President Ranil Wickremesinghe meets Japanese PM Fumio Kishida: expresses appreciation for the support by Japan to SL to recover from the economic crisis: also says SL has made progress on debt restructuring and should conclude discussions by November, the latest.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe meets Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: talks focus on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and implementation of the IMF program: President also meets Singapore Deputy PM Lawrence Wong and re-affirms commitment to implement the Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
Economist Steve Hanke’s Annual Misery Index 2022 ranks SL as the 11th most miserable country in the world; the index provides rankings for 157 countries, based on year-end unemployment, inflation, and bank-lending rates, and the annual percentage change in real GDP per capita: Zimbabwe ranked as ‘most miserable’ while others include Venezuela, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Argentina, Yemen, Ukraine, Cuba, Turkey, Haiti, Angola, Tonga & Ghana: Switzerland emerges as ‘least miserable’.
The remains of late businessman Dinesh Schaffter were exhumed under judicial supervision at the Borella Cemetery.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe apologizes to the Japanese Govt for the “unilateral cancellation” of the Japanese Govt loan of USD 1.5 bn to construct the Light Rail Transit project in Colombo: says there’s a need for legislation to ensure that large-scale bilateral projects cannot be canceled without mutual agreement.
CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says youth must try to become entrepreneurs instead of going overseas looking for greener pastures: over the past year, thousands of enterprises have crashed and over half a million persons rendered unemployed after the Central Bank under Weerasinghe increased interest rates to astronomical heights.
State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe says Sri Lanka plans to lift import controls on 100 items that were banned during forex shortages in the past 2 years, out of 3,000 denoted by HS codes.
“Save the Children” quoting World Bank data, says children in Sri Lanka require critical life-saving support: says half a million jobs have been lost and 2.7 million additional people have fallen into poverty: also says 38% of families with children are unable to meet their basic food and education needs.
Sinopec Fuel denies claims that it has hired external agencies or 3rd parties to handle its fuel station operations or related business activities: clarifies it has no intention to transfer any right of the license of fuel station supply to any other entity.
Sprint sensation Yupun Abeykoon clocks 10.01 seconds to finish 2nd in the 100m finals at the Savona International meet in Italy: Reece Prescod of Britain comes 1st with 9.94 seconds.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory indicating the possibility of showers in certain provinces and districts across Sri Lanka. According to the department, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North-Western provinces, as well as Galle and Matara districts, can expect a few showers. In addition, parts of Eastern and Uva provinces may experience showers or thundershowers in the evening or at night.
With the anticipated weather conditions, the general public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimize potential damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. It is important to stay vigilant and be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
Moving on to the sea areas, the department forecasts showers at a few places off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle. The prevailing winds in the sea area around the island will be south-westerly, with a speed of 20-30 kmph. However, there is a possibility of the wind speed increasing up to 40-45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankesanturai, as well as from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
In light of the weather conditions at sea, the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankesanturai, as well as from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota, are expected to be rough at times. On the other hand, the remaining sea areas around the island will experience moderate conditions.
During thundershowers, it is important to note that temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas may occur. Those planning to engage in maritime activities should exercise caution and stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
In an official statement released by the Education Ministry, it has been confirmed that Phase 2 of the first term in schools is set to conclude on Friday, May 26. The ministry has also announced that Phase 3 is scheduled to commence on June 12, allowing students and educators to transition into the next stage of the academic year.
With the school year progressing steadily, students and their parents are preparing for the upcoming 2022 General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O/L) examination. The Ministry of Education has declared that this year’s GCE O/L exam will take place from May 29 to June 08, providing a ten-day window for students to showcase their knowledge and skills.
The GCE O/L exam is a significant milestone in the education system, as it determines the academic progress and future paths for many students. This highly anticipated examination evaluates students’ understanding and proficiency in various subjects, offering them a chance to secure favorable results that can shape their future educational and career prospects.
Preparations for the GCE O/L exam have been underway for several months, with students diligently studying and revising their subjects. Teachers and educational institutions have also been providing guidance and support to ensure students are well-prepared for the challenging assessments.
The Education Ministry emphasizes the importance of proper exam preparation and encourages students to utilize the remaining time effectively. It advises students to focus on revising key concepts, practicing past papers, and seeking assistance from teachers when needed.
A man has been arrested after a car crashed into the gates outside Downing Street.
BBC: The Metropolitan Police said he had been held by armed officers on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
One witness said he saw officers pointing Tasers at a suspect, who was held “face to the floor” as he was arrested.
There were no reports of any injuries and inquiries are ongoing.
Police set up a cordon in Whitehall, the main road running past Downing Street, as officers with sniffer dogs were seen outside the gates.
The incident happened at 16:20 BST, police said. The road has now reopened.
Witness Simon Parry, 44, said he heard a “bang” and saw police pointing Tasers at a man.
“A lot of police vehicles came very quickly and were very quick to evacuate the area,” he told PA news agency.
He said the man appeared to slow down before he reached the gates of Downing Street, having driven from the other side of the road.
“There were sniffer dogs and a bomb squad,” he added.
Describing the mood on Whitehall in the aftermath of the incident, Mr Parry said: “We saw people that were in a panic running away and we saw people who were excited.”
Footage of the car, identified as a silver Kia, shows it slowing down as it approaches the main entrance to Downing Street, the home of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his family.
The car appears to slow down before it hits the gates, which are staffed around the clock by armed and unarmed police officers.
The prime minister and the chancellor were in Downing Street at the time of the crash. Mr Sunak has since left for a scheduled visit.
The car remains outside the gates, surrounded by police tape.
DailyFT: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi from the ruling family in UAE visited the BOI and Port City Colombo this week. Sheik is the CEO of Master Investment Group (MIG), an investment company based in Ras al Khaimah, UAE.
Sheikh Abdullah owns and operates Grove Village Mall, in addition to selected retail and F&B establishments in the UAE. Sheikh Abdullah also holds the demanding position of Deputy Chairman of RAK Customs Authority.
He is accompanied by serial investor Dr. Hans Stegmann Keirstead. Opportunities in several sectors were discussed with the participation of the public and private sector top executives in the respective industries.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States, in collaboration with the “Things To Do DC” Club, hosted a vibrant evening reception on 19 May 2023 at the Embassy premises in Washington D.C., promoting Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination among US nationals during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. A large number of members of the Club attended the event.
Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, addressing the gathering, highlighted the diverse tourist attractions as well as the unique flavour of Ceylon Tea and the Spices the country, has to offer the travellers whilst inviting attendees to visit Sri Lanka and discover her splendour.
The Embassy showcased main tourist attractions of the country by exhibiting vivid photographic sceneries whilst screening tourist-oriented videos portraying pristine beaches, and green mountain landscapes, and highlighting Sri Lanka tourism ranging from adventure and wellness to wildlife.
A cultural recital showcased the talents of “Naatamu School of Sri Lankan Traditional dance troupe in Washington D.C” captivating the attendees. Dances of both up-country and low-country styles that depicted Sri Lanka’s rich traditional dance heritage were performed. The talents of the troupe of “Ceylon Bera” enthralled the crowd with the rhythms of Sri Lanka accompanied by instrumental music. A Bharatanatyam dance depicting the culture of the Tamil community was performed by the “Natraj School” shading colours of the vibrant diversity of Sri Lankan culture.
Attendees were treated to a sumptuous authentic Sri Lankan dinner buffet with flavours of Ceylon spices prepared by a Sri Lankan chef with a live station serving delicious hoppers. The Embassy made arrangements to serve all the visitors a freshly brewed cup of hot & iced Ceylon tea sponsored by “Basilur(Sri Lanka)” and “QTrade Teas & Herbs(California, USA)” in a specially set up tea corner that demonstrated different types of Tea. In addition, a spice corner was set up for the visitors to learn about and experience the highest quality of different varieties of Ceylon spices that the country could offer.
Among other activities organized by the Embassy to mark the occasion, guests were offered a photo opportunity wearing traditional Sri Lankan outfits of batik Sarees & Sarongs. Sri Lankan traditional handicrafts comprised of wooden masks, drums, bags, batik wear, brass items and paintings were also displayed.
“Things To Do DC” is a premier social and networking organization for young professionalswith an active membership of over 175,000 professionals based in Washington DC. The key objective of the organization is to help enrich the personal and professional lives of professionals of all ages by producing a wide variety of interactive social, educational, and cultural events that encourage their members to learn new things to do in Washington DC and meet new contacts.
The 75th Anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with number of such events supported by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF).
Colombo (LNW): The spread of dengue infection may reach alarming levels in the Gampaha district in the next few months, warned the Gampaha District Secretariat.
The highest number of dengue cases are reported from the Gampaha district, and according to the National Dengue Control Unit, about 22 per cent of the total number of dengue cases have been reported in Gampaha.
Data shows the number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka has risen up to 36,911.
On the invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Jordan took part in the “International City Day Festival” which was organized under the patronage of Princess Sanaa Asem on 18 May 2023 at Zaha Cultural Center, Khalda, Amman. The festival was organized by the Zaha Cultural Center for the seventeenth consecutive year with the participation of 14 countries. The festival shed light on various cultures and created public awareness of the customs and traditions of other countries.
The Sri Lankan stall was decorated with colourful traditional masks, tourism promotion posters, Ceylon tea banners etc. Videos on Sri Lanka’s tourist destinations were screened and nutrient rich Ceylon tea was promoted among visitors. In addition to a separate stall offering Ceylon tea, traditional rice and curry and Sri Lankan sweets were also arranged. Samples of authentic dishes prepared by Mission’s staff were displayed. Sri Lankan employees from the apparel sector in Jordan performed traditional dances which was appreciated by foreign visitors.
The participating diplomatic missions and institutions were honored by Princess Sanaa during the official ceremony. Princess Sanaa toured the stalls and was very impressed with Sri Lankan spices and products such as handicrafts, handloom and batik costumes, herbal products, etc.
Members of the diplomatic community, Jordanian officials, as well as other eminent people participated in the festival and enjoyed the Sri Lanka stall.
High Commission of India has come across media reports which suggest that Government of India has demanded compensation/damages from Government of Sri Lanka towards the assistance provided during the fire incidents onboard MT New Diamond and MV Xpress Pearl in September 2020 and May-June 2021. Such reports are completely false and incorrect.
2. It may be recalled that Government of India immediately deployed ships of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in response to specific requests from Sri Lanka Navy for providing expeditious assistance to fight the fire incidents onboard MT New Diamond and MV Xpress Pearl. Rescue operations conducted by these ships were instrumental in curtailing the hazardous effects of the two fire incidents and thereby limiting the damage on the maritime and marine environment of Sri Lanka.
3. In line with ‘Polluter Pay Principle’ as per international norms, we have raised a claim for deployment, salvage activities and items/stores undertaken by these ships. Government of Sri Lanka has been requested to join our claims with that of the Sri Lankan side in the respective forum. It is emphasized that the request has been for presenting these claims to the Insurer/Owner for settlement and reimbursing the compensation received through established channels.
4. It is reiterated that India has not demanded any damages/compensation from Government of Sri Lanka and Government of India’s immediate deployment of ships are in line with ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Security And Growth for All (S.A.G.A.R) doctrine.
