Former Cabinet Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has written to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a reduction in tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan imports to the United States, according to Ada Derana.

In the letter, Alahapperuma appealed for relief from the tariffs, stating that the measures have adversely affected Sri Lanka’s export sector. He urged the U.S. administration to consider reducing the tariff rates in order to ease the burden on Sri Lankan exporters.

The former minister’s request comes after the United States imposed tariffs on Sri Lankan goods as part of its broader trade policy. Alahapperuma emphasized the importance of maintaining fair trade relations between the two countries and highlighted Sri Lanka’s long-standing economic ties with the United States.

He also noted that Sri Lanka is a developing country and said trade concessions would help support its economy and export industries.

The letter adds to ongoing discussions in Sri Lanka over the impact of U.S. trade measures on local exporters and the broader economy. (Newswire)

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Leader of the Freedom People’s Congress, Dullas Alahapperuma, and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, have engaged in a cordial and constructive discussion at the Parliamentarian’s residence on Wednesday. 

Taking to ‘X’, former MP Alahapperuma said the discussions focused on the current political landscape in Sri Lanka, the new administration in the USA, economic cooperation, and bilateral relationships.

“Grateful for her continued passionate engagement with Sri Lanka, its culture & people,” he added.

Dullas Alahapperuma also met the political secretary for the US Embassy, Zach Lones, alongside US Ambassador Julie Chung. (Newswire)

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Leader of the Freedom People’s Congress Dullas Alahapperuma has raised concerns over reports of Chinese companies having intervened in Sri Lanka to get projects with the coordination of middlemen.

In a statement on ‘X’, the former MP pointed out that according to media reports, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to request the Chinese government to avoid involving middlemen in the development activities carried out by Chinese companies in Sri Lanka.

“Doesn’t this clearly imply that the Chinese companies have corruptly intervened in Sri Lanka to get projects with the coordination of middlemen?” he questioned. 

The former MP pointed out that every Chinese company that carries out development projects in Sri Lanka or any other foreign country on loans or grants rolled out by the Chinese government is a company of the People’s Republic of China and not a private company.

He further stressed that it was a prime responsibility of the current Sri Lankan government to immediately reveal those who were previously used as middlemen to receive money through the projects as indicated. 

“If not, this will cause serious damage to the historically built brotherhood and friendship between China and Sri Lanka,” he warned. (Newswire)

The local media had reported that during his recent visit to China, President AKD will request the Chinese government to avoid involving middlemen in the development activities carried out by the Chinese companies in Sri Lanka with the help of the People's Republic of China.… pic.twitter.com/7O4S8Pc1WT

— Dullas Alahapperuma (@DullasOfficial) January 15, 2025

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The Freedom People’s Congress says it plans to take legal action against the former government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of Rs. 720 million in public funds. 

Issuing a statement, the leader of the party Dullas Alahapperuma raised concerns over financial accountability and transparency.

According to the Congress, the total estimated cost of holding the cancelled elections was Rs. 8 billion. 

The government’s decision to cancel the elections resulted in the unnecessary expenditure of approximately 10% of the overall projected budget, translating to a loss of Rs. 720 million, Alahapperuma said. 

The government’s actions not only undermined democratic processes but also imposed a financial burden on the public, the statement said, adding that taxpayer funds could have been better utilized for essential services such as education and healthcare.

The Freedom People’s Congress called for justice for those impacted by the election delays, estimating related damages at Rs. 20 million. 

The Congress also pointed to other allegations of financial mismanagement under the Wickremesinghe administration, including claims of corruption linked to the misuse of public resources.

“We await the measures that the current President and the government intend to take against these economic wrongdoers,” the statement added.

Alahapperuma said that returning the misused public funds to the citizens and setting an example of ethical conduct in electoral history is an urgent responsibility for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. (Newswire)

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The Freedom Peoples Congress (Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa) led by MP Dullas Alahapperuma has decided to form an alliance with the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Party member MP Charitha Herath said the decision was taken as negotiations with the SJB were successful.

MP Herath further said the Freedom Peoples Congress will face the Presidential Election via a broad political force.

In April this year, the SJB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a group of members from the Freedom People’s Congress as the first step of forming the main opposition-led ‘Samagi Jana Sandhanaya’. 

The agreement was signed between the SJB and 06 MPs of the Freedom Peoples Congress, including Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dilan Perera, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, K.P. Kumarasiri, Dr. Upul Galappaththi and Wasantha Yapa Bandara, to form the new alliance.

The group of MPs from the Freedom Peoples Congress are those who broke away from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna previously and decided to sit independently in Parliament. (Newswire)

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Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma has warned President Ranil Wickremesinghe of legal action if the Constitution is knowingly violated.

Addressing the media, MP Alahapperuma said legal action initiated via the Supreme Court is the only way forward against the postponement of the various elections.

“If the Constitution is knowingly being violated, even if the individual is the President, they should know it cannot continue like this forever. The President will have to make up his mind to rename his address as Ward H of the Welikada prison after his tenure,” the MP warned. (NewsWire)

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Freedom People’s Congress MP Dullas Alahapperuma has put forth a request to postpone the GCE Ordinary Level Examination by a year. 

Addressing the Parliament today, the Parliamentarian pointed out that there was an issue at present due to the delay in the marking of GCE Advanced Level examination answer scripts.

MP Alahapperuma stated that as a result, over 600,000 students who have sat for the GCE Ordinary Level examination are unable to move forward to the GCE Advanced Level. 

Requesting the authorities to consider not conducting the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year, MP Alahapperuma advised to instead provide a certificate from the Examination Department declaring all students as eligible to commence their Advanced Level education. 

“There will be no injustice to any student. It is also a fact that no one can obtain jobs with their GCE Ordinary Level exam results,” he pointed out. 

MP Dullas Alahapperuma said this move will allow the authorities to once again conduct the GCE Ordinary Level exam in December and GCE Advanced Level exam in August, while this will not cause injustice to the students.

Revealing that such a decision was taken during the Coronavirus pandemic with regard to the London O/ Levels and resulted in a great concession for students, MP Alahapperuma requested the authorities to consider his proposal. (NewsWire)

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