News

The Government of Sri Lanka donated USD 01 million to assist children impacted by the conflicts in the Gaza Strip. The donation was formally transferred to the Government of Palestine through the United Nations’ official channel, overseen by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (01).

Issuing a statement, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe personally presented the donation cheque to Mr. Zuhair M.H. Zaid, the Palestinian Ambassador in Sri Lanka.

This contribution adds to the growing support for the Children of Gaza Fund, initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to provide aid to affected children in the Gaza Strip.

In response to the President’s call to allocate funds from ministries and government institutions for this cause, the initial USD 01 million donated to the fund has been transferred to the Palestinian government in the first phase, according to the PMD.

Furthermore, in response to the President’s call to support the "Children of Gaza Fund," over Rs. 20 million has been contributed. These funds are scheduled to be formally transferred to the Palestinian government in the coming days.

Donors are encouraged to participate in this initiative before the deadline of April 30, 2024. Contributions can be made by depositing donations to the Bank of Ceylon (Account number: 7040016), Taprobane Branch (Branch code: 747), before the aforementioned date. Donors are requested to send the relevant deposit receipt via Whatsapp to 077-9730396, as instructed by the President’s Office.

At the ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat today, the cheque handover was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry PC, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Aruni Wijewardena, and a delegation of senior officials from the Palestinian Embassy in Sri Lanka, it added.

The launch of an online platform enabling the swift removal of websites, photos, and videos containing or potentially containing instances of child sexual abuse took place today (28) at the Presidential secretariat under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing child abuse in cyberspace, this initiative targets the dissemination of nude photos and indecent videos of children through internet and social media channels. Implemented by the National Child Protection Authority in collaboration with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), renowned for its expertise in internet child safety enforcement, this program receives financial support from Save the Children and Child Fund.

Following the implementation of this online system, individuals can now visit the website of the National Child Protection Authority at www.childprotection.gov.lk to report incidents of indecent photos and videos of children exchanged online. These reports will be handled by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in collaboration with the National Child Protection Authority. Subsequently, the offending videos will be promptly removed from the internet,and legal action will be pursued against the perpetrators.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing this event said;

“For several decades, this sector has been neglected. The government has indeed neglected it,and the attention it warranted has not been provided. The magnitude of the problem now is such that resolving it within a year seems implausible. We lack the capacity to address the issue comprehensively; therefore, we must employ a variety of strategies.

Firstly, short-term recommendations must be promptly implemented. We propose that the existing committee include stakeholders from the government, specifically authorities in child care and probation services, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the police force. Strengthening police numbers, particularly in women and children’s desks at every police station, is imperative. This effort must be coordinated with measures against drugs.

Additionally, we must consider establishing a new structure and enacting new legislation. I advocate for the formation of a Children’s Council to oversee both the promotion of children’s interests and their protection. The management of probation and child care services should be devolved to the nine provinces, as I believe this responsibility does not necessarily belong to the central government.”

He added that immediate action should be taken on short-term recommendations, while the process of enacting new legislation pertaining to children’s rights should also be expedited.

For further information, contact the Law Enforcement Division at 011-2778911 extension (269) or visit the official website www.childprotection.gov.lk.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the Main Opposition Congress over its decision to hand over the strategic Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in the 1970s, accusing the party of “weakening” the country’s integrity and interests.

PM Modi’s response came after a Right To Information (RTI) report revealed how the Congress government led by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi handed over Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974.

Calling the RTI report “eye-opening and startling”, PM Modi said the move “angered” the people and that the “Congress can never be trusted”.

“Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds – we can’t ever trust Congress! Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting,” PM Modi wrote on X, while citing a media report.

Katchatheevu island is where Tamil Nadu’s fishermen in districts like Rameshwaram go since Indian waters are depleted of fish. The fishermen cross the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) to reach the island but get detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.

WHAT DOES THE RTI ON KATCHATHEEVU ISSUE SAYS

The report is based on an RTI reply Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai received on the decision of the then Indira Gandhi government in 1974 to hand over the territory in Palk Strait to the neighbouring country.

In June 1974, the decision to hand over Katchatheevu was conveyed to then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by then foreign secretary Kewal Singh.

Singh had mentioned the zamindari rights of the Raja of Ramnad (Ramanathapuram) and the failure of Sri Lanka to show evidence to prove its claim of holding Katchatheevu.

However, the foreign secretary also said that Sri Lanka had a “very determined position” on Katchatheevu and cited “records” showing the key island to be a part of the kingdom of Jaffnapatnam, Dutch and British maps, The Times of India reported.

He added that Sri Lanka, which was earlier called Ceylon during that pre-independence period, had been staking its sovereignty over Katchatheevu since 1925 without protests from India. He cited a second opinion of 1970 by attorney MC Setalvad, who had said that Katchatheevu “was and is with Sri Lanka and not India”.

The zamindari rights for maintaining Katchatheevu and its fisheries was given to the Raja of Ramnad by the British East India Company. This continued from 1875 to 1948 and was vested in the State of Madras following the abolition of zamindari rights. However, the Raja of Ramnad continued to exercise his zamindari rights independently, without having to pay taxes to Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on May 10, 1961, dismissed the island issue as “inconsequential”. This came against the backdrop of the Indian Navy not being allowed to conduct exercises on Katchatheevu without the Ceylon Air Force’s permission.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) joint secretary (law and treaties) K Krishna Rao contended that India had a good legal case and that could be leveraged for securing fishing rights on the island, according to the RTI.

The handover of Katchatheevu has been a significant topic during Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha campaigns due to sovereignty concerns and geopolitical implications.

The decision has also impacted fishermen from both countries who rely on the waters around Katchatheevu for their livelihoods. In the past several years, Indian fishermen, mostly from Tamil Nadu, have often been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy. (India Today)

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera has been sentenced to 04 years of rigorous imprisonment over a statement made in 2016.

Issuing the sentence today, Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige also imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on the Buddhist monk.

The verdict was issued after Ven. Gnanasara Thera was found guilty of the two indictments that had been filed by the Attorney General.

A case was filed against Ven. Gnanasara Thera for having caused harm to national and religious harmony via his statement on the Kuragala Buddhist Temple made during a press briefing in Colombo in 2016.

In February this year, Ven. Gnanasara Thera apologised to the Muslim community for having caused distress over controversial remarks he had made linked to the Kuragala Temple.

During a recent court proceeding, Ven. Gnanasara Thera extended his apologies to the Muslim community over his statement made eight years ago.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the outmoded film corporation would be transformed using modern technology, and it would be developed into a film and teledrama industries development company in Sri Lanka.

Also, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of providing foreign training opportunities to artists and production designers. This measure seeks to equip them with the latest technological knowledge, emphasizing the need for the film and teledrama industries to embrace modern advancements for future progress.

He further mentioned that artificial intelligence (AI) technology has integrated into the global film industry, and moving forward, the government will extend support for the production of Sri Lanka’s first AI film.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this statement while addressing the 20th Raigam Tele’es Awards ceremony held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo yesterday (30).

The annual Raigam Tele’es Awards ceremony, organized by the Raigam Tele’es Secretariat, is based on a concept introduced by Mr. Dr. Ravi Liyanage, the president of the Kingdom of Raigam Group and a renowned entrepreneur in the country.

This prestigious event honours excellence in teledramas, media programs, and television news programs screened during the year 2023, with over sixty awards presented across seven categories.

President Ranil Wickramasinghe joined the Raigam Special Pranama Awards ceremony where veteran artists Mr. Atula Ransirilal, Mr. Givantha Arthasad, and Mrs. Grace Thennakoon were honoured with awards presented by the President.

The prestigious “Raigam Pratibha Prabha” Honorary Award, a once-in-a-lifetime recognition, was conferred to Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe by the President. Additionally, veteran actor Mr. Mahendra Perera was honoured as the best teledrama actor of the year, and Mrs. Semini Iddamalgoda was recognized as the best teledrama actress of the year.

The teledrama “Eya Dan Bandala” directed by Mr. Prasanna Jayakody and produced by Mr. Wasantha Kannangara, received accolades from the President as the best teledrama director of the year and also as the best teledrama of the year.

Moreover, both Hiru TV and Sirasa TV were jointly recognized by the President as the award-winning media program channels of the year. Additionally, the Independent Television Network (ITN) that secured awards for both the award-winning teledrama channel of the year and the award-winning channel of the year was also honoured by the President.

The award ceremony was vibrant, featuring performances by seasoned singers and actors.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took part in a group photo with all the award recipients from the arts and journalism fields, also engaged in a pleasant conversation with the guests, including veteran artists and singers.

During his speech at the Raigam Tele’es Awards ceremony, President Ranil Wickramasinghe elaborated:

“The award ceremony, initiated by the Raigam Group, is celebrating its 20th anniversary today. I would like to thank the Raigam Group for their contribution to this award ceremony. I extend my gratitude to the Raigam Group for their valuable contributions to this event.

Over the last twenty years, there has been a significant revolution in television. Nowadays, television faces competition from mobile phones and laptops. The world is advancing with platforms like Netflix and Amazon. We need to keep pace with these developments. Many countries are producing films in multiple languages, including smaller nations like Greece. We should also pay attention to this. It’s essential for us to take note of these trends and adapt accordingly.

Hence, our primary focus is on modernizing the outmoded film corporation and transforming it into a film and teledrama development entity. It is worth mentioning that we are actively working to facilitate the required expertise for this transition. During the inception of television, numerous individuals were offered training opportunities in Japan, which resulted in the emergence of new teledramas such as “Yasoravaya” during that period. We want to emphasize that we will be revisiting and working on similar initiatives in the near future.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become a part of the film industry since last year. “The Frost” short film is an example of a production created using AI technology, including the screenplay. India is also producing “Maharaja in Denims,” which will soon be introduced in Sri Lanka. It’s imperative for us to make preparations for these advancements as well.

I have instructed the committee that we appointed for the introduction of artificial intelligence in Sri Lanka to collaborate with the University of Moratuwa and the University of Beauty in producing Sri Lanka’s first AI film. It should be noted that the government is working to provide funding for this.

In this way, the film industry is undergoing a change that we did not anticipate. I invite everyone to embark on a new journey by modernizing the film corporation and creating the first AI film.

Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, Professor J. B. Dissanayake, numerous distinguished guests, veteran actresses including Mrs. Swarna Mallavarachchi, singers, artists, film directors, producers, and several renowned guests were present at the event.

The Meteorology Department has issued an advisory for severe lightning for several provinces and districts today (27).

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Galle and Matara districts, it said.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The advisory states that the risk level is “High” in the aforementioned areas and urges the public to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

The general public is further requested to avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms and to also avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors, boats etc. and to beware of fallen trees and power lines.

For emergency assistance, the public is requested to contact local disaster management authorities.

National Security Advisor and President's Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka led a high-level delegation in discussions to assess bilateral economic connectivity projects between Sri Lanka and India.

These discussions were held in New Delhi on March 28, at the invitation of Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

Foreign Secretary Kwatra extended a warm welcome to Sagala Ratnayaka, acknowledging the positive momentum in Sri Lanka’s economic growth.

He emphasized that the current juncture presents an opportune moment for both countries to advance agreed-upon projects, attributing this progress to the strategic vision of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

NSA Ratnayaka expressed gratitude for the extensive Indian assistance that played a crucial role in stabilizing the Sri Lankan economy. He provided insights into the on-going negotiations with the IMF and underscored the imperative of pursuing economic growth and highlighted the importance of enhancing economic integration with India through improved connectivity, reflecting on the historical ties that bind the two nations as the closest neighbour.

During the discussions, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of all bilateral projects, focusing on their timely implementation. It was mutually agreed to engage in this review process on a quarterly basis, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring effective progress in bilateral economic cooperation.

The discussions underscored the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and India to strengthen the partnership and foster greater economic collaboration. With both nations poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities, the discussions in New Delhi marked a significant step forward in deepening bilateral ties and advancing mutual interests.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during an inspection tour yesterday (26), visited the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and the long-delayed National Art Gallery. Despite construction commencing in 2011, both projects remain incomplete.

President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to expedite the opening of the National Art Gallery before the year’s end, emphasizing the need for consensus among artists and architects. He also pledged government support for financial allocations. Additionally, he highlighted the demand for high-standard, affordable theatres in Colombo, questioning if such facilities could be provided following the completion of the John de Silva Theatre.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of consulting dramatists before making final decisions on construction and maintenance projects. He directed the Ministry Secretary to explore options for reviving the Lumbini Theatre and the Nawarangahala to support the theatre and also instructed the Ministry Secretary to take steps to construct a drama theatre in Colombo’s Sudarshi Premises.

Emphasizing the need to establish a national cultural zone encompassing the Nelum Pokuna, Kalabhavana, John de Silva Memorial Theatre, Museum, and related areas, the President instructed the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to prepare a comprehensive report on this initiative. Additionally, he urged officials to enhance Sri Lanka’s museum system to international standard and tasked them with identifying a suitable country for mentorship in this regard.

Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Additional Secretary Thilak Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Cultural Affairs Yasintha Gunawardena, the team of architects from the University of Moratuwa who designed these buildings and the Navy officers who are in charge of the National Art Gallery renovations joined this event.

Prof. Praneeth Abhayasundara, Prof. Chandragupta Thenuwara, Parakrama Niriella, Mohamed Safeer and Saman Athaudahetti also spoke on behalf of the artists.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his aspirations for Sri Lanka to reclaim its position as the champion of cricket, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing all necessary support to achieve this goal.

Speaking at the 125th anniversary celebration of the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo yesterday (28), the President emphasized the importance of maintaining a separation between politics and sports. He suggested that preventing politicians from assuming high positions in sports clubs could contribute to a healthier sporting environment.

During the celebration, a commemorative book documenting the 125-year history of the Sinhalese Sports Club was unveiled, accompanied by the release of a postage stamp and a first-day cover.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe took the opportunity to commend SSC players who had represented Sri Lanka in international cricket, expressing appreciation for their contributions. The President also joined in a group photograph with the players, symbolizing unity and camaraderie within the sporting community.

Addressing the gathering, President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the enduring bonds between esteemed educational institutions such as Royal, St. Thomas’, Wesley and the Sinhalese Sports Club. He noted that individuals who have pursued cricket from these schools have established a shared identity with the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Drawing from personal history, President Wickremesinghe shared anecdotes about his own family’s association with the club. He mentioned his great-grandfather Meedeniya Adigar and grandfather C.L. Wickremesinghe, both of whom had joined the SSC as a means to embrace and promote a unified Sri Lankan identity. Following their footsteps, President Wickremesinghe revealed that his father had also become a member of the club after the country gained independence.

The President reflected on the historical context of the formation of sports clubs during a bygone era, highlighting their significance in fostering a sense of collective identity among different ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. He noted that clubs such as the Tamil Union and those established by the Malays served as platforms for various groups to assert their cultural and linguistic identity, rather than being rooted in ethnic strife or competition.

Emphasizing the inclusive nature of these clubs, President Ranil Wickremesinghe remarked that they were not defined by religious or caste divisions, but rather by shared language and culture. He underscored how these clubs facilitated the coming together of Sinhalese, Tamils and Malays, ultimately contributing to the development of a common national identity.

President Wickremesinghe also acknowledged the esteemed leaders of his party who had served as presidents of the Sinhalese Sports Club, including former Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake and former President J.R. Jayewardene. He expressed gratitude for their contributions and the honour it bestowed upon the party. While he himself had been a member of the sports club, the President revealed that he had chosen to step back from active involvement as a politician, recognizing the evolving nature of contemporary politics compared to the eras of Mr. D. S. Senanayake and Mr. J.R. Jayewardene.

President Wickremesinghe articulated his belief in the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between politics and sports, advocating for the exclusion of politicians from high-ranking positions within sports clubs. He emphasized the necessity of preserving the integrity and independence of sports from political influence, recognizing that this separation would contribute to a healthier sporting environment.

However, the President clarified that this stance did not signify a disengagement from sports. On the contrary, he assured the audience of his continued commitment to supporting sports initiatives and meeting the needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Acknowledging the significance of upholding the traditions established by past leaders, he underscored the importance of nurturing and advancing sporting activities in the country. To demonstrate his commitment to fostering sports development, President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed that he has instructed the Minister of Sports to present a Memorandum to the Cabinet, with a proposal to provide the land belonging to the Sinhala Sports Club on a 99-year lease basis, thereby ensuring the continuity and sustainability of the club’s operations and activities.

President Wickremesinghe underscored the importance of advancing Sri Lankan cricket, expressing his ambition to witness the nation reclaim its championship status in the sport. He highlighted that the government has earmarked One billion rupees for cricket development this year, with plans for additional funding in the following year. This substantial investment will be managed by a trust overseen by Sidath Wettamuni, a distinguished cricketer and a member of the SSC. The funds will be utilized to enhance cricket programs in rural schools, organize cricket matches and foster the growth of cricket at the grassroots level.

The President emphasized the importance of expanding cricket programs in 1000-1500 schools, aiming to cultivate a vast talent pool from which the national team can be selected. Additionally, concerted efforts have been made to elevate the standard of cricket across the country. In this regard, both the Cricket Board and sports clubs play a pivotal role. Furthermore, the President expressed gratitude to the Sinhala Sports Club for its significant contribution to cricket in Sri Lanka, urging collective action to propel the nation towards global leadership in the sport.

Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe, Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando, along with notable figures such as Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Association Shammi Silva, Chairman of Sinhalese Sports Club Indunil De Silva, Secretary Wasantha Wijesekera, Treasurer Nilanka Peiris and members of the executive committee of the Sinhalese Sports Club graced the occasion. The event also saw the presence of former presidents, distinguished past and present cricketers, including former captain of the England cricket team Nasser Hussain and ICC referee Ranjan Madugalle, among other esteemed guests.

--PMD--

Government vehicles running at a cost of Rs. 300 per kilometer can be run at the cost of Rs. 100 - Revealed in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport.

Government vehicles which are running at a cost of Rs. 300 per kilometer can be run at a cost of 100, revealed in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport recently.

The above was revealed according to the data of a research paper prepared by the Department of Manpower and Employment on "Public Resource Management" which was presented at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport.

Here, the relevant research paper indicated that according to the statistics of the year 2022, government institutions own about 82,000 vehicles, of which about 76,000 are in running condition and around 5500 vehicles are not in running condition.

According to this research paper, it was identified that the cost of driving one kilometer of a vehicle in running condition is approximately between Rs. 300 and Rs.500.

The research shows that it was identified that if these vehicles required by government institutions are hired from the private sector on a rent or lease basis, it is possible to run a kilometer with Rs. 100 or less amount.

Thus, if this process is followed by removing the state-owned vehicles atomically, it was revealed that about 20 billion rupees government expenditure can be saved.

The Development Lotteries Board (DLB) has increased its contributions to the President’s Fund and the government after achieving its highest-ever profit in its 40-year history.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), this marked a significant milestone as the DLB recorded a profit margin of 32% for the fiscal year 2022-2023, double the previous year’s figure.

Consequently, contributions to both the President’s Fund and the government saw notable increases, with a 13% rise for the former, surpassing the target, and a 6% increase for the latter.

Chairman and CEO of the Development Lotteries Board, Ajith Gunaratne Narangala attributed this success to strategic measures aimed at mitigating the country’s economic challenges, with special guidance from President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also serves as the Minister of Finance.

The chairman mentioned that measures have been implemented to boost the prize money for both regular and newly introduced special lottery tickets of the Development Lotteries Board.

Additionally, the board has initiated the introduction of lottery tickets via digital technology, aiming to provide consumers in the country with a novel experience.

A percentage of the proceeds have also been earmarked for education and healthcare initiatives within the country.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the future of the country hinges on modernizing the education and health sectors to align with forthcoming challenges and opportunities.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the imperative of modernizing the education and health sectors to ensure the country’s future prosperity and development.

The President highlighted a significant shortfall in capital expenditure for education and health over the past three and a half decades. It is now planned to increase capital expenditure in these sectors starting from this year.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this remark while attending the inauguration of the “German-Sri Lanka Friendship New Women’s Hospital” in Karapitiya Galle, hailed as the largest maternity hospital in South Asia, earlier today (27).

The six-story hospital claims 640 beds, 6 operating theatres, emergency treatment units, intensive care units, laboratories, infant intensive care units, special paediatric units, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. Additionally, it features water purification and recycling unit.

The German government has contributed Euro 25 million (LKR 3570 million) in this project, in addition to providing medical equipment.

Initially, eight hundred perches were allocated for the hospital’s construction, but later, two additional plots of land were acquired, increasing the total area of the hospital to nearly one thousand perches.

Former Chancellor of Germany, Helmut Kohl, made this significant donation towards the construction of a new maternity hospital in Sri Lanka. This gesture came after witnessing the devastation caused by the tsunami to Mahmodara Hospital Galle, the largest maternity hospital in the southern province, during his vacation in December 2004 at a tourist hotel in Talpe, Habaraduwa.

Following the inauguration of the new hospital, plans are underway to relocate the Mahmodara Maternity Hospital from its current location.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also visited the newly opened maternity hospital to inspect its facilities, including the state-of-the-art surgery rooms.

President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude by presenting a memento to the German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Felix Neumann, in appreciation of the generous donation received from the German government.

During his address at the ceremony, President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the shift in healthcare challenges over time.

“Previously, our medical professionals battled against diseases like malaria. However, with the rise in the elderly population and the emergence of various health issues, the complexities in the healthcare sector have escalated. Hence, it is imperative to adapt and transform our healthcare services to meet these evolving challenges effectively.

Furthermore, the education system in our nation necessitates a significant overhaul. Historically, the allocation of capital funds for education and healthcare has been limited. During that period, these sectors did not receive sufficient financial support, primarily due to the substantial allocation of funds towards wartime efforts. Additionally, a considerable portion of our budget has been directed towards servicing hefty loans and paying off interest.

During my tenure as the Minister of Education from 1980 to 1989, efforts were made to increase funding for education. However, various circumstances hindered our ability to allocate more resources to this sector subsequently. Moving forward, it is imperative that we prioritize increased investment in education for the betterment of our nation.

Due to extensive borrowing last season, a staggering 50% of our income is now allocated towards debt and interest payments. Although over 7 trillion was earmarked for this year’s budget, a significant portion, totalling 3.9 trillion, must be directed towards debt repayment. Of this amount, one-third is dedicated to loan settlement, while the remaining two-thirds are allocated for interest payments. Additionally, approximately 1.2 trillion is allocated for salaries. After accounting for recurring expenses, there is very little remaining for essential activities such as irrigation.

As a nation, we cannot sustain this current situation. Recognizing this urgency, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have advised us to initiate immediate restructuring measures. Our first step towards achieving economic stability involves generating the necessary funds for this year’s expenditure domestically. Printing money or seeking funds from state banks are not viable options at this time. Therefore, we must focus on earning the required income internally to progress forward.

Implementing tax hikes was the sole viable option, despite facing widespread criticism. However, this measure eliminated the need to print money for the budget for the first time. We acknowledge the hardships endured by all, yet the tax increase spared us from budgetary loans. The impact is evident nationwide today. The rupee, once valued at 370 against the dollar, has now strengthened to 300. This trend is anticipated to continue, further bolstering the rupee’s value in the future.

The decrease in inflation has facilitated a reduction in interest rates, which in turn is expected to stimulate business growth. As the business sector flourishes, so does the nation’s development. Despite the challenges faced, today the country reaps the benefits of the implemented measures. Additionally, efforts were made to augment salaries in the public sector and furthermore, we endeavoured to triple the number of ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries and expand the scope of coverage. Corresponding initiatives were also undertaken to boost salaries in the private sector. By adhering to this program, the loan repayment burden is anticipated to diminish gradually over the next two years, freeing up resources for national development endeavours.

The future holds no promise without innovation in education and healthcare. Our strides in the 1930s and 80s were fuelled by advancements in these sectors. Presently, the robustness of our healthcare system, both locally and even in the United Kingdom is a testament to our medical services. Hence, I affirm that by securing adequate funding for healthcare and education, we will foster rapid progress in these domains.