News
TNA: Budget needs to be consistent with IMF economic reform program and macroeconomic framework
TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran told Parliament that the Government must rethink its priorities and address the needs of the lower income classes of the country. Sumanthiran pointed out that the Government, despite promises, has not allocated funds to provide the promised subsidy for kerosene but is making essentials necessary for the country’s middle class and upper-middle class readily available.
“The Government is making petrol and super diesel available but there is a shortage of diesel and kerosene. The priority must be the other way around. The needs of those who need the support most must be prioritised,” he said. The TNA MP said he believes the Government has taken this course of action in a bid to silence the protests of the country’s middle and upper-middle class. “The Government is doing this because it thinks by silencing the dissent of the middle and upper-middle class it can get away with blue murder,” he accused. According to the MP, the interim Budget has only further burdened the lower-income classes of the country. “Hoping to supply the Budget deficit through local revenue is not the answer,” he said. Sumanthiran pointed out that many shootings and killings are taking place across the country. “Police are not investigating these crimes and are instead being deployed in the thousands to stifle genuine protests by the people. Around 1000 policemen are deployed to stop a protest march of just 500 people. Earlier tear gas and water cannons were used on protestors and now the Government is using the Prevention of Terrorism Act to repress them as well,” he noted. He also questioned if the President is attempting to appeal to some sections of the country. “The President signed the recent detention orders in Sinhala, whereas he usually signs in English.
Is there a sudden change of personality? Is he trying to appeal to certain sections of society by signing in Sinhala?” he asked. The MP pointed out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced the Staff-Level Agreement with Sri Lanka but based on several conditions. “Even as it was announced the IMF released this statement and I quote – ‘the new Staff-Level Agreement is subject to the approval of IMF management and the Executive Board in the period ahead, contingent on the implementation by the authorities of prior actions including financial assurances from Sri Lanka’s official creditors.’ In other words, this is contingent on something that has not been done yet. We hope the Government sees to this,” he said. But the MP also pointed out that to fulfil these obligations the Budget needs to be consistent with the economic reform program and macro-economic framework underlying by the IMF. Pointing out Japan’s denial of hosting a debt restructuring conference on Sri Lanka contrary to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s claims, Sumanthiran said the people must be told the whole truth. “People are being told what they like to hear,” he said.
Latest News
Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara
Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.
Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district
LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
News
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.
The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.
The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).
Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara
Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya
Shafali dazzles with 49-ball unbeaten 100 and India march into Asian Games final
Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 83 leads Sri Lanka into final
‘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
-
Opinion6 days agoFrom Galkissa (Mount Lavinia) to Tambuttegama
-
News3 days agoUS embassy won’t comment on IGP’s probe into joint drug raid
-
Features5 days agoThe emptying university: why are academics leaving?
-
Features6 days agoSri Lanka’s university crisis: Brain drain and union action demand urgent reform
-
Opinion6 days agoAshraff: From the SLMC towards the National Unity Alliance
-
Business3 days agoAll-new Bolero MaXX unveiled in Sri Lanka
-
News2 days agoBid for Basil’s extradition nears final stage: Police
-
Editorial6 days agoMuscle flexing, astroturfing and dog-and-pony shows