Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa says the public must grant the Parliamentary majority to the SJB instead of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) which has failed to reduce the suffering of the people as promised during the Presidential Election.

The former Opposition Leader pointed out that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who vowed during the Presidential Election to reduce various taxes has failed to do so.

He further said that the President’s promises to amend the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through discussions have also failed to be carried out.

“Currently, there is a shortage of essential food and there is a queue for coconuts. The President has put the country in trouble. He has also promised to pay the debt from 2028 and has only four more years to do so,” Sajith Premadasa said.

Pointing out that under the current economic state, Sri Lanka cannot afford to make debt repayments, Sajith Premadasa said that rapid economic growth is needed to settle loans.

He emphasized that to pay back the debts, a majority of the Samagi Jana Balawega (SJB) members must be appointed to the Parliament, adding that otherwise, Sri Lanka will be bankrupt in 2028.

Sajith Premadasa made the remarks while addressing a political rally in Kollonawa on Sunday (Oct 27).

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.