News
Kuttiarachchi accused of running unauthorised banking network
By Saman Indrajith
SLPP MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi has got his relatives to run an unauthorised rural bank, SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri told Parliament on Wednesday.
“This is an illegal act. There is a network of banks. This should be stopped. These banks have not been recognised by the Central Bank or the Monetary Board,” the MP said.
Responding to MP Wijesiri’s question, State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that there was no bank by the name of Rural Capital Bank. “If anyone uses the word cooperative in the name of their bank, then our ministry can check on it. Otherwise, this should be checked and further action should be taken by the Central Bank,” the minister said.
“There is a network of banks by that name. It belongs to MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi, and his relatives run the bank. Managers of the branches are his relatives. The network has 171 branches countrywide. People do not know that this is an illegal bank. Why has the government given him permission to run this illegal business,” MP Wijesiri queried.
Minister Alagiyawanna said that there was no such bank under the line ministry and those banks may operate under the provincial councils. “I do not know about such banks. We will look into it. We should get together to inform the Central Bank of these banks,” the Minister said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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