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GL: ‘Aswesuma’ flawed, fresh scheme needed

Published

3 years ago

2023/07/3

Thilina Walpola

frowns on privileged status to wealthy investors, bid to restore dissolved LG bodies

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top Opposition Spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (02) demanded that the government cancel, what he called, the deeply flawed ‘Aswesuma’ social security project, to pave the way for a fresh scheme. Addressing the media at the Nawala Office of the breakaway SLPP faction, Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa, the former External Affairs Minister dealt with the passage of the resolution on the ‘Domestic Debt Optimisation’ (DDO) in Parliament, the previous day, a move to amend three Acts in order to give the subject Minister (Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena) powers to restore dissolved local government authorities and ‘Aswesuma’

that caused countrywide turmoil.

Pointing out that several SLPP members had skipped Saturday’s vote on the resolution on DDO, National List lawmaker emphasized that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government unfairly burdened the Employees Trust Fund (EPF). Having repeatedly assured that the EPF with funds amounting to Rs 3 trillion wouldn’t be undermined in the DDO process, the government had targeted the country’s largest fund, Prof. Peiris said. That was nothing but a cruel attack on those struggling to make ends meet, the academic said.

The resolution received 122 votes while 62 voted against. Forty-two MPs abstained.However, the government conveniently left out wealthy investors who had no hesitation in taking advantage of the country’s predicament, the former minister said.

After Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe declared bankruptcy in April 2022, wealthy financiers had invested in sovereign bonds at extortionate rates of interest. “Their motive was to make use of the perilous state of our economy to make a killing. They sought unconscionable profits in as short a time as possible. While the rates payable to these wealthy investors are left untouched, interest to be earned by the working people who are beneficiaries of the EPF has been reduced by the rate of income tax payable by the EPF being increased from 14 pc to 30 percent if fund declined to participate in the seriously flawed DDO exercise,” Prof. Peiris said.

The people should realise that the EPF’s participation was therefore not voluntary but enforced Prof. Peiris said. Therefore, the government strategy is not consistent with social equity, the dissident SLPPer said.

Prof. Peiris said the DDO process had been placed under the control of Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.Commenting on the raging controversy over the ‘Aswesuma’ programme, Prof. Peiris said that disruption that had been caused by ill-advised government was so much, the project couldn’t be repaired under any circumstances. There couldn’t be any other option than cancelling the announced list of beneficiaries and launching a fresh initiative as soon as possible to identify those who really required government assistance.

Pointing out that there had been well over half a mn public appeals and complaints in this regard, Prof. Peiris asked the government not to shift the blame to officials but to accept responsibility and initiate what he called a scientific examination of the poor with required technical expertise.

Those who planned to replace ‘Samurdhi’ with ‘Aswesuma’ ended up with egg on their face for want of a cohesive plan to identify the needy. The ex-minister dismissed a recent government declaration that remedial measures would be taken once appeals and complaints were received by July 10 as propaganda. “The system is so inconsistent with requirements, it cannot be salvaged by patchwork,” the MP said.

The senior politician said that the SLPP should be ashamed that one of its National List MPs, Jayantha Kategoda proposed to empower the Minister of Local Government to restore dissolved Local Government authorities. Declaring SLPP rebels’ intention to challenge the government move in the Supreme Court, Prof. Peiris said that the ruling SLPP and UNP with just one MP in parliament were trying to skip elections at all levels.

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Related Topics:Aswesuma Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe Featured Government Prof. Peiris public appeals and complaints Ranil Wickremesinghe

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/18

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 17 April 2026, valid for 18 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, Sabaragamuwa, 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.

News

Oil prices plunge as Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘open’ during ceasefire

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/17

Priyan

Oil prices have plummeted after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely open” to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire.

The cost of a barrel of Brent crude fell to $88 dollars a barrel, having been above $98 earlier on Friday.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strip of water linking the Gulf to the Arabian sea, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas is typically transported.

“The passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Global markets also rallied on the announcement, with the major US stock indices rising in early trading. The S&P 500 rose by 0.8%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) were both up by more than 1%.

European shares also rose in reaction to the news. The Cac index in Paris and Dax in Frankfurt both climbed by more than 2%, while London’s FTSE 100 rose by around 0.5%.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut by Iran since the US and Israel launched military strikes in the country in late February.

Tankers have been unable to pass through, drastically reducing the amount of oil and gas available on global markets and causing prices to spike.

Before the conflict, Brent crude was trading at under $70 per barrel. It rose above $100 before reaching a peak of more than $119 per barrel in March.

Sharp rises in the price of oil have pushed up the price of petrol and diesel for drivers, as well as sparking concerns over the supply of jet fuel, leading to fears airlines will have to ground flights.

The closure of the key waterway has also cut off a major supply line of fertiliser, used by farmers, raising the prospect of higher food prices as a result of the conflict.

A third of the world’s key fertiliser chemicals pass through the Strait, and prices have risen steeply since the outbreak of war.

However, hours before Araghchi’s statement, motoring group the RAC said petrol and diesel prices had fallen slightly, in the UK for the first time since the US-Israel war with Iran began.

Pump prices began to ease on Thursday and continued on Friday, it said, though it remains far more expensive to fill up a tank than it did in February.

Iran’s decision to re-open the Strait of Hormuz followed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump welcomed the move, writing on Truth Social: “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”

Trump added that Iran had agreed “to never close the Strait of Hormuz again… it will no longer be used as a weapon against the world”.

But, in a follow up post, he said a naval blockade of Iran will remain “in full force and effect” until a permanent deal to end the US-Israel war with the country is agreed.

Despite Iran’s announcement, one oil and gas shipping operator told the BBC it “doesn’t change anything” immediately.

“We don’t feel like we need to be taking unnecessary risks and our company approach is that we won’t be the first to go through the Strait”, the operator, who did not want to be named, said.

Another company, Stena Bulk, which operates oil tankers in the region, said it was “monitoring developments closely”.

“The safety of our crew and vessels governs every routing decision, and we will not transit until we are satisfied it is safe to do so”, the company added.

(BBC)

Latest News

Navy seize 161kg heroin shipment in high-seas operation

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/17

Priyan

Being a key frontline stakeholder in the national mission, ‘A Nation United,’ the Navy continues to maintain a vigilant maritime shield to eradicate the drug menace from society.

During yet another successful operation on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler and apprehended four suspects in connection with the
smuggling of a stock of suspected narcotics.

The intercepted trawler, along with the suspects, was escorted to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour today, (17 April 2026).

During a special inspection at the fisheries harbour, the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the presence of over 161kg of heroin.

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekera (Retd), and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, to inspect seized narcotics.

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister emphasized that drug trafficking has long persisted as an organized and sophisticated criminal enterprise. He highlighted that under the current government’s national mission, ‘A Nation United,’ a robust state mechanism is now in motion, integrating the Tri-Forces, Police, Special Task Force, PNB, and international agencies to dismantle these networks.

Underscoring the Navy’s operational success, the Deputy Minister revealed that in 2025 alone, the Navy seized narcotics valued at over Rs. 75,000 million. In the first four months of 2026, the momentum has continued with nearly Rs. 50,000 million worth of drugs intercepted and produced for legal action.

During this short period, 14 local multi-day trawlers and 127 suspects have been apprehended. He issued a stern assurance that seized drugs would never find their way back into society, as they are systematically destroyed under strict protocols.
“Human capital is our nation’s most vital asset,” the Deputy Minister noted, adding that a healthy population leads to a quality workforce and a resilient economy. He further remarked that the vision of a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, extends beyond financial stability to include the dignity, discipline, and mindset of the citizenry.

“On the instructions of the President, new legislation is being drafted for Parliamentary approval to further empower this national mission and ensure a law-abiding, civilized society for future generations”, he stated.

Concluding the briefing, the Deputy Minister lauded the media for their role in drug prevention and urged continued responsible journalism to educate the public on the dangers of narcotics.

Meanwhile, the apprehended suspects, the multi-day trawler, and the 161kg heroin shipment were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward investigation and legal proceedings.