Opposition secures some local bodies

By Yohan Perera   
In a significant political development, four opposition parties — Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) — have announced an agreement they have reached to jointly form administrations in local government bodies where the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) does not command a majority.   
The announcement was made at a joint press briefing yesterday by SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Talatha Athukorala.   
The leaders confirmed that they have already secured control of the Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya, and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.   
“We will be securing control of more local bodies in the coming days,” said Mr. Attanayake.   
Mr. Alagiyawanna emphasized that the collaboration aims to deliver quality public services through these local authorities.   
Mr. Kariyawasam said it is difficult to say how many local bodies the opposition alliance would secure but hopes to capture as much as possible. “We have had a good start,” he said.   
Ms. Athukorala said yesterday’s agreement was a result of talks that have been ongoing for sometime.   
However, the alliance also accused the ruling NPP of attempting to gain control of certain local bodies through unethical means, including allegedly offering financial incentives to opposition members.    Mano Ganesan, leader of the SJB-aligned Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), claimed that two TPA members were offered monetary rewards by the NPP to gain control of the Haldumulla Pradeshiya Sabha. “I strongly condemn and curse the NPP for these actions,” Ganesan said at a press conference, adding that disciplinary action would be taken against the two members involved.   
Meanwhile, the NPP succeeded in forming administrations in the Bandarawela and Rambukkana Pradeshiya Sabhas. Notably, SJB members were absent during the voting sessions to elect the leadership of these councils.    When contacted, SJB MP for the Badulla District — under which Bandarawela and Rambukkana fall — remained non-committal. However, MP Chaminda Wijesiri had earlier voiced concerns over the internal selection process led by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, criticizing how nominations to local bodies were handled.