National Democratic Front (NDF) MP Ravi Karunanayake on Monday called on the JVP/NPP-led government to take immediate action to launch a programme to ensure that Sri Lanka would not face another economic crisis.

Speaking during the second reading stage debate on the 2025 Budget in Parliament, Karunanayake commended the government for continuing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic bailout programme. He said that adhering to IMF conditions is crucial for strengthening the economy, regardless of political promises made to the public.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the continued progress of the IMF programme. Regardless of what promises are made to the people, adhering to IMF conditions is the only path to strengthening the economy,” Karunanayake said.

“When we begin implementing a project, its effectiveness must be carefully evaluated. Even if immediate results are not visible after constructing a road, its economic benefits must be assessed,” he said.

Karunanayake urged the government to make bold decisions, stating, “Now is the time to make bold decisions. This is a good opportunity. The expenses we incur today are the investments we will reap tomorrow. When all reconstruction expenses are accounted for, capital expenses will diminish.”

There is an urgent need for a financially disciplined programme to prevent the country from falling back into crisis, calling for the utilization of local experts and fearless decision-making. “As a government, make decisions fearlessly and correctly. Back then, President Ranil Wickremesinghe made the right decisions without being swayed by political considerations. Such decisions are what the country needs now,” he said.

Karunanayake also supported the privatization of SriLankan Airlines, noting that Rs. 20 billion has been allocated for this purpose. “It is appropriate to privatize the management of SriLankan Airlines. This should be done for the country’s progress,” he said.

He criticized the Tourist Board for its lack of expenditure, stating, “The Board has not spent even five cents from its budget,” and called for the allocation of necessary funds to purchase paddy.

Karunanayake suggested that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake use helicopters for travel to save time. “President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should use helicopters when travelling across the country. He spends at least seven hours travelling towards the North by road. He wastes valuable time which he can use to make important decisions. The President will have more time to make important decisions if he travels by helicopter,” he said.

Karunanayake also questioned the benefits of foregone perks for MPs, citing the closure of the Speaker’s official residence as an example. “The Speaker’s official residence is located next to my residence. It is closed at the moment. What benefit can the country enjoy by keeping the official residence closed? You may save only a few millions by keeping them closed,” he said.

The Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA), the oldest journalist organisation in the country, conducted its 69th Annual General Meeting recently at the Western Province Aesthetic Resort Auditorium, where they appointed its office-bearers for the year 2025. The new Executive Committee is as follows: Chief Patron: Muditha Kariyakarawana, Patrons: Thilakarathna Kuruwita Bandara, P. Balasingham, Sisira Wijesinghe, President: Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana (Daily Mirror), Vice Presidents: P M. Senaratne, S G K D Julian, Secretary General: Tilak Senanayake (Media Trainer), Deputy Secretary General: Douglas Nanayakkara (SLRC), National Secretary: Tharaka Wickramasekara (Silumina), Assistant Secretaries: Ananda Kannangara (Lake House), Saman Indrajith (The Island), Foreign Secretary: Gagani Weerakoon (Ceylon Today), Assistant Foreign Secretary: Prof. Samitha Hettige (BCIS), National Organiser: Thilanka Kanakaratne (Freelance), Assistant National Organisers: Cyril Ariyapala (Dramatist), Ishu Bandara (Sunday Times), Treasurer: Chaminda Karunaratne (KDU), Assistant Treasurers: Krishna D. Edirisinghe (Aruna), Cyril Pathirana (Kelaniya Newspaper), Legal Advisor: Lakmal Sooriyagoda (Attorney-at-Law), Editor Sinhala: Pani Wewala (Freelance), Editor Tamil: Alagan Kanagaraj (Tamil Mirror), Editor English: Yohan Perera (Daily Mirror), Chief Publications Secretary: Chula Bandara Banneheke (Graphics Specialist), Assistant Publications Secretary: Anushad Wedage (Freelance), Digital Media Secretary: Daminda Harsha Perera (Daily FT), Academic Secretary: Sarath Kumara Perera (Snr. Research Journalist), Electronic Media Secretary: Shirley Anil De Silva (Media Consultant), Chief Coordinator: Ranjith Pathirage (Capital Maharaja Group), Women’s Affairs Organizer: Akila Nadeeshani Bandara (Monara),

Executive Committee: Kelum Bandara (Daily Mirror), Sajith Ranasinghe (Swarnavahini), Sandun Yapa Karunaratne (Attorney-at-Law), Chaminda Perera (Daily News), Nirmala Perera (Surani Publishers), Saliya de Fonseka (Trumpet Publications), Anandi Balasingham (Tamil Mirror), Rohitha Wickramasinghe (Sarasa Media), Sriyanjani Lokuliyana (CEA), Anura C. Perera (Science Writer), Yasas Nainanayake (Mass Media Ministry), Senthil Velawar (Thinakaran), M. Shamil Amit (Daily Mirror), Sumindu Maduranga (Ada), Goyum Prabath Rupasena (Mass Media Ministry), Samantha Perera (Daily Mirror), Nidarshani Wickramasinghe (Ada), Thilina Shalika (Department of Information), Amila Chinthaka Gamage (Lankadeepa), Supun Maduwantha (Yarl TV) and Dushantha Gunaratne (Daily FT).

President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with Ms. Severine Chappaz, the newly appointed Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on Tuesday (25) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Discussions focused on the ICRC’s support for the new government’s policy framework. As part of this collaboration, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has agreed to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

President Disanayake highlighted that the budget 2025 has allocated funds for on-going programs related to searching for missing persons.

Additionally, the President announced plans to celebrate “Sri Lankan Day” as a national initiative aimed at fostering unity and strengthening the country’s collective identity, transcending ethnic and religious differences.

The President expressed his gratitude to the ICRC for its humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka since 1989 and acknowledged its continued commitment to the country.

The meeting was also attended by Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, and Ruwanthi Jayasundara, Communications Manager of the ICRC.