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“Foreign bond holders more important to govt. than hard-pressed people”

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SJB slams GR’s policy speech

The main opposition SJB says that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Policy Speech delivered in Parliament on Jan 18 failed to provide solutions to the crises faced by the country.

Addressing a press briefing held at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo on Thursday, SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne said that the crises with regard to economic management and governance had gone beyond the control of the government subjecting the masses to severe hardships without essential goods and services.

Wickremaratne said that  there had been no increase in the value of  GDP supporting the domestic and foreign borrowings by this government during the last two years.

He accused the government of giving priority to paying off debts of foreign cronies while  starving the people without essential foods inclusive of fuel for electricity generation.

“People who could not afford to basic necessities despite having cash in hand due to the shortage of dollars and foreign exchange now had to stay in the dark for several hours a day without electricity due to lack of fuel as the govt has not been able to maintain a supply chain properly. But the government, having crossed its wires, gives priority to repaying the loan to its cronies while mounting pressure on its citizens,” Wickremaratne said.

“President Rajapaksa’s Throne Speech did not provide answers to any of  the current problems  facing the country. Although the country faced two major problems, there was no answer to either of them in the President’s policy statement.

“First, rising commodity prices push up inflation increasing  vegetable prices. Secondly, the import of essential commodities has come to a complete standstill due to the foreign exchange deficit. There is a shortage not only for  food and fuel but also for  medicines for the people.”

He said only 25% of the country’s essential medicines are produced locally and the rest are imported. There is also a shortage of essential medicines due to lack of dollars for imports.

At a time when the people are under so much of  pressure, the government is  boasting of servicing   international sovereign bonds on time. People need to be told the secret of why foreign debtors are more important to the government than the citizens of the country, Wickremaratne said.



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Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

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The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka,  Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.

During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.

Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.

Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.

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Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

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A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).

The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’  programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.

The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.

To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation,  K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.

Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit;  N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.

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President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded  Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.

The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.

These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18)  morning  to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.

The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.

President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.

In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.

During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of  appreciation for his outstanding service.

The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.

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