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Civil society group criticises role of ADB, which holds its 55th AGM here

Published

4 years ago

2022/05/6

By Ifham Nizam

The Sri Lankan Civil society organisations yesterday criticised the role of the Asian Developmnt Bank (ADB) in helping bring about economic sustainability of Sri Lanka and its failure to defend the social, economic, environmental, gender and energy justice, and livelihoods with dignity.

The group comprises Hemantha Withanage of the CEJ/Friends of the Earth Sri Lanka, Thilak Kariyawasam, (Sri Lanka Nature Group), Dilena Pathragoda (Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ)), Chinthaka Rajapaksha (Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR), S.P. Liyanaarachchi (Sri Lanka Climate and Forest Action Network (SLCFAN)), Sandun Thudugala (Law and Society Trust), Prabath kumara (Future in Our Hand Development foundation), Ranjith Wickremasinghe (Organization for Environmental and Child Right Protection (OECRP), Karunadasa Munagama (“Mihithala Mithuro” Environmental Development Foundation), Chathura Welivitiya (Human and Environmental link progressive Organization), W.H.S. Nandajith (Asia Lanka social Development Cooperation), P.R. Wijewardana (Human and Community Development Youth Organization), Chamli Jayarathne (National Dairy Farmers Movement), Michael Joachim (Plantation Rural Education and Development Organization (PREDO) )and Sarala Emmanuel (Suriya Women’s development Centre)

Withanage said that on the occasion of the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Board of Governors of the ADB, which is being hosted by the Sri Lanka government and chaired by the Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabry, yesterday: “We as the Sri Lankan Civil society organizations question the failed role of the regional development bank to build the economic sustainability of the country and failure to defend the social, economic, environmental, gender and energy justice, and livelihoods with dignity.”

They stressed that Sri Lanka played a leading role in founding ADB in 1966. Since then, Sri Lanka has received USD 11.5 billion worth of loans over the last 55 years which include 3.5 billion for the transport sector and 1.5 billion for the energy sector. About 13% out of the country’s total debt is owed to ADB. Yet, Sri Lanka’s public transport sector is so much deteriorated, and the energy sector is in a real crisis.

However, they said Sri Lanka is now facing a serious economic crisis, social and political crisis resulting due to the years of mismanagement by the corrupt political regimes. It has resulted poor committing suicides and many compromise children’s education, health, nutrition, and other basic needs. It should be noted that the ruling regime has been using the police to arrest the peaceful protestors and harass them, violating fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

The ADB model of development has resulted in huge inequities and created rich and poor disparities. The Poor continue to be exploited through the market, less wages and patriarchal system of oppression. Although Sri Lanka ended its civil war in 2009, it still uses the military tools to oppress the descendants and even has brought the military personnel to the civil service to manipulate the decisions. Deregulation of the natural resources have seen in the past several years which has resulted in over exploitation making achievement of SDG goals and NDCs a dream, they further said.

ADB funded the Upper Elahera Canal project which has created many irreversible social and environmental problems. The project has destroyed the elephant habitats and lost the total income of the Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks. The project does not have adequate water to carry to the northern province and has given false hopes to the people in the North.

ADB assistance to Sri Lanka’s energy sector has not been able to sustain energy generation in the country. High dependence on fossil fuel has resulted in the current energy crisis. Recently concluded feasibility study resulted in promoting LNG power plants in Kerawalapitiya which also undermined the energy sovereignty of the country, they said.

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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

51 mins 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

1 hour 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.

News

Alarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/1

Thilina Walpola

FSP accuses govt. of reducing Sri Lanka to a puppet of India by giving away sensitive data

Jana Aragalaya Movement, affiliated to the Frontline Socialist Party, yesterday raised alarm over a move to hand over Sri Lankans’ fingerprint and iris biometric data to a blacklisted foreign company.

Speaking at a media briefing in front of the Ministry of Fisheries yesterday Jana Aragalaya Movement National Operational Committee Member Wasantha Mudalige alleged that India was seeking access to Sri Lanka’s sensitive national data systems in a bid to exert influence over the country.

He said that decision-making authority over the proposed biometric identity card system was being ceded to India.

Mudalige said the electronic identity card project, launched in 2012, had already cost Rs. 5.6 billion in software development, with a further Rs. 600 million needed for completion. However, he alleged that in 2021 the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration had moved to integrate the project

with India for biometric implementation, despite substantial local investment already made.

He said a government tender process had been initiated but later stalled after bidders failed to meet required qualifications.

He alleged that in 2023 the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration had attempted to award the project to Madras Security Printers, a company blacklisted over an excise-related fraud case, and that the move was halted following public opposition.

Mudalige added that after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office, Sri Lanka had signed an agreement with India in January 2025 under which tendering authority was also transferred.

He alleged that while five Indian companies were initially registered, a sixth company—Madras Security Printers—was later added by March 2026, raising further concerns.

Calling for urgent clarification, Mudalige warned that Sri Lanka risked undermining its sovereignty and national security, insisting the country must not be reduced to what he termed a foreign “puppet state.”

by Chaminda Silva