News
No annual reports from Insurance Corporation, Electricity Board, Sathosa, Lotteries Board and Fisheries Corporation, etc., from 2015 to 2018
By Saman Indrajith
SLPP National List MP Professor Ranjith Bandara told Parliament yesterday that the government’s economic policies and their feasibility had been amply reflected in the Central Bank annual report, the Finance Ministry’s performance report and in its mid-year fiscal report presented to Parliament during the last week of its sittings.
Moving a motion for the debate at the time of the adjournment of the House, Professor Bandara said that those reports scientifically analyzed and recounted the major economic setbacks suffered by the country’s economy during 2015-2019 due to the unhealthy economic policies, weak management and poor decision making of the previous government.
Prof. Bandara said that the said reports could be used to formulate future economic policies and strategies.
The adjournment motion was then seconded by SLPP Gampaha District MP Sahan Pradeep Withana, who said the country’s economy had been severely affected by the poor decision making and management under the previous government, the Easter Sunday carnage and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing the annual report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, MP Withana also said that there were several institutions that had not submitted their annual reports for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 to the CBSL. The institutes include National Insurance Corporation, Electricity Board, Lanka Sugar, Sathosa, Lotteries Board and Ceylon Fisheries Corporation.
MP Withana said that during the previous government, financial assistance for the private sector had decreased. He added that investors and entrepreneurs had lost confidence due to lack of political stability as well.
The MP pointed out that the government revenue had decreased by Rs. 29 billion in 2019, compared to 2018.
MP Withana said that the government expenditure had increased by 8.2% in 2019 compared to 2018.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years to M/s South Asian Technologies based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.
The National Lotteries board has been established subject to the Finance Act No. 11 of 1963. Having identified the requirement of amending that act which was imposed around 62 years to cater the current requirements of the lottery market, the Cabinet of Mnisters at their meeting held on 14.02.2017 granted approval to draft a new bill for the purpose.
Accordingly, the National Lotteries Board has recognized further amendments to be performed to the fundamental draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsmen.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the
resolution furnished by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to direct the Legal Draftsmen to finalize the formulation of the draft bill for the National Lotteries Board as soon as possible including the proposed new amendments as well.
The Werahara office of the Department of Motor Traffic performs issuance of temporary driving licenses in this country based on the driving licenses issued overseas, and measures have been initiated to render the service from a service window of the Department of Motor Traffic established at the Bandaranayake International Airport from 03.08.2025.
The fees charged for issuing temporary driving licenses have been published in Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 prepared under the provisions of the Motor Traffic (Authority 203) Act.
But, as the fee of Rupees 2,000/- charged for the service is not sufficient, the requirement of amending the regulations has been recognized.
The regulations for introducing the revised fees have been published in the government extraordinary gazette
notification No. 2463/04 dated 17.11.2025. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to
submit the regulations to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Selfies and smiles: South Korea seeks ‘new phase’ in ties with China
M/s South Asian Technologies awarded contract to supply vehicle number plates
A new act for National Lotteries Board to be introduced
Motor Vehicles (Driving License Levy) Regulations No. 3 of 2022 to be amended
Mrs. P. K. L. S. Panduwawala appointed to the post of Surveyor General
Implementing the programme to provide concession for pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations affected by the disaster
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News15 hours agoBroad support emerges for Faiszer’s sweeping proposals on long- delayed divorce and personal law reforms
-
News2 days agoPrivate airline crew member nabbed with contraband gold
-
News4 days agoHealth Minister sends letter of demand for one billion rupees in damages
-
Opinion6 days agoRemembering Douglas Devananda on New Year’s Day 2026
-
News7 days agoLeading the Nation’s Connectivity Recovery Amid Unprecedented Challenges
-
Features2 days agoPharmaceuticals, deaths, and work ethics
-
Latest News2 days agoCurran, bowlers lead Desert Vipers to maiden ILT20 title
-
News16 hours agoInterception of SL fishing craft by Seychelles: Trawler owners demand international investigation