kotte Road, Pita Kotte, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said that 120 lawmakers, representing both the government and the Opposition, had taken a stand, contrary to that of the SLPP.
Former Energy Minister Gammanpila said that at the onset of the crisis, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) had sought to move a no-faith motion against the government.
However, the SJB had been told not to do so unless it was sure of the support of at least 113 members, MP Gammanpila said.
Lawmaker Gammanpila said that they warned the no-faith motion could end up as a show of confidence. But, now 65 Opposition members grouping had been joined by 39 member SLPP grouping, in addition to 10-member government group that asked for the resignation of the Cabinet to pave the way for an interim administration and three Opposition members who voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution returning to their parties, MP Gammanpila said.
Declaring that the group opposed to the government now comprised 117 members, the former minister pointed out that three others-Media Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, his predecessor Dullas Alahapperuma and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath had called for an interim administration to settle the political crisis.
Lawmaker Gammanpila claimed that in addition to them, there were several others prepared to vote for a no-faith motion against the SLPP government.
MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the SJB yesterday said that over 120 lawmakers backed the proposed no-faith motion. MP Bandara said so following talks with SLPP rebels.
Reiterating their demand for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers, including the Prime Minister to quit, former Minister Gammanpila claimed that a recent attempt by the SLPP to obtain signatures of members in support of the Premier had to be abandoned as only 46 declared their support.
The SLPP parliamentary group comprises 145 members, just five short of 2/3 majority in Parliament.
MP Gammanpila challenged SLPP General Secretary Attorney -at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam to reveal the list of signatures. The PHU leader said that the government could avoid certain defeat at the forthcoming no-confidence motion by asking the Cabinet-of -Ministers to resign. “If the Prime Minister resigned, other members of the Cabinet of Minister will leave,” MP Gammanpila said.
In the wake of the rapidly developing political crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in a new cabinet of about 20 and 28 State Ministers.
Recalling how Mahinda Rajapaksa swiftly left the Temple Trees after his defeat at the 2015 presidential election, MP Gammanpila alleged that a small clique of persons close to the Premier was making a desperate attempt to compel the twice President to continue.
MP Gammanpila warned that unless the PM was allowed to step down, they would be forced to name those who were preventing the Prime Minister from leaving office.
The former Minister said that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be given an opportunity to honorably leave active politics. Gammanpila accused those around the PM of destroying him for their personal benefit.
MP Gammanpila said that their strategy was on track with more members of Parliament seeking consensus with them and political parties working together to bring the situation under control.
The PHU leader reiterated their concerns about the defection of SLFPer Shantha Bandara engineered by the SLPP.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Gampaha, Kalutara and Ratnapura valid untill 0300 hrs on 23rd May 2026.
Accordingly,
Level II landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Attanagalla in the Gampaha district and Ratnapura and Kuruvita in the Ratnapura district.
Level I landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Bulathsinghala in the Kalutara district and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
The President’s Fund has expressed its attention towards providing a monthly scholarship allowance for school-going children of low-income lottery sellers, as a means of supporting their educational needs.
This was revealed during a discussion held om Wednesday (20) at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage and officials of the National Lotteries Board and the Development Lotteries Board.
The President’s Fund currently provides financial assistance across a wide range of sectors to support low-income groups, while also implementing various scholarship schemes for schoolchildren. As an additional step, approval has reportedly been granted by the governing board of the President’s Fund to extend scholarships to children of low-income lottery sellers.
It was noted that the National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board make a significant contribution to the President’s Fund. However, discussions also highlighted the fact that the living conditions of lottery sellers, who play a key role in generating revenue for these institutions, have remained largely unchanged. Accordingly, attention has been directed towards recognising their contribution and providing relief to ease their financial burden.
The proposal to introduce scholarships for school-going children of low-income lottery sellers through the President’s Fund was discussed in detail. Officials of both the National Lotteries Board and the Development Lotteries Board expressed their willingness to support the initiative. It was also decided that the programme would be implemented expeditiously through Divisional Secretariats.
Among those present were Chairman of the National Lotteries Board M. D. C. Anton Perera, General Manager of the National Lotteries Board A. M. Arif, and General Manager of the Development Lotteries Board W. K. A. A. Jayarathne, along with other officials.
(PMD)
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Showers above 200 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 22 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 22 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The South-West monsoon is gradually getting established over the island and the current rainy conditions over the south-western parts of the island are expected to continue further for the next few hours.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Very heavy showers above 200 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern province and in Anuradhapura district while showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 pm.
Fairly strong winds about (35-45) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Gampaha, Kalutara and Ratnapura
President’s Fund to consider scholarships for children of low-income lottery sellers
Showers above 200 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
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