Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara told Parliament yesterday that the primary reason for the collapse of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration was its oppression of farmers through an overnight ban on chemical fertilizers.
He stated that the effects of this decision continue to harm farmers, with paddy yields in the Maha Season still 37% lower and Yala Season yields down by 30%. This, he emphasized, is the key reason behind the current shortages of tea and coconut.
Bandara further noted that Sri Lanka’s farmer population has drastically declined. While there were 6.5 million farmers in the past, the number has now dropped to 2.3 million, as many have abandoned farming due to financial hardship. He stressed that farmers are now desperate for support and hope the current Government will provide them with relief.
Criticizing Government MPs, Bandara urged them to focus on accurately counting farmers instead of animals, calling for a comprehensive database that records the number of farmers and details of who cultivates each crop. He insisted that maintaining accurate records is crucial for agricultural planning and support.
A recent Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) session exposed serious irregularities in the importation of medicines, particularly regarding drugs brought into the country outside the standard procurement process.
Officials from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) were summoned to clarify concerns about the Waiver of Registration (W.O.R.) list and its lack of transparency.
Key Issues Highlighted:
Missing Technical Documents – COPE Chairman Nishantha Samaraweera questioned the removal of medicines from the W.O.R. list and emphasized the need for transparency. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewikrama admitted that while some documents were available, purchase orders and technical evaluations were missing, raising concerns about medicine quality. NMRA CEO Dr. Savin Semage confirmed that no technical documents were reviewed.
Lack of Transparency in Decision-Making – Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawarden stated he had concerns about board meetings’ transparency and refused to attend. He later received a file related to a special case, which he reviewed and recommended rejecting due to missing documents.
Unusual Board Meeting at a Hotel – Dr. Pradeep Kumarasinghe de Silva revealed that a last-minute board meeting was arranged at a hotel during a staff dinner, where a large number of drugs were approved without proper discussion. He opposed the approvals, stating that an advance of Rs. 100,000/- was taken for the meeting but later returned, indicating no valid board meeting took place. The Auditor General questioned the legitimacy of the meeting and whether a proper quorum was met.
Approval of Unverified Medicines – Prof. Priyadarshini Galappatti highlighted that around 300 medicines were presented for approval without going through the W.O.R. committee. Some of these medicines were sourced from blacklisted companies, raising serious concerns about the safety and credibility of imports.
The COPE investigation raises critical concerns about the NMRA’s oversight, transparency, and the influence of external parties in the medicine importation process. Further inquiries are expected to determine the extent of these irregularities and prevent potential risks to public health.
A meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and academics from the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) took place yesterday (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss current challenges in the education sector and explore potential solutions.
During the discussion, FUTA representatives outlined the difficulties faced by university academics, while the government’s approach to addressing these concerns within financial constraints was examined.
It was emphasized that Sri Lanka is currently engaged in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, requiring the government to adhere to specific fiscal guidelines. As a result, this year’s budget proposals have been formulated with a focus on revenue and expenditure limitations, with priority given to education and healthcare. Despite these financial constraints, it was noted that the government has implemented the largest-ever increase in the basic salary of public sector employees.
President Dissanayake assured the academics that the government is fully aware of the challenges faced by all professional groups and is committed to addressing their concerns while ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Anura Karunatilake, FUTA President Dr. Anuruddha Karunaratne, FUTA Secretary Senior Lecturer Charudatta B. Ilangasinghe, and other association officials.
The Ella-Wellawaya road has been blocked near the 12th-kilometer post following an earthslip triggered by adverse weather conditions, police reported.
The incident occurred yesterday (13) near Karandagolla, within the Ella Police Division, causing severe traffic disruptions on this key route.
Authorities have urged motorists to use alternative routes until the road is cleared and deemed safe for travel.
Alternative Routes for Motorists:
Ella to Wellawaya: Use the route via Uva Karandagolla, Bandarawela, and Ambadandegama.
Wellawaya to Ella: Travel via Wellawaya and Ambadandegama.
Police and relevant authorities are working to restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible. Travelers are advised to stay updated on road conditions before planning their journeys.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo distributed 500 copies of the Sinhala translations of five Amar Chitra Katha Jataka Tales comic books to students at Siri Pagngnathissa Dharma Vidyalaya, located at Sri Sudarshanarama Purana Viharaya, Kiribathgoda, on the occasion of Medin Full Moon Poya Day.
Translated and published by Amar Chitra Katha, India’s largest comic book publisher, these books aim to present the timeless wisdom of the Jataka Tales in an engaging and accessible format. By illustrating the moral lessons and spiritual teachings of the Buddha, the initiative seeks to inspire children and instill core Buddhist values through storytelling.
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Director, Professor Ankuran Dutta, symbolically handed over the books to the students. The initiative received an overwhelming response, with children appreciating the effort to enhance their knowledge of Dhamma and Buddhist literature.
This initiative further strengthens the civilizational bond between India and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the shared Buddhist heritage between the two nations. The Indian High Commission has announced plans to expand the distribution of Jataka Tales comic books to Sunday schools across Sri Lanka, ensuring that young learners continue to engage with the teachings of the Buddha in a creative and meaningful way.
Ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani hosted a special reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.
The event, held in Colombo, was graced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra as the Chief Guest.
Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Senior Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to Sri Lanka and media professionals, were present at the occasion.
The reception celebrated the strong and enduring ties between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, highlighting the two nations’ long-standing cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday strongly condemned fraudulent cryptocurrency advertisements currently being circulated on Facebook and Instagram, falsely featuring Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and other well-known Sri Lankan figures.
“These deceptive ads, operated by foreign entities, aim to mislead the public and exploit the trust associated with prominent personalities,” the statement said.
Investigations have revealed that the scam campaigns originate from fraudulent accounts based in Lithuania, specifically targeting Sri Lankan Facebook users. Similar misleading ads have recently featured Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena, and journalists Amantha Perera and Sunanda Deshapriya, among others.
The Prime Minister’s Office has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering online advertisements promoting cryptocurrency investments, particularly those falsely claiming endorsements from government officials and public figures.
“No government official or ministry has endorsed any cryptocurrency investment scheme,” the statement emphasized.
Despite repeated reports and removal requests, variations of these fraudulent advertisements continue to appear on social media, raising concerns over Facebook’s inability to effectively curb online scams. The Prime Minister’s Office has called upon Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to take immediate and stronger action to protect Sri Lankan users from financial fraud.
Public Advisory: How to Stay Safe
Do not engage with or click on suspicious ads claiming endorsements from public figures.
Report fraudulent advertisements directly on Facebook and Instagram.
Verify financial opportunities through legitimate sources before investing.
The Prime Minister’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from online fraud and will continue working with relevant authorities to combat this growing threat. It also urged media organizations and digital platforms to act responsibly in curbing the spread of misinformation and scams.
For official government updates, citizens are advised to follow the Prime Minister’s Office’s website and official social media channels.
A discussion on the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival 2025”, organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, was held on March 12 under the patronage of Prime Minister’s Secretary, Pradeep Saputhanthri.
The festival is set to take place from May 12 onwards in and around the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Temple Trees, Perahera Mawatha, and the Beira Lake area.
The event will showcase Vesak decorations, pandals, and lantern exhibitions, with contributions from the Tri-Forces, school students, university undergraduates, government institutions, and even prison inmates.
Additionally, in line with the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival, special religious programs will be conducted in government schools and state institutions to promote the spirit of Vesak across the nation.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces during the afternoon or night.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Central, North-western and Uva provinces during the afternoon or night.
Fairly heavy showers about 50mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
March 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka continues to struggle with attracting substantial foreign direct investments (FDIs), with most private-sector deals averaging only $20 million—far below the $400-500 million transactions required to create a significant economic impact, according to Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri.
Speaking at SCB’s Annual Global Research briefing, Thewarathanthri emphasized the need for policy consistency to improve the ease of doing business, which would, in turn, encourage steady FDI inflows. While there is a promising pipeline of smaller investments driven by local investors, he noted that major deals are necessary to drive large-scale economic progress.
One of the key challenges, he pointed out, is the frequent shifts in economic policies, particularly in areas such as investment laws, land regulations, and tax structures. He highlighted that successive governments have made changes to these policies every few years, creating uncertainty and discouraging long-term investors.
Looking at past FDI performance, Thewarathanthri mentioned that Sri Lanka has attracted only around $20 billion in total over the past 20-30 years. Notable exceptions include the 2012 Shangri-La investment and the over $1 billion investment in the Hambantota port in 2017, both of which were driven by private-sector initiatives.
Despite these challenges, he remained optimistic that sustained policy stability and business-friendly reforms would gradually boost investor confidence. He cited Vietnam as an example of a country that has successfully leveraged policy consistency to attract significant FDI, whereas Sri Lanka’s inconsistency has hindered investor trust.
Beyond policy concerns, he also pointed to issues such as limited land access, inadequate capital availability, and infrastructure gaps as additional barriers to attracting investment. He criticized the prolonged policy development process for the Colombo Port City project, arguing that more effort should have been spent on enhancing its appeal to investors rather than delaying its implementation.
“Sri Lanka cannot afford to make short-term policy shifts every election cycle. To attract the kind of FDIs that will drive real economic growth, we need a stable, long-term economic policy framework,” he stressed.
