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Prof. Peiris warns of dreadful consequences

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Prof. Peiris

New Finance Bills:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, recently questioned President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s move to introduce the Economic Transformation Bill and Public Financial Management Bill in the run-up to the presidential election later this year.

The dissident SLPP MP alleged that such laws weren’t introduced for the benefit of the country. Prof. Peiris declared that the genuine Opposition would oppose both Bills.

Alleging that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government was not sensitive to the developing economic-political and social crisis, the National List member from the Opposition vowed to make necessary interventions at the committee stage.

The former External Affairs Minister said so at Galle conference of Samagi Buddhi Mandapaya chaired by SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa over the last weekend. A group of dissident SLPP MPs switched allegiance to the SJB recently.

State Finance Minister Shehan Semasasinghe is on record as having said that the two Bills were meant to enhance management of public finances, thereby thwart future economic downturns. Addressing the media at the Presidential Media Centre on Monday (20), as the Acting Finance Minister Semasinghe declared that the two Bills would be submitted to parliament today (22).

Prof. Peiris told the Galle gathering SJB leader Premadasa was in the process of identifying key areas that needed attention subsequent to his victory at the forthcoming presidential election. “The requirements of districts and provinces can be different. Therefore, special attention needed to be paid for districts and provinces depending on their requirements.

Declaring that tourism remained a key factor not only for those living in the Galle district but the country as a whole, Prof. Peiris explained how the recent government bid to outsource issuance of visa on arrival could have had a detrimental impact on the national economy.

The former minister said that the SLT Mobitel charged USD 1 per person for issuance of visa. The current dispensation was so corrupt it outsourced that responsibility to another party that charged USD 25 per person.

Prof. Peiris said that tourism suffered in the aftermath of 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. The tourism sector further deteriorated during the Covid-19 crisis and the subsequent to economic fallout. The tourism was gradually but surely and steadily improving when the government introduced another racket for the benefit of unscrupulous elements.

With the presidential election just a couple of months away, the government was going ahead with all sorts of crooked deals meant for the benefit of the powers that be.

Prof. Peiris alleged that for want of a tangible action plan on the part of the government, the economy was in dire straits. Small and medium scale businesses had suffered badly and the government seemed to be blind to the woes of the business community.

The former minister said that the SJB leader was able to provide relief to the affected businesses by securing the ADB assistance.

On behalf of the SJB, Prof. Peiris assured that the new government would introduce a scheme to support those who newly entered the legal profession. Referring to a project implemented during the tenure of Romesh de Silva, PC, as the President of the Bar Association, Prof. Peiris said that a similar scheme would be initiated to assist new lawyers.

Referring to the landmark judgment against State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage and the loss of her parliametnaryseat, Prof. Peiris called for stringent action against a person who called unseating of the SJB MP a political conspiracy. He said they had committed contempt of court.

Contrary to government claims, the country was in an extremely difficult situation and those in power seemed to be wholly incapable of addressing the issues at hand, Prof. Peiris said.



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued  by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO]  to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of  Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya,  Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna,  Walapane,  Hanguranketha and  Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara  district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.

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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP

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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

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