Treasury Secretary video must be released, Sajith Premadasa says, questioning the government over the missing USD 2.5 million.
Treasury Secretary video recordings and Finance Committee reports must be released to the media, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said, questioning why the government is withholding explanations over the missing USD 2.5 million.
Premadasa said that at a time when public security is being widely discussed, a serious question has arisen over whether the Minister responsible for the subject has presented the real facts based on ground-level realities.
He questioned whether the Minister fully understood how relief had been provided to those affected by the Dikwella disaster. Even if a single rupee had been spent, he said, proper accountability must be ensured.
He also said there was still no clarity on how many of the President’s promises had actually been fulfilled, including Rs. 1 million, Rs. 5 million for housing damage, and Rs. 10 million for those without land or housing.
Premadasa further pointed out that a bridge in Moragahakanda had been damaged due to the disaster, while several other bridges had also been destroyed and remained unrepaired. He added that train services on the Kandyan railway line had still not resumed.
He said that while the current government continues to speak about public security, it has failed to protect the state treasury.
Government Must Explain Cyber Security Concerns
The Opposition Leader stated that, according to information from the Ministry of Finance, the country had suffered a loss of USD 2.5 million. He said the government must explain the cyber security concerns surrounding the incident.
He said many days had passed since the matter came to light, yet the Committee on Public Finance had stopped revealing the facts discussed during its sessions.
According to Premadasa, those facts have been withheld due to opposition from the government.
He requested that the responses given by the Secretary to the Treasury before the Finance Committee be made public.
Release Finance Committee Reports And Videos
Premadasa further said that, according to remarks made by Nalinda Jayatissa, the Postal Department had suffered a loss of USD 600,000, while welfare subsidies had also been paid twice.
He added that although the country is currently facing a serious fertilizer shortage, the government has failed to provide an adequate response.
For that reason, he urged the government to release the reports and video recordings of the Finance Committee proceedings to the media.
Government Tax Policy Hurting Local Producers
Referring to the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund, Premadasa said the removal of cess and excise duties would affect 2,600 HS codes.
He warned that this would create serious difficulties for local industrialists and producers.
Premadasa questioned why the government was acting against local industries by agreeing to completely remove cess and excise duties between 2026 and 2029.
He said such action contradicted the claims of a government that says it gives priority to the country.
Government Ignoring Estate Community Issues
The Opposition Leader also said the government had falsely claimed that it supports increasing wages for estate workers.
He stated that numerous incidents involving estate communities are now being reported from areas including Kahawatta, Maskeliya, and Nuwara Eliya.
Premadasa alleged that a wave of repression is taking place in these areas.
He said the government should intervene against such incidents, but had failed to do so.
Instead of holding May Day rallies in Nuwara Eliya and making false claims, he said, the government should focus on improving the living conditions of estate workers.
Passport Issue And Fertilizer Imports
Premadasa also said that although the Defence Minister had given an explanation regarding the passport-related incident, media reports indicate that the Polish government has raised concerns with the European Union.
He said he intends to engage diplomatically with Polish representatives and seek clarification on the matter.
The Opposition Leader further alleged that although the government claims to be providing fertilizer subsidies, fertilizer is being imported from Oman at higher prices for farmers.
He claimed that fertilizer could be purchased at lower prices from other sources, but the government continues to procure it at higher costs.
