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Sri Lanka wouldn’t have been in crisis if CBSL had floated rupee in April last year –Dr. Wijewardena

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/15

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. W. A. Wijewardena says the country wouldn’t have been in the current predicament had the Monetary Board floated the Rupee in April 2021, six months before Ajith Nivard Cabraal succeeded Prof. W.D. Lakshman.

Consultant on banking, finance and economics, Dr. Wijewardena said so when The Island sought clarification regarding declaration on ‘Hiru’ on Sunday (13) that the incumbent government since Dec 2019 squandered as much as USD 5,500 mn trying to prevent the depreciation of Rupee. Dr. Wijewardena explained how the failure on the part of the Monetary Board to take remedial measures at the required time caused a catastrophe.

Dr. Wijewardena pointed out that Cabraal, who succeeded Prof. Lakshman, too, failed to address the issue. Cabraal quit his SLPP National List seat to receive the Governor’s post on Sept 15, 2021. Cabraal served as State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms at the time of his resignation.

The retired CB Deputy Governor emphasised that the much touted ‘road map for economic recovery’ that had been announced on Oct. 1, 2021, didn’t recommend depreciation of the Rupee. The outspoken former CBSL official said that the depreciation of the Rupee/floating of the Rupee hadn’t been among the remedial measures announced by the incumbent governor.

The much-delayed decision to float the Rupee in the second week of March this year should be examined against the backdrop of the overall failure of the so-called ‘road map for economic recovery’ to achieve its targets within six months, Dr. Wijewardena told The Island.

Responding to Hiru interviewer, Dr. Wijewardena said that though CBSL expected the country to receive as much as the USD 10.5 mn during Oct-Dec, 2021 period, it didn’t materialise. Alleging that the timing of the floating of the Rupee had been unnecessarily delayed, Dr. Wijewardena asserted that the consequences could be quite devastating. The veteran banker compared the cash-strapped Sri Lanka economy with an uncontrolled kite.

Dr. Wijewardena cited the pathetic failure on the part of the entire banking system to meet USD 16 mn requirement to pay for a crude oil carrier underscored the crisis the country faced. Responding to The Island queries, Dr. Wijewardena questioned the culpability of the Monetary Board as regards the handling of the economy.

The current five-member Monetary Board consists of the Governor Cabraal (ex-officio), Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle (ex-officio), Sanjeewa Jayawardena, PC, Dr. Mrs. Ranee Jayamaha and Samantha Kumarasinghe. Mrs. Jayamaha, an ex-Deputy Governor, CBSL and Multichemi International Ltd Chairman Kumarasinghe joined the Monetary Board in late June 2020 whereas Jayawardena received his appointment in Feb 2020.

The Monetary Board couldn’t absolve itself of the responsibility for the current crisis, Dr. Wijewardena said, urging the government to review the entire situation without further delay.

Basil Rajapaksa replaced Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Finance Minister in July last year.

According to Dr. Wijewardena, the banking system experienced a critical shortage of Rupees in addition to the foreign currency crisis. Dr. Wijewardena estimated that the current Rupee shortage at Rs 700 bn.

Dr. Wijewardena urged the CBSL to immediately increase bank interest rates from 7.5 percent to at least 15 as an initial measure to address the crisis. Dr. Wijewardena, who had served the CBSL for over 40 years emphasized that the recent decision to increase interest rates from 6.5 % to 7.5% was not adequate at all.

Sri Lanka couldn’t address the developing crisis by securing limited funds from India, China and Bangladesh. Instead, the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be secured, the veteran banker pointed out, adding that those who dismissed repeated calls to seek IMF help to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt should accept responsibility for the pathetic state of affairs today.

He compared a country’s foreign reserves with that of savings of an individual. “Savings are utilized in an emergency,” Dr. Wijewardena said, pointing out the absurdity in using foreign reserves to protect/prop up local currency. The ex-banker recalled how the Thai government moved court against the Governor of its Central bank Rerngchai Marakanond for spending USD 4.6 bn or 2.5 bn Pounds to prop up Baht during 1990s financial crisis. The Bangkok Civil Court in May 2005 directed Marakanond to reimburse the Bank of Thailand within a month, Dr. Wijewardena said. Although, the Supreme Court cleared him a decade later, the case established culpability of a decision maker/ decision makers in such a situation.

As the Parliament is accountable for public finance and enactment of laws, the responsibility of the House, too, should be examined, Dr. Wijewardena said.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

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 above table 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

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)