News

The Department of Examination says that the results of the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination are expected to be released within 40 days.

Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara said that the evaluation of answer scripts will begin tomorrow.

The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination was held today at 2,849 centers island-wide.

323,879. sat for the scholarship examination this year.

Sri Lankan transportation authorities announced special arrangements to ensure that people traveling to villages for the upcoming long week-long holiday have access to adequate transport services.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has confirmed that approximately 60 additional buses will be put into operation starting today to accommodate the increased demand.

These additional buses aim to provide convenient and efficient travel options for holiday-goers.

In addition to the SLTB's efforts, the National Transport Commission has also planned to run extra buses without a fixed schedule, further enhancing the availability of transport services during this busy period.

The Railway Department has made arrangements to run special trains from Badulla to Colombo tonight and tomorrow morning, ensuring that travelers have multiple options for their journey.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that his primary objective is to ease the burden on the lives of the people.

He emphasized the importance of upholding the agreements made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and moving forward with them. The President noted that it is not feasible to alter these agreements, contrary to the claims made by Sajith and Anura.

Additionally, President Wickremesinghe pointed out that Sajith and Anura’s proposals lack the approval of the IMF. The IMF’s support is firmly behind the government’s current program. Julie Kozak, the IMF’s Communications Director, has officially confirmed that protecting Sri Lanka’s progress under the IMF program is crucial for future advancement.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks during the “Ranil ta Puluwan” (Ranil Can) victory rally held at the Horana Public Stadium this afternoon (15).

In his address to the public, President Wickremesinghe further elaborated:

My primary goal is to ease the burden on people’s lives. We must continue to uphold our agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as we have no other source of support. The IMF has facilitated aid from 18 countries and provided us witha $10 billion advantage in managing our debt interest payments.

We need to transition to an export-driven economy. We cannot sustain borrowing indefinitely, especially when our import expenses exceed our export income. To keep our economy strong, we must focus on building an export economy and modernizing our economic practices. Providing subsidies alone will not advance our country; we need to develop a robust economy together.

People are enduring hardships for the sake of their children’s future. We must build a prosperous nation for them. Sajith and Anura are promising everything for free, but this is not feasible. They are misleading people to secure votes. Despite their claims of negotiating with the IMF, no such discussions have taken place.

The IMF has emphasized the importance of achieving the objectives of our current program to help Sri Lanka emerge from its severe economic crisis. They have stressed the need to continue implementing economic reforms, which means I must carry on with the program I initiated. I am the only one capable of advancing this program.

The decision on the next presidential election rests with the people of Sri Lanka.According to the IMF, our program has made significant progress, and it is crucial to protect the gains we have achieved to fully recover from this crisis.

Neither Sajith nor Anura will receive support from the IMF; that support is for our program. Therefore,the choice is whether to fall for their misleading promises or to continue with the path we’ve set.

The government has announced the lifting of the temporary suspension on motor vehicle imports, effective October 1, 2024. This decision comes after over four years of stringent import restrictions that were initially imposed to safeguard the country’s foreign exchange reserves during the economic crisis.

The import ban, introduced in March 2020, was aimed at curbing the outflow of foreign exchange amidst the country’s deepening economic troubles. With this ban now lifted, Sri Lanka will begin importing motor vehicles again, starting in stages, as part of a broader economic recovery strategy tied to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Having considered the current economic and environmental factors, the government has decided to make the following proposals for the consideration of the Cabinet of Ministers:

1. The removal of the temporary suspension on the importation of motor vehicles and non-motorized goods, classified under a total of 304 HS Codes, will be done in three stages:

o Stage 1: The importation of public passenger transport vehicles, special purpose vehicles, and other non-motorized goods will be allowed starting October 1, 2024.

o Stage 2: The temporary suspension on the importation of commercial or goods transportation vehicles will be lifted on December 1, 2024.

o Stage 3: The importation of personal usage motor vehicles (including cars, vans, sports utility vehicles, pickups, etc.) will be permitted starting February 1, 2025.

According to the Cabinet Memorandum, the phased lifting of restrictions is anticipated to inject much-needed energy into the auto industry and the broader economy, addressing challenges like an aging vehicle population, declining fuel efficiency, and rising maintenance costs.

The prolonged import restrictions had left Sri Lanka with an aging fleet of vehicles, characterized by declining roadworthiness and environmental concerns due to poor fuel efficiency. Importation of new vehicles is expected to stimulate economic activity by increasing government revenue, particularly from vehicle imports, which have historically been a significant revenue stream for the country. However, while the reintroduction of imports will put pressure on foreign exchange reserves, measures have been implemented to balance this, including additional duties on motor vehicle imports.

Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Paris Agreement’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its goal to achieve “Net Zero” by 2050 was also a key factor in the government’s decision. The import policy will prioritize environmentally friendly vehicles, with the introduction of stricter emissions standards, shifting from Euro 4 to Euro 6 compliance. The policy will also promote electric vehicles, especially the local assembly of electric three-wheelers, while disallowing the import of petrol or diesel-powered three-wheelers, a category notorious for causing traffic accidents.

In an effort to further reduce road accidents, which average 30,087 per year (primarily caused by motorcycles and three-wheelers), the government has also included safety measures in its import policies.

Starting October 1, 2024, imports of motor cars, sports utility vehicles, motorcycles, and pickups will be limited to those less than three years old. Public passenger and commercial vehicles will be limited to five years, while special purpose and defence vehicles can be up to ten years old. Importers will be required to sell and register vehicles within 90 days of importation, with penalties introduced for any delays.

Furthermore, an annual licensing system will be introduced for importers, manufacturers, and traders to regulate the motor vehicle market and ensure they contribute to the national tax system.

The decision to lift import restrictions marks a new phase in Sri Lanka’s recovery and modernization efforts. While it brings relief to industries and consumers after years of restrictions, the government remains focused on balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and safety concerns. The phased removal of the suspension is part of a calculated approach to stimulate the economy without compromising the country’s foreign exchange reserves or its commitments to climate change mitigation.

 (PMD)

The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination is scheduled to be held tomorrow (15th September), with 2,849 centers set up across the country.

The department of examination has announced that 320,879 students are expected to participate in these examinations

Meanwhile, the Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara, has advised presidential candidates to refrain from engaging in campaign activities near examination centers tomorrow morning to avoid disruptions.

President’s Counsel Kaushalya Nawaratne has resigned from his position as the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) with immediate effect.

The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has unanimously called for the resignation of its President, Kaushalya Nawaratne PC, following a report by a five-member committee.

The committee, which was appointed to investigate the JAICA fund controversy, found that Nawaratne had failed to act with transparency in handling the contract between the BASL and JICA, a violation of the trust placed in him as President.

The Cabinet granted its approval for the provision of an annual allowance of Rs. 7,500 to Sunday school teachers.

The allowance includes Rs. 2,500 for uniforms as well.

The allowance will be provided from next year onwards, as per a proposal put forward by the Minister of Buddhasasana and Cultural Affairs.

The allowance will be provided to Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Catholic Sunday school teachers.

Although Rs. 5,000 was being provided to them under a previous initiative, that arrangement is no longer being implemented.

Warrant Officer II Samitha Dulan, who recently set a new world record and won a silver medal in the F44 javelin throw event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, was honoured by the Sri Lanka Army Military Police, at the Sri Lanka Army Military Police Regimental Centre in Polhengoda.

Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Military Police, Major General Najeeva Edirisinghe, along with Officers and Other Ranks of the Regiment, extended a warm welcome to the silver medalist, Samitha Dhulan Kodithuwakku, his wife, and his sports coach.

The event featured a traditional cultural dance troupe that escorted Dulan to the assembly area, and a documentary video highlighting his previous sporting achievements was also presented. In recognition of Samith Dulan’s exceptional performance, Colonel Commandant presented a special token of appreciation on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army Military Police.

The Commissioner General of Excise has announced that liquor shops and wine stores islandwide will be closed on 21st and 22nd September in view of the Presidential Election.

Reports claiming that the Cabinet has not yet approved the salary increase for public sector employees set to be implemented in 2025 are false and the necessary approval has already been granted.

The President's Media Division issued the following statement on Tuesday (10).

On May 27, 2024, under Cabinet Decision No. 24/Misc. (020), a study was initiated to address salary disparities among different public sector groups.

A special committee was appointed to analyse salaries, wages, and other allowances across all public sector divisions to make necessary adjustments, which would then be included in the 2025 budget proposals.

The expert committee has held discussions with 81 major trade unions and government officials in the public sector. Following these discussions and an analysis of the relevant information, an interim report has been prepared.

In this context, Udaya R. Senewiratne, the Chairman of the expert Committee clarified that while preparing this report, additional information was gathered from 391 trade unions, organizations, institutions, and individuals.

The interim report takes into account the existing fiscal constraints and challenges faced by public sector employees. It includes recommendations for revising the existing salary structures, along with measures to manage government spending more effectively. The report also proposes a policy framework that includes strategies for reducing government expenses and enhancing revenue generation, while implementing salary revisions based on established standards and benchmarks.

Accordingly, the Cabinet Paper No. 24/1609/601/097, titled “Interim Report of the Expert Committee Appointed to Address Salary Disparities in the Public Sector,” was communicated by the President and the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies on August 12, 2024.

Following a review and discussion of this interim report by the Cabinet, policy approval has been granted for the implementation of the recommendations specified in Sections 3.1 to 3.18 of the report. Additionally, these recommendations have been incorporated into the 2025 budget and approved for implementation.

For the year 2025, the following adjustments will be implemented for all government employees:

A monthly cost-of-living allowance of LKR 25,000 will be provided, subject to revision every three years.

The minimum starting monthly salary in the public sector will increase by 24% to a range of 50%–60%, with a total gross salary of LKR 55,000 including the cost-of-living allowance. Salaries for all other positions will be adjusted accordingly.

This new salary and allowance scheme will apply to all government institutions except for state-owned enterprises and banks.

Government pensioners who retired before 2020 will receive the salary increments to which they are entitled, with their pensions adjusted to eliminate existing disparities.

Starting from January 2025, pensioners will receive a cost-of-living allowance equivalent to 50% of the allowance provided to active government employees.

The Cabinet has authorized the gradual implementation of this salary structure, taking fiscal constraints into consideration, starting on January 1, 2025.

The expert committee submitted their final report to the President on September 3, 2024. This report, including recommendations numbered 01 to 08, addresses various aspects such as public sector classification, employee allowances, pension disparities, and recommendations regarding allowances and levies. The report has received policy approval for implementation starting January 1, 2025, and the recommendations have been included in the 2025 budget proposals.

Therefore, when disseminating such sensitive information, it is essential to avoid spreading misleading news and instead focus on verifying and communicating accurate details to the public.

President Ranil Wickremeisnghe criticized the Janatha Vimukthi Permauna (JVP) for repeating the mistake of making unrealistic promises and questioned whether it is wise to entrust the country's future to a group unwilling to acknowledge their past errors.

He alleged the JVP of deceiving the public by pretending to distance themselves from past armed rebellions, asserting that this is a misleading tactic.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks during the "Puluwan Peraliya” program held yesterday (12) in Colombo. The event saw a large turnout from the Colombo area and was organized by the Colombo Circle to rally support for the President in the upcoming presidential election.

During the meeting, President Wickremesinghe addressed questions from the youth, providing positive responses.

In response to a question from a young lady, he warned that if the country were to face further struggles, it would be nearly impossible to recover from the economic crisis and emphasized that the 2024 presidential election represents the last chance to rebuild the nation.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further added:

"Taking responsibility means making hard decisions. For me, it was very difficult to raise VAT, but the alternatives were even worse. And the decision paid off because it helped stabilize the rupee and brought some relief. But there’s still much more to be done. Many people are badly affected. What we’ve done so far is stabilize the situation, but we haven’t entrenched it. What’s stable today could easily change tomorrow if we don’t stick to the agreements necessary for recovery. It will take 5 to 10 years to build a strong economy.

Who will be most affected by the next 10 years? It’s you, those who are just starting out in life. That’s why we need to build a strong, modern, and competitive economy. That’s what I want to give you, and that’s the vision I have for the country.

What are the alternatives? What is the SJB offering you? Do they even know? They have two different manifestos. Sajith Premadasa keeps changing his promises every day. The only thing he hasn’t offered yet is a "free headache," and that may come soon. What about the NPP’s manifesto? They don’t have clear answers. Are they for an export-oriented economy or an import substitution economy? They can’t answer that question. I’ve asked them to clarify so we can have a meaningful debate, but they avoid it.

How can you support change when they don’t even know what kind of economy they want to build? They’re dodging responsibility, claiming that all political parties except theirs are responsible for the state of the country. They pretend they had nothing to do with the uprising in 1987. Perhaps they should sue for damages for the misuse of their name! But when we make mistakes, we must admit them. As politicians, we’ve made mistakes—promising the people everything when we didn’t have the resources to deliver. We didn’t always tell the truth, but at least we are admitting our errors now.

If you can’t admit your past mistakes, how can you be trusted with the future? Their budget has a Rs. 4,000 billion deficit, while the IMF will only allow a deficit of Rs. 1,000 billion. If they violate IMF conditions, the dollar could reach Rs. 400, and if the IMF pulls its support, it could go as high as Rs. 500. Aren’t they misleading you? Aren’t they spreading hatred to push for change? But what change are they offering? If they don’t know what kind of change they want, how can you vote for it?

How many of you have read their manifesto? It’s 232 pages long. I read most of it, but fell asleep five times in the process! What’s in it? Nothing but general statements. Ask them what they’re planning for the 2025 budget. They claim they’ll recover stolen money, citing the Anti-Corruption Act. But that act doesn’t allow for the recovery of money. They don’t even know we’ve introduced a second piece of legislation, the Proceeds of Crime Bill. And even if they manage to catch someone next year, it would take five years before a case is resolved. So, for 2025, their plans are pure nonsense.

If you’re satisfied with their ideas, by all means, vote for them. They talk about “Venasa”—change—but what change do they really want? They don’t even know. Their approach is simple: swap my face for the former Agriculture Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s face. But beyond that, what are they offering?

I, on the other hand, am working to transform our import substitution economy into an export-driven, digital, green, and knowledge-based economy. This includes agricultural modernization, poverty reduction in rural areas, tourism expansion, and creating more jobs through investment zones. Imagine the transformation this will bring to our economy and your future. I’m also committed to ensuring social benefits for low-income groups and giving 2 million people land ownership. We will replace plantation line rooms with proper villages, bringing far-reaching social change, women’s empowerment, and social justice.

Our anti-corruption agenda will be bolstered by the introduction of Janasabha and greater representation for women and youth. We’ve also made 87 recommendations for election reforms, political party accountability, and the debt commission. When you put all of these together, we are offering a new country.

President's Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka also graced the event.

350 inmates convicted of minor offenses will be granted a special state pardon.

This special pardon will be given in line with the Prisoners' Day scheduled for tomorrow.

The president is vested with the authority to grant special state pardons by Article 34 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.