News
Crisis cannot be tackled by fuel price increases alone: SJB prescribes IMF
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) spokesperson Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP, yesterday (21) called for immediate remedial measures in the wake of Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila’s shocking admission that the national economy was in such a bad shape it found it difficult to pay for oil imports.
Former UNP non-Cabinet minister de Silva said that there had not been a previous instance of a minister expressing fears of collapse of the banking system under their watch unless corrective measures were taken. The Colombo District MP recommended the government to seriously consider seeking IMF’s assistance before the situation further deteriorated .
Noting that both the Energy Minister and the Presidential Secretariat declared that state banks could be overwhelmed by staggering Rs 737 bn loans owed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), MP de Silva emphasised that the monetary crisis could not be addressed by increasing fuel prices alone.
COPE member MP de Silva appreciated Attorney-at-law Gammanpila for being frank in his assessment. The SJB MP explained ways and means of addressing the issues at hand when The Island asked whether the Parliament as an institution should adopt a common stand on national economy and take tangible remedial measures?
The Island also sought the MP’s suggestions on stabilising the economy.
Economist de Silva said that Minister Gammanpila is on record as having said that the Central Bank in a letter dated May 31, 2021 warned the Finance Ministry of dire consequences unless remedial measures were taken.
MP de Silva said that State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal in a recent interview with Irida Lankadeepa confirmed Minister Gammanpila’s statement. However, it would be a grave mistake on the part of the government to believe such an extremely serious situation could be tackled by increasing fuel prices.
The former Policy Planning Deputy Minister said the issue at hand is so serious, it could not be fixed by just increasing fuel prices. “A macro prudential analysis must be undertaken by the Central Bank without further delay. The systemic risks must be identified and assessed. The vulnerability of the banking system must be immediately addressed beyond the mere inability of the CPC to make good on their payments,” MP de Silva said.
MP de Silva underscored the desperate situation the state banks were experiencing. The MP said that state banks were entering into dollar swaps at massive discounts. For instance, buying dollars today at Rs 199.99 with settlement in a year at Rs 181.99. “Consider the risk these state banks are running. Can they get dollars at Rs 181.99 in a year’s time or will the dollar cost Rs 210 or even higher? Whose money is at risk? Another glaring example is the plan to borrow USD 1 billion from ‘unsolicited’ bidders. This is unbelievable. Are we going to integrate our banking system with money laundering operators to allow them to clean black money? What will happen to our credibility in the longer run? These are all serious matters that need immediate attention.”
Responding to another query, MP de Silva asserted that the best option available to the SLPP government was to restructure the country’s debt. “If we, do it now, we should be able to come out of the crisis with only a re-profiling exercise, meaning a delay in our payments to the bond holders instead of asking them to take a haircut, meaning to agree to a reduction in principle,” he said.
The SJB heavyweight asked would working with the IMF acceptable than seeking deals with those hoping to clean their dirty money. The current crisis should be tackled by working with the IMF whatever the political agenda the SLPP hoped to pursue, the government had no option but to seek IMF assistance or face a catastrophe. MP de Silva said that he suggested six months ago that Sri Lanka had no option but to undertake a restructuring process with the IMF. Although the government had ignored warnings and declared it would never go to the IMF, the crisis triggered by the fuel price hike exposed the government. “Unfortunately for the people of Sri Lanka the more these people continue this delay in restructuring the greater the pain will be when it finally is thrust upon us. We need a soft landing. Not a hard landing,” Dr. de Silva said.
The former minister said that this would be raised in parliament. Referring to a media briefing called by Minister Gammanpila early this month whereas announced plans for a new oil refinery at Sapugaskanda, MP de Silva said that the PHU leader said that cash-strapped debt-ridden government lacked the wherewithal to make an investment therefore needed external financing amounting to USD 3 bn. The former Minister said that Minister Bandula Gunawardena and State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, too, acknowledged the severe financial difficulties with the latter explaining how the raging Covid-19 pandemic worsened the situation.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
… alleges Prez trying to control judiciary
Opposition grouping ‘Mahajana Handa’ has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of trying to exercise control over the judiciary by appointing a sitting High Court judge as Additional Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry.
Addressing the media at Dr. N. M. Perera Centre, Punchi Borella, on Tuesday (20) top Opposition spokesman and former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris warned the High Court judge D.M.D.C. Bandara’s appointment was nothing but a direct executive intervention in the judiciary.
Responding to The Island queries, Prof Peiris asked how the government could compel courts to deal with a sitting judge who functioned as Secretary to the Justice and National Integration Ministry.
Prof. Peiris explained that the latest move by the Executive should be examined taking into consideration the attacks on Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe Jr, PC., the deliberate delaying of the appointment of Auditor General and the controversy over the process of promotions of Judicial Officers, Judges of the High Court and the Court of Appeal in Sri Lanka. Prof. Peiris pointed out that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had raised those controversial promotions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
D.M.D.C. Bandara, Senior Assistant Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, was among altogether 18 High Court judges appointed by President Dissanayake in early Sept this year. The group consisted of 17 Special Class Judicial Officers and a Senior State Counsel serving in the Attorney General’s Department.
Referring to a recent meeting ‘Mahajana Handa’ representatives, including him had with the Mahanayake theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters in Kandy, Prof. Peiris said that they had received the blessings of the Mahanayakes to go ahead with what he called a programme of action meant to address major issues.
Prof. Peiris said they would initiate talks with other like-minded political parties and groups in this regard soon. Referring a protest held at the Hulftsdorp on Wednesday (21) demanding the removal of the AG Ranasinghe, Prof. Peiris emphasized that the government’s hand in that demonstration was very clear. President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed him as the AG in July 2024 with the unanimous backing of the Constitutional Council.
Prof. Peiris said that action was yet to be initiated to appoint new civil society representatives to the Constitutional Council. That issue hadn’t received sufficient public attention, Prof. Peiris said, urging President Dissanayake to come down from his high horse.
Asked whether the President could appoint a sitting judge as an Additional Secretary to a Ministry without consulting the Chief Justice and President of the High Court Judges Association, sources familiar with the issues at hand said that certain appointments could be made on secondment. However, that has to follow the proper procedure, sources said.
The Island sought a response from the Justice and National Integration Ministry to the accusations made by Prof. Peiris on behalf of ‘Mahajana Handa,’ but did not receive one until this edition went to press.
By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️
The largest narcotics haul in Sri Lanka’s history was seized last year, according to Police Media Spokesperson and Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler.
Addressing a media briefing at the Department of Government Information at Narahenpita on Wednesday (22), ASP Wootler said nationwide operations carried out under Operation Ratama Ekata had helped curb the spread of illicit drugs.
He said police taken into custory 10,871 kilos of heroin, cannabis, ice, hashish and cocaine in 2024, while seizures rose sharply to 23,692 kilograms and 307 grams in 2025.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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