News

Ranil asks for debate on impending IMF report on Lanka

Published

3 years ago

2022/02/10

By Saman Indrajith

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in Parliament asked the government to give a date for a debate on an upcoming IMF report on Sri Lanka.

Wickremesinghe said that the report would be published in the third week of this month. Therefore, it was better if the House could debate the report in the first week of March.

The former Premier said that such a debate would enable MPs to debate the content of the report without their party affiliations and the Leader of the House should table that report and the Finance Committee too should pay attention to the content of the IMF report.

The UNP leader said that there was no use of trying to ascertain whether the present financial crisis in the country was because of the mismanagement of the incumbent government or of the former government or of King Mahasen. “What is needed at the time is to get everybody’s opinion and suggestions to reach a common consensus and a sound plan to steer the country out of the present crisis situation”, he said.

The UNP leader asked for a date for a debate during the first sitting week of March. “Someone has to come up with a plan to solve the present crisis and that plan should be reached with the concurrence of all in Parliament and thereafter it could be sent to the President”, Wickremesinghe said.

Leader of the House Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the matter of allocating a date for the debate could be discussed at the next party leaders’ meeting.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that his party too had asked for a two day debate on the current economic crisis. Parliament was said to have the financial controlling power of the country. Yet the Finance Minister did not come to Parliament. He did not keep Parliament informed of the financial situation and nobody knew what was happening.

“The finance minister gives interviews to newspapers and voice cuts to TVs but does not inform parliament. Even Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the present economic crisis is not because of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Kiriella added.

Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando: The Chief Opposition Whip asking for a two day debate. They had been waiting till the economy collapsed in the month of January. They even made arrangements to come on TV live to tell the nation that the economy collapsed. Your economic experts predicted that this country would go bankrupt. That did not happen. In the same way we would not let this crisis affect the country’s economy. We have the strength to manage the crisis. The finance minister is handling his ministry properly.

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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala, and Hambantota districts

Published

33 mins ago

2025/04/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 22 April 2025, valid for 23 April 2025.

The General public are warned that 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 and Eastern provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota 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.

News

Fulfill our civic responsibility for a Cleaner Sri Lanka – An appeal to devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Published

40 mins ago

2025/04/23

Priyan

The Clean Sri Lanka programme respectfully urges all devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) for the veneration of the sacred relics, to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the temple premises.

Visitors are kindly reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas.

As a flagship government programme, Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, social and ethical consciousness, striving to uplift the nation towards a cleaner and more responsible society.

This programme places special emphasis on creating a waste-free environment and encouraging proper waste management practices.

In alignment with the commencement of the Siri Dalada Dekma (Sacred Relic exposition), a series of activities under the Clean Sri Lanka programme have been launched around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to support this cause

[PMD]