News
Lanka on verge of becoming failed state, say bishops
Prelates call for unity among politicians as the country faces its worst economic crisis since independence
(UCAN) Catholic bishops have called for unity among politicians to save Sri Lanka from becoming a failed state.
Bishop Winston S. Fernando, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, said successive governments were responsible to varying degrees for the present state of affairs.
“The country is fast approaching the precipice of a failed state that will in its wake inflict irreversible injuries on the people,” the prelate said in a statement on behalf of bishops.
The South Asian nation of 22 million people is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948 after its foreign reserves hit a record low.
The dollar shortage has caused power shortages affecting all sectors while skyrocketing prices of essential goods have disrupted life across the country.
Bishops have urged all Catholic institutions, parishes and private institutions as well as men and women of goodwill to organize assistance to help those severely affected by the economic crisis.
“The rulers are under obligation to serve all the citizens by putting the country first and not act out of political expediency but principle,” said Bishop Fernando.
“What the country needs is an immediate solution to remedy the critical situation and to work on short-term and long-term solutions to put the country on a solid foundation of sustainable development.”
Sri Lanka needs nearly US$7 billion to service its external debt this year.
Thousands of people gathered near the private residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on March 31 to protest against rising prices and demand his resignation. The police fired tear gas and imposed a curfew for a few hours. Nearly 50 people were injured.
There were strict roadblocks and the police and army were deployed to prevent protesters entering the president’s house.
The crisis has caused massive public anger, with people unable to find gas for cooking, medicines, fuel and basic items of food such as milk powder because the country has run out of foreign currency to pay for imported goods.
Hundreds of people chanted for Rajapaksa and the entire cabinet to resign over the crisis. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters shouting “Lunatic go home”.
With no air conditioners or fans, people are sweltering during the 10-12 hour power cuts. The government does not have the money to pay for the fuel needed by power plants.
People with serious medical conditions are struggling to find medicines and hospitals have cancelled operations as they have no diesel to operate generators during blackouts.
The government has switched off street lighting to save electricity. Mobile phones have been affected because the standby generators used at the phone base stations have run out of diesel.
The government’s decision to adopt organic farming last year turned out to be disastrous. The ban on all chemical fertilizers led to a surge in prices and food shortages. Although the policy was partially reversed later, the damage had been done
Activist Nuwani De Silva said people have to queue from morning until evening to buy essential items.
“How do we manage our daily work with a 12-hour power cut? People are in an aggressive mood everywhere in the country,” she said. “Wherever government ministers are seen on streets, the public protest against them.”
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo recently called for a national transformation to tackle the crisis.
“The country today is in a hopeless situation and it is the result of a series of wrong choices made not only by politicians but also by citizens who have allowed themselves to be exploited by the political and cultural forces that handed down our destiny,” Cardinal Ranjith said at Colombo’s Anglican Cathedral on March 27.
The Frontline Socialist Party-backed People’s Struggle Movement is set to stage a protest march in Colombo today (03) against what it describes as the growing tax burden on the public and the rising cost of living.
The organisers are due to commence the “Colombo March Against Unjust Taxes” at noon from Campbell Park, Borella. The FSP has also been mobilising support for the protest in Colombo and its suburbs in the run-up to the event.
People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige, speaking at a media briefing in Nugegoda yesterday (02), called on the public to join the protest, saying the movement intended to bring the tax burden faced by ordinary people to the forefront.
Mudalige alleged that successive tax measures had placed an excessive burden on households, particularly through taxes on food and educational items. He also criticised the Government over what he described as the high cost of basic food items and the difficulties faced by parents in meeting their children’s educational expenses.
He accused the Opposition of failing to adequately address the issue, claiming that opposition parties raised such concerns, mainly during election periods.
Mudalige also criticised the Government for what he described as a departure from promises made before the 2024 presidential election regarding taxes on educational equipment.
He questioned the tax burden on food items, citing figures of Rs. 100 per kilogramme on dried sprats, Rs. 310 per kilogramme on chicken and Rs. 11 per egg.
He further alleged that while ordinary people were bearing a heavy tax burden, wealthy groups were receiving tax concessions. He also criticised the Government’s economic programme and its implementation of measures associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The movement has framed today’s protest as part of a broader campaign over the cost of living and taxation. The People’s Struggle Alliance has separately announced that the Campbell Park demonstration will be the first in a series of public actions, with further protests planned in November.
Mudalige said the movement would continue to take the issue to the streets and urged the public to participate in today’s demonstration.
People’s Struggle Movement National Executive Council member Jayantha Amarasinghe also addressed the press.
The Colombo High Court yesterday postponed the trial in the case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who is currently out on bail, appearing in court.
The trial was postponed as the President’s Counsel appearing for the defence was indisposed.
The Attorney General has filed the case against Rajapaksa, alleging that he committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, worth more than Rs. 73 million.
A contingent of the Sri Lanka Army, comprising 20 officers and 55 other ranks, participated in the combined military exercise ‘Wolverine Path II–2026’, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Vladivostok, Russia, from September 18 to 25.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise primarily focused on counter-terrorism operations and provided participating troops with training in a challenging combined operational environment.
The exercise included a range of tactical activities, including heli-rappelling, close-quarters battle (CQB), ambush operations, sniper firing, drone operations, buggy training and combat medical support.
The Ministry said the training enabled Sri Lankan troops to further develop their combat skills, tactical coordination and operational readiness.
It also provided an opportunity for the two militaries to exchange professional knowledge, operational experience and tactical expertise. Sri Lankan personnel gained exposure to training methodologies, tactical approaches and operational practices adopted by the Russian Armed Forces, the Ministry said.
The participation also enabled the Sri Lankan contingent to identify lessons from the joint training and share its own experiences with the Russian military.
The Sri Lankan contingent returned to the country following the exercise and arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on September 28.
The Ministry said participation in the exercise contributed to enhancing the professional knowledge, tactical awareness and operational preparedness of Army personnel while promoting military-to-military cooperation, mutual understanding and professional relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.
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