News
‘Save Sri Lanka’ launches online petition against govt. demanding int’l intervention
Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA
An online petition, initiated by ‘Save Sri Lanka,’ to be forwarded to the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, attributes Sri Lanka’s present plight to bad economic decision making, poor fiscal planning and management as well as rampant corruption by politicians and government officials.
As stated in the petition, for the first time in its history, Sri Lanka has failed to honour debt repayment and declared bankruptcy.
In response to this crisis, the Sri Lankan government is currently negotiating to restructure existing foreign loans and seek additional IMF loans to address the country’s deficit in foreign reserves. Sri Lanka is asking its expatriates and the rest of the world to help it weather this storm. It also wants to attract more foreign tourists. All measures are aimed at increasing Sri Lanka’s foreign reserve.
“Save Sri Lanka’ says that if entrenched patterns of financial mismanagement and corruption continue as usual, this latest injection of foreign investment will not contribute to sustained economic growth; nor will it improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable sections of the population. In a corrupt and mismanaged economy, investors cannot expect adequate returns or security for their investments. Tourists will not feel safe to visit a country where there are doubts about the rule of law and protection of human rights.
“In recognition of these structural problems, a loud cry for political and economic reforms has emerged from across the country. Even now, there are ongoing nonpartisan and non-violent protests in many parts of Sri Lanka with the main protest taking place at Galle Face, Colombo. These protests demand the resignation of the President and the Prime Minister, who are largely responsible for the current crisis. The Galle Face protest, which began on 09 April 2022 is attended by hundreds of thousands of people from different political, racial, religious, and social backgrounds.
“In solidarity with these protests, and with the aim of preventing corruption, establishing the rule of law, and fostering a culture conducive for sustained economic growth and tourism in Sri Lanka, the signatories to the petition request the Sri Lankan Government to make the following changes with immediate effect:
“The current President and the Prime Minister must resign immediately allowing an interim administration to take over governance of the country
“The interim and future administrations should:
:Abolish the 20th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution
Reinstate the National Audit ACT, No. 19 of 2018
“Pass new laws in Parliament requiring politicians to declare assets prior to running for election and to be subjected to an audit of their asset and liability declaration at the end of their term in Parliament
“Pass new laws in Parliament requiring politicians and state officials to declare conflict of interests relating to any posts that they hold
“Reinstate the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary to hold politicians (ministers, prime minister, and the president) accountable for their decisions and actions
“Restructure current taxation laws to minimise indirect tax that burden the low-income groups more and enforce income-based tax policies
“Establish mechanisms to recover the country’s stolen assets and proceeds of corruption.”
Interdicted Deputy Director at the National Hospital, Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Rukshan Bellana yesterday (29) alleged that the powers that be moved against him for seeking the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption) investigation into a massive fraud at the NHSL laboratory.
Dr. Bellana said so in response to The Island query regarding the circumstances the Health Ministry interdicted him on 18 December, through a letter, as directed by the Health Committee of the Public Service (PSC) Commission. “That letter has been signed by an Additional Secretary, as Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe was overseas,” Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana stated that the government had paid for reagents, contaminated or close to expiry dates, obtained from a leading local medical supplier, since 2022. He emphasised that his complaint to the CIABOC, and subsequent complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), were entirely based on the issues raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).
Responding to another query, Dr. Bellana said that the public funds, amounting to Rs. 900 mn, had been spent on chemical reagents past expiry dates. Regardless of the intervention made by the NAO, the NHSL continued to procure supplies from the same company, Dr. Bellana said, adding that he had received the unconditional support of the civil society. Among them were Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), President of Academy of Health Professionals Ravi Kumudesh, and leader of Mage Rata Sanjaya Mahawatta.
Dr. Bellana said that he had complained about the scam to the CIABOC in June this year.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who also lodged a complaint with CIABOC, regarding the same matter, is on record as having said in September this year that the reagents had been procured over a three-year period without the proper approval of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry. Dr. Sanjeewa has alleged that some of the reagents were either contaminated or close to expiry dates, while contracts had been given to a single company at unapproved prices.
Dr. Bellana said that had there been a proper system for CIABOC and law enforcement authorities to act on findings made by the NAO they wouldn’t have personally intervened in the NHSL laboratory matter. “Parliament should look into this. Did Parliament take up the NHSL laboratory matter at the relevant watchdog committee or at the Sectoral Oversight Committee that handled health?” Dr. Bellana asked.
Asked whether the letter that informed him of his interdiction gave any specific reason for the action taken, Dr. Bellana said the Ministry had found fault with him for speaking to the media. The irate ex-official said that he never hesitated to take a stand against injustice. “When former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of corruption, pertaining to medical procurement, I condemned the Minister. Lambasted those responsible for wrongdoings.”
Dr. Bellana said that the NAO had dealt with mega crime involving the public and private sector. “That is the undeniable truth. Parliament should look into this as public money is its responsibility. Having vowed to stamp out corruption, the NPP was allowing and encouraging those who had been making money at the expense of the sick, Dr. Bellana said.
Dr. Bellana said that as many as 10,000 tests were conducted daily at the NHSL. The racketeers had been active during Aragalaya as the NHSL and the private supplier reached agreement in 2022 and the process continued even after the last presidential election, conducted in September 2024.
Dr. Bellana said that the long delay in finalising the Auditor General’s appointment exposed the government. If those holding high political office were genuinely interested in fighting corruption, they wouldn’t have allowed that Office of AG stay vacant even for a day.
Dr. Bellana noted the tough statements issued by the Bar Association, Transparency International Sri Lanka and the Committee on Public Finance demanding the immediate appointment of AG.
Health Ministry officials were not available for comment.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
BIA unions, including those affiliated to political parties, are demanding bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries.
A group of workers yesterday (29) protested outside BIA urging the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd to increase their bonuses. They claimed that the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Private) Ltd., Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Harsha Abeywickrama, had assured them that they would be paid bonuses worth five times their basic salaries.
The SriLankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the airport, the Podujana Sewaka Sangamaya, the Pragathishili Sewaka Sangamaya, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, and the SLNSS of SriLankan Airlines joined the protest.
The Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority has issued an urgent safety warning to residents living along the banks of the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River, as water levels in the Kotmale Reservoir are reaching maximum capacity.
According to a special weather advisory issued by the Department of Meteorology on December 26, 2025, heavy rainfall is expected in the catchment areas over the coming days.
In response, the Mahaweli Authority released a statement on December 27, warning that spill gates may have to be opened to manage the water flow.
Eng. A.M.A.K. Seneviratne, Resident Engineer and Deputy Director of the Kotmale Reservoir, stated that the opening of spill gates would lead to a significant rise in the water levels of both the Kotmale Oya and the Mahaweli River.
Areas on Alert
Residents in the following Divisional Secretariat divisions are urged to remain extra vigilant:
• Nuwara Eliya District: Kotmale West and Kotmale East.
• Kandy District: Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Pasbage Korale, and Ganga Ihala Korale.
Authorities have advised the public in these low-lying and river-adjacent areas to monitor the situation closely and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the protection of their property.
By S.K. Samaranayake
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