News
Ranil finds fault with Anura for being evasive on economic policy matters
President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday found fault with Anura Dissanayake for evading the question whether the NPP’s economic policy was focused on exports or imports. Speaking at a gathering of intellectuals and business leaders from the Kurunegala District at the Asliya Golden Cassandra Hotel, the President suggested that Dissanayake, along with fellow NPP members Sunil Handunnetti and Harshana Suriyapperuma, should first clarify their party’s economic policy in a separate debate before engaging in a discussion with him.
President Wickremesinghe offered to organise a video discussion that would include himself, Dissanayake, and Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also indicated that despite Sajith Premadasa’s reluctance to allow others to speak, Premadasa could also be invited to join the discussion.
The President questioned why Dissanayake’s policy statement included a budget projecting Rs. 8,900 billion in expenditure and Rs. 4,900 billion in revenue, resulting in a deficit of Rs. 4,000 billion, which he argued could severely damage the country’s economy. He emphasised that rather than making vague promises, Dissanayake should present a clear and actionable economic policy.
The President highlighted concerns about the NPP’s financial plans, noting that fulfilling their promises would require Rs. 8,900 billion, while proposed tax concessions would reduce income to Rs. 4,900 billion, creating a significant deficit of Rs. 4,000 billion, or 11.9% of GDP. He questioned how such a strategy could advance the economy.
President Wickremesinghe also mentioned a previous lawsuit filed by Handunnetti and Suriyapperuma challenging the constitutionality of the export economy proposed in the Economic Transformation Act. He expressed skepticism about participating in a debate without clarity on the NPP’s economic strategy.
He proposed a debate involving Dissanayake, Handunnetti, and Suriyapperuma to determine whether their economic policy was export-oriented or import-oriented. Following this, he is willing to arrange a video discussion with Dissanayake and the IMF Managing Director.
The President also noted that despite Sajith Premadasa’s extensive speeches in Parliament, core issues remained unresolved, and Premadasa’s leadership. He questioned how Premadasa could be expected to lead the Opposition.
The meeting was attended by UNP Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, MPs Ashanka Navaratne and Manjula Dissanayake, M.B. Dissanayake, Dr. Chaminda Mallasekera, Polgahawela UNP Zone Organizer Dhammi Rathnayake, and Kurunegala District UNP Zone Organizer Nuwan Liyanage, along with local political leaders, professionals, and businesspeople.
Protesting Development Officers continued their hunger strike near the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo yesterday (01), for the seventh consecutive day.The protesters, who are members of the Lanka School Development Officers’ Association, are demanding that they be absorbed into the teacher service as they have served as teachers in state-run schools for nearly seven years.
Secretary of the Association, Viraj Manaranga, said the protesters were seeking an urgent meeting with the President. He added that a presidential aide had visited the protest site and offered to arrange for a meeting with the President on 03 Feb., but the union insisted on an earlier date. Manaranga warned that failure to grant a meeting could trigger a massive protest in Colombo today (02).
Four officers participating in the hunger strike have been hospitalised due to deteriorating health, while two more joined the fast on Saturday (31).
In a bid to raise awareness of their grievances, on 30 January a delegation of the All Island Development Officers’ Association visited Most Venerable
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, and subsequently with the Chapter’s Registrar, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera. The prelates said promises that had been made to them should be fulfilled.
The protest began on 26 January as a satyagraha, after authorities failed to respond to repeated requests to integrate the officers into the teaching service. The escalation into a fast-unto-death underscores the protesters’ frustration over the prolonged delay
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The long-vacant post of Auditor General would be filled on 03 Feb., after months of controversy and delays, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said on Friday (31) in Kandy.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliamentary complex on Friday to discuss the appointment but failed to reach a decision on a suitable candidate. The President had previously proposed four names on four separate occasions, all of which were rejected. The Council is now set to consider the fifth nominee.
The post has remained vacant since April 2025, following the retirement of Chulanta Wickramaratne, who served as the 41st Auditor General. More than 10 months have passed without a permanent appointment.
Sources said a female officer in the Auditor General’s Department has been nominated again, though her previous recommendation was rejected due to some allegations against her.
Meanwhile, senior audit officer Dharmapala Gammanpila, with 31 years of service and the department’s most senior official, has received backing from the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas, the Maha Sangha, and several civil society groups for appointment as the 42nd Auditor General.
Sources noted that the three civil society representatives on the Constitutional Council will play a crucial role in the final decision.
by Chaminda Silva and SK Samaranayake
Two 18-year-old youth were arrested by the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division on 31 January for allegedly aiding and abetting two murders carried out in Dehiwala and Kohuwala. ICE (crystal meth) was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
The suspects are residents of Mount Lavinia and Boralesgamuwa, according to the police. They are accused of having helped carry out a murder at a hotel in the Dehiwala Police Division on 9 January, 2026, and an attack on a person travelling in a three-wheeler at Bodhiyawatta, Kohuwala, on 12 December, 2025.
Police said the charges included sending photographs of the victims to a criminal living overseas.
Investigations revealed that the youth had acted under the direction of a criminal known as Sando.
Under the guidance of Janaka Kumara, Director of the Southern Division of the Western Province Crime Division, investigations are being led by Police Inspector Hemanta Kumara, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Prasanna Gunathilaka and Prasanna (40248), and Constables Chaminda (72987), Anil (79598), Kumar (88762), and Senanayake (19363), who are continuing the probe.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Showers expected in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces
Development Officers threaten to intensify their protest
Auditor General to be appointed tomorrow
Two arrested for aiding and abetting murder
CID summons former First Lady again
Remembering Upali Wijewardene, founder of Upali Group of Companies
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
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