Former Member of Parliament Professor Ranjith Bandara has accused Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe of damaging the identity of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and eroding the legacy of the Rajapaksa political movement.

Professor Bandara urged senior leaders of the SLPP to refrain from selling out their political movement to Wickremesinghe.

Former SLPP Member of Parliament Professor Ranjith Bandara has published two detailed posts on social media expressing deep concern over what he describes as the destruction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s identity and the Rajapaksa legacy.

In his first post, Bandara stated:

“Ranil Wickremesinghe, to our understanding, has never shared our party’s vision or values. He has undoubtedly destroyed our political identity and distorted it. He has damaged the Rajapaksa legacy entrusted to us by the people and decisively ruined the political future of the Rajapaksas. The crises he claims to be solving are the very ones produced under his supervision during the Yahapalana era. While we may personally sympathize with him, the harm he has done to our party can no longer be ignored. Ranil only grows stronger when we are divided. When SLPP heavyweights and prominent members individually gravitate toward his orbit, our collective strength inevitably weakens. We have seen this happen. We are still seeing it.”

In his second post, Bandara made a direct appeal to SLPP leadership:

“This is a moment for SLPP leaders, organizers, and supporters to reflect deeply. Do not sell our movement back to Ranil. Let him bear the weight of his own failures. We have no journey to make with him.”

The United States Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced the arrival of the USS Tulsa (LCS 16), an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, at the Port of Colombo on August 27 for a brief stopover to refuel and resupply.

Built for speed, agility, and versatility, the USS Tulsa is capable of operating in both shallow coastal waters and the open ocean.

This visit marks the ship’s return to Sri Lanka after its previous engagement in 2021 during the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy.

The U.S. Embassy expressed deep appreciation for Sri Lanka’s warm welcome, highlighting the visit as a symbol of the strong bilateral partnership and a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, secure maritime routes, and regional prosperity.

About the USS Tulsa:

About the USS Tulsa: The USS Tulsa is an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship designed to operate in near-shore environments and support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions. Equipped with a trimaran hull, LCS 16 can achieve a top speed of greater than 40 Knots.

The USS Tulsa has the capability of transporting small assault helicopters and assault forces with vehicles, making the LCS 16 a formidable force that has the flexibility to adapt to different mission needs.

Named after the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, the USS Tulsa was commissioned in San Francisco on the February 16, 2019.

Guided by the motto ‘Tough, Able, Ready,’ the USS Tulsa is armed with a 57mm naval gun, missile launchers, and a range of other offensive capabilities. It patrols the Indo-Pacific region to help keep the area safe and stable by responding to threats and supporting maritime security.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath today issued a stern response to the controversial comments recently made by Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay regarding the Katchatheevu Island.

“Katchatheevu Island belongs to Sri Lanka. It is an island belonging to Sri Lanka. Therefore, that will never change,” the minister said, responding to questions from reporters during the weekly Cabinet press briefing.

He stated that elections are slated to be held in South India and candidates will make various statements in the election stage to obtain votes. “This is not the first time. Even in the past, various such statements have been made on the election stage.”

However, statements made on those election stages will not change anything, Minister Herath emphasized.

“I saw that Vijay had made this statement at an election rally,” he said, adding that not much attention should be paid to that statement.

The minister further emphasized that neither the central government of India nor any diplomats have made any such comments and that therefore there will be no change to the islet’s status.

Katchatheevu will continue to belong to Sri Lanka in the future, he reiterated.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Indian actor Vijay had recently called for the retrieval of Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka to protect Tamil Nadu’s fishermen.

Addressing the party’s state conference in Madurai, he had reportedly said: “To ensure the safety of our fishermen, retrieve Katchatheevu and give it to us.”

Katchatheevu island was ceded by the Indian administration under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Sri Lanka in 1974 in an act of bilateral largesse.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today that the government will reclaim all state-owned houses allocated to former Presidents, once new legislation is passed in September.

Addressing a public event in Colombo, the President said the move is part of his administration’s wider effort to ensure equality before the law and end privileges that undermine public trust in governance.

“The law will be enforced equally on all citizens. Those found guilty of corruption will face strict punishment, no matter their position or influence,” he stressed.

He added that providing luxury state housing for former leaders while the country is grappling with an economic crisis was unacceptable. “We cannot continue to burden the people with unnecessary expenses while asking them to make sacrifices,” he noted.

Palani Digambaram, Member of Parliament from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), was put in a difficult position when asked why the political unity currently shown in support of remanded former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was not seen during the long-standing wage struggles of estate workers.

Responding to the question, Digambaram said, “We have been continuously speaking about the wage issues of the plantation community. But the problem lies with the companies that are supposed to pay.”

Pressed further on whether discussions alone are sufficient, he admitted, “Yes, we are still talking. But talking is not the same as coming together. The companies must take responsibility—that’s the real issue.”

The MP’s remarks came amid growing criticism that opposition parties have rallied around Wickremesinghe’s legal troubles, while failing to show the same urgency for pressing socio-economic issues affecting marginalized communities.

When asked directly whether the current political unity is for the people or for Wickremesinghe, Digambaram responded, “What can I say? This government needs to be sent home. It’s not a government that listens—it’s an authoritarian regime.”