Colombo (LNW): The recent economic crisis has significantly affected both income and expenditure for households, a recent survey undertaken by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) disclosed.

Titled “Household Survey on Impact of Economic Crisis – 2023,” the study highlights the challenges faced by households, prompting strategic adjustments and coping mechanisms.

The survey indicates that 60.5 per cent of households reported a decrease in total income, while 5.6 per cent experienced an increase, and 33.9 per cent saw no change despite the crisis.

In response to income decline, 6.6 per cent turned to secondary jobs or additional income sources, while 73.6 per cent did not adopt specific coping strategies.

Household expenditure also underwent changes, with 3.6 per cent reporting a decrease, 91.1 per cent indicating an increase, and 5.3 per cent noting no change.

Reasons for decreased monthly expenditure were diverse, with 77.0 per cent aligning expenses with reduced income.

Among those reporting increased monthly expenditure, 99.1 per cent cited rising food expenses as a significant factor.

Additionally, 97.2 per cent of households employed at least one coping strategy to manage their expenditure.

The economic crisis, considered one of the most challenging in Sri Lanka since Independence, was initiated by the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently by the failed administration.

Despite government measures to stabilise the situation, the tangible impact on households underscores the severity of the crisis.

Sri Lankan families faced challenges in managing daily activities, including income constraints, meeting commitments, and ensuring the well-being of family members.

Read the full report: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/WebReleases/HECS_Bulletin_Final

1. Chamber of Construction Industry Secretary General Nissanka N Wijeratne warns of collapse of the Construction industry due to the increase of VAT from 15% to 18% from 1st Jan’24: says the contraction of the sector from Jun’20 up to now is about 50%.
   
2. Jaffna District MP C V Wigneswaran says he is willing to contest the Presidential election next year, if all Tamil political parties reach a consensus on his candidature.
   
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe appoints Justice W M N P Iddawala as the Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption: also appoints Chethiya Goonesekera & K. Bernard Rajapakse as the other members with effect from 1st Jan’24.
   
4. Police say its Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Division has seized a house in Ja-Ela, land and a vehicle worth over Rs.55 million belonging to underworld member “Mattakuliye Kudu Roshan”.
   
5. Finance Ministry says the 7.5% Ports and Airports Development Levy will be removed for fuel when the 18% VAT comes into effect: also says PAL will be removed from domestic LP Gas.
   
6. Export Development Board says Merchandise Exports increased by 4.4% to USD 968.8 million in Nov’23 compared to Oct’23, but 2.67% lower from a year ago.
   
7. Electricity Consumers’ Assn says the Public Utilities Commission should find out the cause of the power outage that occurred across the island on 9th Dec’23 and take appropriate action without waiting for the CEB to find out and inform them: refutes statement made by PUC Chairman Professor M A R M Fernando that the CEB had accepted responsibility for the power outage.
   
8. Central Bank data reveals that the Western, North Western and Central Provinces continue to lead in empowering the country’s GDP: Western Province increases its share in nominal GDP to 43.4%.
   
9. Department of Census and Statistics survey shows that the economic crisis is bearing on people: also shows 60.5% of households find their monthly average incomes reduced, while 91.0% of households experience an increase in their monthly expenditure levels: traces back origin of the crisis to the 2019 Easter Sunday attack which had been exacerbated by the Pandemic.
   
10. Senior Lecturer and Spokesperson of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations Senior Lecturer Charudaththe Illangasinghe says over 800 university lecturers have left SL this year: also says nearly 1,000 more are overseas “on leave”: adds that as a result academic activities at universities have been severely affected: laments the recruitment of new lecturers has come to a stop at present.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Showers or thunder showers will occur at times in Eastern and Uva provinces, with several spells of showers being expected in Northern, North-central provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambanthota districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (29).

Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Ampara and Batticaloa districts, and showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 2.00 p.m, the statement added.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Eastern slopes of the Central hills and in Northern, North-Central, North-western, Eastern, Uva and Southern provinces.

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

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

Marine Weather:

Governor of Antwerp, Belgium Cathy Berx, and Head of Mission to the European Union for Sri Lanka Ambassador Grace Asirwatham, engaged in a discussion on the efforts taken to combat climate change by both national and international stakeholders. The meeting took place at the Governor’s office on 21 December 2023 in Antwerp. The Ambassador was accompanied by the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Antwerp Monique De Deker, and Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sri Lanka Dulmini Dahanayake.

Governor Berx highlighted Antwerp’s recognized environmental consciousness within Belgium, citing its strategic position and commitment to sustainable practices. She underscored the significance of Antwerp as a hub for sustainability initiatives, emphasizing its role in shaping Belgium’s broader environmental agenda.

Ambassador Asirwatham provided insights into Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan, designed with a primary focus on achieving sustainable economic growth through climate resilience. The Ambassador added that the plan sets strategic aims, including transforming Sri Lanka into a low-carbon hub and elevating renewable energy generation from 35% to 70% by 2030, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goals to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, the Ambassador shared Sri Lanka’s ambitious proposal to establish an International Climate Change University, promoting global collaboration in climate-related research and technologies for the collective benefit of humanity.

Governor Berx commended Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable practices and its notable achievements in combating climate change. She expressed admiration for Sri Lanka’s holistic approach, which encompasses renewable energy targets and innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions across various sectors. Governor Berx acknowledged Sri Lanka’s active participation and valuable contributions to global climate initiatives.

The meeting also served as an occasion for the Governor to bid farewell to Ambassador Asirwatham. The Governor expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s significant role in strengthening the ties between the Embassy of Sri Lanka and the city of Antwerp, which is the principal port city in Belgium.

Addressing a gathering of religious leaders by Religions for Peace International and its Sri Lankan chapter on December 19, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said that the majority of people do not want another conflict even though politicians cannot resist using the ethnic card.  She insisted the Sri Lankan people were not racist but were provoked by politicians.   She said that public opinion had turned favourable for a political solution based on inter-ethnic power sharing and devolution of power to the provincial level from 23 percent to 68 percent in a matter of two years.  The National Peace Council believes that the present time is opportune for a breakthrough to a political solution.  We recall President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s pledge a year ago that he would ensure a political solution in Sri Lanka’s 75^th year of Independence, which is now in its 11^th month.  We are pleased that the cabinet has approved two major pieces of legislation to establish a Commission for Truth, Harmony and Reconciliation of Sri Lanka and also to legally establish an Office for National Unity and Reconciliation. These are to be published as government gazette notifications to enable the general public and all interested parties to further submit opinions and proposals in this regard.

The civil society initiative undertaken by the Association of War Affected Women in bringing together an active section of the Tamil Diaspora along with a section of senior Buddhist monks is another positive development that can lay the groundwork for a political solution.  NPC sees this civil society initiative as a first step in bridging the divide between its extremes which can give rise to wider dialogue and deeper understanding.  We are pleased that the Diaspora members and Buddhist monks were able to agree on a joint set of principles necessary to resolve the conflict in an equitable and sustainable manner.  This set of principles was also shared with politicians in parliament and with all major religious clergy and met with their general consent which was also welcomed by members of the diplomatic community as they are universal values demonstrating equality and equity among communities.  There are some who oppose this initiative.  The National Peace Council calls on those holding opposing viewpoints to find ways and means of consolidating it for the common good of the country rather than focusing on their parochial and narrow political interests.

However, we note that on the ground, the large military presence in the North and East even nearly 15 years after the end of the war, and associated surveillance of the security arms of the state, cause unease among the people.   We also note issues of land being claimed for religious and farming reasons by those from outside the Northern and Eastern provinces, which is to the detriment of the people at the ground level.  As a priority the people need a government they can trust, one that will safeguard their land and ensure their personal safety and provide for them a government administration where they could use their language, freely. The provincial councils were meant to do this, and we call on the government to hold those elections without further delay so that people at the provincial level will be governed by those they voted for. As another year ends, a new one begins, we call on the government to address these problems on the ground and instill confidence in the people of the north and east that their economic and justice concerns will be met as an equal people of Sri Lanka.

National Peace Council of Sri Lanka