The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated that political parties have a responsibility and duty to stand for the public opinion expressed in the recent local government elections. He mentioned that discussions are underway on how to fulfill the aspirations of the people without compromising the policies of the respective parties.
Speaking at a press conference today (18th), he emphasized that the public has delivered a clear message in the local polls, and political parties are obligated to represent that sentiment.
Kariyawasam further noted that discussions are being held with all political parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to explore ways to meet the people’s aspirations while safeguarding party principles.
Meanwhile, SJB parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara commented that the public voted for independent groups because they contested against the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Therefore, he argued that independent groups have no right to support the JVP anywhere.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was initially reported as not attending the 16th commemoration of the victory over separatist LTTE terrorism this morning (18th), confirmed his participation shortly ago.
Concerns arose after the Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, retired Brigadier Senarath Kohene, informed the media that the Deputy Minister of Defence would be representing the President at the ceremony held near the War Heroes’ Memorial at Battaramulla Parliamentary Grounds. This sparked inquiries on social media and among retired war veterans as to whether the President or the Prime Minister were refusing to commemorate the war heroes. While it is customary for the Prime Minister to attend in the President’s absence, the government’s decision to send a Deputy Minister surprised many.
Some critics charged that commemorating war heroes was being relegated to the Deputy Minister level, contrary to Sri Lanka’s diplomatic protocol where the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Ministers, and other high-ranking officials typically participate.
However, retired Brigadier Senarath Kohene, Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, stated on national television that the war heroes’ commemoration will proceed under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has appointed a four-person committee to study the report of the Batalanda Commission.
The committee will be headed by Senior Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysooriya. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, Senior State Counsel Jayani Wegodapola, and State Counsel Shakthi Jagodaarachchi will serve as the other members.
The committee is tasked with determining whether charges can be filed based on the evidence in the Batalanda Commission report and identifying offenses that have exceeded the statute of limitations. The committee will also identify any matters that require further investigation.
The Batalanda Commission report was recently forwarded to the Attorney General by the President’s Office, following the President’s instructions. The Presidential Media Division states that the government has decided to take further action regarding the report.
Discussions surrounding the Batalanda Commission report, which investigated events during the 1988-1990 period, resurfaced after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe raised certain points on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head program on March 6th.
Colombo is set to witness the captivating beauty of Kathak, a classical Indian dance form renowned for its intricate footwork, graceful movements, and expressive storytelling, at the upcoming “Kathak Vilas” performance.
Presented by the Rangara Kathak Dance Academy, “Kathak Vilas” will occur on Monday, May 26th, at 6:00 PM at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) auditorium in Colombo.
This enchanting evening is orchestrated under Shastrapati Thilini Rangika Dissanayake’s guidance; admission is free for all to experience this cultural treat
The Presidential Secretariat has been issued a notice to appear before the Information Commission on May 28, 2025, for failing to provide requested information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the stipulated timeframe.
The summons follows an appeal lodged due to the Secretariat’s lack of response to a request seeking details about President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s personal staff, including their salaries, allowances, and vehicles, all funded by public money.
The initial RTI application was submitted to the Presidential Secretariat on January 29, 2025. However, the applicant escalated the matter after more than two months without a proper response.
The requested information includes the number of individuals recruited or assigned to the 9th Executive President’s staff, their designations, the monthly expenditure on their salaries and allowances, the number and types of vehicles allocated to them, and who is authorized to use these vehicles.
Additionally, the request seeks details about the ministries assigned to officials appointed for the presidential term only, along with the vehicle numbers and types provided to each institution and ministry since September 23, 2024.
According to the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016, public authorities must acknowledge receipt of an information request. The Presidential Secretariat did acknowledge receipt on January 30, 2025. However, the Act mandates the provision of information within 14 working days, or notification of the reasons for any delay. The failure to adhere to these statutory requirements led to the appeal against the designated officer of the Presidential Secretariat.
Notably, information regarding the personal staff of previous presidents has been obtained and published under the RTI Act, suggesting no legal impediment to the disclosure of the currently requested details by the Presidential Secretariat.
In a significant political move, former President and United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has spearheaded an initiative to establish governing bodies in all local authorities where the National People’s Power (NPP) does not hold a majority, including the Colombo Municipal Council.
Leaders of opposition political parties reached an agreement during a meeting held today, May 14, at Mr. Wickremesinghe’s political office on Flower Road, Colombo.
To this end, the General Secretaries of the respective parties are scheduled to meet on May 15, 2025, to prepare the nomination lists for the local authorities where power will be established.
The meeting saw the participation of several prominent political figures, including former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena; Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara representing the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB); Namal Rajapaksa, the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP); Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP); Anura Priyadarshana Yapa of the United National Front; Palani Thigambaran, leader of the Workers’ National Front; Mano Ganeshan, leader of the Democratic People’s Front; Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya; Jeevan Thondaman, General Secretary of the Lanka Labour Congress; Asanka Navaratne, Sugeeshwara Bandara, and Veera Kumara Dissanayake representing the New Democratic Front; former Members of Parliament Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon, Premnath C. Dolawatta, Nimal Lanza, and Mohamed Muzammil; and representing the UNP, its Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala, National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake, and former Minister Harin Fernando.
Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has been entrusted with the responsibility of convening these joint meetings of opposition party leaders regarding the acquisition of power in the local authorities.
Reports indicate that a decision was also reached to hold future discussions with all groups opposed to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led NPP and to work together.
According to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the amount of money sent to Sri Lanka by expatriate workers in April 2025 reached US$ 646.1 million.
This has pushed the total remittances for the first four months of 2025 to US$ 2,460.5 million, marking a significant 18.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when remittances stood at US$ 2,079.9 million.
Following their recent press conference, the newly formed collective, “Dinana Dakuna” (Winning South) – a group advocating for the reinstatement of right-wing politics – has released a statement responding to public and media reactions.
The group, in a strongly worded note, claims that President Anura’s current political and economic strategies are unsustainable and will lead to the nation’s failure by 2028.
“When ‘Dinana Dakuna’ suggested that Anura cannot succeed, a majority of those who voted for the ‘compass’ party appeared agitated and some even became enraged,” the statement read, referring to the NPP’s election symbol. However, the collective insists their criticism is not personal but a warning about the challenges the Sri Lankan state will face under the current trajectory.
The group elaborated on their concerns, citing the “vicious challenges” posed by the debt economy. They argued that if President Anura fails to overcome these challenges, the entire country will suffer, not just those who criticize him.
Addressing accusations leveled against them, “Dinana Dakuna” acknowledged that some perceive its members as former United National Party (UNP) loyalists, “ghosts of the past,” and individuals who benefited from or protected past corruption. They also addressed claims of being rejected by the public and politically bankrupt opportunists.
While admitting that a majority within the collective has connections to the UNP and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), they emphasized that their current views on right-wing politics are independent of these parties. They also stated that they are sensitive to criticisms regarding their political predecessors and acknowledged the presence of individuals within their past political affiliations who were responsible for both the progress and detriment of the country.
“We have sincere self-criticism about our past politics that brought us disadvantage,” the statement revealed, promising its public release soon. They maintain that their future political thinking is based on these self-reflections.
“Dinana Dakuna” further defended its past actions, highlighting its early involvement in anti-corruption efforts, including the formation of the “Dushana Vimasuma” (Corruption Watch) organization in 2010 and its role in establishing the Movement for a Just Society in 2015, which contributed to the ousting of the Rajapaksa regime. They pointed out that Anura Kumara had been a parallel force during those times.
While acknowledging the public’s mandate for President Anura in 2025, driven by the hope of ending corruption, they expressed disappointment that their belief in his ability to structurally defeat corruption is now appearing to be a “mirage.” They also noted their past support for Ranil Wickremesinghe, driven by concerns for economic well-being, recognizing a dual challenge facing the nation.
The collective stated their approval of President Anura’s adherence to the IMF framework but expressed concern over the lack of focus on wealth creation and proper state management, attributing this to the influence of socialist ideology. They urged the President to prioritize wealth generation alongside tackling corruption, criticizing their political predecessors for failing in both aspects.
“We say Anura cannot succeed because we are thinking about the country, not about power,” the statement asserted, dismissing claims of being politically bankrupt. They believe a significant portion of the country is ready to listen to their voice, arguing that electoral defeat is a characteristic of representative democracy and that the voices of the defeated should not be considered irrelevant.
Concluding with a defiant tone, “Dinana Dakuna” stated, “We are not anyone’s ghosts or devils. We are individuals who thought about the country then and now, instead of power. That is why we say, even if the dogs bark, the caravan moves forward.”
The Court of Appeal has scheduled June 26th to consider a petition seeking to invalidate the parliamentary membership of MP Ramanathan Archchuna.
The petition was presented before a panel of Appeal Court Justices Mayadunne Corea and Mahen Gopallawa today (May 14). The court subsequently ordered the petition to be taken up for factual consideration on June 26th.
Meanwhile, reliable sources have informed InfoSriLanka.lk that Mr. Ramanathan Archchuna is reportedly preparing to step down from his parliamentary post before June 26th.
The petition argues that Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna, being a state official attached to the Ministry of Health, holds a contract with the government and is therefore ineligible to hold a parliamentary seat.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Sri Lanka’s revolutionary left-wing party, marks its 60th anniversary today, May 14th, 2025, with celebrations planned at Colombo’s Viharamahadevi Park. Founded on May 14th, 1965, at a pivotal meeting in Akmeemana, Galle, under the leadership of Rohana Wijeweera, the JVP’s initial aim was to establish a new revolutionary party for Sri Lanka’s working class to seize state power.
The JVP commemorates this milestone sixty years later under the theme “A Force to Conquer the World, An Unstoppable Journey.” Notably, this anniversary is being celebrated with a President elected from within its ranks, a historic first for the party.
The JVP’s emergence was fueled by widespread discontent among the youth during the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government’s closed economic policies, which led to long queues and severe restrictions on essential goods. The proposed path to people’s power resonated with a generation facing unemployment and caste oppression.
This early momentum culminated in the 1971 April Uprising, an attempt to seize power that ultimately failed due to communication breakdowns and resulted in mass arrests and the conversion of university campuses into detention centers. Despite its failure, the JVP maintains that the 1971 struggle was a logical outcome of the prevailing political climate, not merely an accident or a conspiracy.
Following the unsuccessful uprising, the JVP entered mainstream politics, with Rohana Wijeweera contesting the 1982 presidential election, marking the first time the party used the “bell” symbol. He secured 273,428 votes, placing third.
The party faced a ban in 1983 under the J.R. Jayewardene government amidst ethnic tensions. The late 1980s saw a second youth uprising, a period marked by violence from both the JVP and the state.
A significant turning point was the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord, which led to the formation of provincial councils and the arrival of Indian troops, sparking JVP opposition under the banner of the “Patriotic People’s Movement.” A May Day rally in 1987 was met with police gunfire, resulting in the deaths of a university student and a worker. The ensuing “88/89 reign of terror” saw an estimated 60,000 youth killed and widespread human rights abuses. Rohana Wijeweera was captured and killed in 1989.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, the JVP gradually shifted towards nationalism, although some nationalist tendencies were evident earlier, as seen in Wijeweera’s 1985 book on the Tamil Eelam struggle.
The JVP entered coalition politics in 2001, supporting Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s government to prevent its collapse. This led to an alliance with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party, resulting in 39 parliamentary seats in the subsequent election. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the current leader and President, served as a cabinet minister in this period.
During the 2004-2005 period, the JVP aligned with nationalist organizations, advocating for the continuation of the civil war in the north. They also played a key role in challenging the government’s peace talks with the LTTE and the post-tsunami aid agreement.
The JVP supported Sarath Fonseka against Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2010 presidential election, following a period of internal conflict regarding the party’s strategies after its reorganization in 1994. This internal strife led to a split in 2011, with a breakaway faction forming the Frontline Socialist Party.
In recent years, the JVP, now under the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, contested the 2019 presidential election with Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its candidate, securing 3% of the vote. In the 2020 general election, they won 3.84% of the votes, gaining three parliamentary seats.
The JJB played a role in the 2022 “Aragalaya” protests, initially claiming it was a leaderless movement ready for their leadership. However, the JVP’s trade union arm’s decision to suspend strikes drew criticism.
After years of supporting various presidential candidates, Anura Kumara Dissanayake contested and won the 2024 presidential election under the National People’s Power (NPP) banner, a coalition including the JVP, marking a historic moment for the party as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Vimukthi Dushantha
This article has been compiled by a freelance writer and the writer is responsible for the accuracy of the facts, information, statistics, and sources contained in the article.
