News
SJB to launch hunger strike to remove COPE Chairman
By Saman Indrajith
A hunger strike campaign will be initiated soon if Rohitha Abeygunawardena is not removed from the Chairman post of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with immediate effect, says SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara told Parliament.
MP Bandara said yesterday: “The members of the COPE are resigning one by one. Already eight members have tendered their resignations. Their protest is a reflection of displeasure the public have against appointing Abeygunawardena to this position. We demand that the Chairman be replaced with an MP from the Opposition. Whenever we raise this issue, the Chair tries to remain non-committal stating this and that. It should tell this House whether the Chairman would be removed or not,” Bandara said.
He said so when newly appointed COPE member SLPP Kandy District MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara announced his resignation from the Committee yesterday.
Soon after Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe announced to the House that the business committee had nominated MP Yapa Bandara’s name to the COPE to fill the vacancies created by resignations, Yapa Bandara got up and stated that he would resign. “This Committee demands that a member from the Opposition should be appointed as its Chairman. As such I resign from this Committee. I will send my resignation in writing,” Yapa Bandara said.
Nalin Bandara said: “Time has come for the Chair to announce to the House what it is intending to do in the face of these resignations. This crisis is evolving fast to become a catastrophe because people consider this a joke. This will further erode public trust in Parliament. As the Chair goes on without heeding to the voice of the people, it seems we’ll have to start a hunger strike to effect this change.”
Nine members have resigned from COPE since the appointment of Abeygunawardena to chair the committee.
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.
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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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