News
LG polls: Sajith spurns UNP’s March 20 deadline
SLPP rebel group distances itself from RW
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (16) said that his party wouldn’t allow its agenda and timetable to be decided by political parties that weren’t even represented in Parliament.
Lawmaker Premadasa, who is also the Opposition Leader, said so when The Island sought his response to the UNP setting March 20 deadline for the SJB to declare its intention to join forces to contest the upcoming Colombo Municipal Council election. The main Opposition SJB parliamentary group consists of 40, whereas the UNP doesn’t have a single seat in the current Parliament. In the previous Parliament, the UNP was limited to just one national List MP.
The UNP also declared its readiness to expand the alliance to contest the local elections in other parts of the country. Nominations are scheduled to close at 12 noon on March 20th.
Colombo District parliamentarian Premadasa emphasized that they had decided to contest under the SJB’s telephone symbol. Members of the SJB-led coalition were also contesting under the telephone symbol, the SJB Leader said. The SJBer indicated that there was neither space no time for negotiations with the UNP.
Elections are to be held to 336 local bodies. The 336 LG bodies consist of 28 Municipal Councils, 36 Urban Councils and 272 Pradeshiya Sabhas. However, the Kalmunai Municipal Council, Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha (Ampara District), Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha (Mannar District), Punakari Pradeshiya Sabha (Kilinochchi District), and Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (Galle District) are excluded from the forthcoming election.
The last LG polls were held on Feb. 10, 2018. Former SLPP Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana told The Island that their efforts to somehow unite various warring factions, ahead of the LG polls, weren’t successful. Dr. Pathirana had been among the group of dissident SLPP MPs who contested/backed the New Democratic Front (NDF) led by Ranil Wickremesinghe at the last general election.
Dr. Pathirana said that they would be fielding independent groups for selected LG bodies, while some returned to the SLPP, and the rest got back to the SLFP. At the time of last general election, the group, represented by Dr. Pathirana, consisted of about 60 SLPP MPs.
Dr. Pathirana indicated that their group had completely distanced themselves from Wickremesinghe-led political grouping that backed the UNP leader’s candidature at the presidential election and contested the general election under the NDF’s Swan symbol.
Dr. Pathirana stressed that they couldn’t pose a proper challenge to the National People’s Power (NPP) at the LG polls unless various SLPP factions rejoined. The SLPP secured 145 seats at the 2020 general election and at the next it was reduced to just three.
Opposition sources said that due to the much deteriorated status of the UNP it would find it extremely difficult to field fully fledged teams at LG polls. Sources confirmed that no political party represented in Parliament had shown any interest in joining forces, let alone the main Opposition party.
The UNP didn’t even contest the Elpitiya LG polls held soon after the last parliamentary polls in late Nov. last year.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
PM pays condolence to pope Francis at the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo
President conducts an inspection tour of Kandy city
Sri Lankan delegation meets with US Trade Representative
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