January 17, Colombo (LNW): In a decisive move, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera declared a substantial reduction in the prices of key fertilizers for tea cultivation, namely T 750, T 709, and T 200, by Rs. 2,000. This announcement translates to a 50% reduction in the market price of these fertilizers, which currently exceeds Rs. 13,000 per bundle.

Minister Amaraweera directed Dr. Jagath Perera, Chairman of the Government-owned Colombo Commercial Fertilizers and Ceylon Fertilizer Company, to take immediate steps to implement the price reduction. As per the minister’s instructions, the price of a bundle of T 750 and T 709 tea fertilizers is set to be reduced to Rs. 7,735, while the price of a bundle of T 200 fertilizer will be lowered to Rs. 5,500.

This fertilizer concession is aimed at benefiting small- and medium-scale tea growers, offering them significant relief. Large-scale tea growing companies will also enjoy reduced prices, securing these fertilizers at Rs. 9,735.

During a meeting at the Plantation Industries Ministry, Minister Amaraweera engaged in discussions with representatives from tea growers’ associations across the eight tea-growing districts. The meeting, attended by officials responsible for tea cultivation in the ministry, highlighted the unanimous endorsement of the quality of special fertilizers for tea cultivation produced by government-owned fertilizer companies.

In addition to the Rs. 2,000 fertilizer concession, it was revealed that the Tea Board would bear the cost of Rs. 1,200 million, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting the tea industry through this significant subsidy.

January 17, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at the Green Technology Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, revealed a heightened commitment to integrating wind and solar power generation into Sri Lanka’s national grid. The President declared that his government is expediting this initiative, aiming to ensure that 70% of the country’s electricity needs are met through renewable energy sources by 2030.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s historical commitment to renewable energy, President Wickremesinghe pointed out the nation’s extensive hydropower network, which commenced with the commissioning of its first major hydro-power plant in 1950. Hydropower played a significant role in meeting the country’s energy needs until the 1990s, with it still contributing around 40% to Sri Lanka’s installed electricity generation capacity today.

The President emphasized the urgency of the transition to renewable energy during his address at the forum, which was coordinated by the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce. Acknowledging the need for substantial investment, estimated at up to US$ 11.5 billion, President Wickremesinghe noted that, until recently, the framework for private investment in the renewable energy sector had not been very conducive. The government’s intensified efforts seek to create an environment conducive to private investment, facilitating the ambitious shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources.

By: Staff Writer

January 17, Colombo (LNW): A new QR code system  will be introduced within a very short period of time for three wheelers , Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara sdisclosed. 

 This action will be taken in consideration of the proposal to introduce a QR code in relation to the registration and preparation of a data system for all three-wheeler drivers.

Nanayakkara expressed these views while attending the event for the establishment of the Interim Sectoral Steering Committee today (16) as the first stage of the establishment of professional councils for three-wheeler drivers.

Furthermore, the preparation of a system enabling the three-wheeler drivers to obtain hired journeys through the internet by means of the professional organization established for them, has also been taken into discussion.

This Steering Committee has been formed under the “Garu Saru” program which was commenced in order to provide professional dignity and pride to all those who are employed in the informal services sector in Sri Lanka.

This committee was formed and established under the chairmanship of the Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara.

The committee reportedly includes representatives of all three-wheeler drivers’ associations in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, a resolution consisting of the matters agreed upon in the previous discussions regarding the development of the dignity of their profession was also handed over to the minister during the event.

Moreover, a clean and affordable transportation solution is now available for Sri Lanka’s 1.2 million three wheelers with Lanka E-Mobility Solutions (Private) Limited (LeMS), introducing electric three wheel battery swapping technology, branded ‘e-wheel’ to local owners!

The launch of this novel battery swapping technology means the three-wheeler owner no longer has to purchase a costly battery, or worry about end-of-life replacement, while the battery swapping process takes a mere two minutes!

The most expensive component in any electric vehicle is the battery and when converting a petrol three-wheeler to an e-wheeler, the owner does not need to pay for the batteries as they are owned and managed by LeMS, as are the Swapping Stations. 

The e-wheeler owner only pays for the energy used on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. This marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards sustainable transportation, with its founders being driven by the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and combat harmful air pollution.

“Sri Lanka’s 1.2 million three wheelers currently guzzle a staggering 5.5 million liters of petrol a day and each ‘e-wheel’ will help reduce that figure.

January 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ruled that the presidential pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva by ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was unlawful. Silva, along with four others, had been convicted in 2016 for the 2011 murder of politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

The High Court had sentenced all five individuals to death, a verdict subsequently upheld by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court. However, following his election victory in 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted a pardon exclusively to Duminda Silva.

The unexpected and controversial pardon prompted three separate fundamental rights petitions challenging its legality, filed by Hirunika Premachandra, Sumana Premachandra, and Former Human Rights Commissioner Ghazali Hussain, PC.

After thorough consideration, the bench, comprised of Justices P. Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekera, and Arjuna Obeysekera, unanimously concluded that the pardon process was flawed, rendering it unlawful.

The High Court had sentenced all five individuals to death, a verdict subsequently upheld by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court. However, following his election victory in 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted a pardon exclusively to Duminda Silva.

The unexpected and controversial pardon prompted three separate fundamental rights petitions challenging its legality, filed by Hirunika Premachandra, Sumana Premachandra, and Former Human Rights Commissioner Ghazali Hussain, PC.

After thorough consideration, the bench, comprised of Justices P. Padman Surasena, Gamini Amarasekera, and Arjuna Obeysekera, unanimously concluded that the pardon process was flawed, rendering it unlawful.

January 17, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee has further appreciated against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka on January 17, compared to the previous day.

At Peoples Bank, both the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have seen a decrease, moving from Rs. 316.03 to Rs. 315.79 for buying and from Rs. 327.05 to Rs. 326.79 for selling.

According to Commercial Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 315.91 to Rs. 315.42, while the selling rate has also dropped from Rs. 326 to Rs. 325.50.

At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 317 and Rs. 326, respectively.

1. IMF officials led by Mission Chief Peter Breuer tour the Jaffna District: meet Provincial Governor P M S Charles and discuss economic growth in the Province, de-mining, resettlement of conflict-displaced individuals & compensation for conflict victims: also discuss educational matters related to the Jaffna University, post-Covid operations, and effects of climate change in the region.
2. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera reveals that over one million electricity disconnections occurred in 2023, marking the highest number in history: says that out of nearly 7 million users, defaulted payments led to 1,064,400 disconnections: CEB was responsible for 965,566 disconnections and LECO for 98,834 disconnections.
3. Consumers experience profound misery as the relentless surge in the cost of living reaches new & distressing heights: vegetables at staggering prices: Carrots Rs.2,200 per kg, broccoli Rs.7,000, Beans Rs.1,400, Beetroot Rs.1,200, Green chillies Rs.1,400: Central Bank says Inflation has moderated to less than 5%, and IMF praises the outcome.
4. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena says the 4th Session of the 9th Parliament will be ended on 24th January ’24: the termination date to be confirmed through a gazette issued by the President.
5. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader & MP Udaya Gammanpila says the process of insulting Buddhism in the country is now a highly organized process and colossal amounts of money is invested by certain foreign countries for this purpose: also says those who insult Buddhism receive massive sums of money.
6. Govt. seeks 3 weeks to respond to the health sector non-medical employees’ unions’ who are demanding the “Disturbance, Availability and Transport” allowance of Rs.35,000 as provided to doctors.
7. Elections Commission Chairman R M A L Rathnayake says the Commission had already initiated work related to the Presidential Election: also says he hopes the necessary funds for the preliminary work will be received by the end of June’24.
8. Recent Govt audit report reveals that the Prisons capacity has exceeded by 232%.
9. Met Dept says polluted air from India has caused haze in Bandarawela & Badulla: explains that the wind flow from New Delhi comes in a circular motion where it travels from Delhi towards Bay of Bengal, and that this wind flow curves from Bay of Bengal thereby entering SL from the East.
10. Zimbabwe wins the 2nd Cricket T20I against SL, by 4 wickets: SL – 173/6 in 20 overs: Charith Asalanka 69, Angelo Mathews 66*: Zimbabwe 178/6 in 19.5 overs.