News
Despite Right to Information Act bureaucracy not forthcoming with data
Except Fisheries Ministry, others mum about vital expenditure
There is no data to estimate the progress of 68 percent of the most significant proposals of the 2023 budget, Subhashini Abeysinghe, Research Director at Verité Research has said.Taking part in a television interview, she said they had studied 25 of the key budget proposals.
“We asked the relevant 15 institutions whether these proposals had been implemented and what progress had been made in the first six months of 2023. Only the ministry of fisheries supplied information. The other 14 institutions were very hesitant to provide information although the Right to Information act clearly states that government institutions must publish data with regards to their projects,” she said.
Abeysinghe said that they analysed budget proposals between 2017 and 2021 as well. Data was not available for 45 percent of the most significant proposals of those budgets. This has risen sharply under the Wickremesinghe administration.
She said the government was rightly focusing on the need to increase tax revenue. However, people also needed to know what their tax rupees were spent on, she said, noting that one of the main problems faced by industrialists was that there weren’t many lands available for industry. The 2023 budget proposals have spoken about establishing industrial zones in various provinces.
“In the last 20 years, Sri Lanka has not established a new export processing zone. In 2020, the National Audit Office said there had been no new zones since 2002. The 2023 budget called for the establishment of zones in western province, and in Trincomalee and Hambantota Districts. There has been no data on the progress made,” she said, adding that many other Asian countries have established hundreds of industrial zones in the past few decades.
“Starting a factory isn’t easy. You need a lot of infrastructure. Our competitors such as Bangladesh and Vietnam have established so many industrial zones. This is why we are not getting investments although we give a lot of tax concessions,” she said. Abeysinghe said that budget proposals were indicators of where the government wanted to take the country.
“Even when there was no crisis, state expenditure barely covered daily expenses. Budget proposals are new initiatives and are often financed through debt,” she said.
The government also proposed to establish an international climate change campus in Sri Lanka in the 2023 budget. Rs 100 million has been earmarked for this in the budget.
“Is this enough to establish an international university? There are some serious issues with these numbers,” she said. (RK)
Gen. Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today [May 4].
The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.
The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
Latest News
The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
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.
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