News
Ex-Speaker lambasts NPP Leader of House
Former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywarsdena has accused Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake of misleading Parliament and the country with regard to his expenses during his (Abeywardena’s) tenure as the Speaker.
The following is the text of a statement issued by the ex-Speaker in response to Minister Bimal Ratnayake’s statement on February 27: “I would like to state at the outset that I have not resided in any official government residence since I first entered Parliament in 1983 until September 2020, when I was appointed Speaker. In September 2020, after almost a month of being appointed, I had to shift to the official residence of the Speaker for official and security reasons. I solemnly declare that throughout the entire period of my tenure, I spent my personal money on my meals at the Speaker’s Residence. There is no legal provision for government funds to be spent on the meals of a Speaker. However, when special guests, foreign ambassadors or foreign diplomats visit, it is a duty to entertain them, and such expenses are considered as expenses of the Speaker and are incurred at government expense. It is regrettable that all such expenses have been added up and presented as expenses incurred for my personal meals.
Also, from 1983 until I assumed the office of the Speaker in August 2020, even during my various ministerial positions, I have always travelled in a single vehicle. Just as Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya found out after assuming office that she would have to travel with escort vehicles for security, I too had to travel with three other vehicles after assuming the office of the Speaker. Every Speaker is allocated three vehicles (an official vehicle and two escort vehicles) and in addition, a jeep belonging to the Police Special Task Force was also allocated to me. I would like to inform the public that these vehicles were the only ones allocated for my needs and those of my security officers. In addition, five vehicles and fuel were allocated for five key officials of my staff. The vehicles and fuel provided to those officials were similar to and in accordance with the circulars mentioned in the instruction paper issued by the Secretary to the President of the present government on 21st January 2025 on the staff allowances of Ministers. Therefore, since spending 33.4 million on fuel for the three vehicles allocated for me over a period of nine months appear even statistically impossible and because running charts of all vehicles are available with the Parliament, I request a special audit done on this regard.
Although it is futile to present more detailed data in a social context that expects short answers, I would like to request journalists who are interested in investigating the truth to obtain the details on the above and other allegations made against me from the Parliament under the Right to Information Act, and not only to investigate the years 2023/2024 but also from the year 2020 when I was appointed and even before that, to conduct a complete analysis and publish the findings. I also request legal action be taken immediately if there is any irregularity in this regard.
Although spreading falsehoods was a successful strategy to gain power, I believe that using it repeatedly and on a daily basis to reinforce in the minds of the voters that the decision they made was the right one will not be successful, even in the short term. While some may interpret it as a twist of fate that the same people who destroyed billions of rupees in state property and made the state service inoperative must now appear as guardians of state property and make the state service efficient, I see it as a blessing for the future good of our country in both the short and long term. I couldn’t agree more with the statement made by Minister Bimal Ratnayake when he said that a person cannot be judged a gentleman just by his attire, but a gentleman is made by his conduct and actions. To this I would like to further add that holding of high or low office also doesn’t guarantee one as a gentleman.
Since it does not take long for the realities felt by the people to transcend temporary psychological gratifications, I hope that the government led by Minister Bimal Ratnayake will be interested and intelligent in managing the state machinery well and leading the country towards development, and in fulfilling the good promises made to the people soon.”
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
Showers expected at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North-central and Uva provinces
Dr. Bellana: “I was removed as NHSL Deputy Director for exposing Rs. 900 mn fraud”
BIA unions demand bonuses equal to five months’ basic salaries
People warned of rising water levels at Kotmale reservoir
Lahore Aitchison College students visit Pakistan High Commission, Colombo
GMOA may take up Dr. Bellana’s issue at ex-co
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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