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Karu praises COPF for serving national interest

Published

2 years ago

2023/08/21

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) led by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has lauded the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) for recognising the responsibilities of Parliament and acting in the interest of the public.

The NMSJ chief has appreciated the Acting Chairman COPF and all its members.

“We are making this assessment taking into account a decision taken in relation to a number of goods essential for the country’s construction sector, including the commodities that the people need daily.

Recalling their responsibilities and role it is also the duty of the society to encourage all members of those parliamentary committees including their chairmen.Accordingly, the Committee on Public Finance of the Parliament has made a decision to bring to a certain limit the illegal profits being made by the companies that import and distribute materials and goods required for the construction industry from the cement bag.

Also, the COPF has made a decision pointing out that the price of a kilo of bread flour can be maintained at a price of 198 rupees.

“We consider this intervention of the Parliamentary Finance Committee as a good gesture for the people, freed from the fights and useless debates that are often displayed in the Parliament, based on narrow political interests.

“At a time when Sri Lanka, as a country, is suffering from a huge economic crisis, it is the duty of every responsible institution to intervene and investigate the unfair practice that some importers are doing with the aim of making unlimited profits by ignoring the situation at all.

“There, the Parliament, which has been entrusted with the foremost responsibility for the formulation of policies, including the financial control of the country, has been entrusted with a responsibility that cannot be relinquished. Parliamentary committees also have an important role to play. As an organization, we have pointed out that many times. Accordingly, this step taken by the Parliamentary Finance Committee should be appreciated,” it said.

The NMSJ pointed out that it is very important for the Public Finance Committee to focus on the high interest rates that are having a strong impact on the medium-sized business community in this country.

The NMSJ said it is clear that the high interest rates maintained by commercial banks in the country are having a negative impact on the progress of the country.

“Taking into account the orders issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in this regard, we take this opportunity to request the Public Finance Committee of the Parliament to intervene in this regard,” the NMSJ said.

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Published

6 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala 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.

Latest News

Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/27

Priyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Published

8 hours ago

2025/04/27

Thilina Walpola

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.