News

Response to economic revival plan pathetic: Harsha disappointed

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/30

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday said that he was quite disappointed that his economic revival plan, or common minimum programme, presented in parliament on 12 August hadn’t received the anticipated response from political parties, represented in Parliament.

The Colombo District lawmaker said so when The Island asked him whether political parties and President Ranil Wickremesinghe reacted to his plan. The lawmaker said that he was not angry but appalled at the way the political parties responded to the deepening economic crisis.

Responding to another query, MP de Silva said that he had the backing of his party though there were some differences of opinion on some matters. Lawmaker de Silva said that he was ready to discuss the overall plan with those represented in parliament and other stakeholders. The MP emphasized that so far, the government had not presented a roadmap for economic revival.

Addressing the parliament, MP de Silva urged leaders of all political parties represented there to support his proposals. The former UNP State Minister declared that his plan could secure the confidence and support of the public and external entities as well.

The set of proposals has been ratified by the Economic Policy Unit comprising lawmakers Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne and Kabir Hashim. It has been endorsed by SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.

The blueprint dealt with (1) debt crisis management (2) monetary and exchange rate policy (3) revenue consolidation (4) expenditure control (5) public sector management (6) energy and utilities reform (7) trade, agriculture, industry and service promotion (8) factor market reform (9) stronger social safety nets and (10) transparency and accountability.

The MP pointed out that though Sri Lanka received USD 4 bn Indian assistance via credit lines, currency swaps etc., this year, ongoing talks with Japan, China, Middle East countries and Russia hadn’t produced the desired results. Declaring that the country was in dire straits, MP de Silva questioned the inordinate delay on the part of the government seeking a consensus on an economic recovery plan.

Referring to emergency assistance provided by the US, Australia and EU, Dr. de Silva said that the much-needed Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) couldn’t be secured until the government achieved significant progress in what he called debt restructuring talks. Asserting that Sri Lanka couldn’t do without short-term bridging financing from friendly countries such as credit lines for imports, foreign currency swaps or barter trade, Dr.de Silva said that privatization, too, was an option. However, the MP warned against privatization sans proper procedures. The consequences would be catastrophic, the lawmaker added.

Recently, dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa accused the government of planning to privatize Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) and Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT). One-time private sector executive alleged the government exploited the current financial turmoil to sell off profit making enterprises. Dr. Godahewa told The Island that there was broad consensus on the need to restructure loss-making state enterprises but the government seemed to be bent on selling off valuable assets.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka was the only country in Asia to default on foreign debt in half a century, MP de Silva emphasized that unbridled corruption contributed to the deterioration of the national economy over the past several decades to such an extent finally the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe acknowledged Sri Lanka’s inability to service its foreign debt.

The former UNPer called for the enactment of strong anti-corruption legislation and the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Dr. de Silva recently received appointment as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), one of the three parliamentary watchdog committees meant to ensure financial integrity in the public sector. The top SJB official succeeded Kurunegala district SLPP MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

All News Advertisement

Related Topics:Featured Harsha De Silva Minister Harsha De Silva

Up Next

American Centre in Colombo opens doors again

Don't Miss

21 A: Consensus on non-inclusion of provisions that required approval at referendum sought

Click to comment

Latest News

President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

News

CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

Latest News

Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]