News
SJB reiterates its willingness to help revive economy without accepting ministerial posts
By Akitha Perera
The SJB would assist the government in reviving the economy, but it would not take ministerial positions, SJB General Secretary, MP Ranjith Maddumabandara said. Addressing the media in Colombo, Maddumabandara said people were keen to see the formation of an all-party government.
“The SJB, too, had a number of discussions on the matter. We have decided to assist the government in stabilising the economy.”
MP Maddumabandara said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had in his policy statement, said that he wanted to strengthen Parliament. He proposed to establish the committee system in Parliament, the SJB MP said.
“So, we have decided to have representation on those committees and faciliate the revival of the country. We don’t want to take up positions and add to the burden of the people. Already there is a struggle for ministerial posts in the government. We are not interested in ministerial posts,” he said.
The SJB General Secretary said there was an attempt to divide the party. “This will not happen. When Wickremesinghe became Prime Minister there was a lot of speculation that a large number of SJB MPs would join him. Only two did. Now they are saying that 20 MPs, including me, are close to Ranil. I think before publishing this kind of news, the media should at least give me a call,” he said.
MP Maddumabandara said he is not interested in joining a government full of crooks. He said that the President has been appointed a month ago and he still has not been able to establish an all-party government.
“The SJB gave a blueprint that the government can use. MP Harsha de Silva presented it in Parliament. The government can at least use that to rally parties,” he said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to appoint Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) in the Special Grade of Sri Lanka Engineering Service serving at present as the Additional Secretary (Water Resources Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to the post of Director General which will be vacant from 06.10.2026.
Approval has been granted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 08.06.2026 to prepare a draft bill for restructuring Sri Lanka Cricket.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated Sri Lanka draft bill providing legal provisions for the administration of Sri
Lanka Cricket, control, regulation, promotion, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for the development and administration, through the concepts of better governance, integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities for the betterment of the cricket sport, establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket for securing the wellbeing of all participants and securing cricket from corruption and other mal practices.
Clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the said draft bill. Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been received for the resolution furnished by the Minister of
Youth Affairs and Sports to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation performs vitally important functions such as minimizing the risk of inundation in urban and lowland areas, maintaining drainage systems efficiently, carrying out urgent operations during inundation events, and maintaining canals.
The need to strengthen the capacity of the corporation’s internal
operations has been identified by the corporation to perform the aforementioned functions efficiently and expeditiously.
The corporation has planned to purchase small -scale machinery that can be used to clean small canals, which significantly contribute to urban inundation.
The General Treasury has agreed to grant 625 million rupees as an equity contribution for purchasing the relevant machinery.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to purchase the relevant machinery by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, following formal procurement procedures at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,233
million, utilizing the aforementioned amount granted by the General Treasury and the funds of the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation.
Ms. P. M. Jayadeera (Engineer) appointed Director General of Irrigation
Sri Lanka Cricket Draft Bill to be gazetted
Cabinet approves purchase of machinery for the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation
Cabinet approval for Project to Build Secure, Skilled, and Empowered Community for families resettled at the at Kalinga Mawatha, housing scheme
Appointment of Cabinet Sub-Committee for the Organization of 79th Independence Day Commemoration
Establishment of New Management Framework for the Dr. Nevil Fernando Hospital
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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