News
Harsha repeats allegation that Ranil was only interested in undermining Sajith
By Saman Indrajith
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidential campaign was primarily aimed at undermining the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, according to MP Harsha de Silva.
Dr. de Silva told The Island that a significant number of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s voters were former supporters of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “This indicates that the majority of the floating vote shifted to President Dissanayake.”
Dr. de Silva said many Sri Lankans were disillusioned with established political parties, and the SJB had not been perceived as a new political force, despite being formed after the 2019 presidential election.
“Most of us are former UNP MPs, and people saw us as an extension of the establishment. They viewed Anura Kumara and his NPP as a break from tradition,” he said.
Dr. de Silva pointed out that during the 2020 general election, the NPP had garnered around 3% votes, securing three parliamentary seats. He noted that many believed they would not receive enough votes to defeat more established opponents.
Commenting on Wickremesinghe receiving over two million votes, De Silva observed that at least a million UNP voters had abstained from voting at the 2020 general election. However, Wickremesinghe’s presidency had re-energised those voters, he added.
“If we assess the ground reality, we were all part of the same group. In recent years, this group of voters has fluctuated between the UNP and the SJB. This time, the vote split, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake benefitted,” he said.
Dr. de Silva expressed hope that the two parties could reconcile their differences by 11 October. He revealed that several UNP and SJB stalwarts had attempted to bring the two sides together in the last three weeks.
“Many senior UNP figures have indicated they will not contest the general election, and I am confident that a significant number of UNPers will want to contest under the SJB. Whereelse would they contest? Under the ‘Gas Cylinder’ symbol? That worked only because of Ranil. No one will vote for the gas cylinder on 14 November. The SJB is more popular than the UNP, and its leader is running for Prime Minister. It is true that Premadasa set certain conditions for UNP supporters who wished to join the Samagi Jana Sandanaya,” Dr. de said.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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