News
Harsha says Budget proposals at odds with stated govt. principles
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.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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