While we extend our best wishes to the students who passed the GCE A/L examination, the government is ready to initiate a procedure for those who could not pass.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current government has removed the political protection that existed for corruption and crime for the past seventy-five years.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held yesterday (27) in the areas of Suriyawewa, Hungama, and Tangalle in the Hambantota District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
We have ended the political protection that existed for seventy-five years providing shelter for corruption and crime. There no longer exists any protection for those public-hostile acts of corruption and crime. When we first started this, there were groups within the public service and even within the security forces who were scared and unsettled. All of this was continued under the political protection. When such political protection are removed, what you see now is the effort to uncover and clean up the remaining remnants.
One of the most notable incidents in this regard is the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the actions taken against him thereafter. Have you ever heard of an Inspector General of Police being arrested before? A parliamentary tripartite committee has also been appointed regarding this. Even those who were previously protected by the system are now feeling fear.
Former Cabinet Minister and ruling party member Pillayan has also been taken into custody. There, too, I witnessed rather absurd situations. According to members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it was Pillayan who won the war. However, he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a university vice-chancellor.
It has been reported that the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha is charging a market tax. If taxes or fees are collected, it must transfer into a service or facility for the people. The current method violates tax policy. A contract has been given to collect these taxes, meaning the money is being collected by a third party. If the taxes collected were genuinely used for the maintenance of the market complex, it should be in excellent condition.
The income of Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha amounts to 110 million rupees. If that money had been properly used for the Pradeshiya Sabha, today it would be in the best condition. The fact that it indicates that the money has ended up in someone else’s hands.
Despite instructions not to collect money in schools, we continue to receive complaints that it is still happening. We are taking necessary actions to address this matter. However, there are currently insufficient investigative officers to conduct thorough investigations. We are working to strengthen the investigative units within the ministries.
Through the approved budget, we have allocated a large amount of funds for the rural development including rural infrastructure, rural economy, and especially to create self-employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as to build clean villages.
The government has now stabilized the economy. The next goal is to drive the economy for a economic growth. We need to increase income and push the economy toward a growth trajectory.
The results of the GCE Advanced Level examination were released last night. We send our best wishes to all students who passed. Some students who did not pass are already preparing to sit for the examination again for a second or third time. Others are pursuing vocational training. However, there are some students who do not yet have a clear path. This education system has not set up proper pathways for them. Through our new programs, we have prepared a plan to properly guide all students. We will launch this program starting in 2026.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further noted that the government has been in power for only six months so far and that it will continue working to correct all these issues in the future.
The event was attended by the members of Parliament Saliya Sandaruwan and Athula Weladagoda, along with a large number of candidates and local residents.
Prime Minister’s Media Division