The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National Organiser Tissa Attanayake yesterday said that discussions are underway to form a common consensus for cooperation between the SJB and the United National Party (UNP).

He added that the Government is now concerned about the opposition’s move to unite all political groups under the leadership of the SJB.

Attanayake made these comments to the media after meeting and receiving blessings from Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Thera, Chief Incumbent of Gatambe Rajopavanaramaya.

“We are currently exchanging ideas with all opposition political groups to work together, centred around the Samagi Jana Balawegaya,” Attanayake said. “We gained a lot of experience regarding this during the last Local Government election.”

He highlighted that their united effort led to winning control of 101 Local Government bodies after the election.

Attanayake explained that a much greater reason now compels the opposition to work together. He accused the Government of beginning a crackdown and acting in an undemocratic manner, with political victimisation on the rise.

“All opposition parties have decided to form a unified front against this repression,” he said. “Under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, all political parties are working together to protect democracy, oppose this repression, and defeat the current government’s dictatorship.”

He noted that discussions on this collaboration have been successful. Attanayake added that the SJB and UNP belong to the same political bloc. “Discussions have begun to build a common consensus for these two parties to work together,” he said. “How this will be done will be decided in future talks.”

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province and in Hambantota district.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Western and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by strong winds.

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion. The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead tomorrow (29) are Kumulamunai, Padinaddampore, Alankulam, Thanniyuttu, Vettappalai, and Mullaitivu about 12.11 noon.

August 28, Colombo (LNW): Former Director of the National Lotteries Board Thusitha Halloluwa has been ordered to remain in remand custody until September 04, as investigations continue into an incident involving an alleged assault and gunfire directed at his vehicle.

Halloluwa was brought before Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva earlier today (28), where prison authorities presented him in connection with the ongoing inquiry. Officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), who are handling the case, informed the court that initial findings suggest the event may not have been as it first appeared.

According to CCD investigators, early evidence points to the possibility that the former official may have orchestrated the attack on himself with the assistance of individuals linked to organised crime networks.

It is believed the intent behind the staged incident was to create a false narrative, potentially for personal or political leverage, though authorities have yet to publicly confirm a motive.

In court, the CCD provided further details of their investigation, outlining the evidence gathered so far and the direction of their inquiries. The presiding magistrate, after reviewing the submissions, ruled that Halloluwa should remain in remand to allow for further investigative work.

August 28, Colombo (LNW): A significant legislative step towards modernising dispute resolution in Sri Lanka has been taken with the approval of a new Mediation Bill, aimed at enhancing the handling of civil and commercial disagreements through structured mediation processes.

The proposal received the green light from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection during a recent session held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Najith Indika.

The draft legislation seeks to address long-standing gaps in the country’s legal framework related to mediation, following the failure to effectively implement the Commercial Mediation Centres Act No. 44 of 2000.

Officials from the Ministry of Justice and National Integration explained that the original Act, though well-intentioned, proved impractical due to various procedural shortcomings and lacked the necessary legal mechanisms to enforce outcomes.

The new Bill has therefore been introduced to repeal the outdated law and replace it with a more robust legal structure. Amongst its key aims is the establishment of minimum standards for mediation practice and the formal recognition of mediated settlements within the judicial system.

These provisions are intended to strengthen public trust in mediation as a credible and enforceable alternative to litigation.

Although the current legal environment acknowledges mandatory mediation in certain contexts, voluntary mediation has yet to gain significant traction. Ministry representatives told the Committee that one of the primary challenges lies in the absence of a clearly defined legal framework for voluntary mediation—especially in cases where disputes are referred without prior agreement between parties, or where courts recommend mediation as a solution.

To address this, the proposed legislation outlines procedures for engaging in mediation both by mutual consent and upon judicial suggestion, ensuring that mediated outcomes are not only recognised by law but also protected by statutory regulation.

The Bill further seeks to normalise mediation as a first line of resolution in business and civil matters, ultimately reducing the burden on courts and encouraging more collaborative dispute settlement.

With the groundwork now laid in Parliament, the proposed Mediation (Civil and Commercial Disputes) Bill is expected to move forward for further legislative consideration.

August 28, Colombo (LNW): Two of Sri Lanka’s most notorious criminal figures are expected to be extradited from Indonesia within the next few days, in what authorities have described as a significant step in the country’s ongoing crackdown on organised crime.

The announcement was made by Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala during a media briefing held today (28).

The individuals in question, known by their underworld aliases ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ and ‘Commando Salinda,’ were apprehended during a week-long international operation carried out jointly by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Indonesian law enforcement agencies.

Intelligence assistance was also reportedly provided by Indian security services.

Minister Wijepala highlighted the arrests as a demonstration of renewed independence and professionalism within Sri Lanka’s security institutions—a shift he claims has been actively cultivated by the current administration.

He criticised past political interference in law enforcement, noting that criminal networks had long flourished under the protection of certain political actors.

“Justice must not be selective,” the Minister stated, reiterating the government’s commitment to dismantling the political-criminal nexus that, for years, allowed illicit networks to operate with impunity.

He revealed that inquiries are underway into the financial dealings of the suspects, and preliminary findings point to deep-rooted links between organised crime and elements of the political establishment.

The Minister further disclosed that nearly 75 international red notices have been issued against Sri Lankan nationals involved in serious criminal activities abroad, with over 20 already repatriated and now facing legal proceedings on home soil.

The process of returning the suspects currently in Indonesian custody is in its final stages, with arrangements being made for their transfer to Sri Lankan authorities.

Underscoring the broader political message, Minister Wijepala declared that the government’s vision is to create a nation where the rule of law prevails—regardless of social standing, political connections, or institutional affiliation.

“No one is beyond the reach of the law,” he asserted. “We are building a society where justice is not an abstract concept but a lived reality. Our commitment is not only to public safety but also to ensuring that the principles of fairness and accountability shape the way this country is governed.”

He concluded by reaffirming that tackling organised crime is essential to creating a safer, more equitable Sri Lanka—one where the law applies equally to every citizen, from the most powerful to the most vulnerable.

August 28, Colombo (LNW): The government has intensified efforts to complete the clearance of landmines scattered across several regions of Sri Lanka—a legacy of the decades-long civil conflict.

The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing and marks a significant push toward finalising one of the country’s most protracted post-war recovery tasks.

According to M. M. Naimudeen, Additional Secretary to the Ministry, mine clearance activities have been ongoing for over 20 years, with critical support from both domestic institutions and international humanitarian partners.

The campaign has led to the restoration of vast swathes of land previously deemed unsafe due to the threat of unexploded ordnance.

To date, more than 1,300 square kilometres of land—primarily in the Northern, Eastern, and North Central provinces—have been successfully demined, transforming once-inaccessible terrain into habitable and cultivable ground. These efforts have enabled the resettlement of nearly one million individuals, many of whom were displaced for years.

Despite the considerable progress, a remaining 22.7 square kilometres still await clearance. Authorities have vowed to accelerate work in these final areas, prioritising zones with high potential for resettlement and agriculture.

Officials stress that the safe return of residents to their ancestral lands, along with the restoration of livelihoods, remains a central objective of the ongoing programme.

August 28, Colombo (LNW): Multiple trade unions representing employees of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) have launched a coordinated islandwide industrial action, commencing at midnight yesterday (27), in protest against the government’s introduction of a new integrated timetable that combines private and state-run bus services.

The protest, led by seven of the eight SLTB-affiliated trade unions, is being spearheaded by the Samagi United Trade Union Force. Its convenor, Ananda Palitha, alleged that the integrated scheduling initiative is a covert attempt by the government to systematically weaken and dismantle the state-run transport service, placing the SLTB’s future at risk.

According to Palitha, the new timetable system disproportionately favours private operators and undermines the operational autonomy and sustainability of the SLTB.

He further warned that the move could pave the way for the privatisation of key transport services, at the expense of public sector workers and affordable passenger mobility.

In response, Deputy Transport Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena dismissed the union action as unwarranted, claiming it lacks a legitimate foundation and is primarily aimed at creating political friction. He affirmed that all SLTB drivers had been instructed to report for duty as usual and warned that disciplinary action, including suspension, would be taken against those participating in the strike without authorisation.