Political Drama Unfolds Over Local Authorities

COLOMBO (News 1st); Despite plans for opposition party secretaries to meet and finalize nominations for local government bodies where the National People's Power does not hold authority, the meeting did not occur as scheduled.

Yesterday, a meeting of opposition parties was convened under the leadership of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party (UNP), without the participation of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. 

The meeting took place at Wickremesinghe's political office on Flower Road, Colombo, and was attended by several prominent political figures:

- Nalin Bandara (Samagi Jana Balawegaya)
- Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena
- Namal Rajapaksa (National Organizer, Podujana Peramuna)
- Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake (Sri Lanka Freedom Party)
- Anura Priyadarshana Yapa (Podujana Eksath Peramuna)
- Palani Digambaram (Leader, National Union of Workers)
- Mano Ganesan (Leader, Democratic People's Front)
- Jeevan Thondaman (General Secretary, Ceylon Workers' Congress)
- Udaya Gammanpila (Leader, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya)
- Asanka Navaratne, Sugishwara Bandara, and Weerakumara Dissanayake (New Democratic Front)
- Former MPs Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Premnath C. Dolewatta, Nimal Lanza, and Mohamed Muzammil
- Vajira Abeywardena (Chairman, UNP)
- Thalatha Athukorala (General Secretary, UNP)
- Sagala Ratnayake (National Organizer, UNP)
- Former Minister Harin Fernando

At the conclusion of the meeting, the UNP announced that under Wickremesinghe's leadership, a decision was made to establish control over local government bodies where the National People's Power does not hold authority. 

However, Dilith Jayaweera, leader of the Sarva Jana Balaya, refuted claims of his participation via telephone, clarifying through a social media post that he had informed Vajira Abeywardena to correct the statement regarding his involvement.

Attempts to inquire about the Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) stance on the decisions made under Wickremesinghe's leadership from opposition leader Sajith Premadasa were unsuccessful. 

However, News 1st managed to get a response from the spokesperson for the opposition leader, who stated that the appointment of members is the first step before establishing the council, and this process is currently underway.

Nalin Bandara, who represented the SJB at the meeting, was scheduled to hold a press conference to clarify the matter but did not attend. Instead, MP Mujibur Rahman attended and confirmed that Bandara attended the meeting with the party's approval but was not informed of any special decisions taken.

The SJB's General Secretary stated that decisions will be made as the opposition, regardless of whether it involves Wickremesinghe or any other party. 

MP S.M. Marikkar, when asked about the meeting, indicated he did not attend and suggested inquiries be directed to Bandara.

Before the local government elections, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa assured the public that the SJB has no intention of joining forces with anyone and is confident of achieving a remarkable victory. 

MP Mujibur Rahman clarified that involving other groups in the process is about local government bodies, not about catching thieves.