News
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.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
Two arrested for aiding and abetting murder
CID summons former First Lady again
Remembering Upali Wijewardene, founder of Upali Group of Companies
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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