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JVP accuses Ranil of protecting his benefactors in SLPP by plotting to delay local polls

Published

3 years ago

2023/01/3

By Sirimantha Rathnasekera

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to protect his benefactors in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) by plotting to delay the local council elections, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday in Colombo.

“I ask Ranil and his stooges not to delay elections. Sri Lanka has a history of postponing elections and the results of this have been tragic,” he said.

The JVP leader said the new local councils should be established by 20 March 2022 as per election laws.

“The Minister earlier extended the tenure of the councils by another year by using his powers. These councils have now existed for five years. Most of the SLPP local councilors cannot face the public. The President is trying to delay the elections. What he should do is the opposite. He should hold elections at all levels,” he said,

Dissanayake said that the SLPP had come to power, promising to end the political career of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“The SLPP then called Ranil a traitor. However, the SLPP MPs are now propping up Wickremesinghe. This is an abuse of the mandate given to the SLPP. Neither the SLPP nor the United National Party (UNP) has a strong voter base now,” he asserted.

He said the government was pretending that the economic crisis was over and that they were a legitimate government. However, once elections wereheld and the SLPP and the UNP crushed, it would be impossible to maintain this pretence, he said.

Dissanayake said Sri Lankans as well as the international community were aware that the government did not have public support. “This has made finding solutions to the economic crisis of the country impossible.

“No country has come forth to support us. Why would they? They don’t want to lend money or aid to an illegitimate government. The best thing to do is hold elections and allow a legitimate government to take over. The more we wait the harder it will be to overcome the crisis,” he said.

However, the Ranil-Rajapaksa government did not care for the country and was doing everything in their power to cling to power, the JVP leader said.

“They are now trying to postpone the local council elections. The Election Commission has to call for nominations this week. There are rumours that the government will postpone the election after accepting nominations. This will have disastrous consequences for the country. We will be known as a country that doesn’t hold elections,” he said.

Dissanayake said that UNP’s Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Palitha Range Bandara claimed the government did not have 10 billion rupees for an election.

“They aren’t even MPs. The parliament has control over public finance. The parliament has already allocated the money for the election. So, these stooges must stop their whining. Some government backers claim that an election could wipe the economic gains made over the past few months. What economic gains are they talking about? People are suffering. SMEs will collapse once the electricity tariff is increased in January. Ranil and the clan can’t save the country,” he said.

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Pakistan High Commissioner pays courtsey call on PM

Published

5 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April

Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.

Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.

The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka pays farewll call on PM

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.

Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/2

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.