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LSSP urges govt. to hand over power to interim administration

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/11

LSSP leader Prof Tissa Vitarana, in Parliament, on Friday, said that if the present government handed power over to a suitable interim government of good people, chosen from Parliament, and the administrative service, at the helm, and properly execute the above policies, and some others, it would be possible to find a solution to the present major crisis confronting the country.

Text of Prof Vitarana’s speech in Parliament:

“The people of Sri Lanka are suffering due to the high prices and the shortages of essential items which leads to queues lasting several days. The shortages of Imported items, like fuel, gas, milk powder and other food items, and medicines, is causing great suffering and a threat to life. For instance, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and Government hospital staff are publicly protesting about the suffering of patients due to this. The lack of electricity is another major problem. The Government has allowed traders to sell goods at any price without any controls. A system should be developed to ensure that the benefits of any concession given by the Government only goes to the ordinary people, especially the poor, and not to the rich. The consumers have to go hungry and more than 60% of the population, who are below the poverty line, have to manage with one meal a day.

“The Government has promised to supply some or all of these items in the near future, but no precise dates are being given. I call upon the government to inform the people when these essentials will be made available at a reasonable price. The government must stick to these dates and times, and not fool the people any longer with false promises.

“The government must address the causes of the people’s suffering and lead by setting an example. All ostentatious lifestyles of political administrative leaders of the country should be done away with so that the people will regain some confidence in the government’s promises. For instance, the tax system should be revised, as I always said. It is absurd, at a time of crisis, to have the upper limit of personal tax at 14% and the upper limit of company tax at 18%, to help the super-rich.

The tax system should be drastically revised as indicated in Table 1.

Table 1– Income tax System

Income bracket Percentages

< 100,000 No Tax

100,000-200,000 20

200,000-400,000 30

400,000-1,000,000 50

Over 1000,000 75

It was absurd for the government to increase VAT by 2% in the recent past, which was an indirect tax which affects every person, however poor he may be. There should be no increase in indirect taxes, like VAT. The large amount of money which, will be obtained from the super rich in this way, can then be used to give a parcel of dry rations to the hungry people on a weekly basis.

The above situation has arisen due to the lack of dollars with the government and with the private sector in the country. Our Foreign Exchange Reserve (FOREX) which normally average between USD 7 to 8 billion has now dropped to less than USD 1 billion (probably around USD 500 million). The government is deeply in debt to foreign creditors, and has to pay more than USD 6 billion this year. A part of this has been already paid and a payment of more than 3 billion dollars is due in May this year. This must not be done.

I recommend that the government should not go out of its way to repay these amounts on time, but ask for a moratorium on our debt for about five years. This means that for the next five years, Sri Lanka does not repay any of the debt which it has accumulated over several decades, which amounts to about USD 30 billion. During the next five years this money could be used to provide what the people are now lacking and suffering. Some development of the economy can also occur.

The Government must actively intervene to control prices. The Cooperative Movement, both producer and consumer, must be revived and function properly by direct purchase between the two. The major cause of the price increases is the huge profit made by the traders, which can be eliminated. This will ensure that both the producer and the consumer get a reasonable deal. All loss-making institutions, both government and private, should be run under the Solidarity principle. As an example, the privately run plantations which claim that they are running at a loss and therefore are not paying the promised Rs.1000/ daily wage, could be made into highly profitable institutions. The basic principle is that the ownership of the plantation is given to employees, who in addition to their regular salary get an equal share of the profits. This is no pipe dream. This has succeeded marvelously in many countries like Kerala, India, where the 66,000 hectares of tea–plantations are now running at a huge profit. Thus if the present Government hands power over to a suitable Interim Government, of good people, chosen from Parliament, and the Administrative service at the helm, and properly execute the above policies, and some others, it would be possible to find a solution to the present major crisis confronting our country and its people.

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President Commissions Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samudra Vijaya’ into Sri Lanka Navy

Published

3 hours ago

2026/06/5

Priyan

The commissioning ceremony of the deep-sea patrol vessel as Samudravijaya, gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities, was held under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday afternoon (04) at the Eastern Terminal premises of the Port of Colombo.

The vessel was officially handed over to Sri Lanka by the United States Coast Guard on 2 December 2025. Following modifications to meet the operational requirements of the Sri Lanka Navy, the vessel commenced its voyage to Colombo on 20 February 2026 from the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.

The induction of the vessel marks a significant step towards further strengthening the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy and enhancing the country’s maritime and national security. The vessel is expected to make an important contribution to maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of fisheries resources, environmental monitoring and the enforcement of international maritime laws and conventions. In particular, it will serve as a vital asset in combating narcotics trafficking and other transnational maritime crimes, which remain major challenges for both Sri Lanka and the wider region.

During the ceremony, President Dissanayake presented the official commissioning warrant to the vessel’s Commanding Officer, Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya. The President subsequently unveiled the vessel’s name board and official insignia before undertaking an inspection tour of the ship. The Commander of the Navy briefed those present on the vessel’s operational readiness, systems and capabilities.

President Dissanayake also signed the vessel’s Distinguished Visitors’ Book and was presented with a commemorative plaque featuring a replica of the vessel.

Among those present were Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunatilaka. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, Charge d’affaires to the U.S. Embassy Ms. Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attache with Spouse Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, representatives of the Embassy and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.

(PMD)

News

Elders’ home devastated by fire was a ‘house of horror’: Witnesses

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Death toll rises to 12: Director remanded

Some residents were allegedly chained

Police have come under public pressure to investigate allegations of inhumane treatmenf the residents at an elders’ home in Batagoda, which was also reportedly used as a care centre for persons with special needs, following a devastating fire that has so far claimed 12 lives.

Eyewitnesses who were among the first responders told the media that several residents had been chained inside rooms at the Senehase Kedella Elders’ Home when the fire broke out on Wednesday. They claimed that rescue efforts were hindered as iron chains could not be removed, and that some residents died while being restrained.

Authorities have not yet verified these claims, and Police said investigations are continuing.

Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler, contacted for comment, said there were rumours to that effect, but the Police were not in a position to verify the claims until a report from the Government Analyst was received. He said eight survivors with burn injuries were being treated in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Director of the facility had been arrested and was due to be produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, Police said adding that he was remanded till June 11.

The death toll from the fire has risen to 12 as of Thursday morning following the recovery of additional charred remains during ongoing forensic examinations at the site. Six others sustained serious injuries and are being treated at the Horana Base Hospital.

Police said 72 residents were inside the facility at the time of the blaze. Of them, 10 died inside the building, seven were injured and hospitalised, while 51 were rescued and relocated.

Survivors were initially housed at Batagoda Junior School before being transferred with Army assistance to another branch of the same care network in Galpatha.

A magisterial inquiry was conducted on Thursday morning. Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the scene. The burnt remains were examined and removed under judicial supervision.

Separately, allegations have emerged that residents were required to pay an admission fee of Rs. 75,000, along with a monthly charge of Rs. 35,000 to the centre. Police have not commented on these claims.

The director was taken to the scene as part of ongoing investigations, while forensic experts continue examinations to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.Anguruwatota Police are conducting investigations.

By Norman Palihawadane and Nishan S Priyantha

News

CERT : AI-generated videos depicting Prez, PM lure public into financial scams

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka CERT has issued a public warning over the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely depicting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several other prominent personalities to promote fraudulent investment schemes online.

According to complaints received by the national cyber security agency, the videos have been created using deepfake technology and are being used as part of attempts to defraud members of the public through financial scams.

The images of famous sports personalities and other public figures have also been misused in the deceptive content.

The agency has warned that similar AI-generated material has been used to spread false information relating to investment opportunities, employment offers, as well as matters concerning the country’s economy and tax policies.

According to Sri Lanka CERT, the videos are being widely shared across online platforms and frequently contain links urging viewers to make investments in return for purported profits.The agency has cautioned that these links may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, financial data and money from unsuspecting victims.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering such content online and advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information through unverified websites.

“The public should remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims of false information and online fraud schemes,” the agency said.

Sri Lanka CERT has also encouraged internet users to verify information through official sources before acting on any investment, employment or financial offers circulated via social media or other online platforms.