News
Response to economic revival plan pathetic: Harsha disappointed
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday said that he was quite disappointed that his economic revival plan, or common minimum programme, presented in parliament on 12 August hadn’t received the anticipated response from political parties, represented in Parliament.
The Colombo District lawmaker said so when The Island asked him whether political parties and President Ranil Wickremesinghe reacted to his plan. The lawmaker said that he was not angry but appalled at the way the political parties responded to the deepening economic crisis.
Responding to another query, MP de Silva said that he had the backing of his party though there were some differences of opinion on some matters. Lawmaker de Silva said that he was ready to discuss the overall plan with those represented in parliament and other stakeholders. The MP emphasized that so far, the government had not presented a roadmap for economic revival.
Addressing the parliament, MP de Silva urged leaders of all political parties represented there to support his proposals. The former UNP State Minister declared that his plan could secure the confidence and support of the public and external entities as well.
The set of proposals has been ratified by the Economic Policy Unit comprising lawmakers Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne and Kabir Hashim. It has been endorsed by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
The blueprint dealt with (1) debt crisis management (2) monetary and exchange rate policy (3) revenue consolidation (4) expenditure control (5) public sector management (6) energy and utilities reform (7) trade, agriculture, industry and service promotion (8) factor market reform (9) stronger social safety nets and (10) transparency and accountability.
The MP pointed out that though Sri Lanka received USD 4 bn Indian assistance via credit lines, currency swaps etc., this year, ongoing talks with Japan, China, Middle East countries and Russia hadn’t produced the desired results. Declaring that the country was in dire straits, MP de Silva questioned the inordinate delay on the part of the government seeking a consensus on an economic recovery plan.
Referring to emergency assistance provided by the US, Australia and EU, Dr. de Silva said that the much-needed Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) couldn’t be secured until the government achieved significant progress in what he called debt restructuring talks. Asserting that Sri Lanka couldn’t do without short-term bridging financing from friendly countries such as credit lines for imports, foreign currency swaps or barter trade, Dr.de Silva said that privatization, too, was an option. However, the MP warned against privatization sans proper procedures. The consequences would be catastrophic, the lawmaker added.
Recently, dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa accused the government of planning to privatize Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) and Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). One-time private sector executive alleged the government exploited the current financial turmoil to sell off profit making enterprises. Dr. Godahewa told The Island that there was broad consensus on the need to restructure loss-making state enterprises but the government seemed to be bent on selling off valuable assets.
Pointing out that Sri Lanka was the only country in Asia to default on foreign debt in half a century, MP de Silva emphasized that unbridled corruption contributed to the deterioration of the national economy over the past several decades to such an extent finally the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe acknowledged Sri Lanka’s inability to service its foreign debt.
The former UNPer called for the enactment of strong anti-corruption legislation and the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Dr. de Silva recently received appointment as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), one of the three parliamentary watchdog committees meant to ensure financial integrity in the public sector. The top SJB official succeeded Kurunegala district SLPP MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.
A passenger bus plunged into the Talagala stream yesterday (8) morning when a section of the Nuwara Eliya bus terminal collapsed. Bus operators attributed the incident to a delay in repairing a nearby bridge and a retaining wall damaged by Cyclone Ditwah late last year.
While there were no casualties, the bus sustained severe damage in the incident.
Speaking on the matter, Ramya Sudath Gadallage, President of the Nuwara Eliya Private Bus Owners’ Association, accused the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and relevant authorities of failing to properly reconstruct the site for over six months, leading to this mishap.
He stated that between 7,000 and 15,000 people, including schoolchildren, travelled through the unsafe area daily. He added that bus operators have been compelled to use the location as there is no other alternative terminal available. He accused the authorities of shifting blame to one another instead of taking any initiative to reconstruct the bridge.
Meanwhile, Nuwara Eliya Mayor Upali Wanigasekara, who visited the site to inspect the damage, told the media that all necessary arrangements had already been made to repair the bridge at the bus terminal.
By S.K. Samaranayake
The schedule for the 2026 Kandy Esala Maha Perahera, the country’s most historic and prestigious cultural pageant, was finalised following a high level discussion held yesterday (July 8) at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The meeting was attended by the Maha Sangha, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, and Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta.
The traditional planting of the ‘Kap’ (Kap Situweema) at the four main Devalas (shrines) is scheduled to take place at an auspicious time on the morning of August 13.
Following the Kap Situweema, the first Kumbal Perahera will commence on August 18 and will parade through the streets of Kandy until August 22.
The first Randoli Perahera is set to parade on the night of August 23. This will be followed by the final Randoli Perahera, which is scheduled for the night of August 27.
The festival will then conclude with the Day Perahera on August 28. Following this final procession, the Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, will present the ‘Perahera Sandeshaya’ (the formal message confirming the successful completion of the pageant) to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the President’s House in Kandy, strictly following ancient traditions.
By S.K. Samaranayake
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake on Tuesday (7) said that the government would introduce a cluster bus company system to improve public transportation, adding that Cabinet approval for the initiative had been granted.
The Minister said so while chairing the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development in Parliament.
He said that the scheme would initially be implemented as a pilot project on bus routes 177, 170 and 190.
The Minister said that the previous four categories of bus services; normal, semi-luxury, luxury and super-luxury had been streamlined by removing the semi-luxury and super-luxury categories. Referring to the Semi-Luxury category, the Minister stated that a related court case is currently pending and that the relevant facts will be presented before the court.
Minister Rathnayake pointed out that it was not equitable to apply a single fare formula to both long-distance and short-distance bus services. Given the higher operating costs associated with long-distance services, a separate methodology would be introduced to determine fares for long-distance buses. He emphasised that the Government is committed to safeguarding both the bus industry and passengers.
The Chair of the Committee also sought clarification from officials on whether bus fares could be reduced following recent fuel price decreases. Officials explained that although fuel prices have declined, other operating costs remain high, limiting the scope for fare reductions.
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