News
SLPP-UNP alliance on verge of collapse
… ruling party warns those planning to switch allegiance to Prez
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MP, on Tuesday (02) evening indicated that relations between the ruling party and President Ranil Wickremesinghe had deteriorated to such an extent the party would consider backing his candidature at the forthcoming Presidential Poll only if he quit the UNP and obtained SLPP membership.
Kariyawasam said so when the media repeatedly asked him about the SLPP’s stand at the presidential election after the conclusion of talks between the SLPP and the MEP delegation, led by Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, at the SLPP Nelum Mawatha Office in Battaramulla.
The SLPP said that Basil Rajapaksa chaired the discussion.
When The Island sought the UNP’s reaction to SLPP General Secretary’s declaration, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena, MP, said that they would wait for former President and Chairman of the SLPP Mahinda Rajapaksa’s word on the matter.
Abeywardena said he did not want to respond to MP Kariyawasam without fully knowing the circumstances under which the latter had made the statement in question.
Kariyawasam warned the members of the SLPP parliamentary group that those who voted for the party at the 2019 Presidential and 2020 General Elections wouldn’t follow them if they switched their allegiance to President Wickremesinghe.
MP Kariyawasam said dissident SLPP MP Dullas Alahapperuma was in political wilderness following his decision to go against the party’s decision. He was referring to the SLPP’s decision to elect UNP National List MP Wickremesinghe as the President to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term.
The SLPP General
Secretary downplayed the importance of scores of SLPP parliamentarians, including Ministers, recently appearing on the political stage with President Wickremesinghe at the Matara Sanath Jayasuriya cricket stadium. In case, they switched their allegiance to President Wickremesinghe, they, too, would have to face grave consequences,the MP warned.
Kariyawasam said that the SLPP was not in an undue hurry to name its candidate. Responding to a spate of questions pertaining to what the media called inordinate delay in naming their candidate, MP Kariyawasam emphasized that a candidate would be fielded unless President Wickremesinghe accepted their conditions.
MP Kariyawasam said that he wouldn’t comment on various unsubstantiated but controversial statements made by former Ambassador to Moscow Udayanga Weeratunga. The top SLPP official said that Weeratunga’s statements shouldn’t be taken seriously as he didn’t represent the party at any level.
Premier Gunawardena side-stepped questions pertaining to the continuing crisis within the SLPP over its stand on the presidential election. Premier Gunawardena denied internal strife, claiming that they discussed all matters of importance and issues that affected the public.
Premier Gunawardena said that the MEP’s relationship with the SLPP remained strong. The MEP parliamentary group consists of three MPs.
Latest News
Landslide Earyly Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
Latest News
Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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