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JVP: SLPP members won’t be able to distance themselves from Budget 2024

Published

2 years ago

2023/11/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Vijitha

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) MP Vijitha Herath yesterday (14) said that having supported the preparation of the 2024 Budget proposals, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) couldn’t complain now of what was presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister.

The Gampaha District lawmaker pointed out that both State Ministers of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya (SLPP Kegalle District) and Shehan Semasinghe (SLPP Anuradhapura District) had been present at the finalisation of the budget proposals at President Wickremesinghe’s official residence at Mahagamasekara Mawatha (formerly Paget road) on Sunday (12).

MP Herath said so when The Island sought JJB’s response to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and ex-Minister Namal Rajapaksa distancing the SLPP from the budget proposals. The JVP leads the JJB. MP Herath pointed out that SLPPers in the Cabinet, too, endorsed budget proposals therefore the Rajapaksas attempt to question budget proposals didn’t hold water.

Except for President Wickremesinghe and Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando (both members of the SJB) all other members of the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena were either elected on the SLPP ticket or appointed on its National List.

The JVPer stressed that Budget 2024 was Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s baby, therefore the SLPP would have no option but to vote for it. Responding to another query, the top JJB spokesperson reminded the SLPP that Wickremesinghe was chosen as Finance Minister and President in April and July, 2022, respectively by the SLPP and then it overwhelmingly endorsed the UNP leader’s mini budget presented on Aug 30, 2022.

A total of 115 MPs voted for the interim budget whereas the JJB’s three members and two All Ceylon Tamil Congress MPs voted against it.

Soon after the presentation of the 2024 Budget MP Namal Rajapaksa said most of the proposals in Budget 2024 had been announced at the mini budget. “Those proposals haven’t been implemented at all therefore they were presented again,” MP Rajapaksa said, declaring that the SLPP was waiting to see whether this year’s presentation too was only talk.

MP Rajapaksa said that as Wickremesinghe presented Budget 2024 as Finance Minister of the Pohottu government, the ruling party’s proposals, too, should have been included.

MP Herath said that as two SLPP MPs functioned as State Ministers of Finance, the party owed an explanation whether the SLPP parliamentary group furnished proposals to the Finance Minister. The JVP insisted that the SLPP couldn’t under any circumstances deny Budget 2024 being its responsibility unless they voted against it.

The President’s party UNP is represented in Parliament by single National List MP Wajira Abeywardena. Lawmaker Herath said that President Wickremesinghe during the budget presentation reminded the SJB that they reached consensus on some of the proposals when they were on the same side. The President was referring to the 2015-2019 Yahapalana administration.

MP Herath said that the contrary to SJB statements, the main Opposition party could easily reach consensus with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa budget proposals.

The JVPer pointed out that the proposal to divest 20 percent stake in each of the two major State Banks had been a longstanding project of the UNP and President Wickremesinghe seemed hell bent on implementing what he couldn’t do in the 2002-2003 and 2015-2019 periods.

Commenting on the SLFP, MP Herath said that those SLFPers who had received portfolios would back the budget hence the party’s stand is irrelevant, the JVPer said.

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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

1 hour ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 3.30 p.m. on 20 April 2026, valid for 21 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.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.