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Kiriella warns of fallout of middle class economic woes

Published

3 years ago

2022/11/1

Claims elections are the answer

The worsening economic hardships of the middle class people will pave the way for unforeseen repercussions that could end up in social disturbances and violence, warns the main Opposition SJB.

Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s office, in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that people of the middle class found it extremely difficult to make ends meet. “They have fallen from the frying pan into the fire. They cannot cope with the economic hardships. The government is increasing taxes and tariffs. There is no end to the introduction of new taxes. Not even the rich can afford these exorbitant taxes.”

Kiriella said the government had lined up a series of new taxes and wanted to get the approval of Parliament for some of them. “They did not discuss these taxes with us. However, they make speeches seeking our support. How could we support them when their intentions are not genuine? They are driven by political expediency. These taxes are one of the results of the secret talks the government had with the IMF. We have been asking for months now for the government to make the agreement with the IMF public. The new taxes will have a devastating impact on the export sectors and the working class.”

Kiriella said an election had to be held soon so that the people who were capable of managing the economy could take over the reins of government.

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Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.

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Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]

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Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.

Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.

Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.