News
Several hats in the ring but eventual two horse race?
Several hats will be thrown into the ring when parliament elects one of its members later this week as the new president to serve ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksas balance term, political insiders said on Friday hours before this edition of the Sunday Island went to press.A political insider opined on Friday that despite various names being discussed, it would eventually be a two horse race between Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and one other candidate. He said that discussions were ongoing on whether the opposition will run one or more candidates.
The breaking news on Friday was that the SLPP will back Ranil Wickremesinghe. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam made the formal announcement on Friday evening.Parliament will meet on Saturday when former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation and the vacancy arising as a consequence will be formally communicated. Thereafter nominations will be called, closing Tuesday with voting on Wednesday on the election of a successor if there is more than one candidate.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) of the Rajapaksas will not be officially running a candidate at the poll which will be by secret ballot. This is widely interpreted in some quarters to suggest that this party, which with 145 seats commands the majority in the 225-member legislature, is likely to largely support acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe who will be a formidable runner despite his UNP having only one seat in the legislature.
“Ranil was able to remain prime minister in recent weeks thanks to the SLPP support he commands. Otherwise he would have been toppled by a no-confidence motion which wasn’t even attempted,” a political insider said. “But anything can happen in a secret ballot.”However over 40 MPs elected under the SLPP banner but belonging to mostly small parties took their seats in the opposition saying they will be “independent.” How they will vote is an open question. Most of them are unlikely to support Wickremesinghe.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who, as deputy leader of the UNP under Ranil Wickremesinghe, ran against Gotabaya Rajapaksa clearly harbors presidential ambitions. SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera went on record on Friday saying his party with 14 seats will back Premadasa for prime minister. SJB sources said they will field Premadasa for president.
This was after Wickremesinghe, appointed acting president hours before Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, called on the Speaker to name a lawmaker commanding the most support in the legislature to be invited to be prime minister and form a government.
It was unclear as this was being written whether a new prime minister and a government will be appointed when the election of a new president within days was imminent.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, appointed to parliament on the SJB National list, and serving as its chairman, has expressed willingness to serve as president. He said on Wednesday that he had not communicated this to Premadasa claiming there was no obligation to do so.
MP Dallas Alahapperuma has been frequently mentioned aa favored SLPPer for leadership position. He has been a longtime Rajapaksa loyalist. There was no word on whom the Rajapaksas favor to succeed GR. But there have been allegations that Wickremesinghe, as prime minister of the previous yahapalana government dragged his feet on using the might of the state against the Rajapaksas.
There was unconfirmed speculation that Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksas are in discussion. Basil Rajapaksa, the national organizer and founder of the SLPP, is considered that party’s eminence grise and is expected to be a vital player in ongoing maneuvering.
“Several candidates will mean a divided vote that will influence the eventual outcome,” a political insider said.
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
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“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
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