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.
The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).
Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.
The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.
In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.
The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.
Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.
On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.
The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.
Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.
The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.
Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants, the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.
The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.
