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Harsha says Budget proposals at odds with stated govt. principles

Published

2 years ago

2025/02/20

By Saman Indrajith

The 2025 Budget proposals are completely at odds with the core principles outlined in the policy statement presented by the President and the National People’s Power (NPP), Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament on Tuesday (18) as he opened the Budget debate.

Dr de Silva said he could not determine whether the Budget was capitalist or socialist, describing it as a distorted mix of ideologies. He likened it to a sermon pieced together with extracts from the Dhammapada, the Bible, and the Quran.

“The President does not seem to know which path to take—he is lost. He cannot find the right direction and is stumbling forward blindly. He is wearing someone else’s trousers as if they were his own. Is this really the path to saving a country that has been in decline for 76 years? What are these proposals? Did he fulfil the promises made during the election? He claimed he would implement change with a single stroke of a pen, yet a gazette was issued increasing the price of paddy. He promised to remove taxes on essential food items—where is that promise now?

“He said public sector salaries would be revised every six months. The Budget speech mentioned salary increases, but what was actually granted? The government assured the public that salaries would increase by Rs. 15,750, but this has now been split into three instalments. In reality, the net increase is only Rs. 8,250. In April 2025, the minimum increase will be just Rs. 5,975, followed by Rs. 1,137 in January 2026 and another Rs. 1,137 in January 2027. That is how they arrive at Rs. 8,250.

“Last night, a doctor told me their salary had actually decreased. The government claims it has not imposed additional taxes, but new taxes were introduced in December last year. Look at vehicle imports—how much tax has been imposed on them?

“The public was expecting a system change from this Budget, but that has not happened. However, I will acknowledge one positive aspect—some wasteful spending has been cut. The focus on digitalisation is also a step in the right direction,” he said.

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

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We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Govt. determined to press ahead with 22A: Justice Minister

Published

14 hours ago

2026/08/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Nanayakkara

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said yesterday that the government would proceed with both the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, because the government could not achieve its goal by increasing the retirement ages of a section of the judges.

The Attorney-at-Law declared that the government would go ahead with both Bills, whatever the obstacles. The Minister was responding to The Island query whether the government would go ahead with the Judicature (Amendment) Bill that hadn’t been so far challenged in the Supreme Court, pending the decision on the controversial 22nd Amendment facing tough legal challenge.

Nanayakkara emphasised the importance of the enactment of both Bills. The 22nd Amendment seeks to increase the retirement ages of Supreme Court judges to 67 from 65 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. The Judicature (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase the retirement ages of the High Court judges to 63 from 61, and that of the District court judges and and Magistrates to 62.

Minister Nanayakkara said that the enactment of both Bills simultaneously would make a significant contribution to improve the overall situation, particularly dealing with a backlog of 1.1 million cases.

Joint Opposition and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), too, acknowledged that petitions against the Judicature (Amendment) Bill were yet to be filed.