News

DEW urges Sri Lanka to deviate from neo-liberal economic strategy

Published

5 years ago

2022/03/3

Former General Secretary of the Communist Party D.E.W. Gunasekera, has said the current economic crisis couldn’t be resolved unless Sri Lanka deviates from the neo-liberal strategy.

The former lawmaker said so at the opening of the 22nd National Congress of the Sri Lanka Communist Party recently. “44 years of experience is more than enough. We must embark upon a strategy of planning – market – state intervention. The strategy of Import and Consumption should make way for export-oriented, domestic production and national savings strategy. Our exports need diversification. Human resource development is the best guarantee for mixed foreign remittances. We must make our country the best tourist destination in the world. We must stop borrowing forthwith money from the international money market. We must go in for concessionary loans from our friendly countries. We must make best use of the new Silk Road Economic Project.

The most important element needed is national unity and religious harmony. This is the best guarantee for foreign capital. We missed the great opportunity offered to us by termination of anti-terrorist war.

The only way to ensure a new economic strategy is the unity of left, radical, nationalist forces. There is no other alternative.”

Excerpts of the speech: “National Congresses of our Party has always been eventful, colourful, and fruitful. It has immensely contributed towards raising political consciousness, enhancing political thinking, and formulating policies. Our Party, formed in 1943, in the midst of World War II, is the second oldest Party in the country.

At the outset, I wish to remember with great respect, honour, and gratitude the six founding leaders of our Party namely, Dr. Sugeeshwara Wickremasinghe, Pieter Keuneman, M.G. Mendis, Ven. Udakandewela Sri Saranankara, A. Vayithyalingam, and P. Kandaiah.

“The 22nd National Congress is being held at a time of a deep, profound, and decisive economic crisis. We had to postpone this Congress several times owing to the Corona Pandemic. Even today, we are holding it amidst health restrictions.

“We have presented a political thesis incorporating all aspects of the crisis for discussion and debate. We are now in the process of formulating economic policy and programme for the Country, taking into account the global developments, decisive changes, and also taking into account the successes and failures of our past Policies.

“Our last economic policy document, adopted by the 5th National Congress, was a long-term strategy and policies presented by the then General Secretary Dr. S.A. Wickremasinghe. It was the first and last Policy presented and ever introduced to the Country by a Political Party. It is still relevant which has now become a Study Course used by the Universities. New Economic Policy will be presented to the people in due course, after approval by a Special Congress.

“First, I would like to touch on the current international situation: We entered the 21st Century, with a new changing world economic order and also a changing new balance of power with a rise of the Asian economy. There is no longer a unipolar or bipolar world.

“There have emerged new regional economic centres – North American, EU, Asian, African Union, Latin American CELAC, emerging new Euro Asia, East Asia, North Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, etc. This is an unprecedented development in economic history. The National Liberation Movement, Economic Globalisation, Scientific and Technological Revolution have brought about this reality.

“The second feature of world development is the decline of imperialism. The birth of modern imperialism took place in and around 1880, according to historian142 years have elapsed. The leadership changed from Great Britain to the US with World War II. With neo-liberalism in crisis, imperialism is passing through a period of decay and decline on all fronts after China became the second economic power as from 2010.

China has made two landmark achievements, namely alleviation of abject poverty and the new Silk Road Economic Project or the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) comprising 140 odd countries. Argentina is the latest partner in the BRI.

“Imperialism is today left with three options. i.e., confrontation, competition, and corporation with 10 nuclear nations. Imperialism cannot again choose world war as a political solution to an economic crisis. That is why China and Russia appeal to the US, choosing competition or co-operation, preferably co-operation.

“We have to formulate our Economic Strategy in this world context.

“Thirdly, of late we are facing a geopolitical challenge here in the Indo-Pacific Zone relevant to Sri Lanka and South Asia.

“In my view, South Asia is more united and peaceful than ever before. We must strengthen this trend. We must continue with our non-aligned policy of dynamic neutrality. That is our appeal to all South Asian States. The emergence of two military organisations as “QUAD” and white Imperialist AUKUS. NATO has entered the Indo-Pacific Zone. It is making a similar attempt with the Ukrainian crisis expanding the frontiers to Eastern Europe. This is in line with the choice of “Confrontation Policy”. Our Congress condemned this attempt with all vehemence. We appeal to India to come back to its traditional policy of non-alignment.”

All News Advertisement

News

Fast Attack Craft P 4447 recovered in successful salvage operation

Published

1 hour ago

2026/09/14

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy successfully recovered its Fast Attack Craft P 4447 following a successful salvage operation, bringing a multi-stage emergency response to a close.

The craft, which ran into distress during a routine patrol on 15th August 2026 off Angulana, was brought to the surface on 11th September, from a depth of approximately 80 feet. It was
subsequently towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises.
The initial phase of the operation immediately following the incident focused on search and rescue. A joint effort involving the Navy, Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana
resulted in the rescue of 11 crew members. The search and rescue phase drew to a close with the recovery of the remains of the Second in Command of the craft, on 4th September.

Following the search and rescue phase, specialized Navy diving and salvage teams launched a dedicated recovery phase against rough sea conditions and underwater challenges, adhering to
strict safety protocols. The Navy’s marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams utilized specialized technical know-how and equipment to raise the vessel in stages.

Thus, the salvage operation marked an outstanding achievement attained through the professionalism, technical expertise of Navy divers, and coordinated contribution of all
engineering and technical branches of the Sri Lanka Navy. Technical support and specialized expertise were also extended by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC.

News

CIABOC member’s appointment: Controversy over Speaker under probe heading selection process

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Opposition should intensity its focus on the forthcoming selection of a member of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and remain vigilant as Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, MP, the head of the Constitutional Council (CC) tasked with making the relevant recommendation, is under investigation by the CIABOC, sources familiar with the ongoing inquiry told The Island.

Chethiya Goonasekara, PC, is expected to complete his three-year term on Dec 31, 2026. Sources pointed out that CIABOC Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation made by the 10-member Constitutional Council.

The CIABOC initiated the investigation following a complaint lodged by suspended Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne in early February this year. Sources said that as Goonasekera is scheduled to complete his term toward the end of 2026, the CC would have to call applications soon to choose the successor.

Goonasekara received his appointment from President Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2024. A Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala was appointed Chairman of the CIABOC. The other commissioner is K. Bernard Rajapakse.

Asked whether Iddawala and Rajapakse, too, would complete their terms soon, sources said that in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act No 09 of 2023, the Chairman of CIABOC would hold office for a period of five years, second commissioner (K. Bernard Rajapakse) for four years and the third commissioner (Chethiya Goonasekara) for a period of three years.

Sources said that the Opposition as well as civil society representatives in the CC should take up the issue of Speaker facing an investigation by the CIABOC taking part in the forthcoming selection process. Responding to queries, sources emphasized that the issue was whether in terms of Section 107 of the Anti-Corruption Act the participation of the Speaker in the selection process amounted to a violation of the Act itself.

The current members of the CC are Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker and Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Bimal Rathnayake, MP, Aboobucker Athambawa, MP, Ajith P. Perera, MP, Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP, Austin Fernando, Civil society representative, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne, Civil society representative and Ranjith Ariyaratne, Civil society representative.

Sources pointed out that in spite of the sensitivity of the case, the CIABOC recorded Kularatne’s statement in the second week of August, six months after he lodged the complaint.

The CIABOC on 3, 8 and 10 Sept recorded the statements from the Transport Officer, Deputy Director, Administration and Assistant Director, Finance regarding the use of facilities by the Speaker, those assigned to his staff and other relevant matters.

The NPP named Dr. Wickramaratne as the Speaker after Asoka Ranwala resigned over controversy regarding his higher education qualifications.

SJB lawmaker Dayasiri Jayaskera has repeatedly raised the issues concerning the Speaker with the focus also on the Speaker using two government-managed residences, relevant staff in addition to expenditure on food, transport and fuel provided to the Speaker’s private secretary.

Political sources said that trouble erupted after the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Council in late January sacked Kularatne accusing him of providing false information to secure his appointment. Before being appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament in 2023, Kularatne held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary to the Chief Government Whip, Additional Secretary to the President, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Additional Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition.

The SJB declared in Parliament that Ranwala should be brought back as the Speaker as they have no faith in Wickramaratne. MP Mujibur Rahuman jokingly told parliament that the Opposition wouldn’t raise Ranwala’s educational qualifications.

News

GMOA: Countrywide cadre revision not done since 2015

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Dhammika

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stressed the need to conduct a comprehensive countrywide cadre revision urgently.

GMOA spokesman Dr. Lasitha Dhammika told The Island that the failure on the part of successive governments to conduct cadre revision caused the deterioration of the public sector health services. Due to the absence of required statistics, they hadn’t been able to fully comprehend the situation on the ground and to ascertain the requirements of the public.

Dr. Dhammika pointed out the expansion of the services without supporting statistics and the need to initiate an immediate cadre revision. According to him, the GMOA had raised this issue with successive governments without success. The GMOA spokesman said that they also sought relevant information from the Health Ministry in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act two weeks ago but was yet to receive response.

(SF)