News
Justice Minister: SL has lost billions of dollars due to lax controls since 2017
By Saman Indrajith
Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament yesterday that over 53.5 billion US dollars that should have been received by the country for its exports for the past 12 years had been held in foreign countries. “This has been revealed by the recent Global Integrity Report by the US. This has happened by the time of assuming of duties by the incumbent Governor of the Central Bank. I have information that after assuming duties he had called on top 100 exporters and asked for details and reports of their volumes of export and incomes. Only 57 exporters responded and of them too the majority have provided the Central Bank with false information or concealed the true figures. This is a serious issue because our outstanding loans for that year amounted to about USD 41 billion. The amount being held in foreign countries as payments for exports due to this country was USD 53.5 billion,” the Minister said.
Minister Rajapakshe said that the unfortunate situation had been created by the fraudulent exporters making use of the loopholes in the foreign exchange law. “Prior to 2017, we had the Exchange Control Act, which had strict provisions and regulations controlling the outflows and inflows of foreign exchange. Even during the times of the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government a special Foreign Exchange Commission was set up to investigate the errant businessmen who resorted to misinvoicing. I can recall how some businessmen who were found guilty were imprisoned. Some died in the prisons. In 2017, the Foreign Exchange Act was
introduced. It relaxed many strict rules and punishments or did away with some of them. Making use of these holes of the regulatory net, many exporters have shifted export proceeds overseas. We either need to amend these laws or to bring in new laws to prevent this because this is one of the main reasons for the economic crisis we are facing today,” the Minister said, adding that all other countries had strict rules preventing mis-invoicing. “We have informed the Finance Ministry of this need,” he said.
SJB MP Champika Ranawaka said that the amount of money lost by Sri Lanka annually was equal to its balance of payments deficit. “This is done by both exporters and importers. This misinvoicing could either be overinvoicing or underinvoicing. The amount that we lose annually is over 20 percent of our total foreign trade,” Ranawaka said.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
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 table below 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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