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State Minister fires broadside at SLPP

Published

3 years ago

2021/12/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Yugadanavi is one among many contentious issues’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera says the country wouldn’t have been in such turmoil today if the top political leadership consulted constituents of the ruling coalition.

Kalutara District National Freedom Front (NFF) lawmaker Samaraweera said that a simmering dispute over Yugadanavi deal that ended up in the apex court was one among many contentious and questionable issues.

NFF is a breakaway group from the JVP and has six members in Parliament as opposed to three seats held by the latter.

MP Samaraweera said that the SLPP had conveniently turned a blind eye to concerns expressed by constituents not only in respect of Yugadanavi betrayal, but a number of other issues as well. The MP said that the SLPP couldn’t act in an arrogant manner on the basis of superiority in numbers. Of the 145-member government parliamentary group, 117 represents the SLPP.

Asked to elaborate, lawmaker Samaraweera pointed out how the government had allowed importers to fleece those struggling to make ends meet by doing away with price controls.

“What is the point in granting duty concessions to various importers unless the government ensures the consumers benefit by them,” the former JVPer asked.

Referring to the reduction of duty on white sugar by issuing a gazette dated Oct 13, 2020, MP Samaraweera alleged that the whole exercise was meant to give sugar importers an opportunity to make a killing.

The garlic scam, massive fraud in liquid fertilizer imports from India, controversy surrounding opening of Letter of Credit for import of Chinese carbonic fertiliser before receiving approval from the National Quarantine Centre and the pathetic failure to prevent gas-related explosions much to the embarrassment of the entire government caused a debilitating setback. “We begin the new year on the back foot,” the State Minister said.

State Minister Samaraweera admitted that they hadn’t been successful in convincing the SLPP to review its policies. The parliamentarian said that the NFF recently called a special media briefing to pressure the government to re-impose price controls immediately or face the consequences. Alleging that the government ignored their request made on behalf of the people, MP Samaraweera said that the ruinous move that did away with agro-chemicals overnight without a proper study of ground realities was perhaps the single worst decision taken by the current dispensation since the last presidential election.

The bankrupt Opposition exploited the situation to the hilt, the MP said, urging the government to address the grievances of the public and rectify mistakes. There was no point in denying the fact the country never experienced such turmoil even during the war against the LTTE, the State Minister said.

The MP also questioned the prorogation of Parliament under controversial circumstances. The State Minister said that some speculated the government wanted to reconstitute parliamentary watchdog committees, the COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises), COPA (Committee on Public Accounts) and COPF (Committee on Public Finance) as some sections of the government felt the revelations made therein caused difficulties.

Responding to another query, MP Samaraweera said that as a member of the dissolved COPE chaired by Prof. Charitha Herath he was aware of the importance of the work undertaken by the watchdog committee.

Perhaps the government couldn’t stomach what was taking place there, the NFF senior said, pointing out it was COPF Chairman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa who fired the first salvo against the fraud in sugar duty. The MP pointed out that if none of the heads of three committees received the top position again the public would realize what was going on.

The Kalutara District MP recalled how the COPE pulled up Litro for blocking a government audit. For two years, Litro, in spite of being owned by Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) , managed to deprive the Auditor General, the MP said, adding that the government suffered due to the actions of those who believed they could manipulate everything. The Yugadanavi fiasco was a case in point, he said.

State Minister Samaraweera pointed out the absurdity in faulting Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila over so-called collective responsibility of the cabinet in respect of the decision on agreement with US-based New Fortress Energy when the cabinet of ministers never took that decision.

MP Samaraweera said that they had faith in the judiciary. The MP noted the Supreme Court would resume the hearing on January 10, a week before new parliamentary sessions begin.

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Second lot of luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat sold

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

The second phase of the auction to sell luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat was successfully concluded today (15 May), with the auction taking place as scheduled.

A total of 26 vehicles, previously allocated to former Ministers and the former President, to their advisors and staff appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during their tenure, were listed for sale. Out of these, 17 vehicles were successfully sold today.

The auctioned vehicles included:

1 BMW car
2 Ford Everest SUVs
1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
2 Land Rover SUVs
1 Mitsubishi Montero
3 Nissan Patrol vehicles
2 Nissan brand cars
1 Porsche Cayenne
5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
1 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara
6 V8 vehicles
1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus

With the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, a decision was taken to auction the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

There was a high demand for the purchase of these vehicles and over Rs. 200 million in revenue was generated through their sale at the auction held today.

There was significant interest in the auction, with 108 bidders participating.

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President approves establishment of Anti-Corruption Investigation Units in Provincial Councils and LG Institutions

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has approved the establishment of dedicated anti-corruption investigation units within provincial councils and local government institutions, aiming to combat corruption and administrative inefficiencies. The decision follows a request by provincial governors during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).

During the meeting, President Disanayake emphasised that provincial governors bear the primary responsibility for driving development initiatives and ensuring accountability within their respective provinces. He noted, “Strengthening governance mechanisms is critical to addressing systemic challenges and achieving equitable progress.”

Among the key decisions taken was the creation of anti-corruption investigation units modelled after similar bodies operating at the ministerial level. These units will be tasked with monitoring financial transactions, investigating irregularities and enforcing transparency in development projects. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to eliminate malpractice in public institutions.

The discussion also highlighted that provincial councils have received three times the financial allocations compared to the previous fiscal year. However, governors raised concerns regarding delays and bureaucratic hurdles in utilising these funds effectively. In response, President Disanayake directed officials to streamline procedures and adopt results-oriented mechanisms to accelerate infrastructure development.

Persistent obstacles in upgrading provincial infrastructure such as road networks, healthcare facilities and utility services, were also discussed. The President pledged to implement practical solutions to address these challenges and urged governors to prioritise projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Governors further stressed the need for improved coordination between provincial councils and central ministries to avoid duplication of efforts. Acknowledging these concerns, President Disanayake underlined the importance of collaborative governance to ensure efficient resource allocation.

“While increased funding is a positive step, its prudent management is non-negotiable. Provincial authorities must ensure every rupee is accounted for and spent efficiently,” he asserted.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Provincial Governors: Hanif Yusuf (Western Province), Sarath Bandara Samarasinghe Abayakon (Central Province), Bandula Harischandra (Southern Province), Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya (North Western Province), Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri (North Central Province), Nagalingam Vedanayagam (Northern Province), Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera (Eastern Province), Champa Janaki Rajaratne (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Kapila Jayasekara (Uva Province).

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Seven new envoys to Sri Lanka present credentials to the President

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (15) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.

Accordingly:

* Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
* Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.