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CP blames 2022 crisis on JRJ policies

Published

2 months ago

2026/02/23

Weerasinghe

General Secretary of the Communist Party Dr. G. Weerasinghe has said the national economy nosedived in 2022 due to three factors. The depletion of the country’s foreign exchange reserves was the main factor caused by the huge chronic trade deficit blamed on the import/export policy implemented through the free/liberal/open trade policies implemented since 1978.

The second factor that led to the economic crisis was the steep decline in state revenue caused by the wrong tax policy followed by successive governments since 1978 by slashing direct taxes, giving tax concessions, imposing tax restrictions, and granting tax amnesties, especially to multinational corporations. Despite sucy concessions, Sri Lanka had not received substantial foreign investment did not receive

The third reason was the huge trade deficit and the gradually collapsing state revenue, which required more and more loans to be taken. Governments obtained loans from loans from lage private financial companies. in addition to institutions such as friendly countries, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. Among those who provided such loans to the Sri Lankan governments were eight Sri Lankan financial companies.

Dr. Weerasinghe said so addressing the inaugural session of the CP’s national congress that commenced on 20 February in Colombo.

Dr. Weerasinghe said that the three basic policies, namely the import/export policy that caused the loss of dollars, the tax policy that caused the loss of rupees, and the debt-building policy, especially the borrowing policy of international/national moneylenders, are all policies that arose from the so-called open economy/free trade economic strategy introduced to the country in 1978.

At the onset of his speech, the founding leaders of the CP, including Dr. S. A. Wickramasinghe, Pieter Keuneman, Rev. Udakendawala Sri Saranankara Thero, A. Vaidialingam, P. Kandiah and M. G. Mendis were remembered with great respect.

Dr. Weerasinghe said: “In Sri Lanka, we tried implementing these policies for almost 50 years – since 1978. Our infant industries, which were being built behind state protection and with assistance from the socialist countries, were destroyed. We became a market for the products of the Global North. We borrowed from the Global North’s banks to afford to buy products made by the Global North’s industries. Eventually, an economic crisis erupted in the country and it exploded.”

“When we all came together in 1935 and founded the Sama Samaja Party, and later the Communist Party, one of their main objectives was to win sovereignty – national independence. After going through various stages in the fight for national independence, we became a Republic in 1972 and completed political independence. But a question has arisen as to whether we have true political freedom today in 2026. This question has emerged so strongly in the wake of the economic crisis that erupted in 2022.

“The free market system was introduced to the world by neoliberal leaders in the late nineteen-seventies. This system was based on the views of economists who were marginal after World War II, but became more powerful following the crisis of capitalism in the nineteen-seventies. The policies of these economists were accepted by the political leaders of the United States, Britain, and Europe. These leaders then intervened in the Global South to enforce these ideas and policies.

“The main aspects of the free market system introduced to the world were: Free trade, Free movement of finance, Restriction of state intervention in the economy and expansion of the role of the private sector

“The result of these policies are that everything is determined by a handful of private international monopolies in the so-called free market. The richest 1% get richer while the poor get poorer. The rich 1% decides how the social wealth is invested, and the poor have no voice. This system was forced upon developing countries, often by military dictatorship or authoritarian governments.

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Sun directly overhead Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon today (11)

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/11

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (11th) are Pomparippu, Anuradhapura, Mihinthale, Galenbindunuwewa, Agbopura and Serunuwara about 12:11 noon.

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Opposition NCM against Energy Minister defeated

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

A no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody was defeated in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 104 votes.At the end of the debate, 49 members voted in favour of the motion, while 153 voted against it.

The motion, submitted to the Speaker on 19 March, was signed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs, and other Opposition members.

It accused Minister Jayakody of failing to ensure the procurement of adequate and quality coal for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, alleging that such negligence amounted to a breach of ministerial responsibility over a critical national energy asset.

The motion also cited ongoing legal proceedings against the Minister, noting that he has been indicted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and produced before the Colombo High Court under Section 70 of the Bribery Act, in connection with alleged acts of corruption during his tenure as Procurement Manager of the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Limited.

The motion read: Vote of No Confidence against Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy,— Whereas the Provision in Section 6 of the Part III of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament which states that: “The Members shall on all occasions act in accordance with the public trust entrusted with them and shall always behave with probity and integrity, including the use by them of any public resources.” has been violated; And whereas the following rules of conduct set out in Section 9 of the Part V of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament have prima facie been breached, namely:- “(a) to be conscience; (c) to act so as to merit the trust and respect of the people; (e) to hold themselves accountable for the conduct and duties for which they are responsible;” And whereas it is observed that the Minister has failed, in his capacity as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, to discharge the fundamental duties incumbent upon him in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution;

And whereas it is established that the Minister of Energy has failed to discharge his primary duty of ensuring the procurement of adequate and good quality coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant;

And whereas such gross negligence in overseeing a critical national energy asset constitutes a fundamental breach of ministerial responsibility;

And whereas the Minister of Energy has failed to carry out the subjects and functions vested in him by the Notification of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2412/08 of 25th November 2024 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including taking necessary steps to reduce the losses at the institutional management level and technical damages that occur to the electricity generation and distribution system and reduction of costs for generating electricity and removal of uncertainties during generation;

And whereas the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed formal indictments before the Colombo High Court against the incumbent Minister of Energy under Section 70 of the Bribery Act (Chapter 26) for the offence of “corruption” in connection with acts of corruption allegedly committed while he was serving as the Procurement Manager of the Lanka Fertilizer Company;

And whereas, in light of the foregoing, the Minister of Energy has irretrievably forfeited the confidence of Parliament and the people of Sri Lanka by causing losses to public finances, endangering national energy security, corruptly mishandling the procurement process, being subjected to active judicial proceedings for the offence of “corruption”, and betraying the Government’s own “anti-corruption mandate”, and his continued tenure as the Minister of Energy is contrary to the public interest, the rule of law, and the principles of good governance;

That this Parliament resolves that it has no confidence in the competence of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy to function as a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers any longer.”

by Saman Indrajith

News

Chinese Ambassador assures Lanka China will not allow a fuel crisis to develop here

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/11

Thilina Walpola

Qi Zhenhong

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong yesterday assured that China would not allow a fuel crisis to arise in Sri Lanka, under any circumstances, reaffirming Beijing’s continued support to the country.

The Ambassador made these remarks addressing the media after attending a dry ration distribution programme for 350 low-income families at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College, at Asgiriya, in Kandy.

Highlighting the longstanding ties between the two countries, Ambassador Qi said China has consistently stood by Sri Lanka and remains ready to extend assistance whenever required.

Amid concerns over global energy disruptions, stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, he noted that several countries are already facing difficulties, but stressed that China is prepared to support Sri Lanka at any time.

He said that any potential fuel shortage in Sri Lanka could be managed with the involvement of China’s Sinopec.

Reiterating Beijing’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and development, the Envoy also expressed hope that the current ceasefire in the Middle East would hold, while assuring that China stands ready to respond to any future developments and assist Sri Lanka as needed.

By SK Samaranayake