Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka received three ‘Double Wattled Cassowaries‘, a species of flightless birds, under an animal exchange programme with Thailand last night (05), Daily Mirror reported.
According to Daily Mirror report, two males and one female Cassowaries about nine months old, weighing about sixty kilograms each were brought to the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night at 11.10 p.m. from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by Malaysia Airlines flight MH-179.
These animals are believed will be handed over to the Dehiwala zoo.
Colombo (LNW): The Right to Information (RTI) Commission yesterday (05) reprimanded Parliament officials for withholding information pertaining to the report issued by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter Sunday massacre, calling it ‘a punishable offence.’
This declaration was made by a four-member bench of the Commission which concluded a seven-month long hearing of a RTI appeal against the Parliament of Sri Lanka on the allegation of not releasing sections of the PCoI report containing evidence recorded from the wife of the Easter attack bomber Zahran Hashim and several top Police and Military intelligence officials to the public.
Journalist Tharindu Jayawardena on behalf of the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR) lodging a RTI application with Parliament demanded that the copies of the evidence produced by Hashim’s wife Abdul Cader Fatima Hadiya, ex SDIG of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Ravi Seneviratne, ex CID Director Shani Abeysekara, DIG Nalaka Silva, SDIG Nilantha Jayawardena, ex Director of Military Intelligence Chula Kodituwakku, Naufer Moulavi and Gaphoor Mama pertaining to the probe on the Easter Sunday massacre be released.
However, Parliament had initially declined the above appeal, stating that such information was not in its possession. Later, the attorney representing the appellant had submitted facts to the RTI Commission confirming that these information are, in fact, possessed by Parliament, and the latter made rather a contradictory statement suggesting that releasing such information could violate the Parliamentary Privileges Act.
The Commission observed that it would be an offence punishable by law to produce false information pertaining to the matter, and informed Parliament to make its final written submissions by August 04, 2023 and the appellant to make its final submissions by August 18, 2023.
Colombo (LNW): The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to slash the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the CBSL by 200 basis points to 11 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.
The move comes in after ‘careful analysis of the current and expected developments, including the faster-than-envisaged disinflation process and benign inflation expectations in the domestic economy,’ the CBSL said.
This will aim the enabling of the country’s economy to reach its potential and stabilising inflation at mid-single-digit levels in the medium term, whilst easing pressures in the financial markets.
By doing so, the CBSL expects that the market interest rates, particularly lending rates, will adjust downwards adequately and swiftly.
PMD: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka, stated that new legislation will be enacted to combat all actions that jeopardize religious unity.
The Minister reiterated that under the guise of freedom of speech or religion, no one has the right to offend any religion.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka expressed these views today (05) during a press conference themed “One Way to a Stable Country” held at the Presidential Media Center yesterday (05).
Colombo (LNW): The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has extended the suspension on Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on businesses and activities of a Primary Dealer for a period of six months.
The Monetary Board has taken this decision in compliance with the regulations provided by the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance.
01. CB’s Monetary Board decides to reduce the SDFR and the SLFR of the CB by 200 basis points to 11% and 12% respectively: Decision said to have been taken following “a careful analysis of the current and expected developments, including the faster-than-envisaged disinflation process and benign inflation expectations in the domestic economy.”
02. ADB says it is willing to provide the necessary knowledge and technical support for Sri Lanka’s new reform operation programme in the water supply sector, along with capacity building projects of the NWSDB.
03. CPC reports its fuel cost breakdown as of 18 Feb ’23, reporting profits: Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara reveals CPC earned a profit of Rs. 16.21 per litre of Petrol 92, Rs. 3.25 for Auto Diesel, Rs. 109.44 for Petrol 95, and Rs. 11.64 for Lanka Super Diesel; adds, however, a loss of Rs. 21.49 incurred per litre of Kerosene: assures the CPC is on a path towards achieving financial stability.
04. Colombo High Court grants bail to stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya who was arrested on the charge of making controversial comments on Buddhism: HC Judge Aditya Patambedi says the ICCPR, which was deemed the rationale for Edirisooriya’s arrest, is being used today beyond the purpose for which it was introduced to SL by the Legislature; adds it would be “appropriate to adopt the ‘Rabat Plan of Action’ introduced by the UN’s Human Rights Committee in constituting the establishment of an offence under ICCPR Act (3)1, and accordingly, her comments being presumed to be inciting national or religious hatred would be an invalid argument.”
05. Sri Lanka surpasses 50,000 cases of dengue since January this year: As of Tuesday, a total of 640 cases reported in the last three days of this month alone, with June reporting the highest number of cases: Death toll at 31: 43 dengue high-risk zones identified: Western Province accounts for 24,930 cases, approximately 49.8% of the overall figure.
06. CB’s Monetary Board decides to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months: Decision made in terms of the Regulations under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance.
07. RTI Commission reprimands officials representing Parliament for its wavering stance on the possession of PCoI Report on the Easter Sunday Massacre and warns that furnishing false information to the former is a punishable offence by law: Conclusion made by a four-bench commission following a seven-month long hearing of a RTI appeal against Parliament for not releasing sections of evidence recorded from suicide bomber Zahran Hashim’s wife and several top Police and Military intelligence officials to the public.
08. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda says SL will seek fresh diplomatic engagements with India to secure what is termed ‘an innocent passage’ through its territorial waters for SL fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea for multi-day fisheries; adds the GOSL is to ask for India’s support to secure a passage through its EEX for Sri Lankan fishing vessels.
09. Sri Lanka receives three ‘Double Wattled Cassowaries’, a species of flightless birds, via an animal exchange programme from Thailand: BIA sources say the three birds were received for the Dehiwala zoo: Two males and a female Cassowaries about nine months old and weigh about 60 kg each, brought in.
10. Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe says most of the national sports bodies haven’t any proper plan but always wish support from the Ministry; laments it is “very difficult to work with sports body officials, as most of the time they are willing to work for their benefits and not for the players and the sports.”
PMD: A meeting took place yesterday (05) between the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Resident Mission Director of the Asian Development Bank.
During the meeting, it was revealed that the ADB was willing to provide the necessary knowledge and technical support for Sri Lanka’s new reform operation program in the water supply sector, along with capacity building projects of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.
The meeting extensively examined the plans and monitoring framework for the water supply sector in Sri Lanka, as well as discussed future steps. Mr. Ratnayake expressed gratitude for the bank’s support and advised officials to review progress on a monthly basis.
Notable participants in the discussion included Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and President’s Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs Dr. RH. S. Mr. Samaratunga, among other relevant government officials.
Colombo (LNW): Strong winds about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-Western and North-Central provinces, and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts due to the active south-west monsoon condition, announced the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in an advisory statement today (06).
Meanwhile, prevailing heavy showers and strong winds over the south western part of the island is expected to reduce from today, whilst showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Dept said in its daily weather forecast.
Several spells of showers will occur in the North-Western province and in Matale and Anuradhapura districts, it added.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. A few showers will occur in the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areasoff the coast extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and sea areasoff the coast extending from Hambanthota to Pottuvil. Wind speed may increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambanthota via Colombo and Galle.
State of Sea:
The sea areasoff the coast extending fromTrincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and sea areasoff the coast extending from Hambanthota to Pottuvil will be rough at times. Sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambanthota via Colombo and Galle will be fairly rough. Other sea areas around the island will be moderate. Increase of swell waves(about2.5 – 3.0 m) can be expected in the sea areasoff the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambanthota.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has reported its fuel cost breakdown as of 18th February 2023, reporting a profit for Petrol 92 and Auto Diesel.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera revealed that a profit of Rs. 16.21 has been earned per litre of Petrol 92, while a profit of Rs. 3.25 has been earned for Auto Diesel.
A profit of Rs. 109.44 has been earned per litre of Petrol 95 and a profit of Rs. 11.64 for Lanka Super Diesel.
Minister Wijesekera pointed out that, however, a loss of Rs. 21.49 has been incurred per litre of Kerosene
He has assured that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is on a path towards achieving financial stability.
Participating in a media briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre themed ‘Collective path to a stable country’, Wijesekera expressed confidence in the government’s program, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to promote financial stability in both the Electricity Board and the Petroleum Corporation.
Furthermore, the Petroleum Statutory Corporation has established contracts with two new agencies for a consistent supply of fuel since September last year.
These agencies are scheduled to commence fuel supply by the end of this month, and the first fuel shipment is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka at the same time. Around 150 fuel stations have been registered by these agencies so far, ensuring reliable fuel availability.
After the arrival of their ship in Sri Lanka, fuel distribution was initially carried out under the name of Ceypetco.
However, future distribution will be conducted under their own company name. To address outstanding debts, including those owed to Indian and Iranian creditors as well as fuel suppliers, the Ministry of Finance has imposed a tax of Rs.50 per liter of fuel during distribution.
The Petroleum Corporation has successfully repaid all loans owed to the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank, resulting in its strengthened financial position.
Despite this, the restructuring process of the Petroleum Corporation will continue as planned. The revised draft for the restructuring of the Electricity Board has been forwarded to legislators, and once received, it will be submitted to the Attorney General and subsequently presented to the Cabinet for recommendations. There is a possibility of passing a new act in this regard.
Colombo (LNW): The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the largest tourism organization in India, is returning to Sri Lanka after 18 years with its airline partner SriLankan Airlines for their 67th Convention from 06-09 July 2023 in Colombo.
The convention, Indian travel trade’s premier annual event, is expected to invigorate Indian outbound travel to Sri Lanka following several years of setbacks, the national carrier said in a media release.
The association plays a leading role in shaping India’s outbound tourism and represents all stakeholders in the Indian travel industry including airlines, tour operators, hotels and transport companies.
This year’s convention is expected to draw approximately 450 agents and 50 international travel media personalities, some of whom are booked to fly to Sri Lanka on SriLankan Airlines.
Renowned for generating widespread coverage and tourism footfall for the host country every year, the event will certainly help encourage Indian travellers to visit neighbouring Sri Lanka.
A main theme of the 2023 TAAI convention is to strengthen regional tourism, which SriLankan Airlines said coincides with its regional hub strategy, with its prime location in the Indian Ocean extending connections to multiple countries to the north, east and west of India.
Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales & Distribution of SriLankan Airlines commented on the airline partnering with TAAI stating, “India holds a special place in the history of SriLankan Airlines for many reasons, and this is reflected in the fact that nearly 40 per cent of our current operations are concentrated to India.
We want to continue growing our presence in India with a strategic focus on leisure and MICE travellers and will introduce more flights and cities to our Indian service in the future. It is therefore exciting to collaborate with TAAI on their biggest calendar event, which serves as a strong starting point for a renewed future of travel between India and Sri Lanka.”
The convention is likely to boost the image of Sri Lanka as a safe, convenient and comfortingly familiar vacation spot among Indian travel industry players and travellers. An image, a reality, that SriLankan Airlines said it takes the initiative to promote through its communications in India.
As Sri Lanka gets ready to welcome the guests of the TAAI convention, SriLankan Airlines vowed to continue in its role as the present-day maker of journeys between Sri Lanka and India, in a travel tradition dating back millennia.
