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SLPP loses simple majority, bid to collect signatures in support of PM failed – Udaya
‘Certain defeat at NCM vote can be avoided only by PM’s resignation’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (25) claimed that the ruling SLPP government parliamentary group no longer had a simple majority in Parliament.
Addressing the media at the PHU office, at Kotte Road, Pita Kotte, Attorney-at-Law Gammanpila said that 120 lawmakers, representing both the government and the Opposition, had taken a stand, contrary to that of the SLPP.
Former Energy Minister Gammanpila said that at the onset of the crisis, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) had sought to move a no-faith motion against the government.
However, the SJB had been told not to do so unless it was sure of the support of at least 113 members, MP Gammanpila said.
Lawmaker Gammanpila said that they warned the no-faith motion could end up as a show of confidence. But, now 65 Opposition members grouping had been joined by 39 member SLPP grouping, in addition to 10-member government group that asked for the resignation of the Cabinet to pave the way for an interim administration and three Opposition members who voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution returning to their parties, MP Gammanpila said.
Declaring that the group opposed to the government now comprised 117 members, the former minister pointed out that three others-Media Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, his predecessor Dullas Alahapperuma and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath had called for an interim administration to settle the political crisis.
Lawmaker Gammanpila claimed that in addition to them, there were several others prepared to vote for a no-faith motion against the SLPP government.
MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the SJB yesterday said that over 120 lawmakers backed the proposed no-faith motion. MP Bandara said so following talks with SLPP rebels.
Reiterating their demand for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers, including the Prime Minister to quit, former Minister Gammanpila claimed that a recent attempt by the SLPP to obtain signatures of members in support of the Premier had to be abandoned as only 46 declared their support.
The SLPP parliamentary group comprises 145 members, just five short of 2/3 majority in Parliament.
MP Gammanpila challenged SLPP General Secretary Attorney -at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam to reveal the list of signatures. The PHU leader said that the government could avoid certain defeat at the forthcoming no-confidence motion by asking the Cabinet-of -Ministers to resign. “If the Prime Minister resigned, other members of the Cabinet of Minister will leave,” MP Gammanpila said.
In the wake of the rapidly developing political crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in a new cabinet of about 20 and 28 State Ministers.
Recalling how Mahinda Rajapaksa swiftly left the Temple Trees after his defeat at the 2015 presidential election, MP Gammanpila alleged that a small clique of persons close to the Premier was making a desperate attempt to compel the twice President to continue.
MP Gammanpila warned that unless the PM was allowed to step down, they would be forced to name those who were preventing the Prime Minister from leaving office.
The former Minister said that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be given an opportunity to honorably leave active politics. Gammanpila accused those around the PM of destroying him for their personal benefit.
MP Gammanpila said that their strategy was on track with more members of Parliament seeking consensus with them and political parties working together to bring the situation under control.
The PHU leader reiterated their concerns about the defection of SLFPer Shantha Bandara engineered by the SLPP.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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