Popular Archives - Page 412 of 822 -

Sri Lanka’s Adventure Tourism Set to Explode

Editor May 14, 2025

Sri Lanka’s outdoor adventure tourism sector is heading for a major expansion, with global market analyst Future...

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

Editor May 14, 2025

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

Faiths Unite in Colorful Harmony: Vesak Procession Lights Up Nuwara Eliya Streets

Editor May 14, 2025

In a powerful display of unity and cultural harmony, the National Vesak Festival brought together Sinhalese, Tamils,...

In a bold move to revolutionize public hygiene and convenience, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative has officially entered the nation’s fuel stations, launching a large-scale project to install modern sanitation facilities across the island. At a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Clean Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force, the Ministry of Energy, and Sri Lanka’s four major fuel suppliers: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Lanka IOC (LIOC), Sinopec Energy Lanka, and RM Parks. The goal? To transform 540 fuel stations into clean, safe, and disability-accessible sanitation hubs over the next three years—starting with 100 fully equipped locations by the end of 2025. Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake praised the initiative as a milestone in sustainable public service and a powerful example of public-private partnership at work. “This isn’t just an agreement—it’s a promise for a clean, healthy, and proud Sri Lanka,” he declared. Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, and top executives from the nation’s fuel giants were present to witness the signing, signaling high-level support for the hygiene overhaul. The project also aims to expand beyond fuel stations, with plans to introduce similar sanitation upgrades at supermarkets and private institutions in the near future. With the groundwork now laid, Sri Lanka is shifting gears—literally and figuratively—toward a cleaner tomorrow.

Pump, Pee and Go; ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Turns Fuel Stations into Hygiene Hubs

Editor May 14, 2025

In a bold move to revolutionize public hygiene and convenience, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative has officially...

LTTE Gold Loot? Mahinda at the Center of Explosive Allegations

Editor 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

Editor 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”

Editor 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

Editor May 14, 2025

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

Japan Slams Sri Lanka’s Car Taxes; Reminds Colombo of Trump-Era Tariff War

Editor May 14, 2025

In a sharply worded diplomatic nudge, Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata has voiced serious concern...

Chamari Atapattu Fined by ICC

Editor May 14, 2025

Sri Lanka Women’s cricket captain Chamari Atapattu has been slapped with a 10% match fee fine by...

Popular

Sri Lanka’s Adventure Tourism Set to Explode

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

Faiths Unite in Colorful Harmony: Vesak Procession Lights Up Nuwara Eliya Streets

Pump, Pee and Go; ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Turns Fuel Stations into Hygiene Hubs

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

Japan Slams Sri Lanka’s Car Taxes; Reminds Colombo of Trump-Era Tariff War

Chamari Atapattu Fined by ICC

You may have missed

SriLankan Airlines Pilot Training Shocker: Ex-CAASL Chief Exposed Serious Safety Concerns

National Art Gallery Shock: 42 Paintings Missing

Sajith Demands New IMF Deal Before 2027 Debt Shock (Video)

Property Rights Crisis Threatens Sri Lanka Recovery