This week’s shocking revelation of a significant salary hike for Central Bank of Sri Lanka employees has stirred widespread criticism. Particularly targeted is Mahinda Siriwardena, the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, who faced backlash for benefiting from the salary increase while transitioning from his role as Deputy Governor at the Central Bank.

Siriwardena, who once justified joining the Central Bank in 1992 for its lucrative salaries, found himself at the center of controversy. Amid mounting pressure from political representatives, trade unions, and civil organizations, he opted to step down from his position as Finance Ministry Secretary. In a recent development, he submitted his resignation letter to President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who, after a discussion, urged him to reconsider, emphasizing, “You work for the country and the people, not for anyone. So withdraw this letter of resignation.”

February 23, Colombo (LNW): Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis, MP Gamini Waleboda, revealed that 1 million electricity connections were disconnected within the past year. This information was disclosed during a committee meeting on Thursday (22), where several institutions, including the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), were summoned.

MP Waleboda urged for the immediate reconnection of the disconnected electricity connections and proposed the implementation of a system for paying electricity tariffs in installments. Additionally, he called for the reconnection to be done without charging a fee and suggested that any reconnection fees be levied in installments as well.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): The Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security announced that approval has been granted to import an additional 30 million eggs from India for the upcoming festive season. This decision comes after the recent approval to import 60 million eggs between January and April.

In total, the permission for importing eggs now stands at 90 million, aiming to address the demand during the festive season.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): The Health Trade Union Alliance has announced that trade union representatives will meet with representatives of the Ministry of Health on Tuesday (27) to discuss their demands. Co-convener of the Alliance, Chanaka Dharmawickrama, mentioned that a report will be prepared to calculate the cost of the proposed allowance and assess the ability to pay.

The report will be jointly prepared by representatives of the Health Trade Union Alliance and representatives of the Health Ministry. Dharmawickrama stated that once the report is compiled, information regarding the allowance will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

The Health Trade Union Alliance, consisting of 72 health unions, recently initiated a strike action, demanding the Rs. 35,000 DAT allowance that the government recently granted to doctors be extended to them as well.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): The Land Valuation Indicator (LVI) for the Colombo District has indicated a year-on-year slowdown, recording a growth rate of 7.1 percent during the second half of 2023. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) reports that this slowdown is evident across all sub-indicators of LVI, including Residential, Commercial, and Industrial LVIs, which recorded annual increases of 8.8 percent, 6.7 percent, and 5.9 percent, respectively.

On a semi-annual basis, the LVI showed a deceleration, registering a moderate growth of 2.1 percent during the second half of 2023 compared to the first half of the same year. The CBSL attributes this deceleration to the slower increase in Industrial LVI, followed by Commercial and Residential LVIs, compared to the first half of 2023.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): Finance Ministry officials informed the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) that the revenue loss incurred from the initial ‘sugar scam’ should be classified as tax foregone instead of a tax loss. The officials made this statement during their appearance before the COPF on Tuesday (22).

The COPF members pressed the officials for data on specific companies that disproportionately benefited from the tax adjustment, amounting to Rs. 1.4 billion from six companies, with an additional six companies yet to be investigated.

Additionally, the COPF revisited the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, which removed all VAT exemptions in November 2023. The committee inquired why the Finance Ministry had not adopted the recommendations made by the COPF regarding the VAT Amendment Bill. The COPF recommended reconsidering VAT exemptions for medical equipment, ambulances, high-protein agro foods for children, and agricultural items.

The VAT (Amendment) Bill increased the tax from 15% to 18% and decreased the threshold for VAT registration from Rs. 80 million to Rs. 60 million per annum, effective from January 01, 2024, aligning with the government’s goal to increase revenue to 14% of GDP in Sri Lanka.

The committee also questioned the delay in implementing VAT on foreign digital and software providers, creating an unequal playing field for domestic providers. Despite concerns raised by the COPF chair, Dr. Harsha de Silva, officials mentioned the need for a new law, set to come into effect in April 2025.

Furthermore, the COPF deliberated on the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill, which lowers the turnover threshold for registration from one hundred and twenty million rupees to sixty million rupees per annum, effective from January 01, 2024. The amendment was approved by the Committee.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for vocational education restructuring to meet global job market demands. He proposed consolidating all vocational training institutes in Sri Lanka into a single college offering modern subject-related courses. These initiatives were discussed during his visit to the Ratmalana Lalith Athulathmudali Vocational Training Centre.

2. The lists of names of the members appointed to several parliamentary committees during the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament have been announced.

3. Finance Ministry officials informed the Committee on Public Finance that the revenue loss from the ‘sugar scam’ should be labeled as tax foregone, not a tax loss. They argued that the reduction of the special commodity levy from Rs. 50 to 25 cents caused the revenue decline mentioned in the Auditor General’s report. When questioned about recovering the lost revenue, ministerial officials maintained it should be characterized as tax foregone rather than a tax loss.

4. Eng. Noel Priyantha has tendered his resignation as the spokesperson of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, taking to his X handle, said this was communicated to him by the CEB management. The CEB spokesperson, who attended the ‘Big Focus’ program on Ada Derana on Tuesday, made controversial remarks that received backlash for lacking empathy.

5. Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed his country’s keenness in working close collaboration with Sri Lanka in providing assistance and providing technical know how for projects relating to energy, water, agriculture ,Nano technology, pharmacology and biotechnology. He expressed his satisfaction on the progress made in fuel- tea batá agreement now being implemented between the two countries.

6. The sub-committee chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, is formulating a new policy for vehicle imports in the country. Minister Nalin Fernando, a committee member, revealed that discussions have taken place, emphasizing the necessity for a revised import strategy during recent meetings.

7. Kaduwela Police arrested suspected drug trafficker and organised criminal gang member, Sudath Kithsiri alias ‘Welivita Sudda’. The suspect was arrested in the Welivita area in Malabe, while in possession of 15 grams and 300 milligrams of heroin.

8. The 26th session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) will be convened today (Feb.22) in Brussels. The meeting will be co-chaired by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Aruni Wijewardane and EU European External Action Service Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Paola Pampaloni.

9. Mrs. Diana Gamage, the Minister of State for Tourism emphasized the critical role of nightlife in driving economic growth, citing it as a cornerstone of the night economy. She underscored that the night economy accounts for a substantial 70% of a country’s revenue, illustrating its significant contribution to national finances.

10. Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Minh Hoan Le, met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on rural development and social empowerment. The Vietnamese Minister expressed gratitude for Sri Lanka’s support during the Vietnamese liberation movement, highlighting that Sri Lanka was among the first nations to recognize Vietnam after its independence and unification. 

February 23, Colombo (LNW): In response to an urgent request for assistance, three prominent U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) extended support to Sri Lanka by providing in-kind medicinal supplies. This aid, valued at approximately US$ 53.9 million (approximately LKR 17,067,973,528) from July 2022 to the present, was coordinated and facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. in collaboration with the Health Ministry in Sri Lanka.

The recent contribution, worth US$ 201,208.32 (approximately LKR 63,632,131), was generously donated by Americares, marking another milestone in international cooperation and humanitarian aid. The consignment, cleared by the Health Ministry for distribution on Tuesday (20), included crucial medications such as pain relievers, antibiotics, treatments for high blood pressure, heart problems, mental/mood conditions, immunosuppressants, oncology medications, asthma treatments, prenatal and lactation vitamins, and more.

Heart to Heart International (HHI), headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, continues to be a key partner, contributing lifesaving medicines worth approximately US$ 46.8 million with no expenses incurred by the Sri Lankan Government or people. HHI, a global humanitarian organization established in 1992, focuses on improving health access and has delivered medical aid and supplies worth US$ 2.6 billion to over 130 countries.

Americares, another essential partner NGO, has donated lifesaving medicines worth US$ 4.4 million. This health-focused relief and development organization reaches an average of 85 countries each year, providing life-changing health programs, medicines, medical supplies, and emergency aid. Since its founding over 40 years ago, Americares has offered more than US$ 20 billion in aid to 164 countries.

In September 2022, HOPE Worldwide contributed essential medicines valued at US$ 2.7 million. Established in 1991, HOPE Worldwide partners with countries in need, responds to disasters, equips volunteers, and strengthens communities to inspire greater hope worldwide.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C. expresses deep appreciation for the continued assistance provided by these organizations, highlighting the collaborative effort to address pressing healthcare needs in Sri Lanka.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): During a panel discussion organized by Roche Diagnostics in Colombo, Dr. Chithramalee de Silva, Director of Maternal and Child Health at the Family Health Bureau, highlighted the critical issue of cervical cancer as a major disease burden among women in Sri Lanka. Cervical cancer is currently one of the leading causes of both prevalence and mortality among women in the country.

Dr. Chithramalee noted that cervical cancer is most commonly diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44, with the average age being 50. The impact of losing a woman in this stage of life extends beyond individual families, making it imperative to address the disease effectively. Despite the health authorities’ efforts to enhance early detection facilities and treatment plans, cervical cancer remains a significant health concern.

Emphasizing that cervical cancer is preventable and curable when detected early, Dr. Chithramalee highlighted the various screening methods being employed. While around 200,000 women undergo cervical cancer screening annually using the pap smear test, the World Health Organization recommends the HPV DNA test as the most sensitive method. However, the cost of implementing this test on a broader scale in Sri Lanka is currently a challenge.

Dr. J. Padmaka Silva, Consultant Community Physician and National Programme Manager for the Well Woman Programme, outlined Sri Lanka’s commitment to the global strategy set by the World Health Organization to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. The strategy includes vaccination of over 90 percent of girls with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15, screening 70 percent of women using a high-performance test at ages 35 and 45, and treating 90 percent of women identified with cervical disease.

To achieve these goals, communication and social mobilization strategies have been implemented to increase awareness, and cervical cancer screening strategies have been included to achieve a 70 percent coverage with a high-performance test. The country is also focused on improving guidelines, knowledge, accessibility to screening services, laboratory capacities, and healthcare workforce.

Despite these efforts, challenges such as poor knowledge on cervical cancer, pap testing, HPV, and HPV vaccine, coupled with stigma, myths, and misconceptions in the community, are identified as constraints to achieving the expected targets of cervical cancer prevention and care in the country.

The panel discussion also featured contributions from Consultant Histopathologist Dr. Ramani Punchihewa and Dr. Sandeep Sewlikar from Roche Diagnostics.

February 23, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, and Uva provinces in the evening or night.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.