Category: News

Some heads of the military were trying to stage a coup during the Aragalaya in 2022 and wanted the political leaders to give way for the same, MP Madhura Withanage told Parliament today.

“Did these military leaders tell you to keep away during the aragalaya,” he questioned Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

“Military leaders in Sri Lanka and the defense hierarchy could not safeguard the Head of State in 2022,” he added.

MP Withanage, who critisised the then Army Commander Shawendra Silva, said the latter refused to protect the private residence of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in March 2022.

“Former President Rajapaksa called me and informed the Army Commander to tighten security in Mirihana. I told Shavendra to block roads that lead to Mirihana by parking military vehicles. However, Silva refused and told me to get our own people to attack the protesters. Shevendra told me that the military cannot interfere in political matters,” the MP said.

Also, he attacked NPP seniors and alleged that former MP Sunil Handunetti wanted Sri Lankan people to come and take over Parliament in 2022.

“Even Lal Kantha has said the protesters in 2022 have not achieved anything by removing the former President from office. This implies what they intended to do,” he said.

The Tamil Progressive Alliance said it will support Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Election.

Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, MP Mano Ganesan said the Tamil Progressive Alliance reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the Samagi Jana Alliance after the politburo reached a unanimous decision to back Sajith Premadasa.

He said they are not asking for much through the MoU, and they are merely asking for the 800,000 people living in isolation in estates to be brought within the national framework of Sri Lanka, as citizens of Sri Lanka.

MP Ganesan said the only objective of the Tamil Progressive Alliance is for the estate community to be treated as Sri Lankan citizens and not Indian citizens.

He added that the Samagi Jana Alliance is the most suitable political force to achieve this goal.

He said he believes it will be a success with their close relationship with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, adding that they have not made any progress following the last two elections.

National Organiser of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa will be named as the party’s presidential candidate tomorrow morning (07) as casino kingpin Dhammika Perera has pulled out of the race, SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa confirmed to Daily Mirror a short while ago.

Leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has placed deposits at the Election Commission this morning (06) to contest the upcoming Presidential Election.

The NPP placed the deposit on behalf of Dissanayake to contest the presidential poll as its candidate, MP Vijitha Herath said, adding that they are ready to submit nominations for Dissanayake on August 15 accordingly.

Speaking to the media, he expressed: “The people of the country are ready to hand over the country’s power to Anura, so we laid the foundation for that.”

A total of 18 candidates including incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe have placed their deposits with the Election Commission thus far.

This total includes 7 independent candidates whose names have been nominated by a voter, 10 candidates from recognized political parties and one candidate from other political parties.

State Minister for Trans-port Lasantha Alagiyawanna yesterday announced that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has officially decided to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential election, with 90% of the executive council and a majority of the party’s MPs agreeing to this decision.

He also highlighted that the SLFP’s robust organisational network has already started efforts to secure President Wickremesinghe’s victory.

At a press briefing titled “Collective Path to a Stable Country” at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), the State Minister highlighted the significant impact of the transportation sector on ecosystems globally and locally, with vehicle emissions as a major factor. To tackle this issue, smoke certificates are being issued to maintain air quality and reduce lung-related diseases.

He further elaborated: “The Ministry of Transport, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and the Central Environment Authority (CEA) are working together to increase the number of air emission measurement centres to 100 within the next six months. Efforts are also being made to consolidate all this data, allowing citizens to view live air emission conditions online from anywhere in the world.

Additionally, arrangements have been made to obtain vehicle insurance and licenses at the same location where vehicle emission certificates are issued. This integrated service will be available island-wide within the next two months.

To enhance road safety and reduce traffic accidents, tenders for the data system and equipment for the police are in the final stages. A suitable candidate will be selected within the next month, and the program will be implemented shortly thereafter.”

Starting 1 September, a WhatsApp messaging service will be introduced for two months to notify drivers of their infractions. After this period, the relevant laws addressing these violations will come into effect.

Also, the SLFP has officially announced its support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential election. This decision was endorsed by party officials, including Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva and Secretary General Duminda Silva. Additionally, 8 out of the 14 SLFP members nominated to Parliament under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have expressed their agreement with this decision.

This decision was made with the support of 90% of the entire executive council. To ensure President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s victory, the SLFP’s robust organisational network has already begun active efforts.

Several SLPP MPs led by their national organizer Namal Rajapaksa are planning to sit in the opposition, political sources said.

They have also moved to boycott the government parliamentary group, after its politburo decided to field an own presidential candidate without supporting incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Furthermore, the state ministers loyal to Rajapaksa are to resign from their positions this week, said the sources.

Parliament sittings from tomorrow (06) are expected to be heated, with several crossovers too, tipped to take place.

Govt. loses majority?

Critics say the government has lost its majority in parliament following the SLPP decision to field a candidate.

Previously, it had around 117 supporters, but now it has come down to less than 100.

As a result, it will find passing an act with simple majority to be difficult.

But, Nimal Lanza of the New Alliance says they are prepared to show a majority support for the government when sittings begin.

The deadline for submitting postal voting applications, originally set to expire at midnight today, has been extended, announced Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake.

Voters now have until 12:00 midnight on Friday, August 9, to submit their applications.

This extension comes in response to concerns over potential postal delays and numerous public requests for additional time.