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Harsha discloses 16 IMF recommendations imposed on SL

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SJB MP Harsha de Silva said the contents of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Governance Diagnostic Assessment report has laid out a rigorous 16-point plan for Sri Lanka’s revival.

Speaking in yesterday’s Parliament session, the MP said that even if the second tranche is given to Sri Lanka, these recommendations will have to be implemented in order to carry forward the IMF programme.

He said that these recommendations will direct Sri Lanka on the right path. “This was the reason why I kept emphasizing from the beginning that we should go to the IMF,” he said.

The 16 IMF recommendations as disclosed by MP Dr. de Silva are as follows:        

  1. Establishing an Advisory Committee by November 2023 to nominate commissioners for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
  1. Publishing asset declarations for senior officials by July 2024, an act that brings much-needed transparency, with only 12 out of 225 MPs having disclosed their assets.
  1. Enacting Proceeds of Crime legislation by April 2024 to align with international standards, combating money laundering and illicit financial activities.
  1. Amending the National Audit Act to hold officials accountable for the use of public resources.
  1. Finalizing and implementing regulations for beneficial ownership information and creating a public registry by April 2024.
  1. Enacting a Public Procurement Law by December 2024, addressing the alarming procurement and corruption issues.
  1. Publishing reports on increasing competitive tendered procurement contracts, targeting agencies with low levels of competition.
  1. Requiring the publication of all public procurement contracts above LK 1 billion and other critical financial information on a designated website.
  1. Implementing the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Policy to ensure ethical management.
  1. Abolishing or suspending the Strategic Development Projects Office Act until a transparent process for evaluating proposals is established.
  1. Amending tax legislation to prevent unilateral tax changes without parliamentary approval.
  1. Implementing short-term anti-corruption measures within revenue departments to enhance oversight and sanctions.
  1. Exploring options for new management arrangements for the Employee Provident Fund to avoid conflicts of interest.
  1. Revising legislation, regulations, and processes for stronger oversight in the banking sector.
  1. Establishing an online digital land registry and ensuring progress in registering/titling-state land.
  1. Expanding the resources and skills available to the Judicial Services Commission to strengthen justice.

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Vesak week commences tomorrow

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The National Vesak Week will commence tomorrow (May 09), under this year’s theme of “Let’s associate with noble people with good qualities.”

According to the secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera said that it will continue until May 16.

The official inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Center, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services during the Vesak week and the long weekend.

Meanhwile, the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat vendors, casinos, and clubs nationwide from May 12 – 14 May for the state Vesak Festival. 

A circular issued on April 29 instructs all relevant businesses to comply during the period.

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79 shooting incidents in last 7 months

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79 shooting incidents have been taken place in Sri Lanka over the past 07 months, resulting in 52 deaths and 260 arrests, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (May 09).

The shootings had occurred in the 07 months from September 21, 2024 until May 08, 2025. 

According to the minister, the shootings had left 35 injured as well.

62 of the incidents were linked to organized criminal gangs, while 17 were classified as other types of shootings, he added.

Of the 260 arrested, 229 were connected directly to organized crime, the minister further noted.

Minister Wijepala said the government has taken high-level decisions in this regard, and that it is unacceptable to claim that there has been a serious increase in shootings since the NPP government came to power.

“When we study these shootings, we will not see a significant increase from 2022, 2023, or 2024. But we do not trivialise any shooting. We treat every human life with value. Therefore, we have taken the highest decisions we can take as a government to suppress the underworld,” he emphasised.

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Teacher accused of molesting Kotahena schoolgirl sent on compulsory leave

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The Ministry of Education says that the teacher allegedly involved in the incident of molesting the schoolgirl from Kotahena has been sent on compulsory leave after receiving a police ‘B report’. 

The Secretary to the Education Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, states that steps have also been taken to hold an internal inquiry into the incident.

Accordingly, the teacher involved in the incident will be placed on compulsory leave in accordance with Section 27:9 of Chapter XLVIII, Part II of the Establishments Code.

The Ministry also states that a preliminary investigation into the incident is currently underway, and that formal disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the report is received.

Furthermore, the Ministry has launched an internal investigation to determine whether any parties neglected their duties and responsibilities in connection with the entire incident.

On May 08, a group of parents and students staged a protest opposite the school in Bambalapitiya alleging that a teacher had sexually assaulted the student, which led to the girl’s death by suicide.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education had called for an explanation from the school’s principal.

In a previous statement, the Ministry had said that the teacher in question was transferred, and disciplinary action will be taken based on the investigations conducted by the police.

On the same day, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that she had requested the parents of the Grade 10 student—who reportedly died by suicide following the alleged sexual assault by a teacher—to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). However, she noted that the complaint had not been filed as of yet.

The Minister’s comments came in response to allegations made by MP Mano Ganesan, who questioned whether government action had been delayed because the owner of the tuition center—where the student was allegedly verbally abused again after the incident—is affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP).

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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