News
Harini criticises govt.’s handling of international agreements
NPP set to unveil election manifesto in third week of August
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) will unveil its election manifesto in the third week of August, likely on 20 or 21 August, according to NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.The NPP has already introduced several policy frameworks focusing on various sectors, including the Science and Technology policy framework and Engineering Policy Concept Papers.
Dr. Amarasuriya mentioned that over the past three years, the NPP has actively engaged with communities in rural areas to broaden its voter base. Initially, the typical NPP voter was a city-dwelling professional, but their outreach efforts aim to diversify their support. However, they now have significant support in the villages, she said.
She stated that the current formation of political alliances is opportunistic and often driven by the parliamentary election that follows the presidential election.
“This is what motivates most MPs. They support various presidential candidates because they believe that aligning with the winner on 21 September will secure them a seat in Parliament. However, I don’t think this approach is effective anymore,” she said.
Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that a significant danger of the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration is its tendency to enter agreements with international actors without sufficient consideration. Once these agreements are in place, extricating oneself from them becomes extremely complex.
“We have signed an unfavourable deal with the IMF, and renegotiating it is intricate. We have always been honest with the public. However, it is also incorrect to claim that these agreements are non-negotiable. The government needs to be astute and patient to amend what is necessary and secure the best possible deal,” she said.
Amarasuriya said another agreement regarding the establishment of a wind farm with Adani in Mannar. There are two agreements: one with Adani and another between the two nations. “The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the agreement with Adani, but the agreement we signed with India on renewable energy remains in place. Two influential Ministers claimed that the agreement with Adani was a government-to-government deal. Kanchana Wijesekera stated this in Parliament, while Ali Sabry mentioned it during a press conference in India. The specifics of the deal are unclear, as we only know what the government has disclosed,” she said.
The NPP stated that the party must demonstrate its capability to govern the country and engage in diplomacy. “We must show the people that we possess the necessary maturity, and I believe we are doing so during the election process. We must also be principled and show respect to people. Our opponents cannot compete with our policies or our leadership. Now they are trying to scare people. Our opponents no longer claim we are losing; instead, they say we will be dangerous in power,” she said.
She noted that there has been a significant brain drain over the past two years, which must be stopped and reversed. The solution, she suggested, is to create an environment where people can work with dignity and contentment.
“Most professionals are simply unhappy. People are leaving not because of salaries and taxes. Professionals are discontented. They cannot work while maintaining the dignity of their profession. This issue affects teachers the most, whether they teach at a university or a school. Instead of teaching or conducting research, much of our time is spent filling out forms. Those who teach postgraduate students have not been paid, and the government expects these institutions to finance themselves. Rather than improving courses, we have become marketers,” she said.
Students from Karavita Central College, Ratnapura, St. Anthony Girls’ College, Katugasthota and Rajasinghe Central College, Ruwanwella, visited the Presidential Secretariat today (19).
This visit was part of a program jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Mass Communication Division of the Parliament. The program offers schoolchildren from across the island the opportunity to visit key government institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, the Colombo Port City, and the Parliament.
During their visit to the Presidential Secretariat, the students were given an informative session about the history of the Parliament.
To commemorate the occasion, the principals and students of the visiting schools presented commemorative gifts to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the Secretary to the President. In return, Dr. Kumanayake presented a valuable tree as a souvenir to be planted in each of the schools.
Later, Dr. Kumanayake engaged in a friendly conversation with the students, creating a memorable interaction.
Senior Advocate J.M. Wijebandara, the Director General Legal of the Presidential Secretariat, was also present at the event.
[PMD]
Newly appointed Deputy Ministers of the National People’s Power (NPP) government were sworn in today (21) before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
The new Deputy Ministers are as follows:
- Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando : Deputy Minister of Economic Development
- Mr. Namal Karunarathne : Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
- Mr. Wasantha Piyathissa : Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
- Mr. Nalin Hewage : Deputy Minister of Vocational Education
- Mr. R.M. Jayawardena : Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security
- Mr. Gamagedara Dissanayake : Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
- Mr. T.B. Sarath : Deputy Minister of Housing
- Mr. Rathna Gamage : Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
- Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe : Deputy Minister of Labour
- Mr. Aruna Jayasekara : Deputy Minister of Defence
- Mr. Arun Kemachandra : Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment
- Mr. Anton Jayakody : Deputy Minister of Environment
- Mr. Mohommed Muneer : Deputy Minister of National Integrity
- Eng. Eranga Weerarathne : Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
- Mr. Eranga Gunasekara :Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs
- Mr. Chathuranga Abeysinghe : Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development
- Eng. Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku : Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation
- Dr. Namal Sudarshana : Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs
- Mr. Ruwan Senarath : Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governance
- Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena : Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways
- Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni : Deputy Minister of Health and Media
- Mr. Upali Samarasinghe : Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development
- Mr. Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Tourism
- Mr. Sugath Thilakarathne : Deputy Minister of Sports
- Mr. Sundaralingam Pradeep : Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
- Attorney Sunil Watagala : Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
- Dr. Madhura Senevirathne : Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education
- Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma : Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
- Dr. Susil Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the event.
Gampaha District Member of Parliament Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Her nomination was proposed by Minister Sunil Handunnetti, and was seconded by Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe.
The new Deputy Chairperson of Committees is a former member of the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha and a professional laboratory technician. She completed her education at Yasodara Vidyalaya, Colombo and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo. She has been an active member of the NPP’s district and women’s executive committees.
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