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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.
A consignment of 134 single cabs gifted by the Government of India under the Indo–Sri Lanka Friendship Programme for the use of the Sri Lanka Police was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (25) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
The Government of India has incurred an expenditure of approximately LKR.300 million for this initiative and the vehicles are scheduled to be distributed among police stations in the Northern Province.
Speaking at the occasion, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha stated that similar assistance would continue to be extended to Sri Lanka in the future.
In appreciation of this gift by the Government of India, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya presented a commemorative memento to Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, General Manager of DIMO Rajeev Pandithage, officials of the Indian High Commission and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Police were also present at the occasion.
(PMD)
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura extended till 1600 hrs on Tuesday [26]
The National Building Reasearch Organisation [NBRO] has extended the landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura till 1600 hrs on Tuesday 26th May 2026.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Dehiowita, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kuruwita, Ratnapura, Ayagama and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district and
The LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Palindanuwara, Mathugama, Bulathsinhala, Agalawatta, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Kiriella, Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Elapatha and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district have been extended.
The much-delayed Provincial Council (PC) elections cannot be held this year due to financial and legal constraints, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has said in Jaffna.Silva said so, fielding questions from journalists after the opening of the NPP coordination office in the Jaffna District on Saturday.
When asked whether the government was under Indian pressure to conduct the Provincial Council elections soon, Silva answered in the negative, claiming that Sri Lankan and Indian governments maintained close and friendly relations with a strong level of understanding.
He said budgetary allocations had been made for the PC elections, but the government had been compelled to divert resources for disaster relief following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. According to Silva, nearly Rs. 500 billion had to be allocated for relief measures, making it difficult to hold the elections this year. He further said legal complications in the electoral reform process had also contributed to the delay in holding the PC elections, noting that a parliamentary committee had been appointed to determine the electoral systems under which the PC polls should be conducted. Once the committee submitted its report and if no further issues arose, the elections could possibly be held next year, he said.
Silva also said the government had taken measures to strengthen reconciliation and development in the North by releasing lands previously occupied by military camps and improving road infrastructure.He added that empowerment initiatives were being implemented under the Praja Shakthi programme and that both Sri Lanka and India were continuing to work in close cooperation.
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