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Govt. has done little to bring down prices, especially of food items – LSSP

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5 years ago

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The ban on crowd gathering in view of the Covid-19 epidemic led to cancellation of the usual events that is a feature of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities. But the practice of visiting the homes of relatives and friends with “rasa kavili” could have gone ahead as usual. But this was greatly limited this New Year, mainly due to the high prices of food items.

It is unfortunate that the Government has done little to bring down prices, specially of food items. Present scientific studies show that the malnutrition level has gone up to a record level of 18% and that the poverty level has reached 60%. The outcome is a high level of hunger, and many families have only one proper meal a day.

The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), along with the SLCP, has called on the Government to strengthen the Cooperative Movement and ensure that essential food items are made available at a reasonable price. The high price, specially of vegetables and fruits, is due to massive profiteering by middlemen. The farmer gets a pittance and the consumer is fleeced. The LSSP appeals to the Government to take the side of the farmer and the consumer, not the middleman.

Active intervention by the Government is required if prices are to be brought down. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has shown his concern and suggested that the way out is to produce more. Theoretically, if the supply exceeds the demand, the prices should come down. But unfortunately in Sri Lanka this does not happen. One reason is that the middlemen have their own stores and stock the extra produce, create an artificial scarcity and raise prices.

At the butt end of criticism are two companies which buy the paddy at rock bottom prices. They hold the stock in their massive stores. They have developed a monopoly of the milling industry with their large mills, putting the small millers out of business. Thereby, they control the supply of rice in the country, making huge profits from all consumers.

This calls for strong determined action by Government. The state must intervene actively. When the global drought and food scarcities occurred in 1972, the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Government with Dr. N M Perera, the LSSP leader as the Finance Minister, strengthened and expanded the Paddy Marketing Board and its Stores, buying rice from the farmers at the fair guaranteed price. The Marketing Department and its stores bought the vegetables and fruits at a fair price from the farmers.

These were supported by Sathosa with regard to imported goods and the CWE with regard to local produce, as wholesellers. The consumer got all his requirements at a fair price through the retail outlets of the Cooperative stores. The profiteering by the middlemen and private traders dropped drastically. They were forced to come down in their prices. The LSSP calls upon the Government to take similar action now.

This situation is aggravated by the rural debt crisis. Most families are deeply in debt and are forced to sell their produce at low prices to the mudalalis and local money lenders. Once they settle their loans at harvest time, to cover the cost for the next kanna and harvest (when money comes in to the farmer) he is compelled to take further loans. The farmer is caught in a debt trap which keeps him in poverty. The Rural Banks can give loans at a low interest level for all types of agriculture but for some reason he farmers are not made aware of this.

There should be an active drive to make the farmers aware of this route to escape the debt trap. The Central Bank was giving loans to Rural Banks from a Special Fund at a low annual interest rate of 7%. It is the duty of all officials to inform the farmers and ensure that they get the benefits and escape from the debt trap. The politicians and the officials must not allow the middlemen to get their profits at the expense of the farmers and the consumers.

The people are facing a very difficult time not only because of the high cost of living, but also due to the drop in incomes. Many garment factories are closing down or cutting staff and even salaries. This applies to a varying extent to many private institutions and shops. The Government has made some effort to help these private institutions but it is not adequate. The large number who are going hungry must be provided with food either as dry rations or cooked meals immediately. I appeal to the Government to delay its development program. Highways can wait. The immediate need is to feed the hungry. Give this first priority.

At this time of crisis the private sector too should share the burden with the Government. It is absurd to keep the upper limit of personal income tax to just 14%. In most European countries the initial minimum is 14% and it rises to around 45%. In some Scandinavian countries it is 60%. Sri Lanka should raise the upper limit to at least 45%. I hope that the Government will rectify this shortcoming as soon as possible.

The luxury lifestyle of the few must be checked soon as otherwise those who are hungry may be forced to take to the streets. The LSSP, SLCP and other Left parties are having a separate May Day celebration, as was done before on several occasions, while being in the Government. The working class have many grievances that need to be addressed. We hope to raise these matters on their behalf on Workers Day.

– Prof. Tissa Vitarana


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Construction and Concrete waste recycling centre opened in Ekala under the Clean Sri Lanka programme

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5 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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A recycling centre for the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, established in line with the Clean Sri Lanka national programme, was declared open this morning (08) at the Ekala Industrial Zone.

The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat has allocated Rs. 200 million for this project. Established within the precast yard premises belonging to the State Engineering Corporation under the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, the project marks a significant step towards a sustainable environmental transformation in Sri Lanka’s construction sector.

Globally, the construction industry accounts for 40% of total waste generation and 25% of carbon emissions. In Sri Lanka, nearly 300 tonnes of such waste are collected daily from the Western Province alone.

Until now, the indiscriminate disposal of such debris has contributed to soil pollution, water contamination and increased flood risks. Under this project, however, such waste will be transformed into valuable raw materials through modern technology. This initiative is expected to minimise the depletion of natural resources while significantly reducing construction costs.

The centre, which is being operated with the full involvement of the State Engineering Corporation, has been provided with machinery and land valued at Rs. 350 million. In addition to the recycling plant, which has a capacity of 200 metric tonnes per hour, a modern laboratory and an administrative building have also been constructed. Under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the project, of which Rs. 150 million has already been released.

There are also plans to expand research activities in the future by engaging engineering faculties of State universities in the programme. The support and contribution of all construction contractors and stakeholders are expected in building a circular economy within the construction sector while safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr Susil Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply T.B. Sarath, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Member of Parliament Najith Indika, Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Director General of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Kapila Senarath, Director (Environmental) of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Anjula Premarathna, Chairman of the State Engineering Corporation Engineer Neranjan Fernando and Deputy General Manager of the State Engineering Corporation Charuka Hettiarachchi, along with several others, were present at the occasion.

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President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam pays floral tribute to the Ho Chi Minh Statue

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5 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, who is on a State visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, paid floral tribute this morning (08) to the statue of Ho Chi Minh situated within the premises of the Colombo Public Library.

Upon arriving at the Colombo Public Library, President To Lam was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while a group of children holding the national flags of both countries stood along the route to welcome the Vietnamese President.

Following the floral tribute to the Ho Chi Minh statue, President To Lam also viewed a collection of paintings created by schoolchildren.

Thereafter, the Vietnamese President attended the ceremony marking the commencement of the expansion of the “Vietnam–Ho Chi Minh Space” located at the Colombo Public Library, where he also viewed a collection of historical photographs on display.

On the occasion, Chief Librarian of the Public Library, Mrs Varuni Gangabadarachchi, briefed those present on the architectural plans prepared for the renovation and expansion project of the Ho Chi Minh Space. A donation of US$50,000 for the project was also presented to the Mayor of Colombo, Mrs Vraie Cally Balthazaar, by  Nguyen Huu Nghia, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam.

Minister of Environment, Dr Dhammika Patabendi, Mayor of Colombo Mrs Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Deputy Mayor Hemantha Werakoon and several others were also present at the occasion.

[PMD]

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Urgent reforms needed to eradicate drug menace, says President

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9 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to swiftly introduce all necessary reforms, including amendments to existing laws, in order to eliminate the drug menace from the country.

The President issued these instructions while attending the meeting of the “Ratama Ekata” National Steering Council convened on Thursday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss efforts aimed at eradicating the drug menace.

He also directed the relevant authorities to take all necessary steps to expedite the process of destroying seized narcotics as quickly as possible under proper legal procedures, thereby preventing them from re-entering society and to accelerate the process of punishing offenders.

The President emphasised the need to speed up this process in order to build public confidence, as well as the confidence of the teams engaged in operations, noting that the successful implementation of the “Ratama Ekata” national initiative would thereby be strengthened through collective participation.

The progress of anti-narcotics operations carried out under the “Ratama Ekata” national initiative, including raids and arrests, was extensively reviewed at the meeting. Officials pointed out that raids related to narcotics had increased by 80% since the launch of the programme.

Since the launch of the “Ratama Ekata” national operation on 30 October 2025, authorities have seized 5,437.457 kilogrammes of cannabis, 1,936.325 kilogrammes of heroin, 1,991.414 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), 271.724 kilogrammes of cocaine, 1,574,895 narcotic pills, and 629,988 illicit cigarettes. A total of 168,460 suspects have also been arrested in connection with these offences.

The current progress of the legal amendments required to eradicate the narcotics menace from the country was reviewed at the meeting, and it was noted that steps had been taken to submit the Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill No. 54 of 2007 to the Cabinet in due course. Discussions were also held regarding the rehabilitation process, the strategies that could be adopted in that regard, and the measures taken to develop related facilities.

It was further revealed that, at Divisional Secretariat level, 25 families most severely affected by narcotics in each division had been selected for attitude development programmes. The President stressed the importance of implementing all such programmes through local religious centres.

The President also made clear that anti-drug awareness programmes should not merely be limited to conducting awareness campaigns, but should include continuous follow-up to assess whether the message had been properly communicated to society and to monitor progress. He highlighted the importance of maintaining this mechanism continuously with the involvement of religious leaders, including members of the Maha Sangha in the respective areas.

The President also inquired into measures being taken to establish a separate court for narcotics-related cases, expedite the receipt of Government Analyst reports, and accelerate the filing of cases.

He also stressed the urgent need for a rapid programme to expedite legal proceedings and rehabilitation processes concerning inmates imprisoned for narcotics-related offences, in order to ease prison overcrowding.

The Inspector General of Police also briefed the meeting on investigations and the current status relating to Buddhist monks who were recently arrested in connection with narcotics offences.

The President was further briefed on the progress of programmes jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and the Women and Children’s Bureau to curb organised efforts to draw schoolchildren into narcotics use. He was also informed about community-based programmes planned in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on 26 June.

Among those present at the meeting were the Anunayaka Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, senior clergy representing several Buddhist Nikayas, Christian priests, Hindu Kurukkals, Muslim religious leaders, senior government officials including Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, ministry secretaries, senior tri-forces commanders, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, heads of relevant institutions, senior security officials, and representatives of the “Ratama Ekata” National Steering Council.

[PMD]

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