Colombo (LNW): Proposals regarding the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be tabled before the Cabinet next week, said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.
On Sunday (22), Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said efforts are being accelerated to restructure public entities.
Semasinghe emphasised that the overhaul of loss-making state institutions is progressing well, aiming to address the ongoing economic challenges.
Earlier in the year, discussions revolved around the CEB undergoing management reforms to bolster renewable energy generation in Sri Lanka, supported by both government-led and public-private partnerships.
On 17 April, the Cabinet gave the green light to the proposed roadmap and timeline for the CEB’s restructuring process.
Colombo (LNW): The public is being alerted to the rising spread of three infectious diseases in the country, attributed to the current adverse weather conditions.
People are specifically being warned about the proliferation of eye conditions, diarrhoea, and respiratory illnesses, often accompanied by high fevers.
The public is encouraged to take all necessary precautions and maintain good personal health practices.
Upul Rohana, Chairman of the Public Health Inspectors’ Association, highlighted the crucial role of personal hygiene in combating these diseases, adding that a marked rise in dengue cases across the country, particularly as floodwaters recede from areas recently inundated due to heavy rainfall.
Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has deferred the hearing of a petition from Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando until October 27, 2023.
The two Ministers are contesting the decision by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to remove them from the party and strip them of their parliamentary seats.
This delay is due to the absence of Justices who were part of the initial hearing on 12 October.
Earlier in July, the SJB had expelled both MPs after they accepted ministerial roles in the government, which was in contrast to the party’s stance.
Despite resigning from these roles in July 2022, both were reappointed by the current President Wickremesinghe, later that month.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankans near Israel have been urged not to attempt illegal entry into the country via any border at this time.
This appeal comes from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), in light of the intensifying conflict between Israel and Palestine.
SLBFE Media Spokesperson, Gamini Senarath Yapa, assured that, as of now, Sri Lankans in Israel are not facing any additional threats and their safety is being prioritised.
Speaking to the media today, he highlighted the proactive steps being undertaken to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in Israel, considering the growing tensions with Palestine.
Moreover, Gamini Senarath Yapa revealed that 32 Sri Lankans are currently detained in Israel.
Regarding a Sri Lankan man reported missing, he mentioned that efforts are underway to gather more information about the individual, named Yatawara Bandara.
“We’re working closely with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel. Should the need arise to identify a body, we might require a DNA sample from a close relative of Bandara,” he added.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates slight depreciation against the US Dollar today (23) in comparison to last week’s Friday, as per the official exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 320.32 from Rs. 319.64, and the selling price to Rs. 331.00 from Rs. 330.41.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Rupee has fluctuated against several other foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.
Colombo (LNW): Keheliya Rambukwella, who previously served as the Minister of Health, has been sworn in as the Minister of Environment today (23).
Dr. Ramesh Pathirana has taken over the role of Minister of Health, adding to his existing responsibilities as the Industry Minister.
Mahinda Amaraweera, currently the Minister of Agriculture, has now also been sworn in as the Minister of Plantation Industries.
Furthermore, the non-cabinet role of Minister of Plantation Industries has been allocated to Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, who will maintain his present duties as the State Minister of Finance.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates depreciation against the US Dollar today (23) in comparison to last week’s Friday, as revealed by leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 317.88 from Rs. 316.67, and the selling price to Rs. 331.15 from Rs. 329.88.
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 319.66 from Rs. 318.18, and the selling price to Rs. 330 from Rs. 328.50.
At Sampath Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 321 from Rs. 320, and the selling price to Rs. 331 from Rs. 330.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and China will finally ink the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that has been in the talks for nearly 10 years, paving the way for improved trade between the two nations.
The two Countries have agreed to speed up the negotiation process and strive for an early conclusion of a free trade agreement, thereby boosting the confidence in and stabilizing the expectations for their economic and trade cooperation, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said.
In a joint statement issued by the government of Sri Lanka and China on Friday (20), following President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 4-day official visit to Beijing, the two nations expressed satisfaction over the progress made in bilateral cooperation in economy and trade,.
The two nations agreed to conclude a comprehensive free trade agreement as quickly as possible to strengthen two-way trade and economic cooperation.
“The two sides will carry out practical cooperation in finance on the basis of market principles, autonomy and rule of law to further enhance financial services and economic and trade development,” the statement highlighted.
Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries commenced in 2013 during a visit by the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa to China, leading to an initial agreement to pursue a preferential trade arrangement.
Although a feasibility study was conducted in 2014, the finalisation of the agreement did not materialise.
In the freshly issued joint statement, China affirmed it will continue to support competitive Sri Lankan industries to establish ties with relevant Chinese associations of importers and exporters.
China said it will provide facilitation and support for Sri Lankan exporters to participate in Chinese exhibitions.
These included the China International Import Expo, the China Import and Export Fair, the China-South Asia Exposition, the China International Supply Chain Expo, and encourage Chinese and Sri Lankan enterprises to deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and bolster Sri Lankan exports to China.
Further, both the nations agreed to sign the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka to China between the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Plantation Industries of Sri Lanka.
Wild Fishing Aquatic Products are to be exported from Sri Lanka to China under the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Veterinary Sanitary Requirements .
Sri Lanka currently has two FTA deals with India and Pakistan. The country is also expected to enter into a FTA deal with Thailand during the first quarter of next year.
Sri Lanka has also applied for the membership of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Colombo (LNW): The Education Secretary for the Southern Province has announced the closure of several schools due to the heavy rainfall experienced in the region since yesterday (22).
Consequently, only those schools affected in areas such as Akuressa, Deniyaya, Mulatiyana, and Walasmulla have been shut.
The Southern Province’s Director of Education mentioned that Zonal Education Directors have been given the authority to make decisions on school closures due to adverse weather conditions.
Ms. Dhammika Priyadarshani, the Zonal Education Director for the Deniyaya Region, confirmed that 77 schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone were closed today (23) with the approval of the Southern Provincial Education Secretary, given the emergent situation.
The Matara-Kotapala road has been obstructed at Kirilipana due to a landslide, disrupting through traffic. The Morawaka-Neluwa Road is also blocked from Morawaka town, and the Pitabaddara area is submerged because of the Kirama Oya overflowing.
Furthermore, the Irrigation Department has released an ‘Amber’ flood alert for some low-lying regions near the Nilwala River valley, affecting areas including Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Pasgoda, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Matara, and Devinuwara.
