By Akitha Perera

Discussions between the SJB and the UNP on forming a united front for the upcoming general election had collapsed due to the actions of a senior UNP member, SJB Chairman Imthiaz Bakeer Markar. said.

Markar told The Island that initial talks between the two parties had been progressing smoothly until the intervention of a prominent UNP figure.

The early negotiations were headed by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene. “At one point, I thought the alliance was almost finalised. However, the involvement of the senior UNP member completely derailed the discussions,” Markar said.

The SJB proposed that Wijewardene assume the UNP leadership and Ranil Wickremesinghe be appointed a senior leader. “Wickremesinghe was opposed to this arrangement,” Markar added.

Former Governor Navin Dissanayake revealed on 27 September that MPs who had supported Wickremesinghe in the presidential election had decided to back SJB leader Sajith Premadasa as the prime ministerial candidate.

“At that stage, we thought we were close to an agreement. However, during last few days, the talks have deteriorated, and it now seems unlikely that we will contest the election together,” Markar said.

Nominations for the general election begins today (04) at 22 district election offices across the country with submissions being accepted until noon on 11 October.

By Rathindra Kuruwita

There are between 15,000 and 30,000 street children in the country, according to the last study on the subject, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, has said.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, on Thursday, he said the majority of those children tended to gather near places of worship and large business areas.

Dr. Sanjeewa expressed concern over the vulnerability of the street children, noting that they were often subjected to abuse and easily drawn into transporting narcotics. A significant number also ended up working as sex workers or beggars. He highlighted that many female child sex workers became underage mothers.

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Sri Lanka today and meet the Sri Lankan leadership.

A communique issued by the External Affairs Ministry of India said that in keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR outlook, the visit underlines the shared commitment of the two countries to further deepen the longstanding partnership for mutual benefit.