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Basil favours earlier parliamentary election and RW as presidential candidate

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/17

Basil

People do not vote logically or after careful deliberation when the general election is held after the presidential election, founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa last week told a televised interview.

“If someone wins the presidential election, even by one vote, the party he or she represents can get a significant majority in parliament. I don’t think this is a good thing. If we hold a general election before the presidential election, there is a better chance of a more balanced parliament,” he said.

Rajapaksa said the SLPP almost won a two thirds majority in the 2020 election and he now believes that this had negative consequences.

“We won the presidential election in 2019 and then the general election in 2020. Now people think power must not be concentrated like this. Even I think too much power is bad, we need checks and balances,” he said.

Rajapaksa said there are only two parties that have organizational structures around the country. They are the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the SLPP.

“There are two parties that have public support, i.e., Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and SLPP. So we are the only party with both an organizational structure and public support,” he said.

Rajapaksa said that the person who has the capacity to govern the country, in his opinion, is in the UNP that has no organizational structure or public support. The National People’s Power (NPP) does not have public support like the SJB or SLPP, he said.

“You need a countrywide organizational structure, public support and a good candidate to win a presidential election. UNP’s Ranil Wickremesinghe is a good candidate and he can govern. I want to unite all the above three factors. That’s what will benefit the country,” he said.

Rajapaksa said he would like the SLPP, SJB, UNP and the NPP to work together.

“Someone needs to bring these forces together. We are also not afraid to go it alone,” he said.

Rajapaksa said that he has not held any discussions with the president on elections.

“The dates for the presidential election is given in the constitution. However, the government can hold the general or any other election before that. There are some people who think a general election should be held first. However, the SLPP has not taken a decision on whether we must push for a general election before the presidential election,” he said.Rajapaksa said people believe an executive presidency is not needed.

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“We will not make decisions for rural level schools while sitting in Colombo” – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on Thursday [February 12] at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and uplifting pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister stated:

“The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, that an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
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Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner”

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya valid from 06:00 hrs on 13.02.2026 to 06:00 hrs on 14.02.2026

Accordingly,
Level II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district.

Level I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathahewheta in the Kandy district.