News
JVP accuses Ranil of protecting his benefactors in SLPP by plotting to delay local polls
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.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
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 human body is mentioned in the table below 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.
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