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SJB opposes selling of strategically important State own enterprises

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/10

SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne assured that main opposition was ready with a plan and strategies to implement projects for the wellbeing of the people no sooner it comes to office after elections due shortly. People of this country are eagerly awaiting to oust this government which has no mandate or even proper plan to implement for the country.

Addressing the media at the office of the Leader of Opposition over the last weekend, the former UNP State Minister said that SJB opposes the sale or privatisation of the strategically important SoEs such as CEB and Petroleum Corporation but insists that the monopoly now enjoyed by such SoEs be brought to an end with private sector participation on a competitive market system. The reason for it is, so far attention was paid to make sure the employees’ interest but no government paid its attention to consumer interests.

People do complain that even if there is a surplus of employees in government institutions, they cannot get a service done without paying bribes. We cannot simply reject these allegations as there is no smoke without fire. Most of the SoEs are inefficient and loss making. Now the government has been talking of restructuring them.

“SJB is for restructuring of SoEs. But what is the philosophy for it. If a State organisation is involved in manufacturing goods and services priority should be given to provide quality goods with an efficient and competitive atmosphere to the consumers. Second priority is to protect the rights of employees. Restructuring should be made under a transparent process,” revealed Wikramaratne articulating the SJB policy on SOE restructuring.

He also mentioned that amongst several Expressways that were constructed in the country except one all other projects have been awarded without following proper procurement process of competitive bidding to known persons or companies. Under this context, the people of this country have suspicions of the actions of this government as it has handled major development projects not for the country but for kickbacks.

In the recent past the present government has had discussion with a US firm to bring in investment on energy sector. But it appeared to be a mysterious deal as there is no transparency seen in the transaction.

When we take SriLankan Airlines, its losses runs to more than 400 billion rupees. People of this country maintain this loss making airline with their direct and indirect tax money. SriLankan has under its wing two other sectors that are making profits. Now plans are afoot to privatise those two profit making organizations namely ground handling and SriLankan catering services leaving behind the airline to make further loss.

In 2019 a report was prepared as to how the SriLankan should be restructured. The President’s expert committee on restructuring Sri Lankan Airline headed by Eran Wickramaratne that included Dr. Harsha de Silva and the present CBSL Governor Dr. Nadalal Weerasinghe and few others, recommended that the two other entities that are making profits be made a joint corporate bodies of the SriLankan Airline in order to minimize its losses. The MP said that SJB opposes any effort on the part of this government to split the organization into three and selling off the two profit making institutions separately, making the SriLankan airline incur further losses.

Referring to a recent speech of the President in Parliament, he said that the President implied that if the stock market is to be closed, it could be liquidated. The Country’s Head of State should not make such a statement even for humour. After the statement of the President, Nestlé has decided to withdraw from the stock market after 40 years of investment.

At a time when the investments of other foreign companies should be attracted to the stock market and FDI, if foreign companies withdraw because of such statements, Eran Wickramaratne asked whether this government does not need any foreign investments in this country or is it a ploy to bring in foreign selected investment that would benefit individuals with commissions.

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Related Topics:Eran Wickramaratne SJB Minster Eran Wickramaratne

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Interpol crackdown: Sri Lankan man among seven arrested in UK for human smuggling

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Suspect also wanted for child abuse: Extradition process underway

Among seven persons arrested in the United Kingdom for people smuggling is a Sri Lankan wanted by French authorities for the rape of a child.

UK’s National Crime Agency said that it collaborated with police and international partners in INTERPOL’s largest-ever operation targeting people smuggling and human trafficking.

Operation Liberterra III was led by the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) and targeted offenders wanted for a range of crimes who had entered the UK illegally.

Officers from the National Extradition Unit at the JICC made five arrests across London, Bedfordshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

Those arrested included:

A 30-year-old Sri Lankan man arrested in Liverpool and wanted in France for the rape of a child

A 38-year-old Iraqi man wanted for rape in Germany arrested in Greater Manchester

A 29-year-old Egyptian man wanted for murder in France arrested in Bedfordshire

A 41-year-old Syrian man arrested in Greater Manchester and wanted in Germany for organising illegal small boat crossings

A 30-year-old Bulgarian man arrested in London for human trafficking and wanted in France

Greater Manchester Police teams also made two arrests across the county during the operation which was held between 10 and 21 November last year.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian man wanted in Germany for sexual exploitation

A 31-year-old Romanian man wanted in Romania for sexual exploitation

Extradition proceedings are underway for all seven suspects.

The NCA website quoted its Deputy Director of International Rick Jones as having said: “This global operation is a prime example of our commitment to working closely and effectively with international partners to tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.

“We were proud to host the European Co-ordination Unit and used a range of our specialist capabilities to gather and disseminate intelligence to law enforcement agencies across the world, and to enable our officers to identify, locate and detain offenders wanted overseas.

“As a result, seven suspects wanted in connection to serious offences have been removed from our communities and extradition proceedings are ongoing to ensure they face justice.”

Globally, 3,744 suspects were arrested including 1,800 for human trafficking and migrant smuggling offences.

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Sri Lanka calls on global consular corps to protect nationals amid fishermen incident

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath accepts a token of appreciation

Addressing a gathering of the world’s consular community, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath issued a pointed, diplomatic request yesterday for the enhanced protection of Sri Lankan citizens abroad, a message delivered against the backdrop of a recent alleged assault on Sri Lankan fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard.

The occasion was the inauguration of the FICAC 2026 South Asia Regional Conference, hosted by The Association of Consuls in Sri Lanka together with the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) at Cinnamon Life.

Minister Herath, while outlining Sri Lanka’s foreign policy of “non-alignment, strategic autonomy, and constructive engagement,” directly tasked the honorary consul community with a critical role. “I request the honorary consul community to maintain a continued and enhanced focus on safeguarding the rights and welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in respective jurisdictions,” he stated.

The appeal carries significant weight following recent media reports which detailed claims by a group of fishermen from Wennappuwa that they were assaulted by uniformed Indian Coastal Guards. The incident, alleged to have occurred partly in Sri Lankan territorial waters, resulted in hospitalisations and has been referred to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Navy for investigation. Minister Herath’s carefully calibrated statement before the international audience underscored the government’s proactive but diplomatic approach to citizen welfare overseas.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who also addressed the inaugural session, framed Sri Lanka as a nation on a resurgent path. She thanked FICAC for selecting Sri Lanka, noting the choice reinforces the country’s returning credibility under President AKD’s administration.

“Fiscal management is in good control with contained inflation and increased reserve levels and global confidence is returning as the country is moving towards stability, expanded economic activity and inclusive growth,” the Prime Minister stated. She also acknowledged the severe challenge posed by climate change, citing Cyclone Ditwah, and thanked the international community for its support during the disaster, which helped quickly revive the tourism sector.

Both leaders positioned the consular network as indispensable partners in Sri Lanka’s recovery and global re-engagement. Minister Herath emphasised their role in bridging “governments, businesses and communities,” while the Prime Minister stated such forums help reconsolidate the support of global actors.”

The three-day FICAC conference brings together consular officials from across South Asia, focusing on their unique role in facilitating diplomacy, trade, and legal cooperation outside traditional embassy channels.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

News

Korean boost for Thriposha programme: Partnership worth USD 10 mn

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has reached agreement with Sri Lanka to strengthen the country’s Thriposha nutrition programme through climate-resilient, locally sourced food systems.

According to the Korean Embassy here the agreement formalised a USD 10 million partnership that would enhance domestic production of high-quality maize, reduce reliance on imports, and reinforce the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship nutrition intervention for children and mothers. The agreement in this regard reflected the shared commitment of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development outcomes, the Embassy stated.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Ms. Miyon Lee, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage, Country Representative, World Food Programme (WFP) Philip Ward, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited, demonstrating the commitment by all relevant stakeholders of this unique project.