News

SJB-UNP talks fail again; Tissa pulls out of delegation

Published

1 year ago

2025/02/17

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ranjith

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.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)