News
Sajith requests govt to increase Rs 5000 relief allowance
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (24) requested the government to increase the Rs. 5,000 relief allowance given to people in lockdown areas. He pointed out that the amount was not sufficient to cover monthly expenses of a family.
Making a special statement, Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “There are delays in distributing the Rs. 5,000 allowance to the low income families in lockeddown and isolated areas in Colombo. A Grama Niladhari can distribute the money only to 100 people a day because they do not have enough resources to do that. It is also said that the government would provide a basket of goods worth Rs. 10,000 worth each to the families under quarantine. But people in some areas allege that they have not yet received it. That is why the people in several areas staged protests on roads during the past few days.”
“Even in my election speeches I said that Rs. 5000 was not enough for a family and a family should be given at least Rs. 20,000 a month. Even for a family of two, at least Rs. 15,000 should be spent on meeting basic needs. Now, many people in locked down and isolated areas do not have any income. They have lost their jobs. So the government should grant them relief.”
Premadasa demanded to know whether the government was planning to enhance monetary relief. “How many families live in the locked down and isolated areas in Colombo? Does the government have a plan to provide reliefs to these people without any delay? How many families have got the monetary relief and essential goods packages at the moment? What are the steps you are planning to provide reliefs for people suffering from COVID-19 lockdowns in other Districts in the country?”
In response state Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that a detailed answer to Premadasa’s questions would be provided on Friday (27). “We will provide detailed answers for these questions on Friday. Our government will never let the people down. Until the answers are provided, I request Premadasa not to instigate the people.”
Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I do not instigate anyone. These are the real problems people are facing at the moment. It is sad that the government thinks that speaking about these things instigate the people.”
MP Semasinghe: “You were speaking about giving Rs. 20,000 to a family even during the election time. But people rejected you.”
Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I am glad that Semasinghe accepted that the government has no intention to increase the monetary relief. Thank you for that.”
MP Semasinghe: “Now, you are twisting what I said to mislead the people. I did not say that we would not increase relief. Ours is a responsible government. People voted for us because they believe we can protect them. We will not let them down.”
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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