Connect with us

News

Ranil asks for debate on impending IMF report on Lanka

Published

on

By Saman Indrajith

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday in Parliament asked the government to give a date for a debate on an upcoming IMF report on Sri Lanka.

Wickremesinghe said that the report would be published in the third week of this month. Therefore, it was better if the House could debate the report in the first week of March.

The former Premier said that such a debate would enable MPs to debate the content of the report without their party affiliations and the Leader of the House should table that report and the Finance Committee too should pay attention to the content of the IMF report.

The UNP leader said that there was no use of trying to ascertain whether the present financial crisis in the country was because of the mismanagement of the incumbent government or of the former government or of King Mahasen. “What is needed at the time is to get everybody’s opinion and suggestions to reach a common consensus and a sound plan to steer the country out of the present crisis situation”, he said.

The UNP leader asked for a date for a debate during the first sitting week of March. “Someone has to come up with a plan to solve the present crisis and that plan should be reached with the concurrence of all in Parliament and thereafter it could be sent to the President”, Wickremesinghe said.

Leader of the House Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the matter of allocating a date for the debate could be discussed at the next party leaders’ meeting.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that his party too had asked for a two day debate on the current economic crisis. Parliament was said to have the financial controlling power of the country. Yet the Finance Minister did not come to Parliament. He did not keep Parliament informed of the financial situation and nobody knew what was happening.

“The finance minister gives interviews to newspapers and voice cuts to TVs but does not inform parliament. Even Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that the present economic crisis is not because of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Kiriella added.

Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando: The Chief Opposition Whip asking for a two day debate. They had been waiting till the economy collapsed in the month of January. They even made arrangements to come on TV live to tell the nation that the economy collapsed. Your economic experts predicted that this country would go bankrupt. That did not happen. In the same way we would not let this crisis affect the country’s economy. We have the strength to manage the crisis. The finance minister is handling his ministry properly.



Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA departs island concluding her visit

Published

on

By

The Turkish Naval Ship TCG BÜYÜKADA which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, departed the island on 18 Jun 25.

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing
ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions. Upon leaving, the Turkish Naval Ship engaged in a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Gajabahu in Colombo seas. The PASSEX involved training exercises in communication and tactical maneuvering, concluding with the traditional cheer ship salute.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka,  Semih Lütfü Turgut, accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship, Lieutenant Commander Anil
BİLGİN met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters on 13 Jun 25. The cordial discussion mainly focused on several matters of
bilateral importance and it importance of the occasion.

During her stay in Colombo, crew members of TCG BÜYÜKADA took part in several programmes including sporting events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the island.

Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit the Turkish Naval Ship gaining insights into the ship’s operational capabilities.

Meanwhile, the enhanced cooperation and interoperability fostered through this nature of port calls made by foreign naval ships will provide a strong foundation for the Sri Lanka Navy to
collectively and effectively respond to emerging trends and challenges in the maritime fraternity.

Continue Reading

News

Students of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visit President’s House

Published

on

By

A group of students from Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School visited the Presidential Secretariat and the President’s House on Wednesday (18).

The visit was facilitated under the ‘Vision’  programme series, a collaborative initiative for schoolchildren organised by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education and the Department of Communication of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

As part of the visit, the students toured the Old Parliament building located within the Presidential Secretariat and received a briefing on the history of parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka.

The students and teaching staff were also briefed on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as well as on the functions of the executive branch and the importance of the rule of law.

To symbolically emphasise the importance of environmental preservation,  K.M.N. Kumarasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, presented the school with a valuable plant sapling.

Among those in attendance were Colonel Dhananjaya Senarath, Deputy Director of the Tri-Forces Security Operations Coordinating Unit;  N.A.L. Wijerathna, Principal of Nittambuwa Sanghabodhi National School; and members of the school’s teaching staff.

Continue Reading

News

President commends the service of outgoing Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana

Published

on

By

President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Wednesday (18), lauded  Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary service, stating that it is the responsibility of public officials to strive to prevent adverse outcomes and contribute to positive change.

The President particularly commended Mr Siriwardana’s exceptional dedication and commitment in expertly navigating the nation’s economy through the transformative period following the recent economic crisis, ultimately achieving significant economic victories for the country. President Disanayake expressed his gratitude for Mr Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions.

These remarks were made by President Disanayake at a farewell ceremony organised at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (18)  morning  to mark Mr Siriwardana’s retirement from his post as Secretary to the Treasury.

The President highlighted the need for a new value system focused on individual merit in an era where material possessions often overshadow genuine human values. He stressed that the country requires a public service driven by humanity and empathy towards others, fulfilling its duties rather than one marred by excessive consumerism and corruption.

President Disanayake further emphasised that the public service should not be an inaccessible mechanism aloof from citizens. He underscored the importance of considering the impact of decisions on people’s lives when making policy choices. The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mr Mahinda Siriwardana, a senior public servant with extensive experience and profound understanding.

In his address, Mr Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked the President for maintaining confidence in him and allowing him to continue in the position despite a change in government leadership, noting that the President’s support was a great source of strength. Mr Siriwardana added that the country might not have overcome its economic crisis without President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s faith, resilience and boundless dedication.

During the ceremony, the President also presented Mr Siriwardana with a token of  appreciation for his outstanding service.

The event was attended by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs; other government officials; and family members of Mr Siriwardana, amongst other invited guests.

Continue Reading

Trending