Colombo (LNW): The heat index continues to increase up to ‘Caution’ level at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces, and Moneragala and Hambantota districts, the Department of Meteorology said in an advisory statement.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night, the Department said in a statement today (20).
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thunder showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo during the night.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly to southerly over sea areas around the island and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Mannar.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Mannar will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP S.B. Dissanayake may be appointed as the new Minister of Higher Education during the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, political sources disclosed.
Dissanayake previously served as the Higher Education Minister in previous regimes.
The proposed Cabinet reshuffle may take place within the next week, according to sources.
Colombo (LNW): Although overall consumer sentiment remains pessimistic, the biggest gains were in future expectations suggesting the IMF funding agreement has lifted perceptions
The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) released today the March 2023 update of its Consumer Confidence Indices, which are generated from its Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS).
There was broad improvement in consumer sentiment in March, during which the IMF approved new funding for Sri Lanka according to consumer confidence indices generated from SLOTS of IHP.
This led to all three of IHP’s Consumer confidence indices significantly improving, although all remain at pessimistic levels.
The Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), the broadest measure of the public’s view on their personal economic status and the national economy increased four points to 16 points.
The ICS ranges from zero to a potential maximum 100, with levels below 50 indicating net pessimism.
The Index of Consumer Expectation (ICE), a measure of perceptions about the future, improved five points to 22 points, but the Index of Consumer Conditions (ICC), a measure of perceptions about current conditions increased only two points.
In contrast, views about current buying conditions remains unchanged in March, which were at very low levels (below 10 points) indicating consumer demand for large purchases will remain very low, IHP said.
IHP is an independent, non-partisan research centre based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The SLOTS Lead Investigator is Dr. Ravi Rannan-Eliya of IHP, who has trained in public opinion polling at Harvard University and has conducted numerous surveys over three decades.
The IHP’s consumer confidence indices are generated from its Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS), which combines data from a national sample of adults (ages 18 and over) reached by random digit dialling of mobile numbers, and others coming from a national panel of respondents who were previously recruited through random selection.
All consumer confidence index estimates are weighted to be representative of the national population, including characteristics such as age, gender, province, sector, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and education, the IHP said, explaining its methodology.
According to the statement, funding for the opinion tracker comes from the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Asia Foundation, and others.
The sponsors play no role in the study design, analysis, or interpretation of findings, the IHP said, adding that interested parties can contact IHP for more detailed data and results.
Colombo (LNW): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to fund the construction of battery switching stations in Colombo for electric two-wheelers.
USAID Sri Lanka Energy Program and Sling Mobility (Pvt.) Ltd. signed a grant agreement to develop and operate two battery swapping stations for electric two-wheelers.
This grant, the first of its kind for the program, will fund construction of the stations, also known as battery switching stations, in Colombo. The stations allow E-vehicle owners to quickly exchange empty batteries for fully charged ones and avoid the waiting time for charging.
The project also will recruit 20 new riders to pilot the deployment of E-bikes for delivery services in a timely, cost-saving, and environmentally safer manner. This one grant activity, within a larger group of grants, will assist in catalyzing the development of EV charging stations in the country.
“The United States and the American people are proud of our enduring and robust 75-year partnership with the people of Sri Lanka,” said USAID Mission Director Gabriel Grau.
“We remain fully committed to support locally led initiatives to advance E-technologies that are critical to promote the progress of a nation in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way.”
“Sling Mobility is a technology solutions company focused on electric vehicles, and its demand driven approach is key to future of EVs in Sri Lanka and beyond,” said Love Yadav, general partner for Sling Mobility.
“Its business model is stitched around improving EV affordability and faster adoption, reducing rider downtime, and building a platform for sustainable charging. The USAID grant is an important validation for Sling Mobility’s operating model, and we are extremely happy to be a part of this journey.”
The results of the pilot program will show the energy project and Sling Mobility the feasibility of promoting E-battery swapping stations in the country.
The USAID Sri Lanka Energy Program is one component of the United States’ long-standing partnership with the Sri Lankan people to promote a healthy, educated, and employed population.
The program supports transforming Sri Lanka’s power sector into a market-based, secure, reliable, and sustainable system by mobilizing investment to deploy advanced technologies, increase flexibility, and enhance competitiveness.
The Collective of Samurdhi Trade Unions has announced that they will launch a trade union action by boycotting the “Wasath Siriya 2023” Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations organized by the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday (April 22) at Colombo Shangri La Green in Colombo. The decision was made due to the government’s decision to spend a large amount of money on the celebrations despite the ongoing economic crisis.
P.K. Ranugge, the Chairman of the All-Ceylon Samurdhi Managers’ Association, criticized the government’s decision and accused them of pressuring managers to implement their program of spending Rs. 81.6 million early. He also stated that Samurdhi managers are not afraid of any cowardly actions by the administration.
Furthermore, Samurdhi managers have decided to boycott the New Year celebrations on April 22, and will not certify any related expenses. This decision was made to protest against the government’s wasteful spending during tough economic times.
The Collective of Samurdhi Trade Unions urges the government to prioritize the needs of the people and take steps to address the ongoing economic crisis.
“There can be no good character in civil government if there is none in the people. You cannot make a good omelet with bad eggs.” — R.J Rushdoony
Do you really want a system change?
Where are the public rights activists and Aragalaya protestors on this matter
Why no FB a posts with bravado like during Aragalaya? Where are the colombo 7 warriors ?
Why isn’t anyone asking for customs officers wealth deceleration ?
Are politicians scared of the unions ? Are they spending money on politics ?
Where is BASL on this ?
Where are public litigants who are generally happy to get stay orders and injunctions against politicians ? Where are they on these matters ?
Future presidential hopefuls should speak up about this well known secret that nobody dares speak about or expose .
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka customs unions doesn’t allow CCTV cameras to be fixed at the customs lanes at the airport ? Why ? There are CCTVS at the airport but not in the customs lanes. It’s not directed that way. Worlds first, another accolade. The authorities should immediately fix these CCTVs throughout the airport with immediate effect. It should cover customs lanes and immigration booths in full view. At the moment the immigration CCTVs are from a far, and not covering the booths fully. Why?
Sri Lanka is also the only airport you can buy washing machines and fridges at the airport. It should be made mandatory that CCTVs be fixed inside these shops immediately, if they are not there at the moment.
Why does a foreigner arriving in Sri Lanka, who is entitled to obtain visa on arrival have to govto a small room? The “duty managers room“ why can’t there be a separate counter made available? Immigration officers are not courteous everybody knows this. The country is in dire need of tourism dollars and the first impression is at the airport.
Why is there no separate counter for first and Business like in every other country? Does the so called silk route that charges usd 50 have a separate counter ? Why not ? Don’t we need FDI? Should we not at least try to be welcoming to investors and tourists ?
Why is it that after having an automated computer system at the customs (ASYCUDA) allowing online manifest but the customs still require hard copies to be presented for inward and outward manifests. The customs blame the lack of computers which is laughable. Everybody knows why.
Why are there no clear amounts for penalties and why is it that arbitrary charges can be made?
Vessel Clearence can be done online : however customs officers want to board the vessels, why ? Are they getting alcohol and cigarettes etc ? Are they selling these inside the port ?
What happens to detained containers ? So far 800 containers are in the port which are detained. Why are they lying in the port for 10 to 15yrs ? Inquiries are dragging … goods and documents Apparently missing. Why are there no systems in place to stop all this ? a Standard operating procedure (SOP) should be put in place.
The system of officers getting proceeds from penalties have further increased problems for genuine exporters and importers. In other countries where this system has put a stop to corruption, here it has gone the other way. There must be stop to this. Maybe a a branch of commission to investigate allegations of bribery and corruption (CIABOC) should be opened at the port and airport?there is a rule that all union leaders have to declare their assets according to the liabilities act of 1975. Why can’t the media and it’s esteemed personnel use the right to information act and obtain whatever details required?
In a recent development, all District Returning Officers in Sri Lanka have issued a Gazette notification announcing the postponement of the 2023 Local Government (LG) election, which was originally scheduled for 25 April. The new election date will be determined based on the availability of funds or the decision of the Supreme Court on the pending case.
The local government election was initially planned for last year but was deferred indefinitely due to economic difficulties and political instability in the country. The election was then scheduled for 9 March, but printing of ballot papers stalled due to insufficient funds.
The Supreme Court issued an interim order on 3 March, preventing the Treasury Secretary from withholding budgetary allocations for the LG election. However, some government MPs alleged that the court order breached parliamentary privileges and was an attempt by the government to postpone the election.
As of 19 March, the term of office for 340 out of 341 local government bodies had expired, and the authority of the councils was transferred to the relevant secretaries and commissioners.
The postponement of the election has caused widespread criticism, with many questioning the government’s commitment to democratic processes. The country awaits a resolution to the pending court case or the release of sufficient funds for the LG election to proceed.
Colombo (LNW): More choice for travellers at Dubai International Air Port following the increase of daily flights by FitsAir Sri Lanka’s first privately owned international airline, aviation ministry sourcess said.
The daily service, operated on an Airbus 320 aircraft, started on March 26 and comes just in time for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, which witnesses an increase in demand on the route
“We are excited to announce that we have increased the frequency of our Colombo to Dubai service to a daily service,” said Ammar Kassim, Executive Director, Fits Aviation (Pvt) Ltd. “This enhancement of our service reflects our commitment to provide seamless point to point connectivity.”
Oman Air (WY, Muscat) has leased a part of its Dubai International slot portfolio to Sri Lanka’s FitsAir (8D, Colombo International) and Bangladesh’s US-Bangla Airlines (BS, Dhaka) for the summer 2023 season.
The Sri Lankan carrier will be able to operate daily flights from Colombo International to Dubai using a 180-seat A320-200 aircraft between March 26 and October 28, 2023.
The privately-owned carrier currently operates three A320ceo jets and one ATR72-200(QC) on scheduled services from Colombo to Malé, Dubai, and Chennai. It confirmed that it was planning to use the slots leased from Oman Air to increase the frequency of its services to Dubai.
Meanwhile, US-Bangla Airlines has leased 3x weekly slots for services from Dhaka, operated using a 164-seat B737-800. The Bangladeshi airline currently connects Dhaka with Dubai 10x weekl
The airline said in a statement that the new daily flights offering passengers an excellent opportunity to explore Dubai, one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and a hub for business travelers.
Sri Lanka is part of DXB Dubai International’s key regional market of South Asia with annual traffic between Dubai and the island nation exceeding 900,000 in 2022.
With a wide range of attractions, including world-class shopping, luxurious accommodations, and thrilling adventures, Dubai has something to offer everyone.
FitsAir also added a new destination by introducing flights between Colombo and Chennai recently. The airline has been expanding its operations since the launch of air passenger services in October 2022, demonstrating its testament and dedication to offering customers more travel choices and better connectivity.
Focusing on delivering practical travel solutions at competitive rates, FitsAir aims to establish itself as a friendly low-cost Srilankan airline, making travel accessible to all. In the upcoming quarter, FitsAir plans to announce three new international destinations.
Ex AG Dappula De Livera summoned to the TID today over a claim he had allegedly made involving the 2019 Easter Sunday Massacre: Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says the ex AG’s claim that “there is a grand conspiracy with regard to the attacks” has created a certain degree of ‘scepticism’ surrounding the probe into the massacre.
The NTC announces that the semi-luxury bus service will be removed from operation after May 03 in consideration of a large number of complaints: Semi-luxury buses asked to convert their service into either normal service or a luxury bus service.
The Cabinet approves the proposed road map and timeline for the restructuring process of the CEB: Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says the final draft of the new “Electricity Act” will be presented to Parliament for approval by end of May 2023; asserts approval was also granted to establish a reform secretariat, obtain assistance of development agencies such as ADB, WB, USAID and JICA, to conduct a financial and human resource audit and to compete the transition process by October this year.
SLPP political activists Jehan Hameed and Shenali Waduge, and ex Brigadier Athula De Silva file petition in the Supreme Court challenging the “constitutionality” of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill proposing the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relationships presented by SLPP MP Premnath Dolawatte: Women and children rights activists and human rights activists lodge intervening petitions challenging the petitions, calling them “baseless, malicious, fictitious and false.”
SLTDA says it expects a total of 400,000 tourist arrivals for 2023 by April 20: As of April 16, 55,000 tourists were seen entering the island for the month of April alone: SLTDA Chairman Priyantha Fernando says most of the tourists who arrived since January were of Russian and Indian nationalities; adds they are expecting more Chinese tourists next month.
Health Ministry announces that the issue of medicine shortages in the country is gradually easing: Additional Secretary Dr. Saman Rathnayake says there were over 170 types of medicines in short supply in the country about a month ago, but the number has reduced to less than 100 as of now; asserts provisions have been made to purchase 60 types of medicines currently in short supply.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe issues an extraordinary gazette declaring four more public services essential, under Section 02 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979: Services related to the supply of electricity, supply or distribution of petroleum products and fuel, postal service, and all types of work or labour required for the maintenance, care, feeding, and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and similar institutions have been declared essential, with effect from April 17, 2023.
The national Iftar ceremony organised on the occasion of the fasting month of Ramadan by the Muslims held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Premier Gunawardena urged Muslims to contribute to the create a prosperous Sri Lanka by taking it forward into the future, just as Muslims had actively contributed to the creation of national unity during the past decades.
The Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies (CENS) raises strong concerns over the government’s decision to sell Toque macaques (Macaca sinica) monkeys to China, in a letter addressed to Gopal Baglay, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, stating that the Sri Lankan government’s vaguely described justification over the action would be problematic; urges India, which considers monkeys are sacred, to intervene and protect these animals and not let “money sell God’s symbol and culture” to China.
Sri Lanka 591/6 (Karunaratne 179, K Mendis 140, Samarawickrama 104, Chandimal 102) beat Ireland 143 (Tucker 45, Jayasuriya 7-52) and 168 (Tector 42, R Mendis 4-76, 3-56) by an innings and 280 runs: Prabath Jayasuriya picks up ten in the Test as Sri Lanka roll Ireland over for innings victory: Ramesh Mendis returned four second-innings wickets to hasten the end and skittle Ireland for 168.
Colombo (LNW): As a consequence of the governments’ decision of finalizing the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), it has been planned to enhance power supply in several provinces mainly Southern Province using available resources.
Electricity and Energy Minister Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera says that the methodology and the proposed time frame for the restructuring of the Electricity Board is finalized.
The new Electricity Act will be submitted to Parliament for approval by the end of May and to establish a bureau to coordinate the restructuring programme.
The aim is to secure the support of development organisations such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, USAID, and JICA for the process and the restructuring programme,
The ministry is set to complete the financial and human resource audits, and to complete the restructuring process by the end of October 2023.
Under this set up the Minister of Power and Energy together with the CEB top management ,CEB took a decision to make use of CEB owned 1MWx30Nos diesel generators installed at Kolonnawa and Thulhiriya Grid Sub Station (GSS0_by shifting them to southern part of the Island to address the power supply challenges faced by the people in the area.
The technical feasibility identified the most suitable location for these 30 generators of 30 MW capacity as Hambantota Grid Substation enabling it to operate all 30 generators at one location.
The decision of shifting the 30 generators to Hambantota Grid Substation has been put into practice and ultimately, it was materialized successfully on 31 March 2023.
The entire work from planning to commission was done by CEB staff within a short time span of 33 days demonstrating excellent professionalism, from the top engineers to field technical employees.
All worked in unison to the accomplishment of this particular assignment. Vigilant leadership, exemplary delegation, dedicated supervision and professional execution are important traits CEB staff exhibited during this exercise under the leadership of General Manager CEB.
This is a true example, where CEB demonstrated its capability and capacity successfully on challenging engineering executions officials’ said. .
In managing the electricity supply to the entire country with given resources, one of the major challenges faced by CEB is to supply electricity around the clock to the southern part of the island in dry time periods, owing to lack of generation in southern region and constraints in the transmission network.