Police have arrested Sarvajana Balaya Pradeshiya Sabha member Mohammad Kasim Abdul Samad in connection with the death of a man following a clash in Polonnaruwa on Sunday (Dec 14).

Abdul Samad was first taken into custody over an assault on another individual, who sustained serious injuries including four broken teeth. He was produced before court and released on bail the same day.

However, police later confirmed that a second individual, reportedly caught in the middle of the altercation, had died. In light of this development, Abdul Samad was taken back into custody today (Dec 16).

An autopsy on the deceased returned an open verdict, with samples sent to a forensic expert to establish the exact cause of death. (Newswire)

The post Polonnaruwa clash: Sarvajana Balaya politician arrested over death appeared first on Newswire.

Sarvajana Balaya leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera, says he and his party will oppose the no-confidence motion the opposition plans to bring against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara.

Explaining his stance, MP Jayaweera claimed the motion actually targeted a former Eastern Commander of the Sri Lanka Army rather than the current deputy minister. 

He added that he and his party view the motion as part of a conspiracy to pin blame on the country’s security forces.

His comments come after Opposition parties submitted the no-confidence motion against Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara to the Speaker yesterday.

The Opposition decided to submit the No-Confidence Motion, citing serious concerns over Jayasekara’s alleged involvement and conflict of interest in the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The motion raises alarm over Jayasekara’s role as the Commander of the Security Force (East) during key incidents linked to the Easter attacks, including the Vavunathivu police killings and the Sainthamaruthu explosion, both considered pivotal moments in the lead-up to the bombings. 

It further states that a potential conflict of interest exists as Jayasekara, now holding a powerful position in the Ministry of Defence, may influence subordinates or witnesses involved in the ongoing probes, risking impartiality. (Newswire)

The post Easter Attacks NCM : Dilith to support Aruna Jayasekara appeared first on Newswire.

Member of Parliament and leader of the Sarvajana Balaya party, Dilith Jayaweera, met with the Ambassador of Palestine to Sri Lanka, Ihab Khalil, earlier today to express solidarity with the people of Palestine amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Jayaweera condemned the “inhumane and tragic conflict” unfolding in Palestine and called on Israel to respect international law and immediately halt the war and the forced starvation of Palestinian civilians.

In a statement issued following the meeting, he said, “The Sarvajana Balaya stands strong with Palestine,” and emphasized the need for global unity in the face of such atrocities. 

He added that Sri Lanka’s Buddhist civilizational values have long advocated for peace and harmony and that it is the duty of leaders worldwide to act for the sake of humanity.

Jayaweera’s remarks come at a time of heightened international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and broader calls for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. (Newswire)

The post Dilith’s Sarvajana Balaya expresses solidarity with Palestine appeared first on Newswire.

Kalawana Pradeshiya Sabha member Sujeewa Pushpakumara passed away today (June 2) after being electrocuted in a tragic accident.

The incident was reported on the first day of the newly convened local council, just a day after he was sworn in as a councillor.

Kalawana Police said that the incident occurred in the Delgoda Colony area when Pushpakumara attempted to remove a tree branch near a high-voltage power line.

The Sarvajana Balaya councillor was admitted to Kalawana Base Hospital following the accident but was pronounced dead shortly after.

According to reports, the councillor had been engaged in contract-based tree pruning work at the time of the incident. (Newswire)

The post Tragic death for Sarvajana Councillor on first day of office appeared first on Newswire.

Sarvajana Balaya Leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera, says he has requested the United National Party (UNP) to correct their statement mentioning his name, adding that the claim that they had contacted him via telephone during a recent meeting was false. 

Issuing a statement on social media, MP Jayaweera said the UNP had claimed that he had participated via telephone call in a meeting chaired by UNP Leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with several other opposition parties.

The UNP-led meeting had been held to discuss establishing power in all local government institutions, including municipal councils, urban councils and regional councils, where the National People’s Power (NPP) had failed to secure a majority.

Providing details of the meeting, the UNP had outlined all the opposition parties and their members who had participated in the discussion, adding that Sarvajana Balaya Leader, MP Dilith Jayaweera, had joined via a telephone call. 

Refuting the claim, MP Dilith Jayaweera said the statement was false, and that he has requested UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana to rectify this immediately, to which he had agreed to take action. (Newswire)

The post Dilith refutes UNP statement on joining opposition party meeting appeared first on Newswire.

Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera says his party, the Sarvajana Balaya, has no reason to politically join hands with a party or force to seek a majority at Local Councils. 

Addressing the media, Jayaweera, the leader of the Sarvajana Balaya, said his party will only offer support for a majority after conducting an inquiry into the candidates and parties seeking their support.

“We will inquire about each candidate at each local council. We will look into the impact on the areas due to the involvement of these local councils. Our party’s executive council will decide based on each of the local councils separately, if we are to offer support,” he explained. 

Dilith Jayaweera emphasized that the Sarvajana Balaya will not form easy alliances like other political parties in the country. 

“We cannot say if we will help the NPP or the SJB. Our party is focused on helping the people. We will make the best decisions to help the people. It will be based on each local council,” he added. 

MP Dilith Jayaweera also confirmed that the party had received phone calls from several parties following the Local Government Elections. 

The Saravajana Balaya received 294,681 votes, securing 266 seats in 07 local councils, in the 2025 Local Government Election, held on Tuesday (07 May). (Newswire)

The post Local Councils : Dilith reveals stance on alliances appeared first on Newswire.