Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, and showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (31).
Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere over the Island, the statement added.
Fairly strong winds about 40 kmph can be expected at times in western slopes of the central hills, Northern and North-Central, Southern and North-western provinces, and in Trincomalee district.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (55-65)kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota and in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota and in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island may be moderate.
Colombo (LNW): More than 150 fuel station dealers have not maintained 50 per cent capacity stock and placed adequate orders to maintain stock requirements as of yesterday anticipating a fuel price revision next month.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has informed that 101 fuel station dealers have not placed their orders for Octane 92 Petrol and 61 dealers for Lanka Auto diesel to maintain their stock requirements as of yesterday.
He said last month the CPC took over the management of several fuel stations that had not maintained minimum stocks & begun legal proceedings on several other dealers.
The Minister request all fuel station dealers to maintain adequate stocks and place orders accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Minister said CPC has adequate stocks for delivery. He said the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) and CPC plants have 124,690 metric tons of diesel and 5,651 metric tons of super diesel as of 8.30 am today.
Also, they have 19,903 metric tons of Octane 92 and 4,537 metric tons of Octane 95 petrol.In addition, 26,539 metric tons of jet fuel are in stock.
The number of complaints received about the malpractices that are taking place at the petrol sheds is steadily increasing by the day, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.
Nearly 200 complaints related to these irregularities were received by the department.In order to ensure that the fuel quality is properly maintained, 20 fuel samples have been collected from filling stations around the country and handed over to the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) for testing.
“During the inspections conducted across the country, it was revealed that several filling stations were hiding fuel and several filling stations have been accused of dispensing less fuel,” the PUCSL said
– Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has suspended 40 fuel stations for breaching the government’s QR code rule while the latest technology will be implemented to ensure the fuel stocks several months ago.
Sri Lanka is recovering from one of its worst fuel crises in history. Motorists were forced to wait days in congested queues for pump fuel in mid last year soon after the island nation declared sovereign debt default, which deprived it of its external borrowing.
The QR code system was introduced in August last year to limit fuel to vehicles aiming to supply most vehicles with lesser quantity. However, some fuel stations have supplied fuel more than the weekly limited quantity and some have supplied even without QR code, officials say.
Colombo (LNW): The government plans to take over the existing Rs10 billion RAMIS system from the Singapore Company to the Inland Revenue Department owing to its present operation inefficiencies.
This was discussed when the Committee on Ways and Means met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.
The Committee recently visited the Inland Revenue Department and discussed several issues including the RAMIS system.
Accordingly, the Committee met to inquire further into the matter. The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was also called before the Committee for the same.
Thus, according to the agreement by the Singapore Company dealing with the RAMIS system, the Inland Revenue Department should take over the full responsibility of the RAMIS system from the coming month of January.
It was disclosed that the internal capacity including the human resources required for this has not been developed in the department.
In such context, the Chair of the Committee, Patali Champika Ranawaka Member of Parliament recommended to the Inland Revenue Department to submit a report in this regard.
The Chair also stated that the report should include a structured proposal for updating the system to adopt the RAMIS system.
It was also discussed that the RAMIS system, which was introduced 8 years ago, is still not fully operational and the Committee expressed their displeasure in this regard.
Another integrated information system to be built by merging 13 government institutions was also discussed at the Committee meeting held.
Several rounds of discussions were held with 13 concerned institutions in this regard and it was suggested that all these institutions should use the National Identity Number as a common code in their information systems.
The chairman of the committee advised to collect relevant information and take steps to prepare a proper data system connecting with the upcoming census by the Department of Census and Statistics.
The Chairman of the Committee advised to prepare a proper data system that the Department of Statistics should take steps in connection with the census to be conducted in the future.
The committee pointed out that related information technology experts can be procured from within the country and stressed the need to maintain such an accurate data system even under a public private partnership.
Also, instead of traditional methods such as sending letters to the taxpayers, the need to adapt to modern methods such as notifying via a SMS or introducing mobile applications (Mobile App) was emphasized.
The Committee Chair also advised to submit a report to the committee about the existing obstacles including the implementation of a fixed tax policy and the relevant legal changes that should take place.
Colombo (LNW): National Credit Guarantee Institution (NCGI) is ready to begin its operation with the signing of the Shareholder Agreement (SHA) Finance ministry announced recently.
The National Credit Guarantee Institution (NCGI) has been established as a public limited company under No. P B 00271461, and initial Board of Directors (BoD) members have been appointed to represent the Government of Sri Lanka.
Consequently, the signing ceremony of the Shareholder Agreement (SHA) was held on July 5, 2023 at the Randora Auditorium of the Ministry of Finance allowing the chosen 13 Participatory Financial Institutions to be the founding members of the NCGI and proceed the share issuance. R M P Rathnayake, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury is the signatory for the Government’s side.
The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has been obtained to establish NCGI with the intention of supporting the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in the country by assisting SMEs in overcoming obstacles faced by an inability to adapt to rapidly changing market demands, changing technology, and limitations in capacity due to a low level of financial inclusion, limited access to finance and especially a lack of acceptable collateral.
In a bid to support the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to commercial loans, the government is moving towards operationalizing the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-backed National Credit Guarantee Institution (NCGI) initiative as a public-private partnership (PPP), with an initial capital infusion of around US $ 110 million.
As the next step, the government and participating financial institutions are set to infuse US $ 100 million and US $ 10 million in capital, to commence the operations of the NCGI, according to Finance Ministry Development Finance Department Additional Director General P.M.K. Hettiarachchi.
Hettiarachchi noted that the government expects to fund the required US $ 100 million through the ADB, to operationalise the NCGI. Ten banks and three non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) have joined the initiative by committing to capital infusion requirements.
As the banks and NBFIs consider SMEs to be of high credit risks and lending continues to be largely based on collateral, rather than cash flows, the SMEs remain crowded out from the financial sector by larger corporates.
According to the IFC estimates, Sri Lanka has the highest share of SMEs that are either fully or partially credit constrained.
The NCGI is expected to build the financial institutions’ capacity for cash flow-based credit appraisals, which will lead to more cash flow-based lending over the time.
Hettiarachchi noted that the government is now in formal discussions with the ADB to secure the funds.
The SMEs account for 52 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) while employing 45 percent of the workforce.
Colombo (LNW): Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has extended an invitation to China to join forces with India, Japan, and France in providing financial assistance to Sri Lanka.
She also called on international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, to accelerate their relief measures for countries grappling with debt vulnerabilities.
The Minister emphasized the importance of reforms and debt-relief measures implemented by multilateral development banks (MDBs) for struggling economies.
As India assumes the G-20 Presidency, these measures have become top priorities. Sitharaman urged for a comprehensive, efficient approach to address these issues both within and outside the confines of the IMF and World Bank structures
Sri Lanka required a quick redresses, although outside of the framework because they are a middle-income country,” she noted in a discussion at the India Japan Forum.
In Sri Lanka’s case, Japan, which holds the G-7 Presidency currently, quickly took the lead to address the distress, she pointed out.
“Japan came up, along with France and India, with a quick committee of creditors group, which started addressing the issue. And of course, it was an open forum, it wasn’t limited to just to the three countries, China is welcome to participate as one of the big creditors,” Ms. Sitharaman said.
Japan’s leadership in such cases with “a constructive approach to address debt distress” has been well-received, the Minister said, adding that this is an indicator that the G-7 and G-20 together would come up with solutions to the problem.
While the MDBs are acting to alleviate debt distress, they need to be “more nimble”, the Minister said, noting that “we are looking at situations where countries are waiting for more than three or four years after the application seeking some redresses, to get the actual resolution of the issues”
On the eve of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, Sitharaman expressed hope that the group could unite to address the debt distress of middle-income countries.
Sitharaman’s call for a more swift and comprehensive approach to debt relief reflects the pressing need for global cooperation in addressing the financial woes of middle-income countries like Sri Lanka.
With India, Japan, and France taking the lead, and the potential inclusion of China in these efforts, there is a glimmer of hope for these economies.
However, the real test lies in the ability of these major economies to combine their efforts effectively and the willingness of international financial institutions to speed up their relief measures.
Colombo (LNW): New graduates will be recruited as teachers for the subject streams of Science, Technology, and English and foreign languages, said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.
The next steps regarding the recruitment of new graduates as teachers will be undertaken at the provincial level, the Minister went on, adding that the recruitment of teachers and principals, on the other hand will be delayed due to interim orders issued by the Court.
As it is important to properly understand the current situation in the country, as a basic step to control and eradicate the drug menace immediately, it was decided to summon all relevant institutions and discuss the matter in the ‘Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard’.
This decision was taken July (27) when the first meeting of the said committee was held under the chairmanship of Minister Tiran Alas.
Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Police, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol should be summoned before the committee to hold a wide discussion in this regard and identify the current situation, said the chairman of the committee, Minister Tiran Alas.
Accordingly, it was decided to summon the relevant institutions before the committee on August 10.
In addition to this, the need to establish a strategic plan for the immediate control and eradication of the drug menace and the need for coordination between the agencies working in this regard was also emphasised.
MPs Jayantha Samaraweera, Dr Upul Galappathi and Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa were present in this committee. Also, Acting Secretary General of Parliament Hansa Abeyratne and Director of Legislative Services and Director of Communications (Acting) H.E Janakantha Silva were also present.
Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has informed that anticipating the fuel price revision next month, 101 fuel station dealers for 92 Petrol and 61 fuel station dealers for Lanka Auto Diesel have failed to maintain 50 per cent stock capacity, revealed Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara.
These dealers, however, have placed adequate orders to maintain stock requirements as of yesterday (29), the Minister disclosed on Twitter.
Last month, the CEYPETCO took over the management of a few fuel stations that had not maintained minimum stocks and legal proceedings are being made on multiple other dealers as well, Wijesekara added.
CPC has informed that anticipating the fuel price revision next month, 101 fuel station dealers for 92 Petrol & 61 fuel station dealers for Lanka Auto diesel have not maintained 50% stock capacity & placed adequate orders to maintain stock requirements as of yesterday. Last month… pic.twitter.com/nsqtr16hN0
Colombo (LNW): It appears that a group of people who consider rugby as part of their heritage are attempting to control its dissemination across the country. They seek to impose censorship on its inherent nature and widespread accessibility.
However, their efforts to achieve this control are being challenged by an individual from the countryside who gained recognition in a society where wealth and power are symbols of status. Despite the initial praise, their influence and power seem to be diminishing over time and are becoming less visible in today’s society.
It is according to the faith of the law and country. Although there is no shortage of those who make the law a law, we have also experienced situations where it is not so. At present, there are doubts emerging about the possibility that this might be the final endeavor.
We can see that the motives of theft are now driving them to the point of profit prospects to the extent that it is difficult for any person or his or her posterity to live with a conscience. Therefore, a sense of distrust has taken root in the minds of the people, leading to doubt in everything.
The most fitting punishment for the Rugby administration is not power struggle. The goal they set at the beginning of their hard work was to take the game of Rugby to an Asian tournament medal. What is now required is either a delay in the fair judgment of law and justice or the creation of an opportunity for it. This matter is felt at a minor level by the elites of the upper class. Whatever any contribution made to the country by a group outside their own class is only considered relevant by the elites if it has a connection to their own class.
Currently, the court has ordered the minister, the ministry secretary, and the director of the development department, instructing them not to interfere with Ruby’s independence. Therefore, they had to maintain silence on the matter. Despite the possibility that the decision might render the minister’s actions invalid, the Stabilization Committee is determined to cling to power and is reluctant to step down from their positions. Like they are trying to hold on to it without coming down from its seats.
That’s because the decision to suspend the power of the Stabilization Committee, which should be read directly in one part of the decision about, is not included in the words.
The court’s decision to postpone it until August 4 also suggests that the court’s attention has not been directed towards the Asian Games. Also, it is essential to consider that despite the Court of Appeal’s order not to influence the Minister, the Stabilization Committee has not resigned from their positions. They have stated their intention to challenge the decision and take certain matters to the Supreme Court even after the ruling.
Reconsideration is needed because the court, despite ordering the Minister not to exert pressure on Rugby, delayed signing the rest of the decision after the Stabilization Committee, appointed by the minister, declared their intention to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
It is crucial to utilize whatever profession we pursue for the betterment of the country, regardless of whether it is law, medicine, or any other occupation or public service. As citizens, our conditions and status are closely tied to the responsibilities entrusted to us based on the extent of decision-making authority we hold. When individuals are entrusted with more power and authority, they also possess the capacity to serve across a broader scope and influence a larger segment of the society.
The issue at hand seems to be primarily based on the judicial process. It is crucial that the principles of law and justice are applied in a manner that prioritizes the well-being of the country and its citizens.
One of the essential purposes of the law is to eliminate barriers and obstacles from doing well and contributing positively to the progress of the country. In certain instances, we do not strongly believe the situations that do not do so in the hope of future profits. But we believe that there may be. It is not believed that several times the higher political power tied the foot of the Rugby journey while tying it up and release was done by the law itself. Professionals in the country may gain physical benefits from participating in injustices, but the most difficult aspect is not how society perceives them, but the personal burden they carry and shame.
If everyone prioritizes the welfare of the country, the National Olympic Committee is working on behalf of the Sri Lankan team participating in the Asia Cup through the International Olympic Committee on legal grounds and not with the Stabilization Committee. They should be responsible for dealing with the Rugby Union, which is the governing body for rugby in Sri Lanka.
It is extremely important to understand this situation. It appears that anyone attempting to obstruct the pursuit of the medal goal would be perceived by society as traitors lacking love for rugby, the country, or the country’s sport.
Time is increasing its severity and impact, but can ensure that not diminishing it. More important than deciding whether or not to betray generations is to avoid facing the disgust they feel in themselves and those close to them for complicity in preventing the Asian tour. We have a responsibility to contribute positively and refrain from spreading negative things that can harm or have a detrimental impact on the community. Because there is no doubt that its bad effects will also affect us.
It seems that the responsibility for preventing or hindering the journey of Sri Lankan rugby, which is on track to achieve results in the next 40 days and prepare for the Asian medal, lies not with the referees on the field but with the judges in the court. It is a normal situation.
As citizens of the country, it is our responsibility to take legal and prompt actions to ensure justice and protect the achievements of the country. If on a day in history participates in a tournament and does not win a medal, it will not be talked about for long. But if it is not possible to participate in a tournament or an opportunity is missed, it will affect future generations as well, and it will pass from generation to generation as a mistake.
