News
Gevindu presses PM over EPF matter, discrepancy in interest payments
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Gevindu Cumaratunga, MP, has sought Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s intervention to ensure State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe on behalf of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who holds the Finance portfolio, provided a satisfactory answer to several queries he raised regarding the status of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as at 31 Dec., 2022.
In a letter dated February 28, 2024, addressed to Premier Gunawardena, who is also the leader of the government Parliamentary group, the dissident SLPP lawmaker said that though State Minister Semasinghe was to answer his queries on EPF on Dec 12, 2024, he didn’t do so.
MP Cumaratunga told The Island that he had submitted the following queries to Parliament on Nov 14, 2023 expecting answers from the Finance Minister: (a) (i) the total amount earned by the EPF by investing its funds; (ii) the value of the total deposits of the fund and (iii) the total amount earned by investing its funds as a percentage of the value of the Fund’s total deposits?
(b) (i) the number of contributors to the EPF; (ii) the number of active contributors; (iii) the total value of the balances in the accounts of the active contributors and (iv) the total amount earned by the Fund from investing its funds as a percentage of the total value of the balances in the accounts of active contributors?
MP Cumaratunga has reminded Premier Gunawardena that he submitted the queries on EPF afresh on February 08, 2024 as prorogation of Parliament quashed the questions that had been submitted earlier. Now that the questions had been included in the agenda for March 5, Premier Gunawardena should ensure the State Minister answers them and take tangible measures to address the grievances of the EPF members.
The leader of the Yuthukama civil society organization on Feb 20 made representations to the Premier regarding the discrepancy in the payment of interests to EPF contributors in 2022.
Responding to queries, the lawmaker said that based on Central Bank data, he sought an explanation as to how EPF contributors were paid 9% interest whereas Central Bank employees received 29.27% interest in 2022.
MP Cumaratunga said that the State Finance Minister refrained from responding to questions though the Central Bank responsible for EPF operations provided the answers he sought.
The lawmaker said that those who received just 9 % interest could have been paid 11% interest as the Fund had Rs 21 bn after all 2022 payments were made in addition to Rs 53 bn in reserves. The MP claimed that Rs 21 bn plus a part of the reserves could have been utilized to pay 11% interest but the powers that be didn’t do so.
MP Cumaratunga has also urged Premier Gunawardena to inquire into the circumstances Central Bank employees were paid 29.27% interest in 2022 as their investments couldn’t have resulted in such big returns to meet obligatory payments to the governments and then pay such high interest. The MP has stressed the need to take punitive action against those responsible for paying high interest if such income hadn’t been not made during that year.
The parliamentarian said that political parties hadn’t paid sufficient attention to the issue at hand. Actually, the Finance Ministry owed the country an explanation, the MP said, the IMF couldn’t turn a blind eye to what was going on. The IMF shouldn’t be selective in its concerns here, the MP said.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon today (15)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (15th) are Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon.
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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 14 April 2026, valid for 15 April 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, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern
provinces and in Monaragala district.
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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“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!” – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, issuing a New Year message, extend his heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.
During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.
We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.
Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.
In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.
As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
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