1. Sri Lanka files a lawsuit in Singapore over the X-press pearl disaster. The Attorney General (AG) filed the claim in the High Court of Singapore over the X-Press Pearl incident involving six defendants. A case conference hearing took place on 15th May and the next hearing is scheduled for June, PMD said.
2. President Ranil Wickremesinghe agrees to consider the financial concessions and privileges demanded by university lecturers following the implementation of the domestic debt restructuring programme in September.
3. China seeks Sri Lankan assistance after Chinese vessel with 39 crew capsized. The Chinese fishing vessel had capsized in the central Indian Ocean, with its crew of 17 Chinese, 17 Indonesian and five Filipino sailors missing, state media reported Wednesday, according to Reuters.
4. CEB informs the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka that the electricity tariff that was increased to 66% in February 2023, can be reduced by 3.15%. The PUCSL notes that if the electricity tariff is calculated properly, it can be reduced by at least 27%. Chairman Janaka Ratnayake says that the CEB tariff proposal cannot be accepted.
5. The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has taken a special decision on the inclusion of the names of the current and previous vehicle owners in the Certificate of Registration of Motor Vehicles. Only the names of the current owner and the immediate previous owner will be included in the registration certificate with effect from May 17, 2023.
6. The Department of Immigration and Emigration has ended the prior online appointment system for the issuance of passports. The Department is expected to introduce a new online system for the issuance of passports from the 1st of June 2023.
7. Sri Lanka expresses its intention to present a plan by June to lift the import restrictions currently imposed in the country, it was reported. Government has promised the European Union (EU) that it will gradually relax the restrictions, taking into account the current economic conditions.
8. Veteran Sri Lankan singer Christopher Paul has passes away. Christopher Paul was a most sought-after star in the 60s-70s era in Sri Lanka.
9. Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender-based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka instructed the respective authorities to implement a ‘Safe Migration Promotion Unit’ as a three-month pilot program to prevent illegal migration.
10. The New Zealand National Women’s Team will tour Sri Lanka from June–July 2023. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement that the New Zealand National Women’s Team will participate in an ODI and T20I series.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) suggesting a 3.15% reduction in the electricity tariff, which was previously raised by 66% in February 2023. However, the PUCSL argues that a more substantial reduction of at least 27% is feasible if the tariff is accurately calculated. PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake emphasized that the CEB’s proposal cannot be accepted in its current form.

During a press briefing, Chairman Ratnayake informed reporters of the CEB’s submission, which was made on Monday (15). The CEB’s General Manager, Engineer Rohan Seneviratne, stated in the document that implementing the existing tariff structure from July to December 2023 would result in a surplus of Rs. 20 Billion based on cost and revenue analysis.

According to Seneviratne, this surplus could be utilized to reduce the average tariff by 3.15%. He further elaborated that the allocated surplus would primarily benefit consumers in the first three lower income blocks of both the domestic and religious categories, resulting in average bill reductions of 28%, 10%, and 7%, respectively.

Similarly, average bills for the first three blocks of consumers in the religious purpose category would experience reductions of 29%, 9%, and 7%, respectively, according to the proposal.

While the CEB’s offer seeks a modest reduction, the PUCSL maintains that a more substantial tariff decrease is possible. The regulatory body contends that a thorough calculation of the tariff could result in a reduction of at least 27%, providing greater relief to consumers.

The PUCSL will continue to assess the proposal put forth by the CEB, taking into account the concerns raised regarding the tariff calculation. As discussions unfold, consumers and industry stakeholders await a decision that will determine the future electricity rates in Sri Lanka.

The Department of Meteorology has released a weather forecast indicating the possibility of showers or thundershowers in select regions of Sri Lanka. Residents in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North-western provinces, as well as Galle, Matara, and Mullaitivu districts, should anticipate precipitation in the evening or at night. Additionally, a few showers may occur in the Southern province and along the Western coastal areas during the morning.

With regard to the anticipated weather conditions, the general public is advised to take necessary precautions to mitigate any potential damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Regarding maritime areas, the Department of Meteorology predicts showers or thundershowers in a few locations off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle. Winds over the sea area surrounding the island will be south-westerly, with speeds ranging from 20 to 30 kmph.

However, it is important to note that wind speeds may increase up to 40-50 kmph periodically in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar, as well as in the sea areas off the coast extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Consequently, these regions may experience fairly rough sea conditions at times.

During thundershowers, temporary strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected. Therefore, caution is advised for individuals planning to engage in maritime activities in the affected areas.

The Department of Meteorology continues to monitor the weather conditions closely and urges the public to stay updated on the latest advisories to ensure their safety and well-being.

The convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, was apprehended by the police this evening during a heated protest staged near the University of Keleniya.

The arrest was executed after Mudalige allegedly obstructed the duties of police officers deployed to manage the demonstration.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly agreed to consider the financial concessions and privileges demanded by university lecturers following the implementation of the domestic debt restructuring programme in September.

Accordingly, the President has told the university teachers who met with him this (18) evening that their demands could be met after the country’s economy is stabilised via the implementation of the domestic debt restructuring programme.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The country’s manufacturing and services sector activities decreased in April as per the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of the central bank.

Following the seasonal pattern, Manufacturing PMI decreased to 34.7 in April 2023, indicating a month-on-month contraction in manufacturing activities. In March Manufacturing PMI turned positive in March 2023, after nine consecutive survey rounds, recording an index value of 51.4.

PMI compiler Central Bank of Sri Lanka said Production, New Orders, Employment and Stock of Purchases sub-indices declined during April compared to the seasonal peak in March.

As per the respondents, the decline in Production was primarily due to the temporary closure of most of the factories in April owing to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays.

Decline in New Orders, particularly in the manufacture of food and beverages, was mainly due to the end of the festival season demand.

In addition, some respondents in the manufacture of textiles and apparel sectors mentioned that they observed a continuation of the subdued global demand conditions, resulting in a decline in New Orders.

Further, Employment and Stock of Purchases also declined in line with the declines in New Orders and Production. Meanwhile, Suppliers’ Delivery Time slightly lengthened in April 2023, compared to the previous month on a month-on-month basis.

CBSL said expectations for manufacturing activities for the next three months indicated an improvement, anticipating a favourable development in the economic environment.

The Services sector PMI remained slightly below the neutral threshold recording an index value of 49.6 in April 2023, led by the decreases observed in New Businesses, Employment and Backlogs of Works.

In March Services sector PMI returned to growth territory, recording an index value of 55.1 in March 2023 indicating an expansion across the services sector.

CBSL said Business Activities and Expectations for Activity continued to increase during April. New Businesses declined in April 2023 compared to March 2023, particularly with the decreases observed in insurance, transportation and postal and courier activities sub-sectors.

Business Activities in the services sector continued to grow, yet at a slower rate, in April. Accordingly, business activities in other personal activities sub-sector exhibited a considerable improvement amid the festive season.

Further, education and telecommunication sub-sectors also recorded slight increases during the month. Meanwhile, business activities related to the wholesale and retail trade sub-sector remained stagnant despite festive demand and seasonal discounts.

Employment continued to decline in April at a higher pace due to resignations, migrations and retirements despite few new recruitments taking place during the month. Meanwhile, Backlogs of Work also decreased at a higher rate during the month.

Expectations for Business Activities for the next three months remained improved in April driven by positive sentiments regarding improvements in macro-economic conditions.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) are set to meet with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today (18).

The long-awaited meeting comes in after a series of headlines made by the FUTA demanding solutions to a number of issues affecting the higher education sector.

FUTA Chief Prof. Shyama Banneheka said the meeting is set to commence at 3 pm today.

Based on the new income tax scheme proposed by the government, the Federation of Professionals’ Union together with the FUTA launched a trade union action, which affected the paper marking process of the GCE Advanced Level Examination.

The repeated requests to seek an audience with the President in order for university teachers to attend the supervision of the answer scripts of the AL Examination went unanswered, but the FUTA had announced that they will rejoin the paper marking process anyway for the sake of the children.

The evaluation of the AL answer scripts, accordingly, are currently underway, but the university teachers are expecting guaranteed solutions from the President at today’s meeting.