News
SJB-UNP talks fail again; Tissa pulls out of delegation
by Shamindra Ferdinando
The UNP and its breakaway faction SJB have failed again to reach a consensus on joining forces, ahead of the forthcoming Local Government elections.
Formal talks between the two parties were likely to be suspended pending LG polls, sources said, adding inflexible positions taken by some politicians undermined the reconciliation effort.
The talks had fallen through due to the leadership issue, sources said. Declaring that the NPP government had been struggling to cope up with a spate of issues, with the latest being the countrywide power outage and subsequent electricity cuts, an SJB MP asserted that if they contested under one banner, a significant challenge could have been posed to the NPP.
SJB General Secretary and National List MP Ranjith Maddumabandara and former MP Thalatha Atukorale led the SJB and the UNP delegations, respectively. Perhaps, those elected on the SJB and UNP ticket at the forthcoming LG polls could work together in local councils, sources said, explaining they were making efforts to make such an arrangement a reality.
A section of the UNP formed the SJB in early 2020 to contest the parliamentary election in the same year. The SJB secured 54 seats, including seven NL slots at that election while the UNP was reduced to a single NL slot. At the last general election conducted in Nov 2024, the SJB managed to obtain 40 seats, including five NL slots, whereas the UNP didn’t contest under its own symbol. Instead, it fielded candidates under the NDF ticket but failed to secure a single seat.
The NDF parliamentary group consists of five, including two NL members.
Political sources said that their failure to address the leadership issue ahead of fresh nominations for LG polls meant that there was no likelihood of the two parties coming together to contest elections anytime soon. Speaking to The Island, an Opposition MP familiar with negotiations said: “We agreed to disagree. There were four rounds of talks between the SJB and the UNP after the last general election but we seemed to be unable to convince the UNP to accept Sajith Premadasa’s leadership.”
The SJB insisted that Sajith Premadasa be appointed the leader of the alliance to be formed, sources said pointing out that had they resolved the leadership issue ahead of the Sept 2024 presidential election, the outcome could have been different. SJB candidate Sajith Premadasa and Independent candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe together polled 6.6 mn votes while Anura Kumara Dissanayake obtained 5.6 mn votes.
Meanwhile, SJB sources said that the main Opposition party would vote for the Local Government Elections (Special Provisions) Bill today (17) to enable the Election Commission to call for fresh nominations for the upcoming local government polls.
The Supreme Court has stipulated that the Election Commission should take steps to hold elections no later than three months from the date the Act comes into force. Political sources said that the LG poll was likely to be held in the last week of April.
The LG polls were fixed for March 9, 2023 but postponed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe claiming the government didn’t have the required funds.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Acting Ministers for four ministries before his departure on an official state visit to Vietnam.
The appointments cover three ministries under the President’s purview — the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, which comes under the purview of Minister Vijitha Herath, who is accompanying the President on this official visit.
Accordingly, the following Acting Ministers have been appointed:
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Digital Economy.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Defence.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
[PMD]
Gen. Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today [May 4].
The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.
The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
-
News6 days agoJapan-funded anti-corruption project launched again
-
Sports5 days agoOTRFU Beach Tag Rugby Carnival on 24th May at Port City Colombo
-
News6 days agoSethmi Premadasa youngest Sri Lankan to perform at world-renowned Musikverein in Vienna
-
News3 days agoRanil’s Chief Security Officer transferred to KKS
-
Business6 days agoNational Savings Bank appoints Ajith Akmeemana,Chief Financial Officer
-
Features4 days agoThe Broken Promise of the Lankan Cinema: Asoka & Swarna’s Thrilling-Melodrama – Part IV
-
Features5 days agoTrump tariffs and their effect on world trade and economy with particular
-
News4 days agoRadisson Blu Hotel, Galadari Colombo appoints Marko Janssen as General Manager