Politics Archives - Page 213 of 446 - The Morning Telegraph

Namal, Ranil, and Rivals Unite to Block JVP Takeover; Sajith Out of the Game

In a dramatic twist following the local government elections, several key opposition leaders—including figures from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and other smaller parties—met with former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to form a broad political alliance aimed at establishing control over local councils and undermining the rise of the National People’s Power (NPP), widely known as the Compass. The high-level meeting took place yesterday (14) at Wickremesinghe’s political office on Malalasekara Mawatha in Colombo. It was attended by a powerful coalition of political heavyweights including Namal Rajapaksa (SLPP), Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake (SLFP), Anura Priyadarshana Yapa (Podujana Eksath Peramuna), Udaya Gammanpila (Sarvajana Balaya), Mano Ganesan and P. Digambaram (Tamil Progressive Alliance), and Jeevan Thondaman (Ceylon Workers’ Congress). Representing the UNP, Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake, and former Minister Harin Fernando also participated. Dilith Jayaweera, leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, joined the discussion remotely via telephone. A key figure at the meeting was former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who has now been tasked with coordinating this cross-party effort to establish power in local government institutions where the Compass lacks a majority. Notably absent from the gathering was Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), although his party was represented by MP Nalin Bandara, raising questions about the SJB’s commitment to the alliance. UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, issuing a statement following the meeting, confirmed that the parties had reached a consensus to work together in local government bodies—municipal councils, urban councils, and pradeshiya sabhas—where the NPP failed to secure a majority. Athukorala emphasized that this decision was taken to prevent the Compass from seizing control by default and to ensure that opposition-aligned forces work collaboratively to form stable administrations. As part of this plan, the general secretaries of all participating parties are scheduled to meet today (15) to finalize name lists and power-sharing arrangements for the councils. The strategy is clear: wherever the Compass lacks the numbers to form an outright majority, the other opposition parties—some of them former rivals—will pool their councillors to form joint administrations. This includes high-stakes councils like the Colombo Municipal Council, where the government is currently 11 seats short of a majority but is believed to be in talks with independent members. The full list of participants in the meeting included a wide spectrum of political forces: Parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Duminda Dissanayake, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Udaya Gammanpila, Mano Ganesan, P. Digambaram, Jeevan Thondaman, Asanka Navaratne, Sugeeshwara Bandara, Weerakumara Dissanayake, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Premanath C. Dolawatta, Nimal Lanza, and Mohamed Muzammil. From the UNP, along with Athukorala and Ratnayake, Vajira Abeywardena and Harin Fernando played a key role in discussions. This new coalition, though loosely aligned, is being rapidly mobilized as a counterforce to the NPP’s post-election momentum, with Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena entrusted with ensuring coordination and negotiation among the various parties. The participants also reportedly agreed to initiate discussions with all groups opposed to the Compass, expanding the coalition even further in an effort to seize control of as many local councils as possible and keep the Compass out of administrative leadership. As the battle for local government power heats up, this unexpected unity among long-time political adversaries signals a major recalibration of the opposition landscape—with one clear objective: block the NPP’s advance at the grassroots level.

Namal, Ranil, and Rivals Unite to Block JVP Takeover; Sajith Out of the Game

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a dramatic twist following the local government elections, several key opposition leaders—including figures from the Sri...

LTTE Gold Loot? Mahinda at the Center of Explosive Allegations

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

The long-whispered mystery surrounding the gold hoards collected by the LTTE has once again ignited political controversy...

SL Summons Canadian Envoy Over ‘Fake Genocide’ Monument; Says It’s a Political Stunt

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a bold diplomatic move, Sri Lanka has summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to formally protest the...

Namal Explodes Over Tamil Genocide Monument in Canada; Demands Diplomatic Showdown”

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, himself accused of overseeing war crimes...

“Obstruct Us, We’ll Obstruct You; No More Playing Nice” – Tilvin Warns "Obstruct Us, and We’ll Obstruct You; No More Playing Nice" - Tilvin Warns

“Obstruct Us, We’ll Obstruct You; No More Playing Nice” – Tilvin Warns

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has issued a blunt warning to the opposition, declaring that if National...

“Read the Law; We’re the Ones Appointing Colombo’s Mayor” – Mujibur Fires Back "Read the Law; We’re the Ones Appointing Colombo’s Mayor” - Mujibur Fires Back

“Read the Law; We’re the Ones Appointing Colombo’s Mayor” – Mujibur Fires Back

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a sharp rebuttal to government maneuvering, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) stalwart Mujibur Rahman has declared that...

Japan Exposes Bribery Demands in SL; Ambassador Drops Bombshell on Corruption

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a startling revelation that could shake diplomatic and investor confidence, Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Akio...

“Rs. 2.25 Trillion Printed; But It Wasn’t Reckless” – Finance Deputy Minister

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a revelation that’s turning heads in economic and political circles, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning...

Colombo Mayor Up for Grabs: No Majority Forces Dramatic Showdown on June 2

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a dramatic twist following the local government elections, the Colombo Municipal Council is heading into a...

“Tiran and Deshabandu Demanded Rs. 300 Million from Me” – Harak Kata Explodes in Court – (Video) "Tiran and Deshabandu Demanded Rs. 30 Million from Me!” - Harak Kata Explodes in Court

"Tiran and Deshabandu Demanded Rs. 30 Million from Me!” - Harak Kata Explodes in Court

“Tiran and Deshabandu Demanded Rs. 300 Million from Me” – Harak Kata Explodes in Court – (Video)

By The Morning Telegraph May 14, 2025

In a shocking claim made on the courthouse steps, notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka,better known as Harak...

Politics

Namal, Ranil, and Rivals Unite to Block JVP Takeover; Sajith Out of the Game

LTTE Gold Loot? Mahinda at the Center of Explosive Allegations

SL Summons Canadian Envoy Over ‘Fake Genocide’ Monument; Says It’s a Political Stunt

Namal Explodes Over Tamil Genocide Monument in Canada; Demands Diplomatic Showdown”

“Obstruct Us, We’ll Obstruct You; No More Playing Nice” – Tilvin Warns

“Read the Law; We’re the Ones Appointing Colombo’s Mayor” – Mujibur Fires Back

Japan Exposes Bribery Demands in SL; Ambassador Drops Bombshell on Corruption

“Rs. 2.25 Trillion Printed; But It Wasn’t Reckless” – Finance Deputy Minister

Colombo Mayor Up for Grabs: No Majority Forces Dramatic Showdown on June 2

“Tiran and Deshabandu Demanded Rs. 300 Million from Me” – Harak Kata Explodes in Court – (Video)

You may have missed

Trump’s Iran Strategy Hits a Wall in Tehran

Court Rejects DNA Test Request Involving Chamika

Rithu Aksharsha Denies Link to Account in Court Case

Sri Lanka Power Cuts Risk Rises as Grid Weakens