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Premadasa criticises government for adhering to IMF directives
The Leader of the Opposition and head of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sajith Premadasa, has accused the government of ignoring its popular mandate and continuing with the policies initiated by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Premadasa said the current administration was merely following Wickremesinghe’s earlier agreement with the IMF.
Addressing the media in Colombo, Premadasa said that unlike the government, the SJB was committed to operating within the IMF framework but ensuring that promised relief was provided to the people. He proposed reforms such as revising the existing tax brackets of 6%-36% to a more equitable 1%-24%. Premadasa criticised the government for blindly adhering to IMF directives without addressing the economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Premadasa said the government should not rely solely on higher taxes to increase its revenue; it had to widen the tax base to include those evading taxes, improving tax collection efficiency, and adopting digital solutions. Premadasa also flayed the government for failing to deliver on election promises, such as reducing electricity tariffs and lowering fuel prices, even though such measures are feasible.
Premadasa said he did not intend to undermine the government but he had to highlight its failures in serving the public. He noted that despite a strong public mandate, the government had failed to act on its promises and now appears disconnected from the people.
Premadasa also called for a new budget, stating that the absence of one demonstrated a lack of foresight and planning on the part of the government. He reaffirmed the SJB’s intention to contest the upcoming local government elections and emphasised the importance of informing the public of the government’s inability to implement its election pledges.
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Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
In keeping with the proposal by the President in his 2025 budget, for the provision of a package essential goods at a concessionary price during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival season, it has been planned to provide a food package containing essential food items valued at Rs. 5000/- for only Rs. 2,500/-.
It is expected to select appropriate beneficiaries from among the 812,753 candidates who have submitted new applications for Aswesuma benefits.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to take necessary steps to provide the food package to the beneficiaries through the Lanka Sathosa outlet network and COOPFED outlets from 01.04.2025 to 13.04.2025
The Cabinet of Ministers have decided as follows considering the resolutions submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development along with the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments on payment of salaries according to the revised salary scales with effect from 01.04.2025 based on the resolution furnished by the President for revising the salaries of government service by the budget 2025;
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments to issue circular instructions to the the secretaries of all the Ministries, Local Government Secretaries and Heads of Departments in regard to salary revisions of the government service.
• To empower the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to issue circular instructions for state corporations, statutory boards and fully government owned companies and other institutions.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been granted to amend the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 for remedying the shortcomings related to the transparency according to the international standards for prevention of money laundering, financing terrorism and other illegal activities.
Accordingly, the draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has been revised as per instructions provided by the Attorney General subject to the special decision of the Supreme Court No. SC/SD/92/2024 and clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the final draft bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Safety and Cooperative Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and subsequently submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Concessionary priced food packages for new ‘Aswesuma’ applicants from 01st to 13th April
Salary revision of the Government Service – 2025
Amendment of the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 to be Gazetted
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