News
Sajith flays govt. for broken promises

Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on Sunday (02) demanded that the NPP government address issues faced by farmers.
“The government must end its theatrics and fulfill its promise of ensuring a fair price for paddy. During the elections, the President pledged to eliminate the rice mafia and guarantee higher prices for farmers. However, these commitments have proven to be empty words,” he has said in a media statement.
In just one month, the government, represented by NPP had misled farmers multiple times with shifting justifications, Premadasa said. The actions of Minister of Agriculture Lal Kantha and Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne regarding the Maha season paddy harvest clearly demonstrated their failure to ensure a just price for farmers, he added.
“Initially, Deputy Minister Karunaratne assured farmers that a guaranteed price would be set, adding 30% to the production cost. However, on January 11, 2025, he backtracked, saying only a minimum price would be provided. By January 27, he claimed that no price had been set because farmers were supposedly able to sell their paddy without issue.
“Meanwhile, middlemen are exploiting farmers, purchasing wet paddy at Rs. 80-95 per kilo and dry paddy at around Rs. 100. Large-scale mill owners are buying these stocks at higher prices—Rs. 110 for wet paddy, Rs. 135 for dry paddy, Rs. 115 for wet Samba, and Rs. 140 for dry Samba. The absence of a government-set price has allowed this exploitation to continue unchecked.
“Adding to this injustice, both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Agriculture have made threatening statements against farmers. On January 28, Deputy Minister Karunaratne dismissed demands for a fair price, contradicting his earlier stance. The following day, Minister Lal Kantha went further, suggesting that farmers should surrender a portion of their harvest to the government in exchange for fertiliser subsidies.
“The government’s strategy is now evident. Farmers, fearing these threats and lacking storage facilities, are being forced to sell their paddy to middlemen at low prices. Later, the government will set a minimum price—once most farmers have already sold their harvest—allowing officials to claim they offered a fair rate, while in reality, farmers will have no stocks left to benefit from it.
“This deception is already being promoted through pro-government farmer groups on social media, falsely suggesting that farmers are willingly selling to private buyers instead of the government. Meanwhile, the government is using this opportunity to let large-scale mill owners buy paddy at low prices while pretending to have allocated funds for paddy purchases—only to ultimately save Rs. 5 billion at the farmers’ expense.
“The farming community, which feeds the nation, is being betrayed and driven into hardship. We, the opposition, demand that the government immediately provide a fair price of Rs. 140 per kilo, as requested by farmers, in line with the 30% production cost increase promised during the election.
“Furthermore, we urge the government to stop this deceit and establish a mechanism where the state competes with the private sector in purchasing paddy, as promised by the President. Lastly, we call for the immediate fulfillment of the promised additional Rs. 2 per kilo.”
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
News
Japanese Ambassador visits women entrepreneurs in North

Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata this week visited women entrepreneurs in the Mullaitivu district, Northern Province, supported by the project ‘Pathways to Peace’. The visit highlighted the impact of the business development and entrepreneurship trainings conducted by UN Women and Chrysalis with funding from the Government of Japan, the Embassy said.
Implemented across four districts – Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Mannar, and Mullaitivu -– this initiative has empowered over 460 women entrepreneurs by enhancing their skills in business planning, financial literacy, and product development. These trainings have enabled participants to refine their business strategies, improve market access, and upscale their businesses.
At the event, Ambassador Isomata observed a variety of products manufactured by the women entrepreneurs and interacted with them, learning firsthand about their experiences and achievements. Ambassador Isomata stated: “Japan has been actively supporting women entrepreneurs and their families in vulnerable communities. This project goes beyond skill-building by sustaining women-led businesses, fostering peacebuilding, and strengthening social cohesion. By becoming economically active, women gain greater influence in decision-making and leadership roles within their communities, driving lasting and transformative change”.
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