Got mandate to uplift country, not engage in elections – President

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2023

editor

The United National Party (UNP) says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has officially informed the party that he will not be involved in any activity related to the Local Government elections.

A statement from the UNP notes that the President officially communicated this to party seniors yesterday (03).

Noting that he was given a mandate not to engage in elections, but to uplift the country within two years, the President had informed the party leaders he is not prepared to violate this.

He had told them that he is only ready to chair the UNP Working Committee in keeping with tradition if the UNP wants to contest the LG polls.

He had also informed the UNP seniors that if the party decides to contest the LG polls, 40% of the candidates should be fresh faces.

The President had also noted funds have been allocated for only 4,000 elected representatives, while the rest should declare whether they will serve for free with no salary or benefits.

Batalanda commission report handed over to the AG

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The report, originally compiled over 25 years ago, was tabled in Parliament recently. The Government has taken a decision to take necessary action and as a result, actions have been initiated to hand over the report to the Attorney General’s Department today (29).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Ex-SLTB Vice Chairman granted bail

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The former Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), L.A. Wimalaratne, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier today (April 29), has been released on bail.

He was arrested in connection with an investigation into a house in Kataragama, allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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Franchise agreements of Colombo Strikers & Jaffna Kings terminated

Published

1 hour ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – the IPG Group, has officially announced that the franchise partnerships of the ‘Colombo Strikers’ and ‘Jaffna Kings’ have been terminated.

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.