News

May Day should have been used to address economic crisis – DEW

Published

3 years ago

2023/05/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dew Gunasekera

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Former General Secretary of the Communist Party, Dew Gunasekera, yesterday (02) found fault with political parties, represented in Parliament, for failing to address the rapidly developing political-economic-social crisis at their May Day rallies.

The participation of genuine workers seemed to be almost nil, the former cabinet minister said, adding that May Day rallies, held in Colombo and Kandy, reflected further decay in the political party system.

Both the government and the Opposition should be ashamed of their pathetic response to the growing challenge, the former lawmaker declared, alleging main May Day speeches reflected the shoddy handling of the worst economic crisis by Parliament, regardless of its responsibility on public finance.

Almost a year after UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe accepted the premiership and subsequently the finance portfolio, the government was yet to address fundamental challenges, the former CP leader said.

Having first entered Parliament, in 2004, Gunasekera resigned from the post of CP General Secretary, in late August 2020.

The veteran politician said that political parties could have used this year’s May Day to emphasize the gravity of the situation thereby preparing the population to face the deepening crisis. Instead, all of them engaged in meaningless rhetoric, the ex-MP said, adding that he was quite surprised by how such useless propaganda received prime time television coverage as well as covered by Sinhala, Tamil and English print media.

Commenting on this year’s UNP’s May Day vow to achieve status as a developed country, by 2048, the former minister said that the public wouldn’t be deceived by such rhetoric, under present circumstances.

The UNP leadership should realize that the much touted export economy status hadn’t been achieved and the changing global order would make it impossible for us to reverse the situation with the latest IMF intervention, the former National List MP warned.

Referring to as much as USD 12 bn International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs), obtained during UNP-led Yahapalana administration (2015-2019), the UNP and the breakaway UNP faction, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), couldn’t absolve themselves of the responsibility for the current crisis.

The former MP pointed out that of over USD 15 bn in ISBs obtained by Sri Lanka, USD 12.5 bn were taken at high interest rates.

Gunasekera noted that while President Wickremesinghe addressed the UNP meeting, at the Sugathadasa International Indoor Stadium, via zoom technology, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena joined the SLPP rally held with the participation of former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa at Campbell Park, Borella. SLPP strategist Basil Rajapaksa, too, attended the rally.

The former CP General Secretary said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was yet to educate the public of the severity of the crisis. Instead, USD 2.9, promised by the IMF, over a period of 48 months, was being touted as a panacea for all our ills, the outspoken one-time COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) Chairman said.

“At least after we accepted, officially, our inability to service international debt in April 2022, Parliament should have made a realistic re-assessment after consulting the Central Bank and the Monetary Board. Unfortunately, Parliament seems to have failed its primary responsibility,” the CP man said, urging the government to take remedial measures, without further delay, or face the consequences.

The political veteran said that Sri Lanka should take into consideration critically important global developments, such as Saudi Arabia-China opening a new chapter in their relationship, as US wanes in the Middle East. The recent Saudi involvement in the political and security bloc Shanghai Corporation, that includes both China and Russia, should be an eye opener for Sri Lanka decision-makers, the former Minister said.

The respected political analyst urged political parties, represented in Parliament, to study developments, pertaining to BRICS – a group of nations that depicted themselves as global south, and an alternative to G7.

The ex-lawmaker asserted that our political parties were kind of lost in global developments as countries realigned themselves against the backdrop of waning US influence and the continuing war in Ukraine. “I do not think our pundits at least bother to peruse reports on the continuing crisis in the US banking system. The recent seizure of First Republic Bank, by regulators, and the transferring of control to JP Morgan Chase, underscored the risks involved,” he said.

US media reported yesterday that the First Republic Bank failed to recover, in spite of receiving USD 30 bn lifeline from nearly a dozen banks. It is the third big US bank to collapse in recent weeks.

All News Advertisement

News

UNEP support pledged to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Environmental Priorities

Published

10 hours ago

2026/07/3

Priyan

A special bilateral discussion was held on Thursday (02) morning at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand, between the Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, and regional representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The discussion began with an appreciation of the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and UNEP, particularly highlighting Sri Lanka’s role as a UNEA 8 Bureau member and a key partner in Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects. The meeting focused extensively on securing UNEP’s technical
and financial support to advance several of Sri Lanka’s national environmental priorities.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister expressed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the guidance provided by UNEP throughout the adoption process of the UNEA Youth Resolution. He outlined the national program currently being designed in Sri Lanka in alignment with the resolution. Under this initiative, attention was drawn to securing UNEP’s technical assistance, capacity-building support, and access to global funding mechanisms.

These resources will be utilized to formulate a “National
Environmental Literacy Index” to assess the environmental awareness of youth, establish “Youth Environmental Committees” spanning from the national to grassroots levels, set up university youth forums, and implement environmental promotion programs driven through sports

In addition, Sri Lanka requested UNEP’s assistance in upgrading its national air quality monitoring systems, enhancing data analysis, and developing policy guidelines.

The Deputy Minister also sought policy advisory services on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), technical expertise in plastic waste lifecycle management, and support for pilot projects aimed at minimizing single-use plastics and transitioning toward a circular economy.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister noted that measures have been taken in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport to expedite sustainable e-mobility projects. He added that Sri Lanka anticipates UNEP’s support for the “Sustainable Cities Integrated Programme” under the country’s GEF 9 national
strategies. Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s active commitment to regional initiatives that foster environmental knowledge sharing among South Asian nations, it is expected that UNEP’s technical intervention during the upcoming GEF 9 financial cycle will continue to support Sri Lanka’s journey toward environmental resilience.

News

CIABOC to question Harak Kata on Rs. 200 mn bribery allegation

Published

16 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

Nadun Chintaka (Harak Kata)

He is the only detainee at old Tangalle prison

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) probing bribery allegations pertaining to the recent arrest of attorney-at-law Rakitha Rajapakshe, former SJB Horana organiser Charitha Abeysinghe and another person is expected to question drug dealer Nadun Chintaka Wickremaratne alias Harak Kata being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The CIABOC arrested Rakitha and Charitha Kumara Wasantha Abeysinghe and former Director of Airport and Aviation Services Warushahanndige Aruna Sri Chathuranga on 25 June over the Rs 200 mn bribery allegation. Produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate court on the same day, they were remanded until 3 July.

Sources familiar with the case told The Island that Wickremaratne arrested in Madagascar on 1 March 2023 was brought to Sri Lanka on 14 March 2023, and after preliminary investigations he was detained at the old Tangalle prison. Wickremeratne has been accused of running a major narcotics smuggling operation.

Wickremaratne’s lawyer Udul Premaratne, having visited Wickremeratne, sought the intervention of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to ensure the latter’s safety.

As many as 90 police (terrorist Investigation Department) and the Special Task Force (STF) have been assigned to the Tangalle old prison where Wickremaratne remains the sole detainee.

The CIABOC, in a statement posted in Sinhala on its website on 25 June said that arrested persons received the money after having initially asked for Rs 500 mn and then reduced it to Rs 200 mn. The Rs 120 mn allegedly received has been described as an advance.

Sources said investigators would question Wickremaratne over his wife’s claim that she had paid Rs. 120 million.

In terms of the PTA, the detention orders can be issued only by the Defence Minister. At the time Wickremaratne was brought to Colombo, Ranil Wickremesinghe held the defence portfolio. According to legal sources, when the President also held the defence portfolio, the responsibility for issuing the detention orders was relegated to the Defence Secretary.

Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne who served as the Defence Secretary during that period.

Sources said that Wickremaratne’s wife was yet to come back and his parents and a brother were believed to be the only visitors except for lawyers. One of the crucial issues was how Wickremaratne had communicated with his wife living abroad, sources said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Petrol, diesel prices could be reduced by Rs. 141 and Rs 126 per litre: Udaya

Published

16 hours ago

2026/07/3

Thilina Walpola

Udaya

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and former Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (2) claimed that the price of a litre of Octane 92 petrol and auto diesel could be reduced by Rs 141 and Rs 126, respectively.

The former Energy Minister said that Rs 20 per litre price reduction declared by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in respect of Octane 92 petrol and Rs 25 drop in litre of auto diesel price proved that the government fleeced the public.

Earlier, Samagi Trade Union Alliance convenor Ananda Palitha claimed that the price of litre of Octane 92 petrol and auto diesel could be reduced by Rs 115.

A litre of Octane 92 is sold at Rs 414 and a litre of auto diesel at Rs 382.

Pointing out that the CPC hadn’t reduced Octane 95 petrol and Super Diesel at least nominally, the former parliamentarian said that the CPC could reduce them by Rs 155 and Rs 149, respectively. A litre of petrol Octane 95 is sold at Rs 495 and a litre of Super Diesel at Rs 478.Gammanpila pointed out that the government had sharply increased prices when the Iran war entered the 12th day having claimed that that it had stocks for 35 days. (SF)