News

Ranil’s manifesto in line with IMF formula

Published

1 year ago

2024/08/30

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (29) reiterated his commitment to the IMF formula meant to ensure the proper and agreed implementation of the post-Aragalaya economic recovery.

In his presidential election manifesto, President Wickremesinghe, who contests as an independent candidate has said that whatever the other candidates said, the country couldn’t under any circumstances deviate from the IMF programme or agreement with China.

Among the key conditions laid down by the IMF/Official Creditor Committee co-chaired by France, India, and Japan as well as China were the prohibition of printing of money to bridge the budget deficit and maintenance of funds allocated for social security, the President said.

President Wickremesinghe said: “We have agreements in place—let’s follow them and continue on this path.

“This publication is based on the agreements between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as with the 17 countries of the Official Creditors Committee, including China, the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). We must operate within the framework of these agreements.

“I would like to ask the other candidates if they are prepared to act within this framework and if they are willing to implement these agreements without any amendments.”

President Wickremesinghe launched his manifesto at the Taj Samudra yesterday.

President Wickremesinghe said that the economy would be built on the foundation of four newly introduced Acts namely Central Bank Act, Public Finance Management Act, Public Debt Management Act No 33 of 2024 and Economic Transformation Act. He expressed confidence that the ongoing project was meant to achieve the country’s economic targets by 2048 though the manifesto essentially dealt with the next five years.

President Wickremesinghe assured that every citizen would be given the opportunity to own a plot of land and/or house.

In terms of ‘Urumaya’ project, the President promised continuation of the project till the completion of the issuance of 2 mn plots of land and complete the transfer of government-owned low cost housing units to the public within a period of four years.

President Wickremesinghe assured that the government’s dependence on EPF and ETF would be significantly reduced to pave the way for better investment opportunities both here and abroad.

The UNP leader’s manifesto dealt with all sectors including a comprehensive plan to enhance local milk production capacity, tourism, health sector, electricity and export processing zones.

Wickremesinghe identified special projects for the Northern and Eastern provinces as well as the upcountry region.

Commenting on the challenge posed by corruption, President proposed a series of measures to tackle waste, corruption and irregularities and the full implementation of laws now in place to curb bribery and corruption.

The President also promised to disclose the list of companies that received tax relief.

He repeated that the basic salary of public service employees would be increased by a minimum of 24% for primary-level service categories. For all government officials, salaries would be gradually increased from an average of 24% to 50%, depending on current fiscal feasibility, the manifesto announced.

A cost of living allowance of Rs. 25,000 would remain unchanged for three years and be provided to all government employees for three consecutive years, starting from January 2025, with 2025 being considered the base year, the manifesto announced.

The President declared 100,000 new jobs would be created next year. He explained how he intended to achieve that target with the support growing foreign and local investments.

President Wickremesinghe made a series of proposals to address the grievances of those who fought for the LTTE and issues related to the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The President declared that the next parliament would be granted the power to deal with the granting of police powers to Provincial Councils. Similarly, the parliament would implement a programme to introduce a new electoral system in line with the recommendations made by the Priyasath Dep Committee.

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Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended

Published

10 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.

Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

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“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM

Published

11 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.

Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.

This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”

The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.

The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Russia gifts 35 tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2025/12/10

Priyan

The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)

The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”

The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)

The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.