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IMF not paying sufficient attention to corruption: GL
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris has found fault with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for not paying sufficient attention to waste, corruption and economic mismanagement under the Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe administration.
The former External Affairs Minister emphasised the responsibility on the part of the lending agency to address these issues, particularly against the backdrop of its latest agreement with the government of Sri Lanka worth USD 2.9 bn.
The SLPP National List MP said so yesterday (24) at his weekly media briefing at the Nawala Office of the Nidahasa Jathika Sabawa.
Prof. Peiris said that the Opposition would take up these issues with the IMF delegation, scheduled to be here in June this year. Sri Lanka has secured IMF assistance on 16 previous occasions.
The ex-Minister drew attention of the IMF as well as other stakeholders involved in the debt-restructuring process and the recent disclosure made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, regarding a bribe amounting to USD 250 mn received by a person to derail Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure compensation for the X-Press Pearl ship disaster in May/June 2021.
Pointing out that an expert committee appointed by the MEPA (Marine Environment Protection Authority) had estimated the damages caused by the marine disaster at USD 6.4 bn, Prof. Peiris said that a wider investigation was required to identify and punish those who had conspired to sabotage Sri Lanka’s bid.
Prof. Peiris compared the USD 2.9 bn loan made available by the IMF over a period of four years with the compensation which could be obtained from the X-Press Pearl owners-X-Press Feeders /insurers.
Environmentalist Dr. Ajantha Perera recently declared that Sri Lanka could obtain as much as USD 50 bn from X-Press Pearl owners/insurers.
Prof. Peiris also questioned the government’s decision to move Singaporean court against X-Press Feeders, a Singaporean-based privately held group.
The law academic stressed that the case should have been filed here as the incident took place in Sri Lankan territorial waters.
When The Island raised this issue with the Justice Minister recently, it was informed that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam’s proposal to file a case in Singapore.
Commenting on the recent disappearance of a cash bundle worth Rs 5 million (Rs 5000 denomination) from a vault of the Central Bank, Prof. Peiris said a high-level probe had to be conducted into the incident.
The shortage was revealed during the currency operations on 11.04.2023. Declaring that the government, particularly the Finance Ministry, owed an explanation on how cash could be removed from a high security vault, Prof. Peiris said that the public tends to lose confidence in public finance.
The MP stressed the responsibility of the Central Bank to thoroughly inquire into the issue at hand and take appropriate measures to identify those responsible for what he called an inside job.
At the onset of the briefing, Prof. Peiris reiterated their strong opposition to the restructuring of domestic debt in line with the agreement with the IMF. That would have catastrophic impact on the ordinary people as well as the banking sector, Prof. Peiris said, while questioning the decision to privatize state enterprises.
Responding to media queries on his removal from the post of Chairman of the ruling SLPP, Prof. Peiris said that the decision would be challenged in court. The former minister challenged the legality of a meeting chaired by SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at their Nelum Mawatha Office last Saturday (22) where the party appointed a new Chairperson.
Prof. Peiris refused to be drawn in on former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa’s criticism of him.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.
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 the 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.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
News
Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
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