News
SJB welcomes billionaire businessmen’s entry into politics
says poor can benefit from their free handouts and lauds newcomers for clearing their tax dues
Welcoming the advent of billionaire businessmen into active politics, the main opposition SJB on Thursday said that their incoming coupled with spending millions of rupees would be a blessing for the people who have been hit hard by multiple crises.
Addressing a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, SJB Gampaha District MP Harshana Rajakaruna said: “These billionaires now have started to shell out monies from their bank accounts because they are in a quest to attract people by distributing handouts and goodies. It is something good because people who have no means to survive could be benefited by that.
In addition, they have started paying their taxes and to settle their dues to the Inland Revenue Department. That too is a welcome sign. If they had not come to active politics, they would have kept their monies hoarded without paying taxes. As they started to settle their dues the government coffers benefited and it would be for the benefit of the people ultimately.”
Rajakaruna said that these businessmen last week announced their plans to enter into active politics at a time when President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP government are doing their utmost not to hold elections. “There is no sign of holding the local government elections that should have been held in March this year. The provincial councils are without elections for four and half years.
In the meantime, the government is saying that it would bring laws to reform the general elections procedure. That plan too is aimed at further delaying the parliamentary elections. We have information that ways and means are being discussed in the upper circles of the government ranks to put off the Presidential elections too. This situation cannot go on and on forever.
They will have to conduct elections. It is in this context of not having an exact time for elections, the businessmen have announced their plans to enter into politics. Their decision to shake their moneybags would be beneficial to the general public. Their start paying taxes is the biggest gain for the country,” Rajakaruna said.
National Organizer of the SJB Youth front Chamith Wijesundera also addressed the media.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
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
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
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)
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Pakistani army chief in Tehran amid bid to restart US talks
Sri Lanka repatriates 238 Iranian sailors stranded after US torpedo attack
Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo
PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals
Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in seas north of Mannar
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
Features4 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business6 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business6 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Latest News3 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
-
News5 days agoAnura Solomons passes away
-
Features4 days agoCIA’s hidden weapon in Iran
-
Latest News3 days agoPrasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans