State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that if the country’s economy improves by next year, we can have optimistic hopes regarding the import of vehicles.
The reason for this is that the economy is moving in a good direction, the minister said while attending the opening of the Dematagoda outlet of the State Plantation Corporation (on the 9th).
Meanwhile, he also said that the program of providing 10 kilos of rice to 27 lakh families each for the months of April and May will start on the 21st.
Mr. Siyambalapitiya also said that more than half of the total number of families in Sri Lanka will receive this subsidy.
He said that an additional 13 billion rupees has been paid for the increase in government employee salaries, and accordingly, 107 billion rupees have been paid for government employee salaries for the month of April.
Eidul Fitr is celebrated by Muslims after the month-long fasting of Ramadan and the sighting of the new moon.
Colombo Grand Mosque announced that it will celebrate Ramadan today due to the appearance of the new moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Eidul Fitr Ramadan is celebrated after the sighting of the first moon with the end of Ramadan fast.
Sri Lankans call this Ramadan fasting season as Nombi.
It is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an that giving charity to the poor and relatives is a duty.
It is also considered as one of the five religious principles that the followers of Islam must follow.
Special security has been deployed in Islamic churches on the occasion of Ramadan.
The police mentioned that more than 7000 people including police, special task force and three armed forces personnel have been deployed for this purpose.
Meanwhile, below is the message of greetings issued by the President on the occasion of the Ramadan festival that has taken place today.
The government decides to raise the existing security deposit limits as per the provisions of the President’s Election Act, the Parliamentary Elections Act and the Provincial Council Elections Act.
That is after recognizing that it is appropriate to update the bail limits according to the current social, economic and political background.
The Council of Ministers approved the joint proposal presented by the Honorable President and the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reform to prepare a bill to amend the relevant bail deposits as follows.
According to the President’s Election Act No. 15 of 1981, increasing the security deposit of a candidate from a recognized political party to 2.6 million rupees and the security deposit of an independent candidate to 3.1 million rupees.
According to the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, increasing the security deposit of one candidate from a recognized political party to Rs.11,000/- and the security deposit of one candidate from an independent group to Rs.16,000/-.
According to the Provincial Council Polls Act No. 2 of 1988, increasing the security deposit of one candidate from a recognized political party to Rs.6,000/- and the security deposit of one candidate from an independent group to Rs.11,000/-.
The Ministry of Education says that the first phase of the first term of government and government-approved private schools in Sinhala and Tamil medium will end tomorrow (10).
Accordingly, the second phase will begin on April 24.
The 2nd phase of Muslim schools is scheduled to begin on April 17.
The Election Commission says that the preparation of voter lists for this year will start from today (09).
Election Commissioner General Saman S Ratnayake said that if anyone has not been able to include their names in the voter list, they will have the opportunity to do so from today until May 6th.
To enter a name in this way into the voter list, they can visit the village service officer, the election office, or the election department’s website.
The Sri Lanka Postal Department says that a special service for the distribution of postal items will be implemented throughout the island during the long weekend holidays of Sinhala, Tamil New Years and Ramadan.
On April 12, post/sub-post offices across the island with distribution available will implement a special service of Cash-on-Delivery, Foreign Courier Service, and General Parcel Distribution, even though it is a public holiday.
Issuing an announcement, Postmaster General Mr. S.R. W. M. R. P. Sathkumara said this.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the flyover spanning the railway line linking Kompagngna Veediya with Justice Akbar Mawatha and Uttarananda Mawatha, yesterday (08).
The rest of the construction work of this project is planned to be completed by the month of September, and the estimated amount for the entire project is Rs. 5,278,081,272.43.
It has been observed that nearly 3 hours of time is wasted daily due to the railway crossing located in Kompagngna Veediya area, which is a very busy commercial city with various institutions including government offices, hospitals, religious places, restaurants and movie theatres.
In order to avoid the delay, the construction work of this project, which is implemented by the Road Development Authority, is being carried out by Maga Engineering Company.
Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana, United National Party (UNP) Chairman, MP Wajira Abeywardena, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri, Road Development Authority Chairman C.P. Athuluwage, Road Development Authority Director General Priyantha Suriyabandara and number of officials attended the event
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
It is also reported that national organizer Duminda Dissanayake has been appointed as its acting secretary.
These appointments were made at the SLFP Political Committee meeting held today at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo.
The special political committee meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Senior Vice President of the party.
It was also reported that the former President and former Sri Lankan National Party leader Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has also participated in this meeting.
Last week, the Colombo District Court issued an interim restraining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from serving as the Sri Lankan National Party President.
This court order was issued according to a complaint filed by Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Cabinet approval was received for the Electricity Sector Reform Bill yesterday.
Electricity and Energy Minister Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera said that approval was also given to gazette the revised version of the new electricity sector bill and submit it to Parliament for approval.
The Bill is to be gazetted this week for submission to Parliament in the last week of April.
The public will have a period of 2 weeks from the date of its submission to Parliament to challenge the Bill.
The Policy Dialogue Forum of the Samagi Buddhi Mandapaya, the Intellectual Forum of Samagi Jana Balawegaya, was held yesterday (7th April) at the BMICH. The event was chaired by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who delivered an extensive speech on a range of topics.
Premadasa delved into the history of Sri Lanka’s caste-based elitist politics, tracing its roots back to S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and highlighting its continued prevalence today. He identified this as the root cause of the country’s political decay.
The Opposition Leader urged Sri Lankans to strive for the realization of the Sri Lankan dream. He illustrated how crises can serve as catalysts for change, turning challenges into opportunities.
Premadasa outlined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s plans for modernizing free education and improving healthcare in the welfare state. He discussed a national program to alleviate poverty, reforms to reduce brain drain, and constitutional amendments to eliminate corruption. He also highlighted the potential of digitization to improve efficiency.
In a notable statement, Premadasa clarified that neither his nor his party’s policies are neoliberal, but rather social democratic. He expressed belief in generating wealth through capitalism, while also recognizing the beneficial aspects of socialism. This balanced approach underscores the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s stance of social democracy, steering clear of extreme right-wing or left-wing ideologies.
A special politburo meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will be held today (08).
The meeting will be held at the Colombo Foundation and was called by the Senior Vice President of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Sri Lanka Freedom Party Treasurer and Minister of State Mr. Lasantha Alagiyawanna mentioned that the crisis that has arisen in the party will be discussed there.
Apart from that, many decisions will be taken regarding the future political situation, he said.
Recently, the court had ordered to issue an interim injunction preventing Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena from holding the office in relation to a petition filed by patroness of SLFP former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Based on the reconciliation of the parties, it has been seen that the party is facing a number of crises due to changes in positions, dismissals, appointments, etc. in the party recently.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Freedom Party Treasurer State Minister Mr. Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that he completely rejects the statements made regarding the misplacement of files at the party headquarters.
Speaking to the media, he said that he will also give a statement to the police regarding the complaint made by several people including the Acting General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party regarding the missing files.
He further claims that all parties of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party should act according to the decision given by the court.
Under the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project, a contribution of 120 MW is to be added to the national grid by the end of this month.
The Minister of Irrigation, Wildlife and Forestry, Ms. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, lawyer, stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given instructions for the opening of the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project at the end of April.
The Minister stated this while attending a discussion held at the Ministry of Irrigation recently (05) to discuss the progress of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
The Uma Oya Multipurpose Project was started in 2011, and the estimated cost is US$513 million.
The amount was supposed to be received as a loan aid from the Iranian government, but due to the fundamental problem affecting the Iranian government, the country’s economy suffered a severe crisis. As the first installment of US$ 50 million had already been received and the construction of this multi-purpose project had started, the work of the Uma Oya Multi-Purpose Project was continued on the basis of Sri Lanka’s treasury allocation without stopping midway.
Through the Uma Oya project, the Puhulpola and Diabara reservoirs will be dammed and the water stored there will be brought through a 23 km tunnel to two turbines located underground. By doing so, hydroelectricity is produced, and an electrical capacity of 120 megawatts is added to the national grid through this.
After power generation, the water is brought to Alikota Ara, Handapanagala, and Kuda Oya reservoirs. By doing so, 20,000 acres of old and new fields will be supplied with water for both the Yala and Maha seasons.
Through the Kirindi Oya basin, Uva Wellassa farmlands will be fertilized, and this will enable the drinking water needs of the people of Badulla and Monaragala districts to be met.
The Katunayake Airport police have started a comprehensive investigation regarding the disappearance of 25 laptops and 126 mobile phones worth more than one crore rupees, which were seized by the Airport Customs from the possession of a businessman and a colleague who had come from Dubai and were about to leave Katunayake Airport through the green channel.
A Deputy Customs Director of Airport Customs has complained about this to the police yesterday (06).
The businessman and his companion, who came to this country from Dubai on March 22, had these phones and laptops. It is said that the two of them have stolen these goods while the businessman and his accomplice are in the custody of the customs till the legal proceedings take place. But the police say that the packages of these goods are in the customs warehouse and the customs officials are said to have known that only the packages are in the customs warehouse on the day before yesterday (06).
The police say that it is problematic whether there is a possibility of stealing and running with such a large stock of phones and laptops in the custody of customs and for that they are conducting a security camera check. It is said that an internal investigation is currently being conducted by the customs and the relevant businessman has also been summoned for this.
When such goods are caught, the businessmen who bring them pay customs duties or fines and release them, but it has been found in the preliminary investigation that the businessmen have not shown any interest in releasing these goods.
The Sri Lanka Transport Board and the Railway Department have deployed special buses and trains from tomorrow for the convenience of passengers going to villages for the New Year festival season.
Accordingly, nearly 200 special buses will be put into operation for long-distance services, while 5000 new buses will be put into operation, said the Deputy General Manager of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, Mr. Panduka Swarnahansa.
He also said that all the depot managers have been instructed to deploy special buses to destinations where passengers demand more.
The railway department has deployed 12 special train services daily from the 10th for the coming festive season and these train services will operate till the 15th.
It has been decided to use these special train services for the people going to and from the villages and the railway department said that in addition to the trains that have been added to the daily running for long train destinations, the 12 special train services will be operated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gemunu Wijeratne, President of the Private Bus Owners’ Association, told that if the National Transport Commission makes a request, they will take steps to provide buses for special services.
An announcement has been issued regarding the performance of duties of all public service employees in connection with the long holiday from the 11th to the 14th for the Sinhala Tamil New Year.
It was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government.
This announcement has been issued to all district secretaries, divisional secretaries and all officials working in the local government.
The Excise Department has notified all liquor stores across the country to close for 6 days on 2 occasions for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Vesak week.
Accordingly, all liquor stores across the island will be closed on April 13th and 14th for the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
It has also been decided to close liquor stores on April 23, the full moon poya day.
Also, the period from 21st to 27th of May has been declared as Vesak week.
Therefore, measures will be taken to close liquor stores for three days during that period.
Accordingly, the pubs will be closed on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of May.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe said that the new law to restructure the economy will be brought in next May.
He mentioned that the agreement with the International Monetary Fund will be legalized and the concession will be given to the country.
Also, the President says that he is negotiating to extend the period of payment of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt until 2042 and to withdraw part of those debts.
He said that the government has now embarked on the journey of building a prosperous Sri Lanka by 2048 with transformative change.
The President also emphasized that the program for the future of the country should not be forgotten by drowning in slogans and arguments.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe said this while attending the “Magen Patan Gamu” Anuradhapura District Youth Conference yesterday (06) afternoon.
The youth of Anuradhapura district participated in this conference held at the Koombichchankulama lake, and they presented many of their problems to the President.
The President worked to provide solutions to many of those problems on the spot and instructed the officers to take steps to solve other problems.
Answering a question that was raised here, the President mentioned that he will not allow life to fail just because of the certificate of the examination department.
He said that in the developing Sri Lanka, many job opportunities are expected to be opened up for the youth in the future.
The President also said that in the future, thirteen years of education will not be stopped in the middle.
The President informed the youth about the reform program to strengthen the country’s economy.
The President also pointed out that the government has the program to empower the youth of the country with modern technology and contribute directly to the country’s economy.
Fuel consumption in Sri Lanka has been reduced by approximately 50% according to the Petroleum Dealers Association.
Mr. Shelton Fernando, the president of the association, points out that fuel consumption has been a significant factor in the decline in the country’s current economic situation.
However, Mr. Fernando assured the people that there is currently no shortage of all types of fuel in the country.
Previously, only Ceylon IOC and the government-owned Ceypetco company existed for the sale of fuel in the country.
However, as a solution to the economic crisis, the government has given the opportunity to several private companies including Sinopec and Shell for the import, distribution and sale of fuel in addition to the above two companies to carry out operations in the country.
Currently, Sinopec and Shell companies have started importing and selling fuel in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Transport says that the newly started Dunhinda Odyssey new tourist train will run from Colombo to Badulla 3 days a week.
Accordingly, the train will run to Badulla on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
It is planned to start the journey from Colombo Fort railway station at 6.30 am on the relevant dates.
The train will start traveling from Badulla to Colombo at 8 am on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
The ‘Dunhinda Odyssey’ train will stop briefly at 10 scenic spots for local and foreign tourists to view and take photos.
1st class ticket of this train is 8,000 rupees.
The ticket for the second class will be Rs 6,000 and the ticket for the third class will be Rs 5,000.
A single ticket for both departure and arrival is priced at Rs.12,000.
On the occasion of 100 years since the British started the train journey from Badulla to Colombo, this Dunhinda Odyssey new tour has been added to the train service.
Meanwhile, steps have also been taken to run a luxury short-distance tourist train called ‘Calypso’ from Bandarawela to Demodara, consisting of three carriages with wooden viewing compartments and roofless train carriages.
The Ministry of Transport said that there will be a charge of Rs 6,000 for the two journeys.
The Election Commission has issued the gazette yesterday (05) appointing Mr. MG Weerasena to the vacant position of Member of Parliament of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
This appointment is being made for the vacant post of Member of Parliament of Anuradhapura District Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Mr. KH Nandasena who passed away recently.
Mr. MG Weerasena is next in the district preference list after obtaining 38241 preferential votes from Anuradhapura district in the last general election.
Sri Lanka’s official foreign reserves have increased by 9.5% in February, says Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe.
It was 4.52 billion dollars in the previous month and it has increased to 4.95 billion dollars in February this year.
The state minister says that it reflects the positive momentum of the country’s economic development.
He said this shows that the economic reform process has begun to translate into results by creating financial stability, resilience and greater confidence in the economy.
Today, the Samagi Jana Sandhana led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya signed a memorandum of understanding with 6 MPs of the Nidahas Janatha Sabha, with the aim of building a populist government and driving the common enemy of the country, Ranil, who is oppressing the people of the country with high taxes, cost of living and bribery, (5) This was held at the Bandaranaike Conference Hall.
The agreement was signed by the opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa representing the Samagi Jana Balawega, and Professor GL Peiris, Dylan Perera, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Dr. Nalaka Godaheva, Upul Galappatti and KPS Kumarasiri, representing the Nidahas Janatha Sabha.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, said that this can be called as another important opportunity to start the journey to save our country from economic and social tragedy by implementing a strong forward movement through a new revival.
He stated that the core principle of the Samagi Jana Balawega initiative is “Country before self,” and that those elected to government on a public mandate do not receive personal benefits.
The leader of the opposition said that Samagi Jana Balawega will set aside all the usual privileges of the country in the government to protect the rights of the people.
He said the program aims to create a people-centered government to bring Sri Lanka to the first place in the world.
The leader of the opposition said that the way forward will be through a middle path that combines the positive qualities of each theory.
He says this is unacceptable because the rich 20% enjoy 52% of the country’s national income and the poor 20% enjoy only 4.5% of the national income.
Mr. Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the opposition, said that prosperity should be shared equally by all and that economic growth should be one in which everyone is a shareholder.
Opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa said here that in the near future, many more populist and philanthropic alliances will be formed and behind these alliances there is no granting of privileges.
It has been calculated that Indian fishermen harvest fish worth 2000 million dollars per year by engaging in fishing activities within the territorial waters belonging to our country.
This has been revealed in the Sectoral Monitoring Committee on Alleviating the Economic Crisis.
Mr. Gamini Waleboda, Chairman of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee said that it was revealed that the The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has not conducted a proper survey of the seas in the northern and eastern areas in 30 years.
All officials including the Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries were called before this committee.
Members of several other institutions including Nara Institute, Fisheries Corporation, and Fisheries Legal Corporation have been invited.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that there is strong expectation that Sri Lanka will enter into agreements with commercial creditors on the existing terms after completing the second review of the extended credit facility approved for the country.
Director of the International Monetary Fund’s Communications Department, Julie Kozack, said that Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic policy reforms have begun to bear fruit.
Below is the conversation between him and a reporter.
QUESTIONER: Thanks a lot. I wanted to ask about Sri Lanka and also El Salvador. In Sri Lanka, there’s some reporting that’s kind of linking the election to the program. I wanted to ask if you can sort of clarify that, and also if you have any update on the debt restructuring, including with China state creditors. And on El Salvador, same confusion to some degree. Some of us are saying that a program there is in some way linked to possibly removing bitcoin as legal tender status. I don’t know if that’s the case. And just generally, what can you say about El Salvador’s progress and possible program? Thanks a lot.
MS. KOZACK: Okay, let me start with Sri Lanka. Just stepping back to give you the lay of the land. On December 12, 2023, the IMF’s Executive Board approved the first review of Sri Lanka’s program with the IMF. It enabled a disbursement of US$337 million. And on March 21, the IMF Staff and the Sri Lankan authorities reached a Staff-Level Agreement on economic policies to conclude the second review, as well as the 2024 Article IV Consultation. Completion of the review by the Executive Board requires, first, the implementation of the prior actions that have been agreed and second, completion of what we call financing assurances review. That review would need to confirm that multilateral partners are continuing their financing contributions to Sri Lanka, and it will also assess progress with debt restructuring, and it will need to conclude that adequate progress is being made.
I would also add that macroeconomic policy reforms in Sri Lanka are starting to bear fruit. Commendable outcomes include rapid disinflation, robust reserve accumulation, and initial signs of economic growth, while preserving stability of the financial system. Public finances have strengthened following substantial fiscal reforms, and it is critical that this reform momentum be continued.
The next steps on the debt restructuring are to conclude the negotiations with external commercial creditors and to implement agreements in principle with official creditors. The domestic debt operations, you know, part of the debt restructuring, are largely completed, and there is a strong expectation that agreements with commercial creditors consistent with program parameters will be reached by completion of the second review.
The 15th contingent of the Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) left for Lebanon on 03 April 2024 amidst greetings and best wishes.
The 15th SLFPC contingent consists of 125 Army personnel, including 11 Officers and 114 Other Ranks representing the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) and several other Regiments of the Sri Lanka Army. The contingent commanded by Lieutenant Colonel D.K.D Vithanage RSP of the VIR.
Major General Rohitha Aluvihare, the Commander of Security Forces – Central and the Colonel Commandant of the VIR, Major General Nalin Bandaranayake, the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Infantry Division and Major General Anil Perera, the Director, Directorate of Movement, along with several other Senior Officers and relatives were at the airport to extend best wishes on behalf of the Commander of the Army and to see them off to Lebanon.
Over 20,000 dengue cases have been reported in the last three months of this year.
The National Dengue Control Program indicates that because of the hot weather these days, the transmission of dengue mosquito larvae has decreased and the reported cases have also decreased by 22.8%.
Colombo Municipal Council area, Kasbewa, Kaduwela, Maharagama, Biyagama, Gampaha, Wattala, Kurunegala, and Chavakachcheri areas have been designated as Dengue high-risk areas.
8 dengue deaths have been reported in these three months.
10,417 infected people were reported in January, 6007 in February, and 3615 in March.
Out of the total number of infected persons, the highest number of infected persons i.e. 7211 infected persons with a percentage of 35.7% are reported from the Western Province, 4215 infected persons with a percentage of 20.9% from the Eastern Province, and 1585 infected persons with a percentage of 7.9% from the Central Province.
The National Dengue Control Program emphasizes that the public should pay attention to cleaning to make their living environment free of dengue mosquito breeding places.
The Committee on Ways and Means recommends to the Department of Inland Revenue to devise a mechanism with the assistance of village officials to find out the actual income earned by all private schools and large-scale private tuition classes of more than 100 students.
Apart from that, the committee recommended that this mechanism be implemented for health service centers, private hospitals, surveyors, engineers, law firms and television as well as radio services.
It is mentioned in the report submitted to the Parliament on April 1st that the committee can obtain the correct information about the real income earned by these institutions through a questionnaire with the help of the village officials.
The recommendation also states that a mobile application can be used for that purpose.
This report has been submitted by the Chairman of the Committee, Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka.
The Colombo High Court has issued an interim restraining order temporarily preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from holding the post of Sri Lanka Freedom Party chairman.
It was considering a writ petition submitted to the court by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was the leader of the Sri Lankan National Party from 1994 to 2005.
