Colombo (LNW): China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) is set to be awarded the contract for establishing a new petroleum refinery and associated product processing centre in Hambantota, announced Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.
Cabinet approval was granted for the contract with SINOPEC to build the refinery. The $4.5-billion project is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and follows previous Chinese investments, including a 99-year lease at Hambantota port and a logistics and storage hub in Colombo port.
“Cabinet approval was granted today to award the contract to China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) of China, to enter into an agreement to establish a new Petroleum Refinery & Associated Product Processing centre in Hambantota,” the Minister wrote on his official X handle.
Cabinet approval was granted today to award the contract to China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) of China, to enter into an agreement to establish a new Petroleum Refinery & Associated Product Processing center in Hambantota.
SINOPEC, the world’s top refinery and a major petrochemical maker, aims to expand its footprint beyond China through this venture.
The company will initiate the engineering design process after obtaining official approval, potentially targeting markets beyond Sri Lanka and leveraging its partnership with China Merchants Port to expand bunker fuel supply at Hambantota.
The move aligns with Beijing’s broader goal of enhancing global trade infrastructure.
Colombo (LNW): Following the removal of Roshan Ranasinghe from his posts as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Minister of Irrigation, these scopes will operate under President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a certain period of time, sources indicate.
Sources further informed that Ruling Party MP S.B. Dissanayake is likely to be appointed as the next Minister of Sports.
Earlier, the President issued a letter confirming the removal of Ranasinghe from his post as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Minister of Irrigation effective immediately, following a serious allegation levelled by the ex Minister in Parliament that the President was attempting to frame him for political retribution.
Speaking in Parliament earlier this (27) morning, Ranasinghe asserted that the President was utilising false information regarding a vehicle to falsely implicate him in unlawful activities.
Expressing concern for his safety, Ranasinghe lamented that his life was ‘at risk’ and that he ‘may be killed,’ thereby holding both the President and his Advisor, Sagala Ratnayake accountable in any such event.
Colombo (LNW): On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Women’s Centre staged a demonstration in front of the Fort railway station today (27).
The protest aimed to advocate for the establishment of a respectful society that is free from violence and abuse towards women and girls.
Various women’s organisations, including Lakbima Mawuwaru, Diyaniyo Women’s Network, South Lanka Women’s Labour Forum, and others representing districts across the island, actively participated in the event.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates depreciation against the US Dollar today (27) in comparison to last week’s Friday, as per the official exchange rates list issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 323.63 from Rs. 323.55, but the selling price has dropped to Rs. 333.70 from Rs. 333.74.
The Sri Lankan Rupee, meanwhile, also indicates depreciation against several other foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.
Colombo (LNW): Labour and Foreign Employment Ministe Manusha Nanayakkara expressed the view that political parties formed on ethnic or religious lines with the aim of exploiting racism for narrow political gains should be prohibited.
The Minister alleged that such parties have been using racist tactics for political advantage since the declaration of Sinhala as the official language in 1956. He further highlighted concerns about certain political groups attempting to leverage racism for electoral gains in the upcoming elections next year.
Minister Nanayakkara emphasised the need to eliminate political parties based on ethnic or religious affiliations from the country’s political landscape as a measure to eradicate racism.
In addition, he commented on the situation in the Israel-Palestine conflict, stating that Sri Lanka maintains a neutral stance and works on a Non-Aligned basis. He condemned acts of violence from both sides and expressed the country’s commitment to an unbiased position.
Regarding discussions within Parliament about the recruitment of workers to Israel, the Minister clarified that there is an existing agreement between Sri Lanka and Israel for the employment of workers.
However, he raised concerns about some individuals introducing racial elements into the discourse, which he deemed unnecessary and an attempt to reignite racism.
Minister Nanayakkara underscored the commitment to ensuring the safety of workers and expressed a willingness to send workers to any country, including Palestine, Russia, or Ukraine, provided there is a secure environment.
He condemned the exploitation of racism for political gain, expressing the government’s dedication to eradicating racism despite attempts to obstruct these efforts.
Colombo (LNW): Despite economic contractions, State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama announced that Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) has successfully attracted investments totaling US$1.8 billion, with US$1.5 billion being foreign direct investments (FDI).
Participating in a progress review and investor awareness program organised by the Board of Investment, the State Minister disclosed that from January 1, 2023, to November 23, 2023, the value of approved and registered projects had increased to US$1.8 billion.
A notable highlight is the remarkable 122 per cent growth in foreign investment projects compared to the previous year, contrasting with slower progress in domestic investments.
This year, the Board of Investment has greenlit several new projects, particularly in the energy sector, shaping the country’s trajectory in this field.
Notably, high-value investments from major entities like Adani Corporation, Sinopec, and RM Parks (in collaboration with Shell) are expected to significantly impact the country’s energy sector in the future.
The surge in projects is primarily attributed to substantial investments in the energy sector, while other sectors such as tourism, information technology, business process outsourcing (BPO), communication, and manufacturing also witness significant investments.
Minister Amunugama highlighted that countries like China, India, the United States, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, France, Korea, Germany, and Singapore are set to join the investment framework in 2023.
Colombo (LNW): Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of attempting to frame him for political retribution.
Speaking in Parliament this (27) morning, Minister Ranasinghe asserted that the President was utilising false information regarding a vehicle to falsely implicate him in unlawful activities.
He questioned why the President was seeking political revenge when, as the Sports Minister, his focus was on exposing corruption.
Expressing concern for his safety, Minister Ranasinghe stated, “My life is at risk; I may be killed today or tomorrow. If something were to happen to me, the President and his advisor Sagala Ratnayake should be held responsible.”
Furthermore, Minister Roshan Ranasinghe accused the government of making decisions, particularly regarding the appointment of interim committees, without adequately briefing Cabinet Ministers and in his absence.
These statements were made in response to a prior statement in Parliament by President Ranil Wickremesinghe concerning the crisis in Sri Lanka Cricket.
Colombo (LNW): Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga has proposed a cabinet paper seeking approval for the transfer of the land portion of the historic Dutch building in Trincomalee to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) for an upcoming tourism development initiative.
Minister Ranatunga highlighted that the UDA has already devised a metropolitan development plan for a segment of the Trincomalee district, officially published through special gazette number 1534/8.
The outlined plan aims to expand and enhance commercial and tourism activities in the designated area.
Trincomalee, boasting attractions such as Nilaveli Beach, Marble Beach, Natural Harbor, Fort Frederick, and numerous archaeological sites, has become increasingly popular among both local and international tourists.
Recognising the rising influx of visitors, Minister Ranatunga underscored the necessity to enhance public facilities in the city.
To address this, the Urban Development Authority plans to repurpose the unused old Dutch building situated on Inner Harbor Road, Trincomalee.
It is important to preserve the historical significance of the building while modernising its functionalities, Ranatunga noted.
The cabinet paper outlines the development initiative, which includes the establishment of entertainment facilities, modern restaurants, hotels, city beautification, sanitation facilities, and supermarkets.
These enhancements aim to create an appealing cityscape for both local and foreign tourists visiting Trincomalee. The proposed project aligns with the broader goal of transforming Trincomalee into a vibrant and attractive destination.
Colombo (LNW): Medicines, together with surgical and laboratory equipment worth nearly Rs. 350 million was withdrawn from use within the year 2022, on the basis of being defective.
Accordingly, defective medicines, surgical equipment and laboratory equipment worth Rs. 349 million, which had been issued for use at government hospitals, were discarded last year, as per the Auditor General’s report.
The relevant annual report revealed that as there is no existing mechanism within the Medial Supply Division to check how effective certain drugs are prior to being issued to hospitals, such defects are identified only much later, when several patients have already been administered the concerned drug.
Meanwhile, the Auditor General’s Department also revealed that by the end of 2022, some 1,331 positions for doctors, 77 dental surgeons, 2,034 nursing officers, 136 medical laboratory technicians, 68 occupational therapists, 126 pharmacists and 270 auditors were left vacant.
The relevant report also indicated that nearly Rs. 36,192 million had been spent for the payment of overtime and holiday wages, amounting for 72% of the total expenditure for wages.
In furtherance of our commitment to addressing critical healthcare challenges, it is essential to consider augmenting the intake capacity in specific domains.
Currently, there exist stipulated minimum qualifications and approximately 13 medical faculties throughout the country.
Regrettably, only around 2000 individuals are admitted into these institutions. It is evident that there is ample room to expand these numbers, as the intellectual capabilities of the nation’s youth are beyond question.
It is imperative to provide opportunities to those with foundational qualifications who aspire to excel in the medical field, he pointed out.
Reference was made to a report from 2017 highlighting issues related to substandard medications, with subsequent years showing varying numbers of such incidents: 85 in 2018, 96 in 2019, 77 in 2020, 88 in 2021, 86 in 2022 and 43 so far in 2023.
It is worth noting that, in some cases, reports of substandard drugs have emerged years after their approval, registration and utilization.
The Health Ministry has initiated a comprehensive investigation into these reported incidents of inferior quality medicines.
Additionally, there were allegations regarding the shortage of essential medicines, a concern we take seriously and are actively addressing,a senior official of te health ministry disclosed.
The ministry’s on-going commitment remains to bolster our healthcare system, ensure the availability of high-quality medicines and provide opportunities for aspiring medical professionals.
It recognizes the need for continued dialogue and effective action to overcome the challenges facing our healthcare sector and to uphold the well-being of our citizens ,he said
Regarding lower quality medicines, he referenced reports from recent years, indicating that these cases are being addressed.
He affirmed that the government takes such matters seriously and is committed to ensuring the quality and availability of essential medicines for the public.
