News

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera slammed the recently unveiled 'Economic Blue Print' of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)Presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa saying it is anything but a plan that setsSri Lanka on a Vipath Maga – a roadto sorrow – returning to the era of debt-fueled crony capitalism.

Samaraweera issuing a statement said that the 82 slides, released on Sunday, pump aspiration and dump implementation and that it has taken the sensible strategy of Vision 2025 and fused it with toxic Rajapaksa kleptocracy.

“A blue print is supposed to be a roadmap for how to achieve an objective. The slide-deck dreams many dreams. But there is precious little that can be actioned. It is, at best, a blue print for building castles in the air; at worst, a blue print for disaster,” the Minister said.

He has also expressed worry over the fact that Rajapaksa has taken the sensible strategy of Vision 2025 and fused it with toxic Rajapaksa kleptocracy.

“In reality, the ‘blue print’ sets Sri Lanka on a Vipath Maga – a road to sorrow – returning to the era of debt-fueled crony capitalism. The fact that one of the sessions was chaired by a person arrested for financial fraud and indicted by the Attorney-General demonstrates the calibre of advisors preparing these documents,” Samaraweera said.

He said the only surprise for him was seeing captains of industry listening avidly to Gotabaya’s speech.

For it was only a few years ago that, in hushed whispers and fitfully looking over their shoulders, many complained discreetly about having to cut deals and grease one of four gilded palms at 5 star to get anything done. Perhaps they think that attending such an event is an act of ‘strategic promiscuity’ – buying insurance should the worst occur,” he said.

The Minister further noted that insurance is no safety net and the sugar high of the post-war years cannot return.

He said that the previous regime borrowed so much during their tenure that Sri Lanka’s credit card is maxed out. The Minister said that any attempt to load further debt, or to destabilize the economy, will mean that financial markets will withdraw credit and increase interest rates.

“But that does not worry the organizers of Vipath Maga. Their economic plan is simple: a return to the dictatorial kleptocracy of the ancien régime. In fact, the Vipath Maga presentation shows that no lessons have been learnt from the mistakes of the past. There is no reassurance there won’t be even more Hambantota Ports and Airports, Lotus Towers and Cricket Stadia. Not to mention pumping and dumping the stock-market, artificially over-valuing the rupee (in the process destroying export competitiveness) and making a profitable airline loss-making because the CEO did his job,” Samaraweera added.

The SLRC is assigned under the Ministry of Defence with effect from midnight yesterday (9).

The move comes as the Elections Commission prepares to call for Presidential elections.

The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation was earlier under the Ministry of Mass Media which is under the purview of Non Cabinet Minister Ruwan Wijewardene. However, it is now under the purview of the President, who is also the Defence Minister.

There has been a continuous controversy over the post of SLRC Chairman with Minister Wijewardene attempting to appoint a new Chairman to the institution while incumbent Chairman Enoka Sathyangani has refused to vacate office.

Wheat flour would therefore be sold at the previous price with immediate effect, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Wheat flour companies increased the price of a kilogram of wheat flour by Rs 5.50 on Friday (6) while agents were notified to comply with the price increase.

Meanwhile the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had stated that legal action would be sought against the increase of the wheat flour price without its approval.

However, representatives from the companies were called before the Cost of Living Committee yesterday (10) to show cause on the price hike.

Agriculture Minister P. Harrison said the companies had agreed to sell wheat flour at the old price during the meeting.

The UPFA has nominated H. M. D. B. Herath to fill the vacant UPFA parliamentary seat in the Kurunegala District.

Herath’s name has been gazetted as the new parliamentarian to fill the vacant seat.

Controversy surrounded the filling of the vacant seat with the next in line from the Kurunegala list being Shantha Bandara, who was appointed to parliament through the National List.

However, following Dissanayake’s demise, Bandara resigned from the National List slot to fill the vacancy created by Dissanayake. The argument then was that Bandara could not be nominated through the Kurunegala District list since he was already in parliament as a National List MP.

The controversy has now ended with Herath’s appointment.

The retail prices of fuel have been reduced by Rs.2 with effect from midnight yesterday based on the fuel pricing formula, the Finance Ministry said.

Accordingly, the prices of fuel were decreased as follows:

Petrol (Octane 92) per litre will be decreased by Rs.1 and the revised price is Rs.137, Petrol (Octane 95) will be sold at Rs.161, decreased by Rs.2 per litre. One litre of Super Diesel will be lowered by Rs.2 and the new price will be Rs.132.

There was no price revision on Auto Diesel which remains at Rs.104.

Furthermore, the price of Lanka Kerosene and Auto Diesel will remain at Rs. 70 and Rs.104 per litre.   

The eight Ministers are: Sajith Premadasa, Ravi Karunanayake, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Navin Dissanayake, Harin Fernando, Mano Ganesan, M.H.A. Haleem and Gayantha Karunathilaka.

The TISL issuing a statement said the complaint was made based on information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

“The information showed that eight Cabinet ministers had not submitted their declarations of assets and liabilities for 2018/19, as of August 20, 2019. Cabinet ministers are required to submit their declarations to the Presidential Secretariat under section 4 (a)(ii) of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law. However, according to the Presidential Secretariat’s response to an RTI application filed by TISL on 28 August 2019, eight Cabinet ministers had not submitted their asset declaration as at 20 August 2019,” it said.

The TISL said that the non-declaration of assets and liabilities amounts to an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding Rs.1000 and/or a prison term of up to one year.

Following the filing of the complaint, TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said, “Whilst several members of parliament have already gone beyond legal requirements to publicly disclose their asset declarations (available at www.tisrilanka.org/MPassets), it is important that those who have neglected their responsibility are held to account”.

Obeyesekere added, “TISL has also requested the same information from the Presidential Secretariat and the Office of the Speaker, to identify non-Cabinet, state and deputy ministers and members of parliament who have not submitted their asset declarations and we will be taking appropriate action when such information is received.”

TISL has requested the Bribery Commission to exercise its powers to ensure that this complaint is investigated and that prosecutions are undertaken where necessary

He also said that the UNP is a democratic party and not the fiefdom of any individual or family.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has taken a swipe at former Defence Secretary and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa claiming that the next President of Sri Lankan must be an experienced politician.

Muarlitharan has made this observation at the Viyathmaga Annual Convention held at the Shangri – La Hotel in Colombo yesterday (8), which was a pro-Rajapaksa event.

The Sri Lanka cricket legend has noted that cricketers and other professionals cannot lead the country.

Muralitharan has said that some people in Sri Lanka have placed their faith in businessmen and others but a President can only be someone who has experience in politics to take political decisions.

The former cricketer has called on the public to vote for a President who had already made a mark in Sri Lanka and who will protect the people as well as lead by example.

He has further stated that a true leader must lead by setting an example and not lead just by words.

Muralitharan has said while some leaders say they will die for the country, there is no point if they die as what is required is for them to rule the country.

Referring to the war and the sacrifices made has said the LTTE had a choice when peace talks took place but instead they killed innocent people.

According to Muralitharan, the greatest day in his life was in 2009 when the LTTE was defeated and the war ended.

Viyathmaga was launched by professionals under Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s patronage. The forum was initially used as a political launch pad by Rajapaksa.

Election affairs are to be headed by Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Jagath Abeysirigunawardena

The appointment was made with immediate effect with the approval of the National Police Commission (NPC).

Election affairs have been handed over to Senior DIG Abeysirigunawardena who is also in charge of the Western Province and Traffic Directions.

Abeysirigunawardena is taking over election duties from the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) C. D. Wickremaratne.