News
Prof. Uyangoda says it’s a myth that local private sector can create lots of jobs
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka’s private sector does not have the ability to generate large amounts of jobs, despite the assurances given by those who insist that the government must not be involved in economic management, Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, a political scientist, said.
“The market does not have the ability to create jobs. The state won’t also create jobs,” he said.
Those who support Wickremesinghe’s neoliberal policies insist that there will be an economic revival once the state stops intervening in the economy.
“This is a myth. It’s silly to assume that the Sri Lankan private sector has the ability to generate a lot of jobs. This is the nature of our private sector. They are not in sectors that generate a lot of jobs. This is obvious,” he said.
The only thing that is certain is that these economic policies will lead to a serious political crisis, Uyangoda said.
“People will come to the streets. This is why the President ushers in many illiberal acts. In 1982, JR held a referendum and avoided elections. Wickremesinghe also knows this. He is worried about anti-government protests,” he said, adding that many countries that implemented IMF recommendations saw massive riots.
“They are called IMF riots, the results of IMF policies. Wickremesinghe knows this. He knows massive riots are on the cards. This is why he is rushing in many Draconian laws,” he said.
If elections are held this year or the next, the top traditional political parties will suffer severe setbacks, and those in power understand that, Professor Uyangoda said.This will allow new political parties to breakthrough into positions of power, he said.
“If you look at President Wickremesinghe’s speeches, it’s obvious that he clearly understands that the grip the traditional parties had on the voter has loosened”.President Wickremesinghe understands the crisis of the establishment and is trying to preserve the status quo by not holding elections, Uyangoda said.
“This is a destructive tendency. Why do we hold elections? We are trying to gauge public opinion. If new political forces are in a position to break into positions of power, elections allow them to do so in a non-violent way”.
People are not tired of politics, but they are extremely critical of the politicians, according to Professor Uyangoda.
“In 1977, President J.R. Jayawardena opened up the economy. But restricted democratic political processes. What is happening now? President Wickremesinghe is ushering in the final stage of neoliberal economics. The economy will change dramatically,” he said.
“These reforms, however, will lead to serious political strife and public anger”.
Latest News
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district
News
Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order
Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.
“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.
“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.
“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.
“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”
“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.
As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.
As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.
I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.
Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.
Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.
News
CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.
The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.
According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.
The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.
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