On receipt of information by the Northern Naval Command, a search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy off the Eluvativu Island, Jaffna on 07 May 25 resulted in the seizure of about 301kg and 150g of Kerala cannabis. The operation also led to the apprehension of 03 suspects and a dinghy (01) in connection to the smuggling racket.

The gross street value of the stock of Kerala cannabis held in this operation is believed to exceed Rs. 120 million.

The suspects, together with Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were handed over to the Kayts Police for onward legal action.

President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday  (07) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

This visit marks a milestone, as it is the first time in nearly two decades that a World Bank Group President has visited Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, discussions centred on strengthening collaboration to support Sri Lanka’s future development agenda. Priority areas identified included digitalisation, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development, with particular emphasis on identifying short-term rewards, including advancing development in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to establish a robust legal framework conducive to attracting new investments and recent policy initiatives were also discussed during the meeting.

Attendees at the meeting included Trevor Kincaid, Special Advisor – World Bank Group, David Sislen, Country Division Director – Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – World Bank Group, Imad Fakhoury, Regional Director – South Asia International Finance Corporation and Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager – Maldives & Sri Lanka¸ World Bank Group.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, along with several other dignitaries, also attended the occasion.

[PMD]

SJB trying to take control of CMC

Govt. suffers set back in N&E

SLPP records significant increase in votes but fails to win single body

The ruling National People’s Power (NPP) secured 266 out of 339 local government bodies at the May 6 election but suffered a setback in the northern and eastern regions as the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won 42 local authorities.

The ITAK and SLMC secured 37 and 05 local government bodies, respectively, although President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally led the NPP’s campaign in the former war zone. The National Congress won the Akkaraipattu MC. In the last parliamentary election held in Nov. 2014, the NPP won all electoral districts, except Batticaloa.

The NPP obtained 4,503,930 votes countrywide whereas in the last parliamentary election it received 6,863,186 votes; there has been a drop of 2,359,256 votes.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) won 13 local government bodies, but the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) failed to secure any.

The SLPP obtained 954,517 votes and 742 seats, accounting for 9.17% of the national vote. In a post on X, SLPP’s National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa said: “Over the past six months, the SLPP has regrouped and gained momentum by staying true to our principles. While some rely on false promises, we remain committed to honest, principled politics that put the people first. Thank you to everyone who stood by us. This is just the beginning. We will keep working, village by village, to rebuild and restore trust in real leadership.” The SLPP polled only 350,429 votes in last year’s general election.

In the 2018 LG polls, the SLPP won 231 councils. That was the first time the government of the day failed to win mini polls. Yahapalana partners, UNP and SLFP, having contested separately, suffered a debilitating setback.

In spite of the massive campaign carried out by the NPP, targeting the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the ruling party failed to secure an overall majority there. The NPP polled 81,000 votes to obtain 48 seats whereas the SJB and UNP polled 58,375 (29 seats) and 26,297 (13 seats) votes, respectively. The SLPP (05), SLMC (04), United Republican Front (01), United Peace Alliance (02), Sarvajana Balaya (02), and National People’s Party, National Freedom Front, People’s

Alliance and Democratic National Alliance one each.

In addition to political parties, five Independent Groups shared the remaining 09 seats of the CMC.

With no party holding a clear majority, the next Colombo Mayor will need to be elected through a Council vote.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told a hastily arranged media conference that the SJB intended to elect an SJBer as Colombo Mayor with the help of the other Opposition parties. The former Minister said that the SJB would cooperate with the other parties in the Opposition regarding the appointment of Mayors and Chairmen of the hung local councils.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the House, Bimal Ratnayake, has said those who won local government bodies in the Northern Province but without absolute majorities have sought NPP support to form administrations.

Addressing a separate media briefing, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva, declared that the ruling party wouldn’t, under any circumstances, form coalitions with those who had been rejected by the people.