News

Harsha: Contents of IMF agreement may turn out to be jackpot for some persons

Published

3 years ago

2022/11/10

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that as per some of its contents, the IMF Staff-Level Agreement might turn out to be lottery win for some persons.

“I have a copy of this so-called IMF Staff-Level Agreement. As per some sensitive matters agreed by the government, this could be a jackpot hit for some persons. This agreement was not submitted to the Parliament Finance Committee; however it has been given to some outsiders. We demand to know how this agreement, not given to Parliament, was passed on to others,” Dr. de Silva asked.

Dr de Silva said that he received the copy, not through the channels of Parliament. “The President has given copies of the agreement to some persons who are on several committees he appointed. How could that happen? I do not table this agreement because then I would be accused of leaking some sensitive contents in the agreement,” he said.

State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya: You know the economic situation prevailing in the country. You have obtained this document not from official channels. Do not read it out and instill fear in people.

Try to understand the challenges before us.

Dr de Silva:

That is why I do not read this out to the House. I do not reveal it because I have an understanding of the responsibility.

State Finance Minister Siyambalapitiya:

What is being portrayed is worse than the content. You are the Chairman of the Finance Committee. What you do is wrong. It is wrong to make this document public.

Dr de Silva:

If it is wrong to release this document, tell me why it was leaked.

SLPP MP Dilan Perera:

Siyambalapitiya is my friend. So, I can ask him to be truthful and not to hide this.

Minister Siyambalapitiya:

I am not going to contradict you. All I am asking is not to read out a document that has been obtained from improper channels. Dr de Silva is a senior economist with responsibilities. It is wrong to read them out to create doubts.

Dr de Silva

: I always act with utmost responsibility. That is why I am not tabling this. This document has all information.

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Related Topics:Dr Harsha De Silva Harsha De Silva SJB Colombo District MP Dr Harsha de Silva

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SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.