By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): The prices of LP gas provided by state-run LITRO Gas Lanka will be revised within today (04).
The price revision comes in in compliance with the recent price hike in the global market, according to LITRO Chief Muditha Peiris.
Currently, a 12.5 kg domestic LP gas cylinder is being sold for Rs. 2,982, a 05 kg cylinder for Rs. 1,198, and a 2.3 kg cylinder, Rs. 561.
By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) former Provincial Council member of the Central Province Michael Ecculas De Silva was killed by electrocution as he trampled on a live wire laid by him to protect his vegetable farm.
Father to one child, Silva, 62 and a resident of Shanthapura, Nuwara Eliya, was nominated in 2023 to contest the upcoming Local Government Election for the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha from the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) and served as the Pradeshiya Sabha team leader. Silva also served as an Executive member of the Party.
The ex JVP Provincial Council member had also been the Principal of a government school before leaving his job to politics. Following separation from his wife, Silva had been living alone in the house. His son had gone abroad.
The live wire that ended up in Silva’s demise had directly been connected to the main switch of the house, Police said, and the officers who arrived at the scene recovered the body on Saturday evening (02).
Investigations determine that Silva may have been electrocuted resulting in his death on the morning of Saturday.
The accident site was visited by Nuwara Eliya Acting Magistrate Jayamini Ambagahawatta, and preliminary magisterial inquiry was held yesterday (03) morning. The body was referred to the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of the Nuwara Eliya General Hospital expecting an autopsy report as per the order of the Magistrate.
The Nuwara Eliya Police are conducting further investigations.
Meanwhile, the funeral rites of Mr. Silva will be performed at the public cemetery in Shanthipura Kalapura tomorrow (05).
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy highlighted the macro-economic stress as the main reason for the regression in Sri Lanka’s socio-economic indicators during the past 75 years of the country.
Addressing a virtual event to launch the policy report ‘Understanding Multidimensional Vulnerabilities: Impact on People of Sri Lanka’ prepared by the UNDP, he welcomed efforts taken to address interference on the work of the Central Bank via the passing of the New Central Bank Act.
“I am not talking about the last 5, 6 or 10 years. Over the last 75 years we have regressed. And the main source for this regression has been macro-economic stress in my view.”
Commenting further, Dr. Coomaraswamy emphasized that the main cause for these macro-economic issues has been the government’s fiscal operation, adding that the negative effects of that has been amplified by fiscal dominance in monetary policy.
“They have been interference in the work of the CBSL from time to time”, he stressed.However, he also mentioned that he is pleased to see the new Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act and the tight fiscal operations currently underway within the country.
Meanwhile, the former CBSL chief alleged that in the past, nobody has taken interest on macro-economic issues, except to complain.
“All are complaining on the depreciated exchange rates, higher interest rates and the increasing inflation”, he said, adding that “nobody asks the question as to why this is happening”.
This is another part of the governance failure. It’s not the governance failure only on the politicians but the entire country. Nobody takes enough interest in these issues.”
Furthermore, Dr. Coomaraswamy claimed that all the depreciated exchange rates, higher interest rates and increasing inflation are symptoms only, mentioning that all the people have to look at the causes of these issues and exert pressure for those causes to be addressed.
Sri Lanka faces an economic crisis partly resulting from its twin deficit economy. A twin economy indicates that its domestic expenditure exceeds its national income, making it prone to external debt and reliance on foreign capital flows
The Government has, for several years, acquired multiple loans from other countries and international organisations to finance the provision of public services.
Several issues have also been hitting tourism in the country. Initially, a series of extremist attacks on churches and hotels started affecting the industry (which accounted for 5.6% of the country’s gross domestic product).
The COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented travel, followed in 2020. Finally in 2022 came the war between Russia and Ukraine, two of the countries that accounted for the majority of tourists in the country
Sri Lankan Government also introduced a fertiliser ban that significantly reduced the production of rice and tea, two of its main export products.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): The fortified warehouse of the Old Dutch fort referred to as a Dutch prison functions today as the Maritime Museum of Colombo Ports Authority is set be demolished making way for the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH), informed sources divulged.
This only surviving Dutch period building within the port premises which has been constructed in 1676 will become a victim of Colombo Port City being built by reclaiming sea area of 269 ha (660 acres) adjacent to the Galle Face Green In Colombo.
The project cost was slated to be US$ 15 billion and it is part of China’s Belt and Road initiative and the reclamation was carried out by China Harbor Engineering Corporation.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Maritime Museum was officially established in August 2003. The museum displays various historical items related to the ports of the country, its maritime industry and the ocean around Sri Lanka.
One can also witness various Sculptures of King Vijaya and many other characters. There are other artworks and models on display symbolizing the equipment used in Port operation as well as the timely and orderly development of the Colombo Port.
The Urban Development Authority (UDA) will carry out the demolition of the iconic Dutch era-building, defying impassioned appeals for it to be preserved as a historical monument by All Ceylon General Ports Emplyees Union.
The Archaeology Department has given its consent on August 15 to Urban Development Authority to demolish this over 350 year old building with a length of 217 feet and a width of 93 feeet, the union said.
This attempt of historical damage has been brought to the notice of Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickremanayake in writing urging immediate action to preserve Dutch era building with immense archaeological value.
The Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Bandula Gunawardena, says that the construction of the Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) will be completed by September 2024.
Minister further added that an expenditure of US$ 60.2 million will have to be incurred by the government to conclude the entire project.
The Colombo Port Access Elevated Highway Project implemented under the Asian Development Bank assistance constructs a 5.27 kilometer long road connecting the New Kelani Bridge to the Colombo Port. The four-lane highway is 25 meters wide.
PAEH that will connect to the New Kelani Bridge at the Ingurukade intersection and from there onward to the Colombo Port City, will be connected by 22 bridges which will be built entirely on pillars.
The estimated investment for that is 360.2 million US dollars, for which the Asian Development Bank will provide a concessional loan amount of 300 million dollars and the Sri Lankan government will provide the remaining amount of 60.2 million dollars.
Since the New Kelani Bridge will directly connect to the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway on the north side and extend to the Orugodawatta intersection on the south side, connecting it with the PAEH is expected to allow travel to the outskirts of Colombo without much congestion.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) commended Government and Trade Union representatives for voicing preliminary support for long-overdue reforms to the archaic colonial-era daily attendance-based model in favour of a productivity-boosting modern Revenue Share Model for estate workers.
While certain stakeholders have advocated limiting workers’ pay to a mere Rs. 1,000, over the years, PA has consistently championed and promoted a model that empowers workers to earn beyond this threshold.
According to PA, empirical evidence demonstrates that harvesters have significantly increased their output from 18 kgs to 24 kgs on estates where productivity-linked wages have been trialled, resulting in earnings surpassing Rs. 65,000.
“Several RPCs that have already implemented this system have witnessed remarkable progress, with workers earning two to three times the wage they would have otherwise received.
The Revenue Share Model’s flexible working hours have unlocked the potential for increased productivity in previously unharvested areas, addressing labour shortages and boosting overall plantation output,” added Rajadurai.
Currently, the workforce within RPCs has reduced from 300,000 to approximately 100,000. This transition can help reverse the alarming trend of labour migration out of the plantation sector, a critical step if Sri Lanka is to meet its state production targets
“For more than a decade, the PA has steadfastly maintained that the only way for Sri Lankan plantations to achieve operational sustainability is through the abolition of the daily attendance-based model in favour of a revenue share, similar to what has been practiced on tea smallholder estates with enormous success,” PA media spokesperson. Roshan Rajadurai stated.
Especially since more RPCs have been exposed to this model of working, they too are pushing Trade Unions to support these reforms to move ahead.
We maintain that a revenue share model is the only viable way to ensure the feasibility of Sri Lanka’s tea industry without compromising on our obligation to provide our employees with a sustainable and rewarding livelihood.” Rajdurai added.
The PA’s statement came following tentative support for wage reforms expressed by a high-ranking official of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress on social media.
The official stated that a meeting was held with the President to propose a new revenue-sharing model, which aims to strike a balance between workers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of companies to address wage disparities.
Under the revenue share model, workers stand to benefit from flexible working hours, allowing them greater control over their schedules and improved worker mobility.
This flexibility enables other family members to contribute to the earning process, fostering a sense of economic empowerment within plantation communities.
PA further emphasized that shifting from the daily wage model to the revenue share model also offers a solution to the escalating migration of labour, exacerbated by recent economic challenges.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India has been greatly sensitive to Sri Lanka’s needs.He also said that Sri Lanka is a “valued neighbour” of India.
“We have also been greatly sensitive to the needs of our valued neighbour, Sri Lanka, during their tough times,” Modi said in an interview with PTI.
Modi called the global debt crisis a matter of great concern for the world, especially for developing countries.
The Indian PM said that India hopes to build consensus at the upcoming G20 summit, to be hosted in New Delhi, to create a framework to help low-income economies ridden by debt.
The PM said that India’s G20 presidency has helped highlight the need to address the global challenges posed by the debt crisis facing the world, especially for countries in the Global South, during an exclusive interview to PTI.
India has used it’s G20 presidency to highlight the need to build a framework on debt restructuring to aid nations facing huge debt issues.
Further, to take ahead debt restructuring efforts at the global level, the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable was launched earlier this year. The roundtable is a joint initiative of the IMF, World Bank, and the G20 Presidency.
He mentioned that G20 finance ministers and central financial institution governors have acknowledged the nice progress in debt decision.
The Indian Premier noted that G-20 countries now have additionally been very delicate to the wants of our valued neighbor Sri Lanka throughout troublesome occasions.
He noyed that the ‘International Sovereign Debt Roundtable’, a joint initiative of the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), the World Financial institution and the G20 presidency, was launched this 12 months to speed up world debt restructuring efforts.
It will strengthen communication between key stakeholders and assist sort out the debt disaster successfully. Modi expressed hope that rising consciousness amongst individuals of various international locations on this downside will be sure that such conditions don’t come up many times.
Forward of the G20 summit, the Prime Minister mentioned that, nonetheless, so much is being executed to handle these points, and ge is positive that rising consciousness amongst individuals of varied international locations will be sure that such conditions don’t come up many times.
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva in July advocated a sooner debt restructuring course of for weak international locations. India as the present chair of G20 is internet hosting the summit on 9-10 September.
By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): The heavy showers occurred since yesterday (03) morning contributed to an almost unprecedented flooding in several areas of the city of Colombo.
Colombo Fort, Panchikawatta, Maradana, Borella, Kompanna Veediya (previously known as Slave Island), Kurunduwatta and many other areas were flooded, and some areas even saw a water level of about 2-3 feet.
The city of Colombo saw a lesser traffic congestion because yesterday was Sunday, but the people who travelled on the roads by vehicles and on foot suffered immensely.
Colombo (LNW): The Sandathanna region of Hawa Eliya, Nuwara Eliya on Saturday (02) saw the opening of the Sri Lanka Forestry Institute, an establishment built according to international standards, at the hand of Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
Spanning 53 hectares, the project sees an investment of Rs. 1,500 million, thereby becoming a beacon for both national and international forest and environmental enthusiasts to receive training in the institute.
The vast complex is furnished with 17 official quarters, a sports hall, a dormitory with the capacity to accommodate 80 people, a dining hall with seating for 150 people, an auditorium, an administrative hub, lecture hall facilities, a library, a parking space and other essential amenities.
The new institute will open doors for a wide demographic including university attendees, school children, graduates, scholars from both local and international universities, and dedicated researchers to pursue and benefit from the courses it provides.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Delhi which arrived in Colombo on 01st September 2023 on a formal visit, departed the island today (03rd September). The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship in accordance with naval tradition at the port of Colombo.
On her departure, INS Delhi conducted a successful Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with SLNS Vijayabahu. In the PASSEX, Communication Training and Tactical Maneuvering Training exercises were conducted and it concluded with the customary cheer ship salute.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy and National Cadet Corps visited INS Delhi. Further, crew members of the visiting ship took part in several events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, to enhance camaraderie and cooperation. In addition, they conducted a beach cleaning programme and attended wreath laying at the IPKF Monument in Battaramulla as well.
Visits like these will play a crucial role in fostering collaboration among naval forces. Additionally, these visits facilitate naval exercises and training activities, allowing the exchange of knowledge and information about their unique maritime environments. This exchange can be particularly beneficial in addressing shared maritime challenges.
SL Navy
