As fireworks and merriment draw to an end, the New Year has dawned with new hope for the people and the nation while the Government as well as the Opposition are faced with old and new challenges in 2026. It is no secret that 2025 was a challenging year for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government in learning the intricacies of governance as a first-time government while Opposition political parties were stunned by the probes and revelations into the alleged irregularities and excesses of previous governments and senior members of those governments.

While most of these challenges faced by both the Government and Opposition have made it into 2026, there are fresh sets of challenges for them as well. These fresh challenges, especially for the President and Government, include the rebuilding of the country following Cyclone Ditwah, delivering on the promises made to the people, strengthening good governance practices, continuing on the country’s economic recovery path, and pushing economic growth. For the Opposition, the challenges include the development of the ability to place the needs of the country and the people before political expedience and working to form a strong Opposition platform that is a clear need for the country. 

Be that as it may, AKD’s JVP/NPP Government managed to post an impressive achievement, at least in one sphere – tourism – by the end of 2025. According to the latest data on tourist arrivals, the number of foreign travellers who have arrived in the country in 2025 has surpassed the numbers recorded in pre-pandemic Sri Lanka under former President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the ‘Yahapalana’ Government. Sri Lanka’s highest tourist arrivals were recorded in 2018, prior to the Easter Sunday bombings and the pandemic.

Nevertheless, there’s a lot more that needs to be done socioeconomically as well as politically for Sri Lanka to be in a position to breathe easy.

The ruling JVP/NPP needs to engage in a self-criticism process, which is a key principle of the JVP practised through decades, to understand the course corrections that are required individually as well as a party. It is learnt that some JVPers, especially the hardcore cadres of the party, are disgruntled with President AKD, the reason being the belief that the latter seems to be following the path of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (CBK). 

It has been stated in some political commentaries, especially by the late Victor Ivan, that CBK, who promised a new form of governance and worked towards victory with a progressive group of people, had sidelined this camp after assuming office and had surrounded herself with individuals who had brought disrepute to her Government and eventually led to its downfall. 

It is this same criticism that is now being levelled against AKD – that he has sidelined the forces that had helped him win the elections through the NPP and is working with groups that were closely affiliated with former governments. Apart from the trust deficit between the JVP cadres and AKD’s new confidants, even some senior JVPers feel that some of AKD’s actions are manipulated by ‘new confidants.’

However, it would be pertinent to state at this point that President AKD as ‘brand AKD’ is currently shouldering the whole weight of governance on his shoulders with most of his colleagues in Government failing to do their part, or, in some instances, causing more chaos through their actions that AKD has to inevitably clean up. It would therefore be wiser for JVP cadres and senior JVPers who are disgruntled with AKD to look clearly and understand why he has been compelled to seek support and counsel outside the party.

While the ruling party and the Government are preparing to face the growing challenges, Opposition political parties are also geared for new beginnings and challenges this year. There are moves among several Opposition parties to form political alliances while some other political parties have adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude.

The joint Opposition rally that was held on 21 November 2025 in Nugegoda, organised by several Opposition parties but later taken over by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and its National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa, failed to build on the momentum after the rally due to Cyclone Ditwah and the devastation caused to the country as a result. This led to some political analysts claiming that Cyclone Ditwah not only hit the country, but also hit the Opposition collaboration that was in the making at the time.

However, a senior Opposition politician said that the Opposition parties were in discussion to continue with the formation of the joint Opposition platform in the new year.

A key figure in forming a joint Opposition platform, former Deputy Minister Nimal Lanza said that the focus of the Opposition parties should be to form a broad and strong joint Opposition platform without looking at who the next presidential candidate would be. 

Lanza’s view is that the need of the hour is a strong anti-Government Opposition alliance and that the next presidential candidate of the joint Opposition could be decided close to the election by considering the most popular figure in the Opposition. “It could be Sajith, Namal, Dilith, Champika, Dayasiri, or any other individual. Whoever the individual is should work and build their brands. What we need to do is form a strong joint Opposition platform,” he observed.

AKD intervenes

The ruling JVP/NPP meanwhile managed to end 2025 with a victory – getting the Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) 2026 budget passed after being presented for the second time. The CMC’s 2026 budget was passed in the second vote last Wednesday (31 December 2025) with 58 votes in favour and 56 against. 

Previously, the ruling JVP/NPP lost the first budget vote at the council on 22 December 2025 after the joint Opposition voted against it, with 60 councillors voting against the budget and 57 supporting it. The loss on 22 December 2025 was witnessed as a key setback for the ruling JVP/NPP, especially given the political significance of the CMC.

It was stated in political circles at the time that the defeat of the CMC budget was due to President AKD’s failure to intervene in securing support for the ruling party. Prior to the second vote on the council’s 2026 budget, President AKD, it is learnt, had once again intervened to ensure the ruling party’s victory at last Wednesday’s vote. While the campaign to secure victory of the budget at the second vote was coordinated by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala and Deputy Mayor Hemantha Kumara, the President had given directions to them on handling the matter.

On the day of the second vote in the CMC, news of President AKD appointing a Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged irregularities at the CMC between 2010 and 2025, including corruption, abuse of power, and misappropriation, was publicised. 

The gazette notification, issued by the President on Tuesday (30 December 2025) and made public the following day, states that several complaints have been received regarding alleged acts of corruption and fraud, due to which the State has suffered significant losses of property and revenue, and that the CMC has failed to achieve its expected development goals. The gazette had also stated that it was therefore necessary to investigate and examine these complaints, allegations, and information to determine their truth, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent such acts in the future for the benefit of the nation.

The commission is chaired by Attorney-at-Law Piyasena Ranasinghe, a former HIgh Court Judge, and includes Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service Senior Grade I Officer E.R.M.S.H. Ekanayake and former Senior Superintendent of Police D.S. Wickramasinghe. 

Errant Opposition councillors

However, the ruling JVP/NPP winning the second vote on the CMC’s 2026 budget created some tension among Opposition political parties with several Opposition parties, including the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), suspending memberships of members in the council.

Following the vote, SJB CMC Councillor Riza Zarook told the media that the absence of some councillors was the reason for the ruling JVP/NPP managing to pass the local council’s budget. “One councillor was detained at the Narahenpita Police for an inquiry today (31 December 2025). Two of our councillors are missing and their phones are still inactive. One councillor’s wife suffered a heart attack and he had to leave ahead of the vote. One councillor voted in favour of the ruling party. We did not lose because of lacking a majority, but because some of our councillors were absent,” Zarook noted.

The SJB also suspended the party membership of CMC Councillor Shane Daniel Ram with immediate effect, noting that the decision followed the vote on the second reading of the CMC budget. According to the SJB, the suspension was carried out as the councillor had failed to adhere to the decisions of the SJB Management Committee and the Party Executive Committee during the CMC’s budget vote.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), meanwhile, suspended the membership of the party’s CMC Councillor Zohara Buhary with immediate effect. SLMC General Secretary Nizam Kariapper in a letter addressed to Buhary said the party had decided to suspend her immediately.

“It must be noticed that Party Leader Rauff Hakeem conveyed the decision of the party to oppose the budget at the group meeting which you attended. Despite being present at this meeting and being fully aware of the party position, you have acted in direct contravention of the instructions given by the Party Leader. Your conduct constitutes a grave and serious violation of party discipline and is viewed with utmost concern. In such circumstances I have been instructed by the Party Leader to inform you that your party membership is suspended with immediate effect,” the letter had stated.

Meanwhile, photographs of Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar visiting Buhary at her residence after her suspension from the party were shared widely on social media.

Muji’s CMC operation

The plan to defeat the ruling JVP/NPP’s budget at the CMC during the first vote was initiated by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman. Since the secret ballot at the inaugural session of the CMC that resulted in the JVP/NPP securing power in the council despite the combined Opposition holding a majority of the seats, the SJB has been marking time to send a message to the ruling party that its power in the CMC is temporary.

The first opportunity to send this message to the ruling party was when the first vote took place for the 2026 budget presented by the ruling JVP/NPP to the CMC.

Rahman, it is learnt, had heard from several CMC councillors who had voted for the ruling party at the vote during the inaugural session that they were displeased with the way the JVP/NPP was functioning in the council. He had then informed of this development to the party leadership and had sought consent to carry out an operation to defeat the JVP/NPP budget in the CMC.

After launching the operation to defeat the budget, Rahman had connected with the leaders of several Opposition parties that were represented in the council to get their support for it. Rahman had also assigned several senior SJB councillors in the CMC to speak to other Opposition councillors.

Rahman was however surprised to hear from the senior SJB councillors that some JVP/NPP councillors in the CMC were also disgruntled with their party.

Namal keeps close watch

Meanwhile, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa also kept a close watch on three SLPP councillors in the CMC after hearing that one of the councillors representing the SLPP was closely affiliated with the Mayor.

The relevant SLPP councillor is said to be engaged in several business activities in the council and is therefore closely associated with the Mayor. The SJB’s Rahman had also informed Namal that there were two other SLPP councillors who were working with the party’s councillor who had close ties with the Mayor.

When Rahman had informed Namal about the three errant SLPP councillors, Namal had given an assurance that the three councillors would not be allowed to support the ruling party in the CMC.

Chaos continues in Galle

Meanwhile, chaos continued at the Galle Municipal Council on Tuesday (30 December 2025) after Opposition members had clashed with ruling party members, accusing them of budget vote fraud.

Tensions rose immediately after the session began, as Opposition councillors protested the presence of the Municipal Secretary and officials. The Opposition councillors had disrupted proceedings shouting, “You stole our votes.”

Despite these disruptions, the Mayor had proceeded with the meeting according to council protocol. However, during the committee session, Opposition councillors had thrown water bottles towards the officials’ seating area, escalating the situation and resulting in sessions being adjourned for 30 minutes, after which the Mayor had left the chamber. Opposition members had continued their protest. 

However, the Police on Tuesday arrested five Opposition members of the Galle Municipal Council for allegedly using criminal force against municipal staff and obstructing officials in the discharge of their duties. The group, representing one councillor from the SJB, three from the United National Party (UNP), and one from the SLPP, were produced before the Galle Magistrate on Wednesday (31 December 2025) and the court had granted them bail. 

Tension in Matugama PS

High tensions were also reported at the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) that is held by the main Opposition SJB.

Matugama PS Chairman Kasun Munasinghe was arrested by the Matugama Police for allegedly obstructing the duties of the Secretary of the Matugama PS.

The PS Secretary had filed a complaint with the Matugama Police, stating that when she had reported for duty on Friday (2), the Chairman had forcefully occupied her office and had interfered with her official work.

Based on the complaint, the Chairman was taken into custody on Friday after providing a statement to the Matugama Police. The Police produced the Chairman before the Matugama Magistrate’s Court and the court had granted him bail. However, the Matugama PS Secretary was later transferred to another posting to resolve the crisis.

The whole saga was allegedly due to a heated argument at the PS premises on Tuesday, with the Chairman accused of having physically assaulted the Secretary, who had then been admitted to the District Hospital in Weththewa, Matugama for treatment for the injuries sustained in the alleged attack. The Secretary had then lodged a formal complaint with the Matugama Police in connection with the incident that eventually resulted in the Chairman’s arrest.

The Colombo Club meeting

Amidst these developments, the SJB and UNP engaged in a significant step towards reaching a consensus on a common working programme between the two parties. This meeting between Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and a group of UNP seniors was seen as one of the best political developments of 2025.

While many dialogues held between representatives of both parties during the past few years failed to conclude with a positive outcome, this time around, the discussions between the SJB and UNP seem to be on a stronger footing. 

Premadasa, who has faced much pressure from many SJBers to work out at least a common work programme with the UNP, informed the party recently that he would personally take over the responsibility of reaching an understanding with the UNP. Premadasa, it is learnt, has taken this stance after witnessing the slow progress that was made in the discussions between the SJB and UNP that was held in the past few months. The SJB side was led by Kabir Hashim, S.M. Marikkar, and Mujibur Rahman. However, Hashim had included Eran Wickramaratne in the discussions as well.

Finally, Premadasa had insisted that there needed to be progress in the discussions with the UNP and the SJB’s Management Committee decided to vest full powers with the party leadership to hold discussions with the UNP.

Given Premadasa’s strong stance on forming an alliance with the UNP, the UNP leadership also started to understand that there needed to be an end to the many political games played between the two parties. 

UNP Leader, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently stated that he was prepared to step down from the leadership to pave the way for the UNP to unite with the SJB. While political analysts have viewed Wickremesinghe’s statement as yet another political game backed by a few of his loyalists, who have continuously obstructed the UNP’s future path, the UNP leadership’s statement gave some renewed hope to both SJBers and UNPers eagerly waiting for the two parties to unite. Wickremesinghe has continuously blamed the SJB leadership for his decision to align with some dissidents of the Rajapaksa-led SLPP as well as with the SLPP itself.

However, Premadasa has remained resolute in his decision not to be politically aligned with the Rajapaksas or their affiliates. In fact, several young SJBers had also approached Premadasa and requested him to ensure that the SJB does not move into any political alliance with either the Rajapaksas or the SLPP.

It is in such a backdrop that Premadasa on Tuesday (30 December 2025) held a discussion with UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene as well as senior UNPers Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Navin Dissanayake at the Colombo Club at the Taj Samudra in Colombo, to discuss the way forward for both parties.

Premadasa had initiated the discussion with the senior UNPers and the meeting was organised by one of Premadasa’s senior advisers, Lakshman Fonseka.

It is learnt that Premadasa, after deciding to lead the discussions with the UNP, paid extra attention to the senior UNPers with whom he would hold discussions on a common work plan. Premadasa has continuously maintained that neither he nor the SJB are prepared to align with individuals with blemished political track records. Hence, Wickremesinghe’s decision to name Wijewardene to lead the discussions with the SJB along with Kariyawasam and Dissanayake seems to be a step in the right direction.

It is learnt that at Tuesday’s discussion, Premadasa had requested Wijewardene and Dissanayake to prepare the framework for a common work plan between the SJB and UNP. It is further learnt that Wickremesinghe confidant, UNP National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka is expected to participate in the discussion between Premadasa and the UNP.

Sajith’s first New Year call

Meanwhile, the Leaders of the SJB and UNP exchanging New Year wishes further strengthened the budding ties between the two parties.

While the UNP held its traditional New Year celebrations on 1 January, the SJB had decided not to hold any New Year celebrations given that there were still hundreds of people living in temporary shelters after losing their houses and property due to Cyclone Ditwah.

While Premadasa had proceeded with his ‘Husma’ programme to provide medical equipment to hospitals in urgent need of support on 1 January, he had received a call on his mobile phone from the telephone of SJB CMC Councillor Tharanga Athuraliya. When Premadasa had answered the telephone call, he had realised that the voice at the other end of the line was not that of Athuraliya but of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“Happy New Year, Sajith,” Wickremesinghe had said and Premadasa had immediately wished Wickremesinghe in return. Wickremesinghe had then said that he was happy about the discussion between him (Premadasa) and the UNP and said that it would also be taken up in the UNP Working Committee and Premadasa had said it was good progress.

After Premadasa and Wickremesinghe had ended their conversation, another call had been made to Premadasa’s phone by Athuraliya. This time around, it was Sagala Ratnayaka who was at the other end of the line. After wishing each other for the New Year, the conversation had ended with Ratnayaka stating that he would like to meet with Premadasa.

News of the telephone conversation between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa was immediately released to the media by the UNP media team and once again, the SJBers and UNPers were elated to see the positive developments between the two parties.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara meanwhile stated that the two parties would form an alliance this year, further adding to the good news for SJBers and UNPers.

RW’s ‘raahu kalaya’

Former President Wickremesinghe meanwhile has recently responded to questions being posed to him about his next course of action.

While attending a year-end dinner party at one of his friend’s places, several other invitees had asked Wickremesinghe what he planned to do and whether the country would face yet another economic crisis as predicted by some Opposition politicians and whether he was prepared to take over the country yet again.

After listening to the many questions being posed, Wickremesinghe had smiled and responded that he considered the ongoing period as a ‘raahu kalaya’ (inauspicious time) and therefore preferred to stay silent and watch the developments.

The former President had further noted that if the country was faced with another economic crisis, even he would not know how to get the country back on track.

Disappointed UNPers, SJBers

However, the ongoing moves between the SJB and UNP to reach a common working programme has not fared well with some senior members of the SJB as well as the UNP.

Among the disgruntled members of the UNP is a senior UNPer closely affiliated with Wickremesinghe who believes that the party should form an alliance with the SLPP and SLPP dissidents and move to break away the nationalist vote base to win at the next election rather than aligning with the SJB. This senior UNPer, who has also worked to ensure the support of many UNP organisers, has already stated that the UNP is not too keen on finalising an alliance with the SJB.

Meanwhile, on the side of the SJB, several senior SJBers are among the disgruntled, including some members who have been engaged in unofficial and official discussions with the UNP in the past months. 

One of their key grievances is that Premadasa had held the discussion with the UNP seniors without informing them. During a recent discussion between several SJB seniors and certain other Opposition members at a hotel in Colombo, they (the SJBers) had said that they were not surprised that Premadasa had held the discussion with the UNPers without informing the party since he (Premadasa) had also engaged in an official tour of India without informing the party. One SJB senior had also stated that the reason Premadasa had handpicked the UNPers to speak to was because the Opposition Leader was not serious about the discussions.

Therefore, it is evident that the usual disgruntled groups from both parties are already trying to scuttle Premadasa’s effort to reach a consensus with the UNP.

Sajith at CIABOC

Meanwhile, Opposition and SJB Leader Premadasa had visited the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to give a statement. Premadasa had given a lengthy statement to the CIABOC during this low-key visit to the commission.

Premadasa’s statement to the CIABOC had been over the controversial decision during the former ‘Yahapalana’ Government to take on lease the DPJ building in Rajagiriya, more commonly known as ‘Sabeetha’s building,’ for the Agriculture Ministry at the time. 

Then Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake has already stated that the building had been taken on lease on a directive by then Prime Minister Wickremesinghe following a request from the building that housed the ministry – Govijana Mandiraya – to accommodate offices of parliamentary sectoral oversight committees. Dissanayake has further explained that it was this reason that had resulted in a joint Cabinet paper being presented to the then Cabinet of Ministers seeking approval to get the DPJ building on lease.

The CIABOC has so far recorded statements from many ministers of the Cabinet at the time under the ‘Yahapalana’ Government.

Trial-at-bar for RW

Meanwhile, a recent discussion that had taken place between officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Attorney General’s Department has reportedly focused on exploring the possibilities of appointing a three-member trial-at-bar to hear the case against former President Wickremesinghe in relation to the alleged misuse of public funds during a visit to the UK during his tenure as President.

Several officials of the Attorney General’s Department have discussed that the Chief Justice should be requested to appoint a three-member High Court trial-at-bar to hear the case against Wickremesinghe.

While there were two key discussions between the CID and the Attorney General’s Department held at the latter offices last month on ongoing probes, the proposal on a trial-at-bar had been discussed at the second meeting.  

The two meetings

The first discussion was between the CID officials who had visited London the previous month to further probe the public funds spent during Wickremesinghe’s UK tour and the evidence gathered had been shared with the Attorney General’s Department. The CID team was led by CID ASP S. Wedamulla and Chief Inspector Nalinda Herath.

The second discussion between the CID and the Attorney General’s Department was attended by more senior officials, with the CID being represented by CID Director Shani Abeysekara and Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Asanka Karawita while Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya had also attended the meeting. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe Jnr. and Additional Solicitors General Dileepa Peiris, Sudarshana De Silva, and A. Navavi had represented the Attorney General’s Department.

The possibility of refiling several cases where the Attorney General’s Department had released some suspects was discussed at the second meeting.

It is learnt that the discussion had focused on six cases that had been withdrawn by the Attorney General’s Department in the recent past with attention being given to re-file cases before court in relation to four of the withdrawn cases.

Criticising Attorney General

Meanwhile, there have been several social media posts critical of the Attorney General’s conduct in relation to several key cases, including the case on former President Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of public funds during a tour to the UK.

According to these reports, the Attorney General had put pressure on the senior State Counsel engaged in Wickremesinghe’s probe and had attended the first meeting between officials of the CID and several officials from the Attorney General’s Department last month to consider the withdrawal of the case against Wickremesinghe.

Agitating for an auditor

Amidst the ongoing clashes between the Opposition parties and the ruling party in Local Government bodies, combined Opposition parties are looking at intensifying an agitation campaign demanding the appointment of an auditor general since the post has been vacant since 7 December 2025.

While three names proposed to the post by President AKD have been rejected by the Constitutional Council (CC), the Acting Auditor General’s tenure also came to an end last month, leaving the post vacant.

Many Opposition politicians expressed concerns in media conferences over the President and the Government’s delay in submitting a suitable nomination to the post.

Meanwhile, former President Maithripala Sirisena, when questioned about the controversy over appointing a new auditor general, referred to the appointment made by him during his tenure in office. “I have also appointed an auditor general. If you look at the way I did it, it will be easy. It only takes one hour,” Sirisena noted.

Accusations galore

While many Opposition politicians and Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged President AKD to nominate a suitable individual to the post of auditor general, the SLPP’s Namal Rajapaksa has accused the Government of deliberately delaying the appointment to cover up fraud and corruption. He has noted that some ministers had recently criticised the Constitutional Council after the President’s attempt to appoint a close associate to the position was blocked.

Namal has claimed that the failure to appoint a suitable candidate is connected to ongoing corrupt activities, including irregularities in tender calls for imports, the unauthorised removal of 323 containers from the port, and investigations into substandard medicines. He has alleged that powerful figures within the Government are attempting to place a friend in the role to protect these interests.

Awaiting CC changes

However, Opposition party leaders, during a recent discussion on the auditor general’s saga, had discussed that the ruling JVP/NPP was marking time till new civil society members were appointed to the CC.

The term of the three members of the civil society in the CC comes to an end on Tuesday (6) and new appointments will have to be made to fill the vacancies in the council. 

According to Opposition politicians, President AKD will make his fresh nomination for the post of auditor general once new civil society representatives are appointed to the CC.

Civil society organisations and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) have already written to the President urging the appointment of individuals suitable for holding such positions to the CC.

Concerns over judicial promotions

Meanwhile, the BASL has drawn President AKD’s attention to concerns over the process of promotions of judicial officers and judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the country.

In a letter addressed to the President, the BASL has pointed out that traditionally, promotions within the Judiciary have been granted on the basis of seniority, but in the recent past there have been occasions of departure from this principle.

The BASL has noted that if seniority has been overlooked on the basis of merit, it is observed that presently there are no clear or established guidelines governing the assessment of merit in granting such promotions in the Judiciary and has warned that the absence of transparent criteria risks undermining the fairness and consistency of the process.

The association has further emphasised the importance of a transparent and fair system in the granting of promotions and appointments in the Judiciary. Such a system is vital to maintaining public confidence in the Judiciary and ensuring that the administration of justice remains impartial and credible.

The BASL has also noted that promotions must continue to be made on the basis of seniority, in keeping with the longstanding practice, until such time as there are objective and defensible guidelines governing the assessment of merit.

Accordingly, it has been pointed out to President AKD that seniority may only be disregarded where there exists a specific and recognised demerit in respect of the particular judge concerned or such other known compelling circumstances that are objectively identifiable. This approach will safeguard both the integrity of the Judiciary and the trust reposed in it by the public.

Acquiring Mahindananda’s building

Meanwhile, the Pasbage Korale Divisional Development Committee had on Wednesday (31 December 2025) discussed acquiring a building in the Nawalapitiya area said to belong to former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The committee had met at the auditorium of the Samurdhi Bank in Nawalapitiya and the meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena and ruling party MP Thushari Jayasinghe.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister has asked officials to explain the decision of Sri Lanka Railways regarding lands belonging to the institution that currently houses two constructions and a bare land. One of the constructions is said to belong to the Mahindananda Aluthgamage Foundation.

A video clip of the meeting posted on social media shows the Deputy Minister directing the officials to act according to stipulated Government regulations and to take appropriate action to acquire lands and buildings that have been allocated outside proper procedures. 

Douglas’ probe continues

Meanwhile, the CID has expanded the ongoing probe into former Minister Douglas Devananda over firearms that were in his possession. Devananda was recently arrested and detained for 72 hours after the recovery of several firearms that were used by organised crime leader Makandure Madush, who was later killed, and finding that they had been released by the military initially for Devananda’s personal use.

The CID sought a detention order to hold and further question the former Minister on how the firearms that were released to him were later found in Madush’s possession.

Inquiries have shown that Devananda had been issued 13 T56 assault rifles and six revolvers by the Army in 2001 for security purposes. The CID has now expanded its investigation into 19 other firearms that had been released to Devananda as well.

Devananda was remanded on Monday (29 December 2025) until Friday (9 January) by the Gampaha Acting Magistrate.

Devananda was admitted to the Mahara Prison Hospital on Tuesday following medical examinations, based on recommendations made by attending doctors regarding his health condition.

Rs. 130 m for ex-MPs

The latest report of the National Audit Office (NAO) on the President’s Fund has stated that 56 former MPs had received approximately Rs. 130 million through the years from the fund. These allocations have reportedly been made between 2005 and 2024.

These payments had been made for medical purposes without considering the required application form, monthly income reports and assets, relevant divisional secretary’s report, and medical reports, according to the NAO.

The NAO has also noted that an MP who was not qualified to obtain a financial loan from the President’s Fund had been given over Rs. 10 million as medical support while a former Prime Minister had been provided close to Rs. 30 million in contravention of the laws governing the President’s Fund. This approximately Rs. 30 million given to the former Premier had been given on the condition that approximately Rs. 13 million would be paid back to the President’s Fund, but this amount had not been paid back to the fund.

Probing six Ministers

Meanwhile, the CIABOC has commenced probes on six Cabinet Ministers of the incumbent Government following complaints received on the assets accumulated by them.

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that it seemed one in six Cabinet ministers were being probed by the CIABOC.

The commission is currently probing Ministers Kumara Jayakody, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Nalinda Jayatissa, and Bimal Rathnayake, among several others.

However, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva had stated that the CIABOC had not questioned the Ministers, but that a statement had been recorded from the complainant.

The complainant – one Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, Chairman of the organisation Citizen Power Against Bribery, Corruption, and Waste – was reportedly questioned for over three hours on Tuesday (30 December 2025) regarding a complaint seeking an investigation into how the assets of five Cabinet Ministers and one Deputy Minister had been acquired.

The complainant had told the media after recording a statement with the CIABOC that he expected an independent investigation to be conducted and had expressed confidence that statements would also be recorded from the Ministers concerned.

Johnston in hot water

Johann Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, was arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on Tuesday (30 December 2025) in connection with an alleged case of criminal misappropriation involving a lorry belonging to Sathosa.

According to the Police Acting Media Spokesperson, the arrest relates to an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of the State-owned vehicle.

Further investigations are underway and Johann was remanded till Friday (9).

It was also reported that Johann’s father, Johnston, is also being probed and that the Police is likely to arrest him in the coming days.

Udayanga’s support

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia and relative of the Rajapaksa family, Udayanga Weeratunga, seems to be supporting the incumbent Government in the promotion of tourism.

Weeratunga, who has been engaged in promoting Sri Lanka’s tourism among Russians and Ukrainians, has recently stated that several aircraft carrying Russian tourists have already landed at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and that there are more Russian tourists expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in the coming months.

He has called on the Government to provide more incentives for charter flights arriving at the MRIA and to provide visa free entry for Russian tourists to encourage them to visit Sri Lanka. He has also noted that instead of criticising the MRIA, the Government should look at providing more facilities to the airport and develop a hangar as well to enable more tourist charter flights to land and operate from the airport.