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UNP extols its 21-point plan ignored by govt.

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UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday said that if the government had accepted the UNP’s 21-point plan to revive the economy and save the lives of people, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would not have had to ask the people to get ready to make more sacrifices.

Addressing a meeting of UNP activists, via Zoom, the UNP Deputy Leader said that his party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had submitted a 21-point plan, titled the UNP’s policy for health security and economic security, to President Rajapaksa. “Other parties keep on criticising the government. We not only criticise the wrong policies of the government but also propose alternatives. Now the number of COVID-19 deaths is nearly 200 a day. We kept on asking for closure of the country for at least three weeks. The government finally resorted to shutting down the country for 10 days. But this is not the closure expected by the health experts. We see people and vehicles on the road.

“A summary of the President Rajapaksa’s recent address to the nation tells people to get ready to make sacrifices in case the country would be moved for longer closures. In other words, the president says that there would be an increase in prices of goods and services and there would be difficulties in paying salaries. It seems that the government is planning to cut down the Rs 10,000 increment we had given to the public servants.

“In our 21-point plan we asked the government to go to the IMF so that we could obtain financial assistance from other countries. It is unfair to ask people to make sacrifices without doing so.

“We have repeatedly asked the government to go for immediate purchases of ventilators. We need at least 2,000 ventilators immediately.

“The government should think of obtaining the services of retired health workers and doctors and the services of the private health sector.

“There are no legal provisions for the COVID-19 task force to function. The cabinet of ministers have the power to face the crisis. We called on the government to place the responsibility of facing the crisis to the cabinet of ministers,” the UNP Deputy Leader said.



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President requests the opposition to support the implementation of the IMF agreement

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the Opposition to unite and disregard political differences to assist in carrying out the IMF agreement, which would aid in the development of Sri Lanka’s economy.

The President emphasized that his duty is not to condemn previous administrations but to concentrate on the development of the country. He also declared his dedication to constructing a better future by creating laws and frameworks that prevent the recurrence of past errors.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivered this message in a special address to Parliament this morning (22) regarding the receipt of the Extended Credit Facility from the International Monetary Fund.

He stated that despite allegations being leveled against him that his objective was not to rescue the country from an economic crisis but to safeguard the Rajapaksa family, the international community had acknowledged his efforts to carry the country across the economic vine bridge.

The President further said that he had faith in rebuilding the beloved country where he was born, brought up and educated, and said that many past experiences were the reasons for confirming that faith.

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SJB, JVP move SC against Finance Secy. for contempt of court

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The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday (21) moved Supreme Court against Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana over his failure to provide funds required by the Election Commission to conduct the Local Government polls, ignoring an interim order issued by the apex court, on 03 March.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara, MP, is the petitioner for the SJB and Vijitha Herath, MP, moved court on behalf of the JVP, the leading party in the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB).

Two Opposition parties declared action against Siriwardana the day after the Freedom People’s Alliance (FPA) issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Finance Secretary to release the funds.

EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa is on record as having said that in spite of SC directive he didn’t receive fresh funding.

The petitioners sought the issuance of summons on Siriwardana for contempt of court over failure to carry out its interim orders, given on 03 March.

The petitioners want the Finance Secretary punished in terms of Article 105 (3) of the Constitution.

The SJB stated that Siriwardana had refrained from carrying out the March directives, on the basis of a Cabinet decision, taken on 13 Feb., 2023. The SJB also pointed out that the offensive conduct of the Treasury Secretary, inter alia, causes grave prejudice to the esteemed authority of the Supreme Court and in turn disturb the public confidence in the authority of the highest Court in the country. (SF)

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Minister indicates reduction in fuel prices in April

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Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament yesterday that fuel prices would be reduced considerably according to the fuel price formula at the next fuel price revision, due in April.

The Minister said that the government would be able to procure fuel shipments, at lower prices, during competitive bidding, with the receipt of the IMF bailout.

There had been practical issues, and problems, in opening Letters of Credit, and obtaining credit facilities, in the recent past, as Sri Lanka could not give a guarantee to fuel suppliers, Minister Wijesekara said.

“We could not open LCs and obtain credit facilities when procuring fuel. After the IMF bailout, we will be able to procure fuel at lower prices during competitive biddings. We will be able to obtain a long-term credit facility as well. Fuel prices in the global market seem to have declined and the rupee has also gained strength against the US Dollar. Having considered all these factors, fuel prices will be reduced by a considerable margin which could be felt by the people,” he said.

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