News
IMF has given govt. blank cheque – Charitha
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Sri Lankan government has got a blank cheque from the IMF to do whatever it wants with regards to state owned assets, Nidahas Janatha Sabawa (NJS) MP Charitha Herath said in Colombo yesterday.Hearth said that the IMG agreement that the government presented to Parliament said that the government has agreed to reform 52 state institutions.
“However, we don’t know what they are. The IMF agreement also doesn’t clearly say what these institutions are. So, if the government wants, it can put SLT, SLIC or Litro into this category of 52 state institutions. Ranil has always wanted to sell state assets and this IMF agreement has given him a blank cheque to do whatever he wants,” he said.
Hearth said there are about100 MPs would vote for anything presented by Ranil Wickremesinghe. Their desire to hold onto power and the fear that people will attack them have made them yes men of the President.
“Now, Ranil can do whatever he wants with government MPs. They will agree to anything he says,” he said.
The NJS MP said that the government had drafted a concept paper on restructuring the electricity sector. “This concept paper has been deliberately leaked by the government,” he said.
“I suggest the government present this concept paper officially. Maybe Kanchana can Tweet it. Looking at the government’s behaviour, it is obvious that they want to strip the power PUCSL enjoys as the regulator for the electricity sector. There has to be a broad debate on this. Sri Lanka’s national grid and the transmission network are fully owned by the state and there are no private players. The concept paper recommends that the government change this. I think the government must explain what it wants to do with the power and energy sector,” the MP said.
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The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 03 May 2025, valid for 04 May 2025.
The public re warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) sources said that plans were afoot to file charges in connection with 15 major fraud and corruption cases in the near future.
The Commission sources said that these cases stem from thorough investigations into complaints that had previously gone unexamined, with recent file reviews prompting the decision to proceed with legal action. The forthcoming charges are based on detailed inquiries that uncovered substantial evidence pointing to serious misconduct.
To date, CIABOC has initiated inquiries into over 300 complaints received during the recent period, reflecting an expanded commitment to tackling corruption at multiple levels of governance.
Commission sources said that several former ministers and political affiliates from past administrations are among those implicated in the ongoing investigations, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
Despite global shifts toward digital transactions, Cash on Delivery (COD) remains the dominant payment method for online shopping in Sri Lanka, according to the Digital Outlook Sri Lanka 2025 Report by the Asia Pacific Institute of Digital Marketing (APIDM) and the University of Kelaniya.
The report reveals that 52 percent of Sri Lankan online shoppers prefer COD, up from 48 percent in the previous year, underscoring persistent consumer caution toward digital payments.
While debit/credit card usage has dipped slightly to 35 percent (from 39.5 percent last year), newer digital payment methods such as e-wallets/e-money apps lag at 1 percent or less. Installment-based “Buy Now, Pay Later” options account for 3 percent, reflecting modest traction. Online bank transfers, meanwhile, accounted for 8 percent (down from 9 percent last year).(aayubo.com)
The Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Fairly heavy rain above 50 mm is likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces and in Ampara district.
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