News

Harini criticises govt.’s handling of international agreements

Published

2 years ago

2024/08/10

Thilina Walpola

Harini Amarasuriya

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.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

3 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

Latest News

Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

8 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

News

We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

10 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.