• SLPP backs out of aligning to establish power but will support for LG bodies functioning 

The leaders of Opposition political parties have reached a consensus to collectively establish administrative control over all Local Government (LG) bodies – including municipal councils, urban councils, and pradeshiya sabhas – where the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) does not hold a clear majority, and Opposition parties collectively have a majority.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday (14) at the political office in Flower Road, Colombo, under the patronage of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

As per the agreement, the General Secretaries of the participating parties were scheduled to convene yesterday (15) to finalise and prepare the lists of names for appointments in the respective local government body. Former Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has been entrusted with the responsibility of convening and coordinating this joint initiative aimed at consolidating Opposition power at the local level.

The meeting brought together a wide spectrum of Opposition leaders and representatives, including main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, the National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Opposition MP Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Freedom Party representatives, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake, Podujana Eksath Peramuna representative, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Workers’ National Front Leader and MP Palani Thigambaran, Democratic People’s Front Leader and MP Mano Ganeshan, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader, Udaya Gammanpila, Ceylon Workers’ Congress General Secretary, MP Jeevan Thondaman, New Democratic Front representatives Asanka Navaratne, Sugeeshwara Bandara, and Weerakumara Dissanayake, former MPs Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Premanath C. Dolawatta, Nimal Lansa, and Mohamed Muzammil, and United National Party Chairperson Wajira Abeywardana, General Secretary, Thalatha Athukorala, National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka, and former Minister Harin Fernando.

It was further reported that the parties in attendance have agreed not only to share administrative responsibilities in areas where the NPP lacks a clear mandate but also to work together on broader political collaboration in the future.

However, the SLPP had decided not to attend yesterday’s special meeting to be held among representatives of the Opposition parties to discuss ways to establish power within LG bodies, where the NPP does not hold a majority. The SLPP has stated that although it will not participate in the discussion, it is committed to providing maximum support for the functioning of the LG bodies. The SLPP has also stated that it does not intend to form alliances with any political party when establishing power in LG bodies.