A Comprehensive Summary of the Policy changes, Implementation of law and order, Foreign relations, Economic activities, and New appointments made by the new president and government of Sri Lanka within the first 50 days in office
Here is the comprehensive summary of the policy changes, implementation of law and order, foreign relations, economic activities, and new appointments made by the new president and government within the first 50 days in office. Share to inform others, as all details are cited with news sources.
Policy Changes
- The president’s oath-taking ceremony was a simple, low-cost event.
- Many vehicles allocated for the president and prime minister have been freed. The ambulance and staff allocated to the prime minister have been returned to public service.
- The “Clean Sri Lanka” program, an environmental cleanup initiative across the country, was launched under the president’s leadership.
- 2,000 additional police officers assigned to VIP security were redeployed to regular police duties.
- Relatives of politicians in diplomatic posts abroad were recalled, with appointments given to qualified officers.
- The Palaly-Achchuveli road, closed for 30 years, was reopened, and roads around the Temple Trees were reopened to the public.
- Collecting funds from parents for government school events was banned.
- The new presidential advisors volunteered for service without salaries.
- For the first time, a visually impaired person was appointed from the national list to represent the disabled community, and an NPP candidate from the estate sector was chosen to represent that community.
- Over fifty MPs and ministers who were unpopular in the last parliament refrained from contesting the general election, and no one from the Rajapaksa family contested from Hambantota.
Implementation of Law and Order
- The president’s directive for ministers to return their official vehicles received immediate response, with luxury cars crowding Galle Face Green as they were returned.
- Immediate response to the order for former ministers occupying official residences to vacate.
- Orders were issued for former ministers with unpaid utility bills to settle them; electricity to homes of delayed-paying ministers, including former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Carlton residence, was cut off.
- Two former ministers, Johnston and Lohan Rathwatte, along with Rathwatte’s wife, were taken into custody for allegedly using unregistered vehicles.
- Arjuna Aloysius of Mendis Distillers was sentenced to six months in prison for tax evasion (also linked to the bond scam).
- The 50 bar permits issued by the former government near the election were suspended.
- Major liquor-producing companies with unpaid taxes were ordered to pay outstanding taxes of 1.8 billion rupees, with a deadline.
- Six suspects were arrested in connection with a potential Arugam Bay incident, with measures taken to ensure tourist safety.
- Corruption investigations became active against high-ranking government officials, including politicians, principals, customs, and RMV officers.
- Court rulings were given on several large-scale bribery cases, with four customs officers sentenced to 35 years, and former minister Shantha Premaratne receiving a four-year sentence.
- Orders were given to expedite legal proceedings on high-profile cases, including those of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Thajudeen, the Easter attack, and the bond scam.
- A new committee was established to investigate the X-Press Pearl ship incident and compensation issues.
- Large-scale drug crackdowns became active, with numerous high-value arrests, including heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs.
- The attorney general directed the recovery of a 660-million-rupee deposit held by the agriculture ministry for a lease on a Rajagiriya building.
- Prime Minister Harini initiated efforts to repatriate 40 Sri Lankans detained in Myanmar on cybercrime charges, with Thailand’s mediation.
Foreign Relations, Aid, and Loans
- The second phase of construction at Katunayake Airport, funded by Japanese aid, restarted with Japan’s approval.
- Poland, Iceland, and other European countries resumed flights to Sri Lanka as the tourist season began.
- China provided 400 million rupees in dry goods and $30 million in aid following heavy rains and floods in Sri Lanka.
- The United Nations promised full support to the government for poverty alleviation, digital technology development, and women’s empowerment.
- The Asian Development Bank extended a $30 million loan for renewable energy projects.
- A project was initiated with India’s support to install solar power panels at 5,000 religious sites.
- India donated 22 diesel train engines to Sri Lanka.
Economic Activities
- An agreement was reached to continue the IMF program following a meeting between IMF and Sri Lankan representatives in Washington.
- Sri Lanka’s dollar reserves rose to $6.46 billion, a 7.9% increase from September.
- The Sri Lankan rupee stabilized at 290-295 against the dollar.
- The World Bank projected Sri Lanka’s economic growth to reach 4.4% by the end of 2024, exceeding expectations of 3.5%.
- The stock market showed significant growth with the activation of foreign investments.
- 11,000 acres of land belonging to Sevanagala Sugar Factory were temporarily given to farmers for cultivation.
- Milco reported its highest-ever monthly revenue in October 2024, amounting to 20 billion rupees.
- Vehicle imports for public transportation resumed.
- Plans for privatizing SriLankan Airlines and the Ceylon Electricity Board were put on hold.
- Tourist arrivals increased by 25% in October 2024 compared to October 2023.
- Worker remittances rose by $63 million in September 2024 compared to September 2023.
- Inflation dropped to -0.8% in October 2024 from -0.5% in September, with food inflation also decreasing.
- Apparel export income surpassed $500 million for the first time in two years.
- Port cargo handling charges were reduced.
- The American technology company Shield began operations in Sri Lanka with an investment of $8.5 million.
New Appointments
- Dr. Hans Wijesuriya took charge of the digital transformation of Sri Lanka’s state institutions and economy.
- Kavinga de Soysa was appointed chairman of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
- Dr. Mothilal de Silva became the chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom.
- Sunil Jayaratne was appointed as the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Arjuna Herath was appointed as the chairman of the Board of Investment.
- Senior Professor Kapila Senewiratne was appointed as the chairman of the University Grants Commission.
- Sarath Ganegoda, former chairman of the Hayleys Group, took over SriLankan Airlines.
Sources: Newswire.lk, Dailymirror, Mawuratanews, Worldbank.org, BBC, Government press release, Newsfirst.lk, and other online sources
