Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the Finance Minister has been instructed to assign the Samurdhi Bank under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). 

He stated that Samurdhi Bank is an institution that is not under the supervision of anyone and that although the EPF and such come under Finance Ministry regulations, there are no regulations to govern the Smaurdhi Bank.

“Therefore I have instructed to bring it under the supervision of the Finance Ministry in order to look into this.” He stated that although all banks in the country are under the regulation and supervision of the Central Bank, the Samurdhi Bank does not come under the Central Bank and this is a serious issue. 

“Therefore the Samurshi Bank will also be assigned under the Central Bank in the future,” he said.

The Premier revealed this while addressing the May Day rally of the United National Party (UNP) held today at the Sugathadasa Stadium.  

He stated that this year they wanted to organize a May Day rally that would pay tribute to the workers. He stated that the reasons for the difference in the UNP’s May Day celebrations this year is because the UNP is the only party in Sri Lankan politics that thinks anew. 

He also said that only the United National Party has the true right to celebrate workers’ day in this country. “Today many are engaging in parades and protests because we have created factories. At the same time 200 garment factories have been established in villages. Hotel projects have been launched across the country.”

Wickremesinghe stated that for the first time they have been able to open the door for the working class to enter the middle class. 

The Prime Minister also charged that if the media had criticized Mahinda Rajapaksa then like they are criticizing him now, all those who criticized would now be in the cemetery. However, he stated that he sees the media’s criticism of the government each and every day as a positive sign. 

The PM said that he does not want a UNP government that stay is power for only 5 years, but one that stays in power for 20-30 years. “I cannot continue to give leadership for that government. That is why we established a new leadership committee for the UNP.”