Patali Champika Ranawaka’s party, the United Republic Front, has officially informed the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) that they are withdrawing from the alliance ahead of the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

Former MP Ranawaka, a key political figure, has also announced that he will not be contesting the election.

In a letter to the SJB, Ranawaka pointed out that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the SJB, the United Republic Front had engaged in campaigning for Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa in the Presidential Election.

He said, however, the SJB had failed to adhere to the regulations pertaining to the Parliamentary Election under the MOU signed between the two parties, thereby, violating the agreement.

As such, Ranawaka said the United Republic Front will not engage in any political activities with the SJB’s Samagi Jana Sandhanaya for the upcoming General Election.

Patali Champika Ranawaka contested the last Parliamentary Election from Colombo. It is reported that, however, his name had not been included in the SJB’s nominations list for the 2024 Parliamentary Election.

Due to issues stemming from the nominations list, the United Republic Front has announced it will not contest the upcoming General Election.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.