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Sumanthiran asks IMF to ensure that no relief ends up in Rajapaksa pockets

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/24

TNA MP MA Sumanthiran told Parliament on Wednesday that he saw a twitter message from the president, following the Rambukkara shooting, exhorting “I urge all to refrain from violence as they protest”.

“Now I have not seen any protesters indulging in violence,” the MP said. “It has been only the police who have used excessive force which is quite blatant, and that has now resulted in the death of one person. Death of only one person is confirmed. The fate of few others is not known.

“Now why are these people protesting? These people are protesting because the government has failed them. The president has failed them. And in saying that they are very specific about a few matters When they say ‘go home,’ they are saying: return our money and go. Return our money and go home.

“There is good reason why they are saying that. I also saw a message that says that the discussions with the IMF is at an early stage. The loan program is at an early stage. And that any deal would require adequate assurances that the island country’s debts can be put on a sustainable path.

“Now this debt sustainability is a huge issue, because you have not rescheduled the debts. That should have happened quite some time ago, before those became due. Now you have gone for an IMF program and there is no debt sustainability. For IMF to assist you, you have to not only have political stability, but also debt sustainability.

“Now if these two are not done there is no remedy. People are crying out for justice; people are asking when will this end. It is going to get worse. We know even with the IMF facility, even with the program that is successful, its going to get worse for a while.

“But now there is no assurance that is going to be successful, the way it’s going. Despite the people in an unprecedented way in this country demonstrating and staying and requiring them to go, they are stubbornly refusing to go.

“Given that fact that when IMF considers the Rapid Finance Instrument – now that’s the first thing that’ll be given – when they consider the rapid finance instrument, they must make it conditional. A very strict condition must be imposed that this money that is given does not go into the Rajapaksa pockets. That it must go directly to the people, directly to the poor, for medicine, for basic food, for poor welfare.

“Also that (existing) poor welfare programmes are also designed presently in a way to enrich corrupt politicians. Now that must be avoided. So this specific request to the IMF that when you consider the rapid finance instrument, and we need that, please ensure, please attach it to conditions, that’ll ensure that it’ll go directly to the people.”

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces during the day time

Published

10 mins ago

2026/04/25

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 24 April 2026, valid for 25 April 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and
Eastern provinces during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Opposition holds NPP Cabinet responsible for coal scam, three times bigger than bond fraud

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/25

Thilina Walpola

Prof. G. L. Peiris

The Opposition yesterday called for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers to accept responsibility for the coal scam. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasised that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, in the wake of the damning report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), has now implicated the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers.

Prof. Peiris asserted that Jayakody, who had been indicted in the Colombo High Court over alleged corruption, during the Yahapalana administration, stepped down after the NPP failed to suppress the truth on the coal scam.

The ex-Minister declared that Jayakody’s resignation, the first since the formation of new government, with a super majority in Parliament, was a devastating setback for the current dispensation.

The internationally recognised legal scholar said that a future government would move courts against the entire NPP Cabinet. Referring to the NAO report submitted to Parliament, Prof. Peiris emphasised that there was absolutely no ambiguity regards allegations directed at the Energy Ministry. The NAO report proved that the Indian company, Trident Champhar, that won the major contract, didn’t even have the required registration.

Prof. Peiris said that the coal scam was three times bigger than the Treasury bond scams, perpetrated during the Yahapalana time (SF)

News

Case against Yoshitha and Daisy Forrest postponed

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/25

Thilina Walpola

The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that the case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe, be recalled on June 10.

The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

At the hearing, State Counsel informed the court that a related case, on similar charges, had been filed before High Court No. 08. The court was further informed that a revised indictment has been directed to be filed in that case, necessitating the submission of a revised indictment in the present case as well.

State Counsel requested time to report on the progress of those proceedings.

Accordingly, the judge ordered that the case be called on June 10 and directed that progress be reported on that date.

The case pertains to three indictments filed by the Attorney General alleging that between March 31, 2009, and December 12, 2013, the accused had committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing over Rs. 59 million in three private banks, the source of which could not be explained.