Due to a shortage of eggs and the high price of ,margarine and wheat flour in the local market, the price of a kilo of cake has been increased up to Rs. 1,500 during this Christmas season, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardena disclosed
The price of an egg has increased to around Rs.70 in the market he said adding that despite the prices of eggs have gone up substantially, they cannot find eggs in the market. “A mafia has formed in the market to create an artificial shortage,”
Therefore, with the price increase, people do not visit shops to buy cakes .”Even the bakeries cannot use butter for cakes. If we use butter, the price of a kilo of cake would be more than Rs.3,000,” he said.
The government should take action to control the price of egg in the market immediately to relieve the consumers, he added.
The All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association on Tuesday (4) said that the two main wheat flour companies in Sri Lanka have reportedly increased the price of a kilogram of wheat flour by Rs. 13/-.
Chairman of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association N. K. Jayawardena pointed out that no decision has been reached with regard to increasing the prices of bread and related bakery products.
“A kilogram of wheat flour sold by these companies will now increase to around Rs. 285/-,” he said adding that given the shortage the black market price for a kilogram of wheat flour sold to bakery owners is Rs. 400/-.
He said that over 2,000 small-time bakeries, mainly in rural Sri Lanka, have been closed down due to the shortage of wheat flour directly impacting the loss of 4,000 jobs.
Prices of bakery products have increased due to the rising production costs, The failure of the budget to address the issues faced by the industry has paved the way for a price hike, he revealed.
“Our proposal to remove the tax on wheat flour has fallen to deaf ears,” Mr. Jayawardena said while explaining that the prices of bakery products will be increased to unbearable proportions if the cost of wheat flour keeps increasing.
He added that the proposal to revise taxes on margarine, yeast, palm oil, and butter – which are key ingredients used to produce bakery items have also not been addressed in the budget.
The ACBOA President pointed out that the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) continue to be imposed on all bakery products except for bread which is exempt from NBT. This has resulted in a higher production cost.
Accordingly, he said that steps would be taken to increase the prices of products although the exact figure of the price hike cannot be predicted at present.
People celebrate Christmas amidst cake price goes up to Rs 1500 per kg
SL Tourism sector still grapples with previous land issues
Sri Lanka Government plans to double tourist arrivals to 1.5 million next year and bring in in US$ 5 billion in vital foreign exchange, the Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said, as the island nation seeks ways to tackle its worst financial crisis in seven decades.
Sri Lanka tourism always had the potential but never got it right – there’s always someone pushing it down when it tries to swim and come up for air.
But a positive message comes through each time from each crisis,” he said adding that “Sri Lanka has that armory.”
The task of resurrecting the iourim industry from its down turn in the Easter Sunday bomb attack, covid-19 pandemic, youth struggle against the Rajapaksa regime and the ongoing economic crisis has become a challenge at present.
The tourism infrastructure issues and irregularities of previous administrations of the tourism authority are still haunting at its corridors. Non-commencement of operations on leased lands was among them, official sources said.
Although the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority had leased 35 acres to 5 companies in 2014 and 16.8 acres to 2 more companies in 2019 and 2020, in the Yala Palatupana Tourism Development Zone, only 2 companies had started operations by the end of the year 2021/2022 under review, recent auditor general’s department report revealed.
Out of the 510.086 acres of land acquired for tourism development projects in Kuchchaveli in 2011 and 2014,only 49 acres of land were leased to 3 companies, but only one of those 3 companies was engaged in operational activities.
Although, the authority had received 2055.87 acres of land in 12 islands of Kalpitiya as free grants in the years 2010 and 2012, only 206.58 acres of land belonging to 05 islands out of those 12 islands had been leased to 03 companies in the years 2010, 2011 and 2020.
However, none of these companies had commenced operations by the end of the year under review. Out of the leased companies, 2 companies have Rs. 43million and Rs. 9 million in rent arrears for3 to 5 years respectively.
Out of the 37 rest houses owned by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 9 rest houses were not leased for a period of 01 to 13 years and the said property remained underutilized.
The number of places registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as places providing accommodation and tourism facilities was 5378 in the year 2020 and in the year 2021/2022 under review was 5872.
Accordingly, the number of newly registered places was 494. However, the number of places that renewed their registration was only 783 during the year under review, so out of the 5378 places registered in the previous year, 4595 places had not renewed their registration, auditor general’s report indicated.
Closing date for applications for scholarship programme for GCE AL students under President’s Fund extended
The closing date for the submission of applications for the scholarship programme, utilising funds from the President’s Fund, for students who passed GCE (O/L) 2021/2022 and are sitting for the GCE (A/L) examination in 2024 has been extended to December 30.
It was earlier scheduled to accept the duly completed applications submitted to the Principals of the respective schools on or before December (23) for the scholarship programme which was initiated as per the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. However the closing date for the submission of applications was extended, considering the requests made to the President by the students and parents.
Hence the President’s Fund instructs the duly filled application forms to be submitted to the principals of the respective schools where the student sat for the GCE (O/L) examination before December 30.
The Presidential Secretariat has instructed the Education Ministry Secretary to formulate a mechanism to ensure that the applications are received from the offices of the schools during the vacation between December 23 and January 02, 2023.
The President’s Fund further informed that there will be no change in the days used for other activities related to selection even though the date of accepting applications has been extended to December 30.
PMD
Cabinet approves a series of events to appreciate Upcountry Tamil Community for their contribution to economy
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to conduct a series of events to appreciate the consistent contribution rendered by the Upcountry Tamils to the economy of Sri Lanka during the last two centuries.
Hence as proposed by the President, the Cabinet approved to conduct the series of events in February 2023 to commemorate two hundred years since the arrival of the first group of Upcountry Tamils to Sri Lanka who contributed to more than one third of the income made by the plantation sector.
Accordingly it is approved to conduct these events by the Ministry of Plantation along with the other relevant government agencies with the aim of appreciating the service of the Upcountry Tamils who migrated to the country from India two hundred years ago and to raise their living standards as well.
Upcountry Tamil estate workers who are more than 150,000 in number residing mainly in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces have been a significant part of the country in respect to their contribution to the economy as well as Sri Lanka’s culture.
PMD
El Niño Is Coming—and the World Isn’t Prepared
Global heating will set the stage for extreme weather everywhere in 2023. The consequences are likely to be cataclysmic.
In 2023, the relentless increase in global heating will continue, bringing ever more disruptive weather that is the signature calling card of accelerating climate breakdown.
According to NASA, 2022 was one of the hottest years ever recorded on Earth. This is extraordinary, because the recurrent climate pattern across the tropical Pacific—known as ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation)—was in its cool phase. During this phase, called La Niña, the waters of the equatorial Pacific are noticeably cooler than normal, which influences weather patterns around the world.
One consequence of La Niña is that it helps keep a lid on global temperatures. This means that—despite the recent widespread heat waves, wildfires and droughts—we have actually been spared the worst. The scary thing is that this La Niña will end and eventually transition into the better-known El Niño, which sees the waters of the equatorial Pacific becoming much warmer. When it does, the extreme weather that has rampaged across our planet in 2021 and 2022 will pale into insignificance.
Current forecasts suggest that La Niña will continue into early 2023, making it—fortuitously for us—one of the longest on record (it began in Spring 2020). Then, the equatorial Pacific will begin to warm again. Whether or not it becomes hot enough for a fully fledged El Niño to develop, 2023 has a very good chance—without the cooling influence of La Niña—of being the hottest year on record.
A global average temperature rise of 1.5°C is widely regarded as marking a guardrail beyond which climate breakdown becomes dangerous. Above this figure, our once-stable climate will begin to collapse in earnest, becoming all-pervasive, affecting everyone, and insinuating itself into every aspect of our lives. In 2021, the figure (compared to the 1850–1900 average) was 1.2°C, while in 2019—before the development of the latest La Niña—it was a worryingly high 1.36°C. As the heat builds again in 2023, it is perfectly possible that we will touch or even exceed 1.5°C for the first time.
But what will this mean exactly? I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the record for the highest recorded temperature—currently 54.4°C (129.9°F) in California’s Death Valley—shattered. This could well happen somewhere in the Middle East or South Asia, where temperatures could climb above 55°C. The heat could exceed the blistering 40°C mark again in the UK, and for the first time, top 50°C in parts of Europe.
Inevitably, higher temperatures will mean that severe drought will continue to be the order of the day, slashing crop yields in many parts of the world. In 2022, extreme weather resulted in reduced harvests in China, India, South America, and Europe, increasing food insecurity. Stocks are likely to be lower than normal going into 2023, so another round of poor harvests could be devastating. Resulting food shortages in most countries could drive civil unrest, while rising prices in developed countries will continue to stoke inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
One of the worst-affected regions will be the Southwest United States. Here, the longest drought in at least 1,200 years has persisted for 22 years so far, reducing the level of Lake Mead on the Colorado River so much that power generation capacity at the Hoover Dam has fallen by almost half. Upstream, the Glen Canyon Dam, on the rapidly shrinking Lake Powell, is forecast to stop generating power in 2023 if the drought continues. The Hoover Dam could follow suit in 2024. Together, these lakes and dams provide water and power for millions of people in seven states, including California. The breakdown of this supply would be catastrophic for agriculture, industry, and populations right across the region.
La Niña tends to limit hurricane development in the Atlantic, so as it begins to fade, hurricane activity can be expected to pick up. The higher global temperatures expected in 2023 could see extreme heating of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico surface waters. This would favor the formation and persistence of super-hurricanes, powering winds and storm surges capable of wiping out a major US city, should they strike land. Direct hits, rather than a glancing blow, are rare—the closest in recent decades being Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which made landfall immediately south of Miami, obliterating more than 60,000 homes and damaging 125,000 more. Hurricanes today are both more powerful and wetter, so that the consequences of a city getting in the way of a superstorm in 2023 would likely be cataclysmic.
Flooding caused by adverse weather takes over Kandy!
Many places in Kandy are currently facing severe flooding due to the adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, correspondents told LNW that property damage has occurred in several places due to the condition.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 25/12
- Closing date for the applications for the scholarship programme for GCE Advanced Level students under the President’s Fund extended to December 30, 2022.
- President’s Advisor Ashu Marasinghe resigns citing ‘personal’ reasons: Reports storm across media accusing him of being zoophilic following briefing called in by ex MP Hirunika Premachandra: Marasinghe denies allegations, lodges complaint with CID: Animal Rights group Randy Foundation demands immediate probe.
- Cabinet approves a proposal by President Wickremesinghe to conduct a series of events to appreciate the consistent contribution rendered by the Upcountry Tamils to the economy of Sri Lanka during the last two centuries.
- May the gospel of humanity, harmony and sacrifice that Jesus Christ desired spread for and wide, says President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Christmas Day Message: pledges the joy of Christmas will be given to the rich and the poor alike.
- Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says the value of humanity follows no dependency on wealth, power and capability: asserts Christmas speaks of people’s superiority in a different manner in which greed has no place.
- Engineers warn meeting the country’s daily electricity demand has become a challenge amid the disconnection of 270 MV of power from the National Grid: say the gap has to be fulfilled through diesel power plants.
- Police arrest brokers accused of producing counterfeit documents related to the Department of Motor Traffic during an operation led by SSP in charge of Colombo South J.H. Marapana.
- Indigenous Leader Uruvarige Wannila Aththo says people of his kin would be ready to contest independently, if the Local Government Election is held.
- Businesswoman Thilini Priyamali accused of major financial scandal barred from leaving Prison premises despite bail approval due to another lawsuit filed on the allegation of using a mobile phone inside Prison.
- SJB MP S.M. Marikkar questions whether December 26 (Monday) was declared as a public holiday in an attempt to delay the issuance of the gazette declaring the holding of the Local Government Election: reminds the Election Commission was set to issue the gazette on Monday.
Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal enters SL, public urged to take adequate precautions
The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country, the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (25).
Showers or thunder showers will occur at times over most parts of the country. Very heavy showers above 150 mm can be expected at some places in Eastern, Uva, central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district. Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places elsewhere.
Strong gusty winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over country.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
| The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country. Therefore, Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa, and Southwest Bay of Bengal (06N – 14N, 78E – 85E), until further notice. Fishing and naval community are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard. |
| Condition of Rain: |
| Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and heavy showers may occur in the sea areas around the Island. |
| Winds: |
| Winds will be northerly to north-westerly and wind 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 Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa and it will increase up to 50kmph at times in the other sea areas around the Island. |
| State of Sea: |
| The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa will be rough. The other sea areas around the Island may be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. |
MIAP
President’s Christmas Day Message
The dawn of Christmas is a day to reminisce and celebrate God’s love for humanity, by the birth of Jesus Christ as the savior of human kind. It is a joyous festival of humanity and peace, that proclaims the liberation of the poor and oppressed. The birth of baby Jesus in impoverished surroundings signifies the dedication of His life to creating a better society.
In the country’s current unprecedented economic crisis, it is important for the people to extend compassion to one another, and assist each other. This would be a salutation to the testaments of Jesus Christ.
It is appropriate to recall the appeal of His Holiness Pope Francis for a humble Christmas this year, with the savings from reduced spending on gifts to be donated to the needy and value humanity.
It is the Government’s aspiration to present the joy of Christmas to the entirety of society. It is imperative for all citizens to resolve to fulfill their responsibilities this Christmas season, and propagate devotion to all.
As we celebrate the event of the birth of Jesus Christ, I pray that our country will soon be restored with prosperity. I wish everyone a happy Christmas in which the gospel of humanity, harmony and sacrifice that Jesus Christ desired, will spread far and wide.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
SL begins Indian tour on Jan 03 2023 with TV rights to Supreme TV
Sri Lanka will be the first team to visit India in the New Year 2023 for a white-ball series – they’ll play in three T20Is followed by as many as 3 ODIs from 3 to 15 January. The matches will be played at six different venues, with the first T20I in Mumbai.
‘Supreme TV’ has secured the rights to telecast the Sri Lanka tour of India becoming the first local digital television to air all ODI and T20I matches for the cricket enthusiasts and die hard fans country wide.
The crickt series which is scheduled to begin on Tue January 3rd will have 3 T20 Matches and 3 ODI Matches.
‘Supreme TV’ is now relaying its programmes on UHF 47 (island wide), UHF 49 (Western), UHF 28 (Southern) , UHF 56 (Sabaragamuwa), Channel 20 (Dialog TV), Channel 140 (PEO TV) & Channel 17 (Freesat).
The last time Sri Lanka toured India for T20Is was in February 2022, a series that India comfortably won 3-0. The visitors will be playing an ODI series in India for the first time since 2017, when the hosts won the contest 2-1.
The Indian cricket authorities have not released any details related to the Sri Lanka Tour of India 2023. India Vs. Sri Lanka is going to happen after so long, and all the cricket fans are eagerly waiting for it Indian official sources said.
This series will be going to be very important for both nations hundrads of thousands Indian cricket fans get ready to witness the matches in India.
All cricket lovers are very excited to know each and every piece of information about the upcoming matches that is the Sri Lanka Tour of India.
But they need to wait for some more time to know the official details because the Indian cricket association has not released any official announcement regarding the upcoming matches
However the first T20 will be scheduled to play in Mumbai and the second match in Pune while the third at Rajkot.
Sri Lanka team will be led by Dasun Chanaka and the Indian captain is all rounder Hardik Himanshu Pandya as regular skipper Rohit Sharma is resting.
India Predicted XI For Sri Lanka T20Is:- Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
India Predicted Squad For Sri Lanka ODIs:- Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi.
Other Contenders:- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.