The United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People’s Power (NPP) government of failing to pursue the economic recovery and growth framework introduced by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2022.

In a statement, UNP Working Committee member Dinouk Colombage said while the NPP initially continued Wickremesinghe’s stabilization plan, it had neglected the growth component that was central to the strategy.

“The rupee was meant to appreciate and inflation kept below 3%. Instead, the currency continues to depreciate and inflation has climbed above 6%,” he noted.

Colombage argued that the IMF programme has become a “standalone plan” focused solely on stabilization, with no parallel growth measures introduced. 

He questioned how Sri Lanka could prepare to repay debt while simultaneously reducing poverty and raising public income levels without a comprehensive growth agenda.

“The government must answer how it intends to balance debt repayment with improving living standards. Without a growth plan, stabilization alone cannot deliver recovery,” Colombage stressed. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has announced plans to hold 21 May Day rallies across 21 major cities of Sri Lanka, with the participation of its senior leadership.

According to a statement from the NPP, Party Leader and President Anura Dissanayake will attend the May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya on the morning of May 1, followed by the rally in Maharagama in the afternoon. 

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is scheduled to join the May Day rally in Ratnapura.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva will take part in rallies in Kalutara, Matara, and Tangalle, while Bimal Ratnayake is expected to participate in rallies in Vavuniya and Jaffna.

Other NPP leaders, including Vijith Herath, K.D. Lal Kantha, Sunil Handunneththi, Nalinda Jayatissa, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Anura Karunathilaka, and Harshana Nanayakkara will join May Day events in additional locations across the country. (Newswire)

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Negombo Police say a three‑wheeler driver has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a National People’s Power (NPP) municipal councillor of the Negombo Municipal Council. 

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the Police said the councillor, who also works as a technician at Sri Lanka Telecom, was travelling in a company cab when the three‑wheeler driver obstructed the road. 

The Police further said that a heated argument followed, during which the councillor was assaulted.

The victim is a 53‑year‑old resident of Maradana Road, Negombo, and is currently receiving treatment at the Negombo Hospital. (Newswire)

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The election to appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha was held yesterday (06 Jan), where both positions were won by the NPP. 

According to state newspaper Dinamina, Aloka Bandara, representing the NPP, secured the Chairman’s post with a majority of four votes.

This victory was achieved during a council session convened by North Western Provincial Commissioner Sanjeewani Herath.

Following last year’s local government elections, attempts were twice made by the Provincial Commissioner and officials to hold a vote to appoint a Chairman for the Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha. However, the opposition, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), boycotted the sessions in protest against a secret ballot, resulting in a lack of quorum and postponement.

As the two opportunities given to the Provincial Commissioner had lapsed, the matter was referred to the Election Commission for the Attorney General’s advice. Based on that guidance, the Election Commission empowered the North Western Provincial Commissioner to reconvene the council yesterday.

Accordingly, the Commissioner arrived to conduct the vote and called for another election to appoint the Chairman. When asked whether the vote should be open or secret, two opinions emerged: the NPP demanded a secret ballot, while the opposition requested an open vote.

In the subsequent secret ballot, of the 31 councillors, 17 voted for a secret ballot and 15 for an open ballot. Thus, the contest for Chairman was between Aloka Bandara of the NPP and Anushka Priyashantha of the SJB representing the opposition.

Aloka Bandara of the NPP won the Chairman’s post with 18 votes, while Anushka Priyashantha of the opposition received 13 votes.

In the local government elections, the NPP had secured 14 out of 17 seats in the Anamaduwa division, losing three. However, during the appointment of proportional representation seats, the opposition, including the SJB, gained 17 seats. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Municipal Council’s 2026 budget has been passed after being presented for the second time.

The CMC’s 2026 budget was passed today with 58 votes in favour and 56 voting against. 

Previously, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) lost the first budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council on 22 December 2025.  

The council’s budget was defeated after the joint opposition voted against it. 60 councillors voted against the budget while 57 supported it. 

However, the second reading of the budget presented today has been passed. (Newswire)

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Indika Upul Gunasekera, the National Peeople’s Power Chairman of the Ganga Ihala Korale Pradeshiya Sabha, was released on personal bail of Rs. 300,000 today following his arrest over an alleged assault.

He was produced before the Gampola Magistrate’s Court, which scheduled the next hearing for February 5, 2026. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) today secured control of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, ending a six-month administrative deadlock that followed the May Local Government election.

Although the NPP emerged as the largest group with 23 seats, it fell short of an outright majority, while the remaining 24 seats were divided among opposition parties and independent groups.

Two earlier attempts to elect a Chairman, on June 17 and July 15, were postponed due to procedural disputes.

The council reconvened this morning to decide whether the vote for Chairman should be held by open or secret ballot. The 23 NPP members and one member of the Sarvajana Balaya supported a secret ballot.

However, the remaining 23 opposition members walked out of the chamber.

The election went ahead with the remaining members, and NPP councillor P. K. Premarathna was elected Chairman with 23 votes. The Sarvajana Balaya member who backed the secret ballot abstained from voting.

Following the vote, Sarvajana Balaya Leader Dilith Jayaweera accused the NPP-led Government of “buying” the opposition member to secure control of the council, an allegation the NPP has not responded to so far.

With today’s outcome, the NPP officially takes charge of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha more than six months after the LG poll. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has announced that it will take strict disciplinary action against party members who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) during the recent budget approvals in local government bodies.

Issuing an official statement, the SLFP confirmed that it has already temporarily suspended the party membership of those who voted in favour of the NPP.

The SLFP further stated that it has begun seeking explanations from the concerned members and will proceed with further disciplinary measures based on their responses. (Newswire)

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National People’s Power (NPP) MP Chaminda Lalith Kumara has filed a complaint with the Mirigama Police against social media reports claiming he is a drug trafficker. 

The Gampaha District MP filed a complaint with the Mirigama Police yesterday seeking to initiate legal action with regard to the matter.

“We have found those responsible for the claims. Many are fake accounts. Statements claiming that I am linked to the ICE and heroin trade are false. We came to the Police station to file a complaint in this regard,” MP Kumara said, speaking to the media. (Newswire)

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The Director of Education for the North Central Province has decided to suspend the school principal who was recently arrested with a large quantity of heroin in Anuradhapura.

Accordingly, the principal of a school in Eppawala has been interdicted with immediate effect. 

In an official letter addressed to the principal, the Director stated that, based on findings submitted by the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit, the individual is alleged to have committed an offence under the establishments code, warranting immediate suspension from duty.

The principal, who is the husband of a former National People’s Power (NPP) Urban Councillor, was arrested last week in possession of 1.185 kilos of heroin, with an estimated street value of approximately Rs. 20 million.

Yesterday, the Thambuttegama Magistrate’s Court ordered the suspect to be remanded until November 12 for further questioning, while it also authorized the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit to detain and interrogate the suspect further.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s wife, a former member of the NPP representing the Peliyagoda Urban Council, yesterday resigned following the arrest of her husband and son on drug-related charges.

The councillor, Disna Niranjala Kumari, who was elected at the last local government election, said she was deeply distressed by the incident and had decided to step down as a personal and ethical decision. (Newswire)

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The husband of a National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Urban Councillor, arrested in possession of heroin, has been remanded until November 12 for further questioning, as per an order issued by the Thambuttegama Magistrate’s Court.

The suspect, a school principal, was produced before the court this afternoon (06) by the Anuradhapura Police.

The court has authorized the Anuradhapura Division Criminal Investigation Unit to detain and interrogate the suspect further.

The Police also revealed that the suspect’s wife, Councillor Disna Neranjala, is a relative of Kosgoda Suji, a known large-scale drug trafficker and criminal.

A special investigation has been launched into the assets of the arrested school principal, the Police informed the court. 

Authorities seized 1.185 kilos of heroin, with an estimated street value of approximately Rs. 20 million, from the suspect’s possession. (Newswire)

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General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Tilvin Silva, says Harini Amarasuriya will not be removed from her position within the government.

Tilvin Silva said that the bankrupt opposition has been making such untrue claims for a long period of time now, but it has never occurred. 

“Earlier, they said Harini Amarasuriya would be removed from her ministerial portfolio. Now they are saying she will be removed from her post as Prime Minister. These are just their dreams,” he added. 

Tilvin Silva made the remarks while addressing a public meeting. (Newswire)

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The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has accused a group of National People’s Power (NPP) members of having forcibly taken control of its Office on Kirindiwala Road in Yakkala, Gampaha.

It is reported that the NPP members had allegedly assaulted the persons at the office and later taken control of the property.

A Police Officer at the scene informed FSP members that the NPP had filed a complaint with the Yakkala Police, stating that a court order had been received regarding the property.

He further said that requests by the Police to the FSP members for a discussion on the matter had not received a response.

However, the FSP members allege that if a court order had been issued, then the property should be officially taken over under the supervision of the relevant officials. 

Speaking to the media, FSP member Duminda Nagamuwa said his party has been using this property for key party activities for over 10 years.

Stating that the NPP had eyed this property for a long time, he accused them of forcibly taking the property by abusing their power. 

He further said that the court is yet to deliver its verdict on the ownership of the property, and that if a judgment has been made, then it should be enforced by the legal officers. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan workers affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP) residing in the United Kingdom have donated Rs. 06 million for the establishment of rest facilities for drivers at five selected depots of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). 

The five depots selected for the development of rest facilities were jointly identified by the SLTB and the Ministry of Transport. 

Commenting on the donation, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the government is grateful for this contribution made in the interest of the country.

A cheque worth Rs. 06 million was handed over to the minister by Darshana Hettiarachchi, a representative of the NPP UK branch, at the Transport Ministry premises in Battaramulla this morning (15).

“We hope that this generous initiative by the UK-based Sri Lankans will serve as a model for other Sri Lankan workers living abroad,” Minister Rathnayake added. (Newswire)

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The membership of six members from the opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, has been suspended.

According to SJB General Secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, this action was taken due to their support for the National People’s Power in establishing control over the Beruwala Urban Council.

Issuing a statement, Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that this step was initiated by the party’s management and working councils. (Newswire)

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Former Weligama Urban Council Chairman Rehan Jayawickreme has demanded compensation of Rs. 500 million from NPP MP Asitha Niroshana over defamatory comments made during a televised interview on local media. 

Sending a Letter of Demand (LoD), Jayawickreme’s lawyer points out that the mention of ‘Rehan’ in his comments is understood by the public to be a reference to his client.

Stating that the statement is false and defamatory, the LoD demands that the compensation of Rs. 500 million be paid within 14 days of receiving the letter.

NPP MP Asitha Niroshana has been further warned that in the event he fails to settle the compensation, then Rehan Jayawickreme will move to initiate legal action against him.

Commenting on the NPP MP’s remarks on him, Rehan Jayawickreme demanded that the MP prove every word he said in court.

“You can attack my politics. You can twist my words. But don’t drag my name through the mud with reckless claims about drugs and the underworld. I have a family. I have young children. I have worked hard to stay true to who I am and what I stand for. I don’t need an apology from the MP. But if he thinks I will let this slide, he is wrong. He will now have to prove every word he said in court,” he said, in a post on ‘X’. (Newswire)

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National People’s Power member Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne in Parliament today.

Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National List MP representing the National People’s Power. 

He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of former MP Harshana Suriyapperuma. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has established control in over 219 local government institutions across Sri Lanka, it was reported.

Accordingly, this includes 63 councils where no single party secured a clear majority, but where the NPP managed to form administrative control.

Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and allied opposition parties currently hold power in 87 local councils.

Among the 30 local councils formed by the SJB, 28 have no outright majority, but were formed through significant coalition or alliance-driven governance structures.

However, the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has secured authority in 20 local councils, marking the third-highest number of local bodies under the control of a single party. 

As of yesterday, independent groups or other political parties have established control in 19 local councils. 

Among them, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have established power in 06 local councils each, the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) in 03 local councils, and the United National Party (UNP) and the United People’s Front (UPA) in 02 local councils each.

The formation of 18 local councils has been postponed under the directive of court orders due to various reasons. 

Following the 2025 local government elections held on 06 May, 315 out of the 339 local government authorities have been formed, as of now. (Newswire)

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A tense situation has been reported at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha after it was reported that two National People’s Power (NPP) members who were on their way to the council today (27 June) had been abducted.

It is reported that the two NPP members had, reportedly, been abducted while on their way to the election to appoint the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha. 

As a result, a situation has arisen preventing the council from holding its session.

According to reports, it has been proposed to resume the proceedings of the House only upon the return of the two abducted NPP members. (Newswire)

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The National People’s Power (NPP) has secured control of the Tangalle Urban Council and the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha. 

NPP candidate Nandasiri Palliyaguruge was elected Mayor of the Urban Council during elections held today. 

The NPP candidate has secured 11 votes, while the opposition candidate Ravindu Wedarachchi has managed to obtain only 07 votes.

Meanwhile, NPP candidate Sanjeeva Pushpa Kumara was elected Chairman of the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha.

He secured 13 votes during an election held at the council today.  (Newswire)

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