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Udaya slams SLPP Gen. Secy. for demanding his resignation over fuel price hikes

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

… questions Kariyawasam’s agenda: President sets the record straight

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (13) told a hastily arranged media briefing at his Ministry that the economy was in such bad shape that the government couldn’t have further delayed the upward revision of fuel prices.

Attorney-at-law Gammanpila revealed that the Central Bank in a missive dated May 31 strongly advised the Treasury to increase fuel prices or face the consequences.

Minister Gammanpila, who is also the leader of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya emphasized that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, authorized the price increase.

Minister Gammanpila said so in response to SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam’s scathing attack on him over the price increase.

Kariyawasam, in a statement issued on behalf of the SLPP, questioned Minister Gammanpila’s motives. The National List MP went to the extent of questioning whether Minister Gammanpila pursued a hidden agenda to undermine the SLPP and its leadership.

Soon after the conclusion of Minister Udaya Gammanpila’s media briefing yesterday, the Presidential Secretariat issued a statement explaining the circumstances leading to the fuel price hike. The statement essentially endorsed the views expressed by Minister Gammanpila at the briefing.

The Presidential Secretariat explained that the primary reason for the price hike was that the CPC owed a staggering Rs 652 to the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank whereas the CEB owed Rs 85 bn to the same banks.

Minister Gammanpila told the media that if Kariyawasam issued a statement in his capacity as an MP, he would have ignored it. However, the issues raised on behalf of the SLPP couldn’t be disregarded, Minister Gammanpila said, revealing that he announced the price increase on June 11 in the wake of a committee chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa deciding on the move on June 09.

According to Minister Gammanpila, the committee comprised President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawadena, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and State Ministers Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and himself.

Minister Gammanpila said that before he made the announcement Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa furnished written approval for the increase. Referring to MP Kariyawasam’s letter that demanded Minister Gammanpila’s immediate resignation over fuel price hike, the PHU leader emphasized that it was a government decision.

Gammanpila said that the SLPP General Secretary shouldn’t find fault with him for a collective decision taken by a committee headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Having explained the financial crisis that had been caused by growing losses due to underpricing of fuel, Minister Gammanpila claimed that he was able to prevent fuel price increases on three occasions by making representations to the Treasury since he became the Energy Minister. However, the Treasury had ruled out interventions in the current situation, Minister Gammanpila said, asserting that the accumulation of losses were a very heavy burden on the banking sector. Declaring that the Petroleum Corporation owed banks as much as over Rs 600 bn, Minister Gammanpila warned of possible collapse of the banking sector if remedial measures weren’t taken.

Responding to a query, Minister Gammanpila said that he volunteered to make the announcement at his expense as he wanted to save President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. According to the PHU leader, State Minister Cabraal attended his media briefing as Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s representative. Actually, MP Kariyawasam had lambasted the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa by issuing a statement therefore the issue at hand was who should accept responsibility for wholly unnecessary development and resign.

MP Kariyawasam didn’t answer his mobile phone.

Claiming that SLPP leader Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa and its Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris hadn’t been aware of Kariyawasam’s missive, Minister Gammanpila asked who gave the MP authority to issue such a statement.

Minister Gammanpila side-stepped query whether SLPP strategist Basil Rajapaksa was behind the move. A smiling Minister Gammanpila said that Basil Rajapaksa wasn’t behind him. The Minister wanted the media to raise it with lawmaker Kariyasawam.

Responding to another query, Minister Gammanpila questioned the rationale in Kariyawasam’s actions, while making reference to the SLPP General Secretary previously taking on National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa in the wake of the latter urging the SLPP to accommodate President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the decision making process of the party.

Minister Gammanpila said that five years ago the public didn’t know who Sagara Kariyawasam was. However, in the wake of Kariyawasam’s battle with Minister Weerawansa, people got to know him. “My mother, a retired principal, inquired from me who Sagara Kariyawasam was after he demanded Minister Weerawansa’s resignation,” lawmaker Gammanpila said.

Minister Gammanpila said that Kariyawasam’s objectives needed to be examined. The minister declined to reveal what President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa told him after SLPP General Secretary demanded his resignation.

Minister Gammanpila strongly defended the decision to increase fuel prices regardless of the difficulties experienced by the public.

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“Let’s move forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails” -PM

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/1

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her May Day message called upon the working people in Sri Lanka to move forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails.

The full text of the PM’s message:

The history of the Sri Lankan labour movement is a remarkable journey, shaped over decades by the blood, sweat, and sacrifices made in the pursuit of rights, justice, and dignity.

Beginning with the printers’ strike of 1893, the working people of this country emerged as an organised force. Through the trade union movement led by A. E. Goonesinha and the emergence of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the voice of labour gained political strength. The Railway Workers’ Strike of 1923 and the public service strike of 1947 reaffirmed that the true ’driving force’ behind the country’s economic and social transformation was its working people. I respectfully acknowledge the invaluable contributions of workers in the plantation sector, ports, railways, and across both the public and private sectors, whose dedication laid the foundation for many of the labour rights we benefit from today.

As we commemorate International Workers’ Day with dignity once again, we pay tribute to all working people across the world, including the heroic workers who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for an eight-hour workday in Chicago in 1886. This year’s May Day holds special significance as it is being celebrated under a government built through the power of the people, in honour of the entire working community of Sri Lanka.

Granting due respect to labour and safeguarding the rights of all working people are core policy commitments of our government. Accordingly, we remain dedicated to creating a fair and safe working environment by expanding existing services and implementing new programmes aimed at improving the living standards of working people.

Ensuring fair and equal access for all citizens is a fundamental objective of the government. Following that, it is our responsibility to create an environment in which everyone can lead a dignified professional life. Establishing a national social protection system that recognises unpaid labour and guarantees social security for unpaid labours is among the foremost priorities of our government.

On this May Day, we must reaffirm the importance of moving forward together in unity to build a country where all labour is valued, rights are protected, and equality prevails. With the strength and dedication of all working people, may we soon achieve the vision we all share: “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

Published

21 hours ago

2026/05/1

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 30 April 2026, valid for 01 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

USD 2.5 mn fraud probe: Interdicted MoF official found dead at home

Published

21 hours ago

2026/05/1

Thilina Walpola

An Assistant Director of the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, interdicted pending an investigation into the diversion of US$2.5 million in Treasury funds to a rogue account was found dead at his residence in Kuliyapitiya.

The deceased has been identified as Ranga Nishantha, 50.

Police said the officer had been found in the garden of his house and they believed that the officila had committed suicide. However, investigators have not ruled out other possibilities, and inquiries are continuing.

The official was interdicted along with three other senior Finance Ministry officials over a cyber-enabled financial fraud.

Those interdicted include a Director and an Assistant Director from the ERD, as well as a Director and an Additional Director General from the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).

Police sources said that the CID had on two occasions asked Nishantha to make a statement in connection with the ongoing investigation, but he had failed to comply.

Police said the CID probe into the alleged cyber fraud is continuing, with investigators examining the circumstances surrounding the diversion of funds through compromised communication channels.Kuliyapitiya Police said further investigations were underway to establish the exact cause of death.