News

Widespread mafia activities delay recovery from crisis

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/18

by Prof. Tissa Vitarana

An increasing number of people in Sri Lanka are facing greater and greater hardships due to the massive economic, social and political crises. Both external and internal factors are responsible, mainly the shortage of both Dollars (Foreign Exchange) and Rupees facing the Government and the people. The high degree of fraudulent Mafia activities in the Government Service is aggravating the situation as divulged by COPA and COPE.

The lack of Dollars is leading to shortages and high prices of essential imports like fuel, gas, medicines. and food. The main cause of the Dollar shortage is the large accumulated debt of USS 52 Billion. As annual debt servicing amounts to about $ 7 Billion our foreign reserves have come down from S 8 Billion to near zero. This in turn is leading the government to take more loans from the IMF. World Bank and other multilateral lending institutions. This will add to our debt burden while failing to solve our immediate Dollar need. To meet this immediate need the government is resorting to Sovereign Bond Loans which carry very high interest rates and have to be paid in a short period. The final outcome will be that Sri Lanka will be caught in debt trap, from which it is hard to escape. The USA, UK and Japan have agreed to help but the amounts that they are willing to supply are not adequate to meet our needs.

The Government’s reluctance to obtain oil and gas supplies from Russia at very low cost for fear of displeasing the USA is the height of folly. This would also have the advantage of being done using the currencies of Russia and Sri Lanka, the Rouble and the Rupee, without the need for US Dollars. The Chinese remain ready to help us. But they too are not being accommodated with any sense of goodwill. The Government seems to have opted to get our oil and gas needs at much higher cost from the Middle East. I fear that we shall get further into the debt trap and suffer both in the near and distant future.

The shortage of Rupees has led to the large scale printing of local currency notes, which has boosted inflation and increased the cost of living. The policy of the government to support and encourage the traders has led to a further rise in prices due to profiteering by middlemen. In contrast, the LSSP leader Dr. N.M. Perera, as the Finance Minister in the SLFP/LSSP/CP Coalition Government overcame the severe economic crisis of 1972/3, together with T.B. Illangaratna, he strengthened the Cooperative Movement, both producer as well as consumer. Thereby eliminating the profiteering of the middlemen. The farmer and entrepreneur got a fair price for his produce while the consumer got a fair deal. As essential food items were available at reasonable price the people did not go hungry. But regrettably the present government is not ready to intervene as Dr. N.M. Perera did and the outcome is that a majority of people are going hungry, If this situation continues there will be starvation and deaths. Therefore I appeal to the government to strengthen the cooperative movement and revive the Food Control Department.

The time has come for the government to take stern action to reform the Administrative Service so that the increasing Mafia activities by sections of the service, supported by some politicians which is increasing could be controlled. As the earlier Chairman of COPA, I was shocked by the extent of the frauds and corruption existing that led to a massive shortage of government income. For instance several of the largest companies, including one private bank, have not paid income tax for 6 to7 years. This was due to three Boards of Appeal being set up in the recent past in the Inland Revenue Department, each of which enables a company to avoid the payment for a period of 1 1/2 years or more. Thus this delay , I have no doubt, is the result of collusion between some of the officials and the companies. I recommended that there should be only one Board of Appeal and it should give its conclusions within 6 months, and that the lower amount the company considered reasonable (not less than half the tax that had been demanded) should be paid upfront on the due date. I regret to state that though more than a year has passed my recommendation to the Minister of Finance has not been implemented. In the 1972-73 crisis there was only one Board of Appeal and Dr. N.M. Perera acted firmly but fairly.

He was able to restore a balanced budget by 1974 and end his final year, 1975, as Minister of Finance by achieving a surplus, which was even appreciated by IMF. The foreign exchange reserve that had fallen was restored to nearly $4 billion, and Sri Lanka was able to overcome the crisis without getting further into debt, but was able to purchase 7 to 8 ships to handle our foreign trade. I must mention that the imperialist powers that did not raise a finger to help us to get through the crisis met the PM Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and said now that the economy has become stable they would help the with FDI, but on the condition that Dr. N.M. Perera and the LSSP were thrown out of the government. Though this was done. FDI did not come and the country did not develop, resulting in a massive defeat at the 1977 general election which enabled the pro- American JR Jaywardene (Yankee Dickey) led UNP government to come into power.

My COPA investigations showed that massive frauds and corruption are prevalent in every Department or institutions that we summoned. To give an example, in the Customs Department, Mercedes Benz luxury models were treated as dual purpose vehicle and given an HS code that was given to Ambulances, and a minimal duty was charged. This type of activity which is prevalent in nearly every Department and Institution, to a varying extent, has led to an officials-led matia arising supported by some politicians. Not surprisingly instead of achiewing growth in food production there has been a drop this year following the fertilizer fiasco. One can expect a further drop. Thus the food crisis leading to increased hunger, starvation and malnutrition will further increase, with the continuing shortage of fuel and chemical fertilizer. To make matters worse with the closure of private enterprises and job losses, there had been a significant increase of crime and drug trafficking.

The emigration of valuable professionals like doctors (with an estimated migration of 4000 this year) and of educated youth is resulting in a severe brain drain that would have a serious impact on the society as a whole. The socioeconomic crisis is bound to lead to further massive protests. Based on past experience it is very likely that President Ranil Wickramasinghe will come down hard, even using guns to crush any protest, leading to violence and bloodshed. Peaceful protests must be allowed.

Therefore it is essential that this Government be changed and a progressive government with a clear policy that would successfully meet this crisis be formed The LSSP is now a part of a new alliance of seven parties, named the Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya. It has been agreed that each member party would be free to come out publicly with its own policies, and if the need arises contest separately in constituencies where it is strong and the others are weak. This flexibility would enable us to contest several local bodies, and even at provincial and national level using our Key symbol. At the inauguration I made it clear that as an alliance we stood against racial religious and cast prejudice, as one Sri Lankan Nation. Unlike previous progressive alliances which were dominated by SLFP or SLPP, this danger will not exist with the new alliance.

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News

Negombo Prison riot: No convicts among 21 inmates killed

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

A file picture of the Negombo Prison during the recent riots

Vast majority of wounded also non-convicts

A file picture of the Negombo Prison during the recent riots

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Department of Prisons yesterday (14) revealed that all inmates killed during the Negombo Prison riot were suspects. A senior official said so in response to The Island query. According to the official, among the wounded, too, the majority were suspects. The identities of the dead and the wounded inmates haven’t been officially released so far.

The official acknowledged that he, too, was surprised that convicts weren’t among the dead. Of them, two died on 5 July, 17 on the following day, within the Negombo Prison premises, and two after they were moved to other prisons. A top official of the Justice and National Integration Ministry explained the difficulties experienced in giving specific details due to the destruction of the relevant records.

The National Hospital yesterday reported that two wounded prison officers, warded there, succumbed to their injuries, raising the number of dead prison staff to 10.

The prison official and Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) asserted that the deaths and injuries, among the group of suspects held at the Negombo Prison, indicated that contrary to earlier reports Sunday’s flare-up and the subsequent violence seemed to have involved a section of the suspects and the prison personnel. CPRP pointed out as the Prisons Department has announced and already granted compensation to the tune of Rs 500,000 to prison personnel killed, the government should consider adequate compensation for suspects killed. The Justice Ministry official said that they were looking into this matter as well.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in a statement issued on 8 July pointed out that the vast majority of those who had been held in remand custody weren’t convicted of any offence and continued to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of law. Sources pointed out that the BASL, as well as the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) statements, issued on 8 and 10 July, didn’t make reference to suspects being among the dead.

Sources familiar with the situation at the Negombo Prison said that comprehensive investigation was required to establish the truth. Initially, the riot was blamed on suspects who allegedly set upon the convicts, alleging that the latter passed information to Prison authorities regarding their nefarious activities. Had that been the case, the dead should have included convicts but there were none, sources said.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Department is under investigation by the HRCSL over the refusal of the Chief Jailer of the Welikada Prison to allow the HRCSL team to visit the Prison on the night of 7 July, following the death of a suspect moved from the Negombo Prison. Alleging that the Chief Jailer’s action thwarted timely investigation of the allegation, the HRCSL has summoned Acting Commissioner General of Prisons, R. Prasad Hemantha Kumara, and the Welikada Chief Jailer, for an inquiry.

HRCSL has said that those who had been transferred to other prisons, following the incidents at the Negombo Prison had been ill-treated and deprived of medical treatment. The HRCSL has pointed out that deliberate delay on the part of the Prison authorities to provide medical treatment tantamount to taking revenge on the ex-Negombo inmates.

News

2026: 128 elephants killed in first four-and-a-half months

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

The death of 128 wild elephants during the first four-and-a-half months of 2026 has triggered renewed concern among Wildlife authorities and conservationists, who warn that unless urgent and science-based interventions are implemented, the country could be heading for another year of heavy elephant losses.

Figures released by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) show that 128 elephants died between January 1 and mid-May this year. Illegal electrocution, shooting, train collisions, poisoning, hakka patas (jaw bombs), and other human-elephant conflict-related incidents remain the leading causes of death.

A senior DWC official told The Island that the continued loss of elephants was a matter of grave concern.

She added:”Every elephant death is a significant loss to our wildlife heritage. We have intensified patrols, strengthened law enforcement and are working with local communities to minimise conflict. However, unless all stakeholders work together, reducing these deaths will remain a major challenge.”

The official said the Department was also investigating incidents involving illegal electric fences and firearms while expanding mitigation measures in identified conflict hotspots.

Chairman of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Hemantha Withanage, said the latest figures underscored the urgent need to rethink existing strategies.

“Human-elephant conflict is not merely a wildlife issue. It is a land-use planning issue, an agricultural issue and a governance issue.

Scientific land-use planning, protection of elephant corridors and proper maintenance of electric fences are essential if we are to save both human lives and elephants,” Withanage said.

Wildlife experts noted that habitat fragmentation, encroachment into elephant ranges, expansion of cultivation, and unplanned development continue to intensify encounters between people and elephants.

They warned that unless preventive measures are accelerated, elephant deaths this year could once again reach alarming levels.

Sri Lanka is home to one of Asia’s largest remaining populations of wild Asian elephants, estimated at between 6,000 and 7,000.

However, it also records one of the world’s highest annual elephant mortality rates linked to human-elephant conflict.

The DWC reminded the public that killing an elephant is a serious offence under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines.

Conservationists have urged the Government to expedite the implementation of the National Action Plan on Human-Elephant Conflict, strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve habitat management and allocate greater resources to community-based conservation programmes.

With more than half the year still ahead, Wildlife authorities say the rising elephant death toll is a stark reminder that lasting solutions will require sustained political commitment, scientific planning and stronger cooperation between government agencies and affected communities.

By Ifham Nizam

News

Sigiriya Jungles marks 10 years with community medical camp

Published

11 hours ago

2026/07/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sigiriya Jungles Resort & Spa will commemorate its 10th anniversary by hosting a community medical camp for residents of surrounding villages on August 11, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to community wellbeing and sustainable tourism.

The medical camp, scheduled from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. at the resort premises, will provide BMI assessments, full blood tests, cholesterol screening, blood pressure checks, eye and dental examinations, medicines, and health awareness sessions aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and healthier lifestyles. The anniversary celebrations will continue later that evening in the presence of invited religious leaders, health officials and other dignitaries.

Founder and Chairman of Sigiriya Jungles Resort & Spa, Devindre Senaratne, said the initiative reflected the resort’s desire to create a meaningful and lasting impact on the community that has supported its journey over the past decade.

“Our greatest achievement is not measured by occupancy or awards, but by the happy guests and the relationships we have built over a decade. Seeing this positive impact is what really makes us happy,” he said.

Located in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, the purposefully designed 60-room resort has welcomed more than 250,000 guests since opening in 2016. Designed by architect Vinod Jayasinghe, a protégé of the late Geoffrey Bawa, the property is distinguished by its bridge inspired by the historic Bogoda Bridge and offers visitors convenient access to UNESCO World Heritage attractions, including Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. The resort also conducts immersive experiences such as the Audangawa Village Tour and traditional Sri Lankan village cooking demonstrations at Archchi’s.

Over the past decade, Sigiriya Jungles has received several industry recognitions, including TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence, consecutive TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards from 2020 to 2026, the Booking.com Traveller Review Award 2026, and certifications for Safe and Secure Hospitality Operations and International Food Safety Standards (ISO 22000).

The resort has also undertaken a range of community initiatives, including the construction of the Audangawa Village Temple, continued support for Moragaswewa Vidyalaya in Habarana, regular shramadana campaigns, local sourcing programmes and certified skills training. More than 650 individuals have been trained through the resort over the past decade, many of whom now serve in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and overseas.

General Manager Chaminda Samaranayake said the resort remained committed to strengthening its sustainability agenda and is currently progressing towards Travelife certification.

“We are deeply grateful to our guests, staff, local communities, religious leaders, suppliers and partners who have helped shape these ten years. The next chapter will be guided by the same values that brought us here,” he said.