News
Delay in energy sector reforms: WB warns SL, calls for pruning of public service
The World Bank has warned parliament over Sri Lanka’s continuing failure to implement urgently required energy sector reforms. The WB has pointed out that for want of energy sector reforms, the country experienced significantly higher energy costs than other countries in the region.
The World Bank delegation has also underscored the need for pruning the public sector and improving overall productivity, pointing out that Sri Lanka maintains one of the largest public sector workforces with relatively low wage levels compared to peer countries.
The WB has made its position in respect of national economy at a recent joint meeting with the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and Committee on Ways and Means (COWM), parliament sources said.
The WB team led by Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan had discussed the issues at hand with Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chair of the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) and its members. Subsequently, the WB team had what parliament sources called a combined consultation session with COPE Chair Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, COPA Chair Kabir Hashim and COWM Chair Wijesiri Basnayake along with members of the respective committees.
WB Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan stressing a point
Committee Chairs expressed their appreciation to the World Bank for its continued support to Sri Lanka’s development over the years.
During the consultations, WB team has emphasized the responsibility on the part of the government address urgently needed energy sector reforms, develop ports and logistics sector and rightsizing the public sector.
Committee members briefed the World Bank officials on the mandates and oversight functions of their respective committees. Discussions also focused on key areas for reform and growth, including revenue collection improvement, job creation, poverty eradication, enhancing women’s participation in the economy, and strengthening sectors such as tourism, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of establishing efficiently run Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an alternative to full privatization. World Bank officials shared successful international case studies where well-structured PPPs contributed to enhanced service delivery and sustainable economic development.
These consultations underscore the commitment of both the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the World Bank to foster stronger institutional collaboration and drive forward sustainable economic development.
Mr. Stephan Massing, Senior Operations Officer, World Bank Group, Victor Anthonypillai, Senior Country Officer, IFC, M. Jayalath Perera, Director Legislative Services and Director Communication (Acting) of Parliament were also present in these meetings.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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