News
SJB asks govt. to reveal IMF loan conditions
By Saman Indrajith
The SJB yesterday demanded in Parliament that the government reveal the conditions in its agreement with the IMF.
Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the government should not expect the Opposition’s support for the IMF bailout project unless the IMF conditions were revealed to the public.
“The IMF agreement should be debated in Parliament. How could we conduct a debate without knowing the contents of the agreement? Some ministers say that there is no agreement yet. Minister Ali Sabry told the UNHRC that there was an agreement with the IMF. It is said that some creditors, too, have been given copies of this agreement. However, it is hidden from Parliament, which is said to have control over public finance. The Speaker should take action to get this agreement for the MPs. He should maintain Parliament’s dignity. The excuse for hiding this agreement from Parliament is that the draft agreement contains sensitive clauses and we have agreed with the IMF to maintain secrecy.
“It could be recalled that the government acted the same way without informing the House when it ruined this economy. In 2019 there foreign currency reserves to the tune of UD 7,900 million. It was brought down to 20 million US dollars while the Opposition kept raising questions in Parliament and the government continued on without informing it.
“We demand that the Speaker should call on the President and get this agreement to Parliament. We, as MPs, have a right to see this. If you keep hiding this agreement we will have to withdraw our support for the government’s plans.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
ITAK MPs representing East take their woes to Canadian HC
‘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
-
News7 days agoTreasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
-
News6 days agoRooftop Solar at Crossroads as Sri Lanka Shifts to Distributed Energy Future
-
News5 days ago“Three-in-one blood pressure pill can significantly reduce risk of recurrent strokes”
-
News7 days agoCentral Province one before last in AL results
-
Sports7 days agoWell done AKD!
-
News2 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News5 days agoAlarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm
-
News3 days agoEaster Sunday Case: Ex-SIS Chief concealed intel, former Defence Secy tells court