News
Domestic debt restructuring: Harsha insists money belonging to EPF members must be safeguarded
Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has highlighted the critical considerations surrounding Domestic Debt Optimisation and its impact on the members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, recently, de Silva emphasised the need to prioritize the interests of EPF pension fund members in any decision-making process.
“Our foremost concern should be securing the retirement benefits of the hardworking people of Sri Lanka,” de Silva stated. “The EPF, as a pension fund, plays a crucial role in ensuring a financially secure future for its members upon retirement. We cannot allow the government’s pursuit of cheap money to jeopardize the interests of EPF pensioners.”
Referring to the EPF Act, de Silva underscored the obligation for a parliamentary resolution to ensure the EPF receives sufficient funds from the Treasury to meet minimum payment requirements if it is unable to do so. He further emphasized the importance of gradually settling any resulting loans over time. “We must protect the EPF pension fund from being subjugated to the government’s needs at the expense of pensioners. The negative 47 percent real return to EPF in 2022 has severely eroded the value of the fund, and we cannot disregard this significant loss,” de Silva added.
Discussing the risks associated with domestic debt optimization, de Silva highlighted the concept of opportunity cost. “Subjecting the EPF pension fund to this optimization may result in a loss of potential reinvestment opportunities,” he explained. “For instance, if the EPF currently holds bonds maturing within the next one or two years, they have the potential to be reinvested at higher rates, ensuring better returns for pensioners. However, if these bonds’ maturity dates are extended beyond 2027 at lower rates that will have a high opportunity cost to EPF members.”
Clarifying the EPF pension fund’s overall financial position, de Silva reassured the public that the EPF is not facing immediate trouble. “The EPF pension fund maintains a positive cash flow, with contributions consistently exceeding pension payouts by approximately 30 billion rupees in recent years,” he stated. “This ensures the EPF’s ability to meet its pension obligations. However, we must acknowledge that returns on investments may decrease.”
Concluding his remarks, de Silva firmly stated that “Considering the negative real interest rate the EPF pension fund has already experienced, it is unjust to overburden it further with large opportunity costs due to domestic debt optimization. We must prioritize the interests of EPF members and strike a balance between preserving reasonable returns to the members while providing debt relief to the government. The long-term financial security of Sri Lanka’s workforce cannot be jeopardized.”
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
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