The Sri Lankan Rupee has maintained its stability against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka on September 25, showing consistency compared to the rates observed last Friday.
At Peoples Bank, the exchange rates for the US Dollar remain unaltered, with the buying rate at Rs. 316.91 and the selling rate at Rs. 330.13.
According to the Commercial Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar has seen a slight increase from Rs. 317.20 to Rs. 318.18, while the selling rate remains steady at Rs. 328.50.
Similarly, at Sampath Bank, the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 318 and Rs. 328, respectively.
This stability in exchange rates provides a sense of continuity and reliability in the foreign exchange market for traders and consumers alike.
The Police in Homagama took action to raid a private institution’s park following multiple complaints of minors allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior within small rooms located on the premises.
Reports suggest that the Homagama Police initiated the raid on Sunday, September 24, in response to concerns raised by parents and religious leaders in the area. These complaints centered on school-aged children reportedly engaging in misconduct with minors visiting the park.
Upon the request of concerned parents and religious figures, the Police secured a search warrant from the Homagama Magistrate’s Court to conduct the raid. As a result of the operation, approximately 24 young couples, who were allegedly involved in indecent behavior within the rooms, were taken into Police custody.
Following the intervention, the Police provided guidance to the group and subsequently released the female individuals to their respective guardians. Investigations have indicated that a significant number of these young couples had originally informed their families that they were attending tuition classes, raising concerns about their activities.
During the course of the raid, tensions reportedly flared as the park’s owner confronted the Police, adding to the complexity of the situation. Further inquiries and actions by law enforcement authorities are expected as they continue to investigate the matter.
Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe revealed plans to lift nearly all import restrictions, with the exception of those related to vehicle imports, starting next month. The decision reflects the government’s efforts to revive Sri Lanka’s economy, which had prompted temporary import restrictions to address economic challenges.
These restrictions had been imposed on approximately 600 product codes, affecting various categories of goods. Of these, around 270 HS codes were linked to vehicle-related imports. The State Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to rescind all import restrictions, except for those associated with vehicles, within the coming month.
Semasinghe made this announcement during a conference aimed at informing scholars, professionals, and the public about the government’s new tax policy, efforts to secure an IMF financial facility, measures to boost government revenues, and initiatives to stabilize the economy. The conference, held in Anuradhapura, featured the participation of senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the Finance Ministry.
Key speakers at the conference included Presidential Director General (State Revenue) M. J. Gunasiri and North Central Province Chief Secretary Chandrasiri Bandara, who shared insights into the government’s economic policies and measures to promote economic stability.
Communist Party General Secretary Dr G Weerasinghe says the announcement of bankruptcy on 12th April’22 is the biggest and most treacherous conspiracy in 100 years: also says that action has led to a massive social explosion in the country.
The US-based National Democratic Institute with USAID funding organises a 10-day visit for Chairman of all Oversight Committees of Parliament, numbering nearly 20, to make a visit to the USA: controversy surrounds an alleged suggestion by the US authorities that Parliament name a member of the minority community to represent the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, as the incumbent Chairman of the Committee Rear Admiral (retd) Sarath Weerasekera MP can’t be issued a visa in time for him to join the Parliamentary delegation.
Minister of Justice Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakse says Sri Lanka has received USD 890,000 and Rs.16 mn as interim payments for the X-Press Pearl disaster: according to Govt sources, the damages claimed was over USD 6,000 mn.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya expresses hope of avoiding a repeated default once the foreign debt repayment starts due to a “practical debt restructuring process”: boasts of an “economic recovery”: analysts however point out that the GDP has sharply contracted by 8.4%, 11.8%, 12.4%, 7.8%, 11.5%, & 3.1% in the past 6 quarters, unpaid forex debt since April’22 has risen to almost USD 7,000 mn, and job losses well exceed 1 mn.
A senior Power & Energy Ministry official says US-based RM Parks Company will start fuel distribution next month through 150 fuel stations allocated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation: RM Parks, which operates under Shell PLC, will become the 4th retailer to enter the country’s fuel market after CPC, LIOC & Sinopec.
Planters’ Association of Ceylon Chairman Senaka Alawattegama urges Plantation companies to engage in an open dialogue & collaborate purposefully to navigate the challenges and secure a sustainable future for the entire sector.
Police arrest 7 staff members of the Cargills supermarket in Borella, over an incident of the brutal assault of a female customer: Police launch the investigations after a video showing the assault, went viral on social media.
Police say a 61-year-old entrepreneur and father-in-law of State Minister D V Chanaka, Lalith Wasantha Mendis, was killed by unidentified gunmen while travelling in a car in Galle: no suspects arrested so far.
The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections says the decision to cancel the Local Govt polls nominations will cause a loss of more than Rs.1 billion to the state.
Sri Lanka Women beat Pakistan Women by 6 wickets to book a place in the Final against India, in the Women’s Cricket Competition in the Asian Games currently being worked off in China: the Final to be played today (25).
The Milk Powder Importer’s Association has reassured consumers that there will be no immediate price hike in the milk powder market, despite the recent 10% increase in taxes on imported milk powder by the Trade Ministry, which came into effect last Friday.
A spokesperson for the Milk Powder Importer’s Association explained, “The cost of one kilogram of milk powder upon arrival at the Colombo port stands at Rs.1,100. This high cost is primarily attributed to the inefficiencies in local milk production and the ineffectiveness of local milk production projects over the past two decades. Despite the importation of more than 20,000 dairy cows from abroad, all these animals have unfortunately perished. Over the past 30 years, this is the highest amount of tax we’ve paid on milk powder.”
The spokesperson further stated, “In the absence of taxes, we could offer imported milk powder at Rs.600 to Rs.625 per kilogram. Currently, due to a decline of over 50% in milk trade in recent months, we have sufficient milk supply for the next two to three months, negating the need for an immediate price increase. However, if taxes are not reduced, we may be forced to consider a price hike in December or January.”
In response to concerns, Trade Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting local farmers and protecting their interests. He explained, “We cannot significantly reduce the price of milk powder, as it would negatively impact our local farming community. Our farmers received relief when global milk powder prices decreased in the past. Even with a 10% tax increase, if milk prices rise, we will take the necessary actions to address the situation.”
Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Uva and Eastern provinces during the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): School canteens across the country will be regulated, in a move to address the issue of such canteens serving inappropriate food options to children, announced the Public Health Inspectors’ Association of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, school food services will be closely monitored in compliance with the guidelines outlining which foods are deemed safe for students and which can be offered in school canteens, said Union Chief Upul Rohana.
These guidelines have been issued via a circular, he went on, adding that school authorities and the individuals who maintain school canteens have also been informed in this regard.
The PHI Chief further pointed out that while there might be challenges pertaining to legal actions under the Food Act, any situation jeopardising student health can be legally addressed.
Colombo (LNW): The Sub-committee formed by the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) to delve into the complexities of medicine procurement and shortage is scheduled for its first ever meeting this Wednesday (27).
Representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s Department would be present, confirmed Sub-committee Chief MP Tissa Attanayake.
The Sub-committee also comprises other MPs including Diana Gamage, Ashok Abeysinghe, Jayantha Ketagoda, and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The Sub-Committee Chief asserted that a comprehensive analysis of the findings will be handed over to the CoPA by November 7.
Meanwhile, another sub-committee has been appointed recently to inspect potential inconsistencies in the Health Ministry. The Sub-committee is chaired by MP Pradeep Undugoda and counts MPs Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Muditha Prishanthi, Manjula Dissanayake, Wimalaweera Dissanayake, and Isuru Dodangoda as its members.
Colombo (LNW): A full investigation is currently underway on the risk of Nipah virus entering Sri Lanka via imports of food items, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera disclosed.
Speaking to media, the Minister noted that the relevant departments have been informed about the investigation.
Accordingly, imports of food items including eggs are being surveilled for any potential risk of carrying the virus into the island, he emphasised.
Nipah is known as a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes the Nipah virus infection in humans and other animals, a disease with a high mortality rate.
Despite the authorities’ affirmation on the risk of the virus breaching Sri Lanka being very low, the public is highly concerned, given that it had spread across the state of Kerala, India several times in the past.
In the labyrinth of political paradoxes, Dr. Harsha De Silva emerges as a tragic Shakespearean figure, seemingly ensnared by the very system he once sought to reform. A learned individual, esteemed by many, Dr. De Silva appears to be following a path trodden by many politicians, a path woven with inconsistencies and shifts in stance, often at odds with previous advocacies.
Machiavelli, in his seminal work, “The Prince,” opines, “The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” This notion seems tragically pertinent to Dr. De Silva, who, despite his erudition, seems to be relegated to the typical political manoeuvring characteristic of many Sri Lankan politicians.
Sri Lanka has long suffered from political vacillation, where policies pivot not on the axis of national interest, but often, on a pendulum of political rivalry. The propensity of politicians to alter national policies seemingly out of spite has been a recurrent impediment to foreign direct investment (FDI) and investment promotion, affecting the economic trajectory of the nation since its independence. Such oscillations between support and opposition are symptomatic of the transient nature of political alliances and the perceived amnesia of the electorate. It illustrates Machiavelli’s assertion that “the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities.”
Dr. De Silva, revered for his professional acumen, was expected to transcend such petty political machinations. The populace anticipated a deviation from such transient politicking, a hope rooted in the desire to see professionals like him bring change and stability to Parliament. Yet, the tragedy lies in his seeming transformation into the archetypal politician, as his stance on projects like the port city project appears to sway with his political alignment.
Instances from his career, unmarked by significant accomplishments, seemingly attest to this transformation. The only accolade he has to boast about is the ambulance system available in Sri Lanka which we all thank him for .other than that his career is nothing but “unremarkable”.
He once championed the port city project, extolling its virtues on global platforms during his ministerial tenure. Yet, his current opposition to the same project, terming it a pipe dream,marks a stark divergence from his earlier advocacies.
This shifting stance reflects Machiavelli’s acknowledgment of the volatility and impermanence of political landscapes and allegiances, epitomizing the tragic struggle between idealism and pragmatism. It embodies Machiavelli’s notion that “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”
Dr. De Silva’s trajectory seems to resonate with a greater political malaise, where the fluidity of political beliefs and the pursuit of power overshadow steadfast commitment to reform and national development. It serves as a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of political convictions and the enduring conflict between professional integrity and political expediency.
This transformation of Dr. De Silva echoes a somber, timeless truth, illuminated by both Shakespeare and Machiavelli: the relentless and often futile pursuit of power and idealism in the tumultuous arena of politics, where convictions are as mutable as the winds, and the essence of one’s beliefs is often lost in the turbulent seas of political rivalry and ambition.
In the tragic dance of politics and power, we find ourselves lamenting, “Oh, where have all the steadfast guardians gone?” Where are the soldiers of integrity and bearers of unwavering convictions in the ever-shifting sands of political landscapes?
Are they all puppets now dancing to a geographical master ? One never knows.
