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 Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ petition filed by former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera seeking an order to prevent his arrest in connection with a case against the alleged illegal acquisition of state land under the jurisdiction of the Kelaniya Divisional Secretariat.
The order was issued by a bench comprising the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva and several others are currently in remand custody, as ordered by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court, in connection with the same incident.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has submitted a written complaint to the Chairman of the Election Commission – R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, alleging the unauthorized use of her name and photograph in election campaigning.
In her letter, she claims that UPFA candidates in the Attanagalla electorate are distributing handouts with her photograph without her consent, alongside those of Lasantha Alagiwanna and Sarana Gunawardena,
She also mentioned that she had previously instructed all candidates not to use her name or photograph in any form.
As this constitutes a violation of election laws, she has requested to immediately halt these activities.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that legal action will soon be taken against 03 former ministers accused of using vehicles without proper registration.
He made this statement while addressing a public meeting held in Beruwala.
“No village would even drive a motorbike on the roads without registering it. But there was a time when ministers of this country had imported vehicles even when it was forbidden to do so. They use those vehicles without licenses and with fake number plates. They think that the law does not apply to them,” he said.
