January 12, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, the Select Committee of Parliament Investigating Causes for Financial Bankruptcy declared by the Government has decided to summon Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Committee Chairman MP Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed that Dr. Weerasinghe has been called to appear before the committee in the upcoming week.
This move follows the recent testimony of Mahinda Siriwardana, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, who appeared before the committee last week. The committee’s mandate is to thoroughly investigate and understand the factors contributing to the financial challenges declared by the government.
The summons to Dr. Weerasinghe underscores the parliamentary committee’s commitment to a comprehensive inquiry into the financial circumstances leading to the government’s declaration of financial bankruptcy.
January 12, Colombo (LNW):Showery condition is expected to be reduced in the North-central, Uva and Eastern provinces by today onwards.
Several spells of light showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.
Mainly fair weather will prevail in the other areas of the island.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
(Bangkok, January 11, 2024) – Regressive government policies and inadequate social protection left many Sri Lankans at risk from the worst effects of the country’s economic crisis, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2024. The government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe continued to repress freedoms of expression and association, and pursue policies that discriminate against minority communities.
“Millions of Sri Lankans are struggling to survive an economic crisis that partly originated in corrupt, unaccountable governance,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The current administration is responding with policies that weigh heaviest on those who have least, while suppressing voices that are essential for accountable, democratic decision-making.”
In the 740-page World Report 2024, its 34th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 100 countries. In her introductory essay, Executive Director Tirana Hassan says that 2023 was a consequential year not only for human rights suppression and wartime atrocities but also for selective government outrage and transactional diplomacy that carried profound costs for the rights of those not in on the deal. But she says there were also signs of hope, showing the possibility of a different path, and calls on governments to consistently uphold their human rights obligations.
The Sri Lankan government and International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) response to the economic situation undermined human rights in the country. More than 17 percent of the population are moderately or acutely food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance, and 31 percent of children aged under 5 are malnourished, according to the United Nations. The IMF program focused on raising government revenues, and emphasized tackling corruption and improving social protection, but as structured it shifted the burden of recovery principally onto people with low incomes.
The government raised electricity tariffs, doubled value-added taxes, and phased out fuel subsidies. The reform program included a “social spending floor” set at 0.6 percent of GDP, less than half developing countries’ average. The government’s plan of targeted social protection benefits led to the exclusion of many who do not have an adequate standard of living. In an attempt to manage its domestic debts, the government reduced the value of state-run pension funds in which ordinary people hold their savings.
The families of victims of enforced disappearance and human rights defenders in the north and east, faced government surveillance and intimidation. Government agencies pursued a policy of “land grabbing” that targeted the property of Tamil and Muslim communities, including religious sites.
President Wickremesinghe sought to suppress dissent, ending a moratorium on the use of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act. A proposed new counterterrorism law, which was withdrawn for further revision, would grant authorities sweeping powers and create new speech-related offenses. The proposed Online Safety Bill would further restrict speech by creating a commission, appointed by the president, that could decide whether online statements were false or prohibited, order their removal, and participate in police investigations and prosecutions.
In a significant move aimed at addressing the longstanding employment challenges in Sri Lanka, the “Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation” inaugurated the first “Information Technology (IT) Job Zone” on January 10th in Tissamaharama.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Uddhakandara Rajamaha Vihara, marking the establishment of the “DP Silicon Valley IT Office.”
Mr. Dhammika Perera, the Founder and Co-Chairman of “DP Education”, officially opened the DP Silicon Valley IT Office and emphasised its role in providing global job opportunities in the IT sector to the youth of Sri Lanka.
In his address, Mr. Perera highlighted the absence of large-scale career-providing industries since President JR Jayawardene’s free trade zones and President R. Premadasa’s garment factories, spanning over 33 years. He attributed this gap to the current foreign exchange crisis faced by the country.
Mr. Perera outlined his vision to create one million in the IT sector, aiming the alleviation of the economic challenges. To achieve this goal, he plans to establish IT job zones in every divisional secretariat across the island. The DP Silicon Valley IT Office in Uddhakandara Rajamaha Vihara is the first step towards realising this ambitious plan.
These IT job zones represent the next significant leap in the Sri Lankan economy, following the free trade zones and garment factories established by the past leaders, Perera demonstrated.
The DP Silicon Valley IT Office, functioning as the first employment centre under this initiative, has the capacity to employ 100 individuals. Currently, 20 young men and women have been successfully employed, having completed the necessary qualifications through DP Education’s free coding course and the web developer/web designer programme at the University of Moratuwa.
Remarkably, the qualification programmes undertaken by these newly employed individuals had a maximum duration of 6 months, highlighting the effectiveness of the educational initiatives offered by DP Education.
As the first IT job zone takes shape, it symbolises a groundbreaking development in Sri Lanka’s economic landscape, fostering hope for a brighter future for the country’s youth.
Perera further elaborated on the initiative, revealing that in alignment with the comprehensive plan to deliver computer language education to one million students in Sri Lanka by 2028, the establishment of 331 “DP Education IT Campus” centres is projected by 2025. Notably, 120 centres have already been inaugurated, achieving a significant milestone in the planned expansion, he added.
Within these IT campus centres, 110,000 students are actively enrolled in the computer language course, while an additional 130,000 students are pursuing the course through online platforms. This brings the cumulative count of students engaged in the DP Education Computer Language course to an impressive 240,000, reflecting the widespread impact of the educational initiative.
Furthermore, Perera highlighted the implementation of the IT Job Zone Creation Programme through a pilot project, revealing that currently, six DP Education IT Campus centres are in the process of establishment within the Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat Division, marking a strategic step in realising the broader vision of creating employment opportunities in the Information Technology sector.
Full Statement by Mr. Dhammika Perera
In the wake of Mr. JR Jayawardena’s free trade zone period and Mr. R. Premadasa’s era of garment factories, we find ourselves in the inception of Dhammika Perera’s Information Technology Job Zone era. Commencing today, we are establishing the inaugural Information Technology Job Zone in the historic town of Tissamaharama. As of today, January 10, 2024, we proudly unveil the first job centre under the “DP Silicon Valley Office” at the Uddhakandara Temple. Allow me to elaborate on this significant development.
Our nation is an island and is of modest size. However, it is not an isolated entity; rather, it maintains a robust connection with the global community. The procurement of essential commodities, such as diesel, petrol, gas, pharmaceuticals, food items, vehicles, and technical equipment, is imperative for the well-being of our populace. Sustaining a high standard of living necessitates the importation of these goods, and this, in turn, mandates the acquisition of foreign exchange. Regrettably, our nation has faced economic challenges as we were unable to generate the requisite amount of foreign exchange, contributing to the prevailing economic crisis.
In the initial phases of our economic development, foreign exchange was garnered through the exportation of commodities such as tea, rubber, coconut, and other minor crops. However, with the progressive industrialisation of the global landscape, the demands of our populace have grown increasingly intricate. To address these evolving needs, a heightened requirement for foreign exchange has emerged. Consequently, initiatives were undertaken to bolster foreign exchange earnings, exemplified by the establishment of Free Trade Zones (FTZ) during the tenure of President J.R. Jayawardena and the subsequent inception of garment factories under President R. Premadasa. Remarkably, over the course of three decades, no additional large-scale industries have been established to contribute to foreign exchange generation, marking the onset of our current economic crisis.
In light of prevailing global economic conditions and their impact on our nation, the era of free trade zones and garment factories has concluded. Addressing the current economic crisis necessitates the swift implementation of measures to generate career opportunities on a significant scale, or otherwise, we may never recover from it.
In the current scenario of bankruptcy, attracting foreign investors poses a challenge, and even domestic investors exhibit reluctance to engage in substantial industrial ventures. The government, constrained by financial limitations, lacks the resources to spearhead investments in such industries. Despite these constraints, the imperative to navigate through this economic crisis remains crucial for our nation, comprising a population of 22 million, encompassing children, the youth, and the elderly. To secure the necessary foreign exchange for the well-being of our citizens, there is a collective contemplation on identifying a viable large-scale industry to propel our country forward.
Our predicament extends beyond a mere deficiency in financial resources for investments; time constraints exacerbate our challenges. The temporary alleviation of issues such as queues for oil and gas notwithstanding, the persistence of this crisis mandates a proactive approach. Although goods may currently be available in stores, the sustainability of the present situation is limited. Given the recurring nature of this crisis, it is imperative to expeditiously identify and implement measures to generate income and foreign exchange for the country.
The usual observation by many of us upon the emergence of an economic crisis or an election that the country’s national resources – such as phosphate from Eppawala, mineral sand from Pulmude, graphite from Bogala, and oil from Mannar – can build the nation. However, upon careful calculation, we came to conclude that none of them can provide a solution to the problem in our country at the moment.
The inception of the “DP Education” programme was driven by the conviction that the solution to our nation’s challenges lies fundamentally in the realm of education. Established in 2019, DP Education is dedicated to facilitating a quality education for the students of our country, thereby enabling them to secure gainful employment and establish improved living conditions. Recognising the pivotal role these students play as invaluable assets, their success in employment will not only benefit them individually but also contribute to the broader development of villages. It is imperative to devise strategies for channelling financial resources to these rural areas.
Amidst the economic crisis that erupted in 2022, our forward-looking perspective prompted contemplation on decisive measures to address the situation. It became evident that imparting vocational training to the youth was imperative, facilitating swift integration into the workforce. However, the financial constraints faced by the government rendered the establishment of new educational institutions, such as technical colleges, unfeasible. The establishment of private institutes posed another challenge, as the residents of our villages lacked the financial means to enrol in them or even afford transportation to education centres in the city. Currently, several vocational training courses extend over a three-year duration, a timeline incompatible with the urgency of the situation. Furthermore, the inability to generate career opportunities for approximately one million exacerbates the economic crisis. Identifying a solution necessitates exploring methods to create jobs within the villages. Analysing global job markets for sectors with optimal employment prospects and income potential became essential as we sought to navigate these complex challenges.
Under DP Education, we convened a consortium of scholars, professionals, and business leaders across diverse disciplines to undertake a comprehensive inquiry. This endeavour involved rigorous research and surveys to identify the most effective avenues for leveraging our limited resources. Subsequently, our focus converged on the realm of Information Technology as a strategic domain where we could optimise our resources. The objective is to provide education within the localities of these beneficiaries and secure career opportunities for them within their own villages, thereby contributing to the economic prosperity of these regions. This strategic choice is motivated by the recognition of challenges faced by parents who are unable to send their children to work in urban centres like Colombo or its suburbs. Moreover, even if individuals secure employment in such cities, a significant portion of their earnings is retained within the urban locale, resulting in diminished financial inflow to the village.
Our approach to this endeavour was characterised by thorough research, meticulous planning, and a concerted effort to avoid simplistic, impractical solutions, not as if we were hitting the mango tree with a stick. Acknowledging the absence of dedicated lecture halls and financial constraints for constructing such facilities, we strategically engaged with respected figures from various religious communities. Collaborative discussions were held with Buddhist monks, Catholic church fathers, Moulavis in mosques, and priests in Kovils. The “DP Education IT Campus” initiative was subsequently launched in February 2023, aligning with these religious institutions. This initiative is geared towards establishing 331 IT campuses, one for each divisional secretariat in the country. Remarkably, over 100 of these campuses have already been successfully established.
Educating children alone is insufficient; it is imperative to facilitate their initial career opportunities. Subsequently, they can harness the extensive global prospects within the IT sector for sustained career advancement. Given the urgency posed by the prevailing challenges in our country, expeditiously securing their first job becomes a priority. To address this imperative, deliberations were conducted with subject matter experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs actively involved in job creation within the IT sector. Collaborative efforts resulted in establishing partnerships with relevant organisations, culminating in the establishment of offices that currently serve as conduits for job opportunities emanating from the “Silicon Valley Office”.
The imperative of providing suitable workspaces for these career opportunities prompted the establishment of a comprehensive office infrastructure. In seeking a viable solution, consultations were initiated with esteemed monks and religious leaders. With their benevolent guidance and assistance, we are currently in the process of formulating and implementing plans to inaugurate Silicon Valley offices in all 14,000 villages nationwide. This initiative is designed to offer a secure and responsible working environment for the youth. Recognising the scale and complexity of this undertaking, we acknowledge that we cannot do this alone, for collaboration and support from various stakeholders are indispensable for the successful realisation of this endeavour.
But within a span of 11 months from the inception of the IT Campus programme, we have successfully inaugurated our inaugural Information Technology Job Zone. This achievement also marks the establishment of the first DP Silicon Valley Office centre, presenting the initial career opportunities for individuals. The swiftness with which we have implemented this initiative stands as a noteworthy accomplishment. In the Sri Lankan context, the expeditious provision of education and career opportunities in any other field is impossible.
Addressing a problem involves a strategic process of prudent decision-making, meticulous planning, garnering requisite support from key stakeholders, and the proficient execution of formulated plans. The consequential outcomes are tangible and observable manifestations of this methodical approach.
We, as a nation, must fortify ourselves against decline and actively engage in the reconstruction of our country for the prosperity of future generations. Mere discourse is insufficient; tangible efforts are imperative. It is gratifying to observe that one of the selected solutions is currently advancing successfully. We are happy about it.
Beyond just IT positions, DP Education has initiated a Language School encompassing instruction in English, Korean, and Japanese languages. Proficiency in these languages equips students to apply for career opportunities in the respective countries. Additionally, vocational training programmes have been launched, focusing initially on the elderly care service industry in Japan, with plans for expansion into other sectors. Concurrently, strategic plans are in development to provide students with the requisite education to attain qualifications enabling them to pursue employment in countries with abundant career opportunities worldwide. It is noteworthy that students enrolled in DP Education’s academic programmes are achieving commendable success in their studies, evident in their scholastic accomplishments and favourable examination results. These accomplishments position hundreds of thousands of students to secure lucrative positions across diverse fields in the future, aligned with their acquired skills.
Addressing a nation’s challenges necessitates thinking expansively and fostering ambitious aspirations, for thinking small is not enough. By creating a substantial workforce of two million through initiatives such as this, accompanied by the subsequent infusion of capital into villages and the consequent development of small and medium-scale enterprises (SME), the overarching problems facing our country can be effectively resolved. This transformative vision positions our nation as prosperous, although the realisation of such an outcome requires sustained effort over time. We have already embarked on this transformative journey, achieving notable success and garnering international acclaim. Notably, DP Education stands as the preeminent online school education platform in Asia, with the European Union recognising the accolades bestowed upon our “Full Stack Developer” course conducted in collaboration with the University of Moratuwa. With unwavering support from various stakeholders, we remain committed to providing an exemplary educational programme for the betterment of our children.
These are not accomplishments by ‘the businessman’ Dhammika Perera, nor the works of MP Dhammika Perera who got into politics. These are not even the works by DP Education, its team, the parents of the children, the Buddhist monks and the religious leaders, experts, scholars, or businessmen who lent their support in diverse capacities. These symbolise a collective national effort, involving all Sri Lankans. It is incumbent upon us to unite our endeavours to ensure the success of this initiative and, by extension, contribute to the advancement of our country. So, together, may we achieve this objective in our collective determination. We can do it. We will do it.
January 11, World (LNW): South Africa has initiated a landmark case against Israel, accusing it of genocide in the Gaza Strip, as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) begins two days of public hearings.
This case was filed on December 29 and marks the first at the ICJ related to the siege on Gaza, where over 23,000 individuals, including nearly 10,000 children, have lost their lives since October 7.
South Africa contends that Israel’s actions, including the killing of civilians, mass expulsion and displacement of Palestinians, and destruction of homes, constitute genocide, in breach of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
The suit also alleges that Israel’s blockade on food and destruction of essential health services for Palestinians are intentional measures aimed at their destruction as a group.
South Africa, a party to the Genocide Convention along with Israel, argues that countries party to the treaty collectively have the right to prevent and stop such crimes.
Israel denies the allegations and vows to defend itself. The ICJ, focusing on legal disputes between states, will first determine its jurisdiction in the case during the preliminary hearings.
The full judgment on whether Israel committed genocide is expected to take years.
The case sets a precedent as it deals with the Gaza siege and has implications for similar international disputes.
January 11, Colombo (LNW): Japanese Finance Minister Shun’ichi Suzuki commenced an official visit to Sri Lanka today (11).
The visit, scheduled to extend until January 12, is organised by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During this diplomatic engagement, Shunichi is slated to engage in official discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry.
The Japanese Finance Minister, accompanied by a delegation, will partake in visits to significant Sri Lankan institutions, including Parliament, Jayawardene Centre, Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital, Colombo Dockyard, and the Lanka Nippon Biztec Institute in Maharagama.
The visit follows Japan’s recent emphasis on the swift finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka and creditor nations for debt restructuring.
Japan, along with France and India, co-chairs the committee of 15 creditor nations and has stressed the importance of transparency and comparability in agreements with creditors outside the Official Creditor Committee (OCC).
Sri Lanka is currently grappling with its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948. The nation is actively seeking to restructure agreements with creditors in response to challenges such as soaring inflation, currency depreciation, and low foreign reserves, leading to an economic downturn and default on foreign debt in May 2022.
In November of the previous year, Sri Lanka and its creditors reached an agreement in principle on debt restructuring, encompassing approximately $5.9 billion of outstanding public debt. The terms involve a combination of long-term maturity extension and a reduction in interest rates.
January 11, Colombo (LNW): Numerous train services have been temporarily halted owing to flooding caused by the intense rainfall witnessed today (11).
Two night-mail trains that were originally scheduled to operate between Batticaloa and Colombo on the current date have been cancelled, the Department of Railway announced.
Furthermore, the express train, Udaya Devi, which operates from Colombo-Fort to Trincomalee via Batticaloa, and the train scheduled from Batticaloa to Colombo on the upcoming day, January 12, have also been suspended due to the prevailing weather conditions.
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India in Colombo, is organising the World Hindi Day in Colombo from 10-11 January 2024. The two-day event is being held at Sri Lanka Foundation and SVCC in collaboration with University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Rajarata University, Visual and Performing Arts University of Sri Lanka and Karma Devi Memorial P G College of India.
2. High Commissioner Shri Santosh Jha inaugurated the event today with Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Hon’ble Minister of Education who was the Chief Guest for the World Hindi Day. The State Minister of Education A. Aravind Kumar attended as the Guest of Honour.
3. During the inaugural speech, High Commissioner highlighted the growing importance of Hindi as an international language. Today, it is the third most widely spoken language in the world with about 600 million speakers globally. He also recalled SVCC’s activities for the promotion of the language over last year, including scholarships to Hindi students for study in India, assistance in Hindi language capacity building of professors and school teachers, etc. Appreciating the institutions and scholars of Hindi in Sri Lanka, he commended the attendees for embracing the language and thanked them for collaborating in the event.
4. The first day saw paper presentations in three plenary sessions by 25 Hindi scholars. Topics ranged from impact of Buddhism in Hindi literature to popularity of Hindi in Sri Lanka. More than 200 scholars and students participated on day one. Day two of the conference will have Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey as the Chief Guest with nearly 20 research presentations by students of Hindi. Qualifying certificates of Hindi examinations organised by the Central Institute of Hindi, Govt. of India will also be distributed to the Sri Lankan students.
5. World Hindi Day is celebrated on January 10 every year to commemorate the day when Hindi was first spoken in the United Nations General Assembly in 1949. It was on this day in 1975 that the first ‘World Hindi Conference’ was organised. Hindi is taught as a foreign language in 88 schools and 7 public universities of Sri Lanka.
January 11, Colombo (LNW): Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal of the United Kingdom accompanied by her spouse Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who are on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House yesterday
The Princess Royal and her spouse arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday afternoon for a three-day visit. The visit comes as Sri Lanka and the UK mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. During the visit, The Princess Royal is scheduled to undertake engagements in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna.
Earlier yesterday , The Princess Royal toured the MAS Holdings Nirmaana facility and heard about their innovative excellence in product creation and development for strategic international partners, including British brands like Marks & Spencer.
As patron of Save the Children UK, The Princess Royal also met and thanked staff at the Save the Children offices in Colombo for the work they do to support humanitarian needs across Sri Lanka. She received a briefing on their work and celebrated their 50th year of operations in Sri Lanka.
Princess Anne last visited Sri Lanka nearly 30 years ago in 1995 as patron of Save the Children to see projects supported by the charity.
Princess Anne was welcomed to Sri Lanka today with a dazzling performance by traditional dancers as she walked down the plane’s steps at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
She’s been joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 68, for the start of a three-day visit celebrating the UK’s ties with the South Asian Island. The trip is the royal family’s first overseas tour of 2024.
A large group of dancers and musicians performed for the couple with drummers playing a hypnotic beat in the hot and humid conditions.
The princess is visiting the country at the request of the Foreign Office and will begin a whistle-stop tour to mark the UK’s bilateral relations with the nation, including a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and First Lady Maithree Wickremesinghe.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry and British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick were among the dignitaries who formally welcomed the princess at the airport.
January 11, Colombo (LNW): The World Bank forecasts the Sri Lankan economy to grow by 1.7 percent in 2024 and by 2.4 percent in 2025, according to its report on global economic prospects made available to the local press on Wednesday.
According to the World Bank, the country’s economy is estimated to have recorded a negative growth of 3.8 percent in 2023.
Although the output in Sri Lanka is also estimated to have declined in the 2022-2023 financial year, progress has been made in sovereign debt restructuring, said the World Bank.
However, it said the outlook for Sri Lanka remains uncertain amid debt restructuring negotiations, particularly with private creditors.
The growth in South Asia is estimated to have slowed slightly to 5.7 percent in 2023, yet it remains the fastest among emerging markets and developing economy regions, according to the World Bank.
Sri Lanka is aiming to strike an elusive balance between reviving economic growth to positive 1.7 percent from negative 3.8 percent, alleviating the hardships faced by ordinary citizens and maintaining fiscal discipline in the election year.
The Government will be strengthening social safety nets by properly implementing welfare benefits Act 2002 update the social registry system to cover all welfare benefit schemes
Measures will be taken to strengthen social protection institutions, delivery systems, and targeting expenditure allocations to promote the utilisation of skills of the elderly, differently abled and widows as household entrepreneurs,
Till the voters elect the next government or the president in the middle of 2024 as scheduled, or earlier every move of the present government is to be more election-oriented a deviation from economic recovery measures taken so far, several economic analysts claimed.
Against this back drop, Sri Lanka continues to face severe economic, social and governance challenges despite signs of macroeconomic stabilisation with inflation moderating, exchange rate stabilising, and the Central Bank and Finance Ministry’s rebuilding reserves and fiscal buffers, they pointed out.
Government measures to address the balance of payment crisis, including tax reforms and cost-recovery pricing in the energy sector, have raised the cost of living while continued shortages of essentials, have been led to popular discontent.
The authorities aim to raise revenue by almost 45 percent in 2024 to Rs 4.81 trillion in 2024 , aided by taxes on international trade taxes on domestic goods and services. License taxes and other taxes on income and profit along with non-tax revenue and grants, finance Ministry data shows.
The total expenditure is estimated at Rs 7.82 trillion consists of primary expenditure Rs5,176 billion, recurrent Rs3,971 bn capital Rs1,205 bn and interest Rs 2.651 bn.
