Deputy media minister defends Rs. 47 billion estimate and denies government crime links
Summarised by AI from 2 articles
Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne told Parliament on Wednesday (4) that the National People’s Power administration is corruption-free and holds no ties to criminal networks.
Ariyaratne defended a Rs. 47 billion supplementary estimate to fund fuel subsidies and extra Aswesuma welfare allowances. Daily News noted that the fuel subsidy excludes super diesel.
He stated that US$ 4.9 billion had been allocated for fuel subsidies up to September 2026, compared to US$ 2.96 billion in 2025, keeping consumer prices below import costs.
Denying that Aswesuma benefits were cut, Ariyaratne said more recipients were being added. Daily News reported 700,000 would join 980,000 existing beneficiaries, whereas Virakesari stated 740,000 individuals were added.
Ariyaratne added that tourism has recovered, remittances rose, and the government is preparing legislation to suppress organized crime and sever links between politics and drug networks.
Read the original reports
How the story developed
- தDeputy Minister Anil Jayanta announced total annual fuel relief funding reached Rs. 98 billion.
- EதThis storyDeputy Minister Ariyaratne clarified that the fuel subsidy excludes super diesel.
- EසිதParliament approved a Rs. 47 billion supplementary estimate for fuel subsidies and Aswesuma welfare payments.
- தDeputy Minister Anil Jayawardena announced Rs. 6 billion in additional relief for inflation-affected citizens.
