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NPP pre-poll promises still unfulfilled – SLUNBA

Published

2 weeks ago

2026/03/16

Govt. focusing on importers rather than producers

The government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) has yet to fulfil its key promises made to local manufacturers prior to coming to power, the Sri Lanka United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) has said.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo on Friday, SLUNBA Chairperson Tania Abeysundara said the alliance had repeatedly requested a meeting with government leaders to discuss the growing challenges faced by the local manufacturing sector but had so far received no response.

She noted that shipping costs for raw materials imported to Sri Lanka had increased by nearly 300 per cent due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, placing severe pressure on local industries.

“We are people who conduct businesses responsibly and pay taxes properly to the government. We are not a group that is a burden to the country and should not be labelled as an association that merely shouts demands,” Abeysundara said.

“What we are asking is that the promises made to us after discussions held before coming to power be fulfilled. We are not aligned with any political party. Today we are continuing our businesses without making any net profit,” she added.

Abeysundara said that before the election several rounds of discussions had been held with representatives of the alliance, during which assurances had been given that the concerns of local producers would be addressed.

“However, today it appears that instead of focusing on local manufacturers, attention is being given to importers,” she alleged.

She warned that if small and medium-scale industries collapsed under current economic pressures, the country could face a serious loss of employment opportunities.

“We are not a group trying to embarrass the government. But if small and medium-scale industries shut down, thousands of jobs could be lost. Even now we are facing a shortage of labour. Are we expected to close our factories and become importers instead?” she asked.

Abeysundara also said industries were already struggling with rising fuel prices and cautioned that any further increase in electricity tariffs, particularly with the entry of new power companies, would aggravate the situation.

“At a time when industries are already facing severe difficulties due to the increase in fuel prices, if electricity tariffs are increased further it will create additional pressure. Shouldn’t a government pay attention to such matters?” she asked.

SLUNBA Vice President Lakmal Perera said entrepreneurs also faced numerous bureaucratic obstacles when seeking official approvals.

“When a businessman goes to obtain an approval he encounters many problems. Even though the government has instructed that land be allocated for business activities, some state officials ignore these directives,” he said.

Perera added that the alliance was seeking a dialogue with the authorities to address these issues.

“We are not people who organise strikes or protests to demand our rights. We simply ask the authorities to listen carefully to our grievances and help resolve them,” he said.

Meanwhile, SLUNBA Sub-committee Chairman M. R. Jeffrey expressed concern over the government’s plan to remove the CESS tax by 2029, noting that the levy had originally been introduced to protect local producers from excessive imports.

“The CESS was imposed on imports to safeguard domestic manufacturers and it was also said that the funds collected would be used to support local production,” he said.

Jeffrey pointed out that although manufacturers produce locally, they still have to import a large portion of raw materials and warned that under the current circumstances businesses might have to incur an additional US$4–5 million in costs.

He also suggested that the government urgently explore arrangements to import fuel from Russia, noting that countries such as India were reportedly purchasing Russian oil at around US$ 60 per barrel.

“At this moment what is most valuable to the country is not the rupee but the dollar. Therefore, instead of encouraging the import of finished goods, authorities should support the import of raw materials and expand domestic production,” he said.

Several other members of the alliance also expressed their views during the media briefing, calling for greater engagement between the government and the private sector to address the challenges facing local industries.

by Chaminda Silva

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Electricity tariffs to be increased from 1st April

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/30

Priyan

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs with effect from 1st April .

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) requested a 13.56% electricity tariff revision for the second quarter of this year.

The revision announced by the PUCSL for domestic consumers:

0–30 units category, electricity tariffs will rise by 4.3%,

31–60 units category, tariffs will rise by 6.9%,

61–90 units category, tariffs will rise by 6.9%,

91–120 units category, tariffs will rise by 7.2%,

Above 180 units, electricity tariffs will rise by 25.3%

The PUCSL has decided not to increase electricity tariffs for religious and charitable institutions that consume below 180 units monthly and a 9.6% increase for institutions that consume above 180 units.

Ectricity tariffs for the general and household consumer categories has been increased by 8%, while the electricity tariff increase for the industrial sector is 8.7%, the increase in tariff for government institutions is 14.4%.

News

A QR code system to be introduced for agricultural lands and other sectors requiring fuel

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/30

Priyan

It was decided at the committee appointed to oversee the distribution of essential goods to appoint five officials from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to cover all ministries in order to examine fuel-related issues and undertake the necessary interventions.

It was further discussed that the responsibility of these officials would be to examine fuel-related issues arising in institutions under each ministry and to intervene in providing solutions by maintaining coordination with the Corporation.

These matters were discussed at a meeting of the committee appointed to oversee the distribution of essential goods, chaired by Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake held on Friday (27) at the Presidential Secretariat.

It was also noted, with particular attention, that requests have been made by industrialists indicating that the current fuel quota allocated to vehicles for the distribution of their products across the country is insufficient. It was further discussed that, if these concerns are not addressed, there is a likelihood of an increase in the prices of goods, which could in turn cause significant hardship to the public during the festive season.

The committee also discussed the issuance of fuel for the distribution of essential food items by state and private institutions, including supermarkets such as Sathosa, wholesale importers, tourism-related service providers, hotels and other service-providing organisations.

Accordingly, it was discussed that requests for fuel quotas submitted by these institutions should be carefully considered and prompt action taken as necessary and that such requests should be forwarded to the Ministry of Energy through the relevant ministries.

Attention was also drawn to the need for the swift implementation of a QR code system for the issuance of fuel to other sectors, including agriculture and the fisheries industry, based on letters issued on the recommendations of the relevant government officials, including agricultural research officers, instead of the previous method of direct fuel allocation.

Minister Bimal Rathnayake emphasised the need to ensure a continuous and properly managed fuel supply, with particular focus on providing goods to the public without shortages and preventing excessive price increases during the forthcoming Sinhala and Hindu New Year season.

The discussion was attended by a group of government officials, including Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Power Arkam Ilyas, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara and Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, D. J. Rajakaruna.

News

Inquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored

Published

16 hours ago

2026/03/30

Thilina Walpola

Speaker Wickramaratne receiving the report from retired HC Judge Alahapperuma. Secretary General of Parliament Rohanadeera stands next to the Speaker (file photo)

Parliament:

… sexual harassment claims dismissed

Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said.

The retired HC Judge handed over the report to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 24 November, 2025. Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on that occasion.

The retired judge has recommended that administrative decisions be taken expeditiously to grant her salary increments due for 2024 and 2025, reevaluation of all employees attached to the Department of Information Systems and Management and keep them under close scrutiny and strengthening of the ‘Helpdesk’ to meet the requirements.

Sources said that none of the recommendations have been implemented and the concerned employee in spite of still being the Senior Helpdesk coordinator remained attached to the Supplies and Services Office. She had been ordered to report to the Supplies and Services Office in January 2025 following a continuing dispute with the top management of the Department of Information Systems and Management.

Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee on 25.07.2025 decided to conduct an external investigation into the issue after the employee refused to accept the outcome of the internal inquiry conducted in the wake of SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raising the issue in Parliament.

The retired judge has emphasised the urgent need to take tangible measures to address administrative issues with a view to enhance discipline and human resources management among other issues.

However, the retired judge has declared that the complainant or any other female employee attached to the of Department of Information Systems and Management hadn’t been subjected to any form of sexual harassment as alleged.

The retired judge further asserted that the complainant had been prejudicially treated by two interview boards when she appeared before them seeking posts of Database Administrator and Parliament Officer.

The retired judge has also asserted that the Supplies and Services Office where the complaint continued to serve even now was not suitable and not in line with her qualifications. Some of those who had appeared before the retired judge during the inquiry claimed that was a temporary transfer. However, the report dismissed that claim declaring that transfer appeared to have been done outside acceptable procedure and her increments stopped without giving any justifiable reason.

The retired judge has stated that for want of proper procedures and systems, the administration seems to be in turmoil.

By Shamindra Ferdinando