In a scathing critique of the government’s financial priorities, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya, today lambasted President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s spending habits and called for stricter financial discipline.
Dissanayake zeroed in on two specific allocations: Rs. 1.3 billion for Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) restructuring and Rs. 200 million for the President’s overseas travel, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and arrears.
He questioned the logic of allocating hefty sums for SLT privatization while the nation grapples with economic hardship. Regarding the President’s expenses, he asserted that “the President should be the first person to comply with financial discipline” and condemned the additional funds allocated after an already inflated budget for travel and vehicles.
Dissanayake further scrutinized the President’s frequent overseas travels, highlighting 14 trips in 14 months, including four UK visits, two Japan trips, and an upcoming “longest tour” of nearly two weeks. He contrasted this with previous presidents and questioned the necessity of attending summits where other world leaders were absent.
Dissanayake also drew attention to the irony of the President’s travel expenses while basic necessities like rice, milk powder, diesel, and medical supplies are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT).
He then turned his focus to the Rajapaksa family, questioning the continued use of state residences by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his son, Namal Rajapaksa, and other Rajapaksa family members.
The Leader of the Jathika Jana Balavegaya also cast doubt on the purpose of a recent nighttime vessel tour undertaken by the Former President, questioning his ability to participate meaningfully given his health limitations.
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation – Vijitha Herath has urged to complete work of the 3rd phase of the Central Expressway by Dec. 31, 2026.
The 3rd phase spans from Pothuhera to Rambukkana.
The minister had said this after inspecting work at the section today (Nov. 09).
The government has refuted reports claiming that Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited (SLTL) is to be closed down.
Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Finance has said no action has been taken or will be taken to liquidate the Thriposha Company.
The statement further notes that the Triposha programme to provide nutrition supplements to children and pregnant mothers will continue forward in a more effective manner.
A group of 58 Sri Lankans has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (Nov. 08) while residing in a luxury apartment complex on Havelock Road, Colombo, over suspected involvement in an online financial fraud.
They were arrested on a tipoff received by the Computer Crime Investigation Division (CCID) of the CID and were to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (09).
Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa stated that the investigation commenced after a complaint received from a foreign embassy in Sri Lanka. He stated that the funds in question belong to a Korean national residing in South Korea and that funds valued at approximately Rs. 300 million were defrauded.
He added that a 52-year-old woman from Colombo 07, who served as a director, and a 40-year-old man from Ragama, who acted as a manager, are among the arrested persons.