The Court of Appeal has scheduled a support hearing for June 28 following an application for Contempt of Court against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. The application was filed due to his non-compliance with the orders issued by the Court of Appeal regarding the reforestation of Maritchikattu and Karadikkuli forests, which are adjacent to the Wilpattu Forest Reserve.

The Court of Appeal had pronounced its verdict on November 16, 2020, after considering the petition. In its ruling, the court ordered respondent Rishad Bathiudeen to take necessary measures to reforest the areas that had been cleared. The Forest Conservation Department estimated that the cost of carrying out this task would amount to Rs. 1,067 million. However, the respondent, who is the former minister, has not made any arrangements to pay the required amount or initiate the reforestation process.

The petitioner in this case has accused the former minister of failing to comply with the court’s order and neglecting his responsibility to provide the necessary funds for reforestation. As a result, the Court of Appeal has issued notices to Rishad Bathiudeen, summoning him to appear before the court and address the Contempt of Court application.

The upcoming support hearing on June 28 will provide an opportunity for the court to further assess the situation and gather any additional information related to the case. The Court of Appeal will carefully consider the allegations and the respondent’s response in order to make a fair and just decision regarding the Contempt of Court applica

The Department of Meteorology Issues Advisory on Rainfall and Wind Patterns

The Department of Meteorology has released its latest weather forecast, indicating the possibility of showers or thundershowers in certain regions of Sri Lanka. According to the forecast, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as Galle and Matara districts, may experience intermittent showers or thundershowers throughout the day.

In the Sabaragamuwa Province, Galle, Matara, and Kalutara districts, fairly heavy showers of approximately 100mm are anticipated in certain areas. Simultaneously, the North-Western province can expect several spells of showers.

As the day progresses, Uva and Central provinces, along with Ampara and Batticaloa districts, may witness showers or thundershowers in the evening or at night. The occurrence of strong winds, ranging from 40-45 kmph, is also expected in Northern and North-Central provinces, as well as Hambantota, Puttalam, and Trincomalee districts.

To ensure safety and minimize potential damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, the general public is strongly advised to take adequate precautions. It is essential to remain vigilant and stay informed about the weather conditions in their respective regions.

Litro Gas Lanka Company has reduced the price of its product by 452 rupees this month as usual compared to the international market price and related to the local gas price formula.

It was a relief for Litro Gas customers, while Laughs Gas customers did not get the same relief. Laughs Gas Company is still selling a 1.5 gas cylinder at a price that is Rs 804 more than Litro gas. The current price of 12.5 cylinder of Litro gas is Rs. 3186 while Laughs company is selling it at an unreasonable price of Rs. 3990.

Selling the same gas cylinder in a wide price range is a violation of the rights of a particular consumer segment and is also legally unacceptable.

On this basis, Laughs Company earns an unfair profit of Rs. 24 crore rupees in addition to its monthly profit.

We are waiting for those responsible to open their eyes to this unfair consumer exploitation.

In a significant move, the Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka has given the go-ahead to a proposal aimed at reducing the maximum retail price of 60 medicines, effective from June 15, 2023. Additionally, the Cabinet has mandated a regular review of medicine prices every three months.

The Ministry of Health had previously approved an increase of up to 97% in the maximum retail price of medicines due to the depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US dollar. However, with the recent substantial appreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella announced during a Cabinet press conference held on June 6 that his proposal to reduce medicine prices was approved.

Minister Rambukwella emphasized that the preparation of the necessary gazette notification pertaining to the price reduction is currently underway. As a result, the maximum retail price of 60 medicines will witness a reduction of 16% from June 15 onwards.

This move by the Cabinet is expected to alleviate the financial burden on the public and make essential medicines more affordable. The reduction in medicine prices is a proactive step towards ensuring accessible healthcare for all citizens.

Regular reviews of medicine prices every three months will enable the government to closely monitor fluctuations in the currency exchange rate and take appropriate measures to adjust prices accordingly. Such periodic assessments will help maintain a fair and balanced pricing system for pharmaceuticals, benefiting both consumers and healthcare providers.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Since the commencement of negotiations for the IMF-EFF arrangement in early 2022, Sri Lanka has completed nine prior actions by March 2023 and has formulated a mechanism for meeting the structural benchmarks.

The completion of these prior actions was instrumental in paving the way for broader reforms to be implemented in the next four years under the EFF.

The prior actions that have been already completed by Sri Lanka include, obtaining Cabinet approval for revenue measures to support fiscal consolidation during 2023 in line with programme parameters.

The there obligations were the , obtaining Parliamentary approval for a revised 2022 budget, submission of the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the Parliament, obtaining Cabinet approval to automate monthly retail fuel price adjustment,to automate semi-annual cost-recovery based electricity price adjustment, Cabinet approval of the new Central Bank Ac.

Cabinet approval for the amendments to the Banking Act, strengthening key elements of the Central Bank’s crisis management powers hiring an independent firm to conduct banking sector diagnostic exercise, and increasing policy interest rates by 100 basis points to ensure forward looking real policy interest rates are on a firm upward path.

In addition to the above, three important upfront measures were also implemented which include Parliamentary approval of the 2023 budget that was in line with programme parameters, Parliamentary approval of necessary legislative revisions to implement the 2023 revenue measures, and updating the Emergency Liquidity Assistance framework for banks.

Further, Sri Lanka is required to implement several structural benchmarks related to fiscal matters, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), social safety net reforms,and monetary and exchange rate policies and reforms related to fiscal sector and governance in the period ahead.

The programme is expected to trigger additional financing assistance with budget support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank of US dollars 3.75 billion, of which US dollars 900 million is expected in 2023.

It is also expected that with the recovery in the economy and buildup of buffers,Sri Lanka would be able to access international markets to raise funds in terms of sovereign bond issues in 2027.

These resources, together with external public debt service relief, will close the external financing gap and allow Sri Lanka to rebuild its gross international reserves.

Gampola, a town in Sri Lanka, experienced a minor tremor measuring 2.0 on the Richter scale, as confirmed by the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB). The bureau revealed that the seismic event occurred at approximately 10:49 p.m. on Monday, June 5, with its epicenter located in Pupuressa.

Seismic meters installed in strategic locations, namely Mahakanadarawa, Hakmana, Pallekelle, and Buddhangala, diligently recorded the occurrence of the earthquake. These instruments serve as crucial monitoring tools, enabling the GSMB to collect accurate data on seismic activities in the region.

While a magnitude 2.0 tremor is considered minor and may not cause significant damage or pose immediate risks to residents, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing seismic activity in the area. Earthquakes of this scale are often imperceptible to the general population but are routinely detected by specialized equipment.

The GSMB, responsible for monitoring geological and seismic activities in Sri Lanka, plays a vital role in assessing and reporting such incidents. By closely monitoring seismic events, the bureau can provide valuable information to relevant authorities and help ensure the safety and preparedness of communities.

In light of this minor tremor, the GSMB continues to monitor the situation closely. It emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and adhering to proper safety protocols during seismic events. While minor tremors are not unusual in geologically active regions, it is crucial for residents to stay informed and follow any guidelines issued by local authorities.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says SL’s next country assessment on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism will commence soon: asserts the assessment holds immense significance as it “directly impacts the country’s ease of doing business rating and its ability to attract foreign investments.”
2. CPC records a profit of Rs. 29.7 billion in 1Q23: Its operating loss in 2022 was Rs. 6.2 billion, compared to the loss of Rs. 41.3 billion in 2021: CEB records a loss of Rs. 34.4 billion in 1Q23 as the cost-reflective pricing mechanism was implemented only in mid-February ’23: GOSL decides to restructure CPC’s balance sheet by transferring its outstanding balance of the govt-guaranteed foreign currency denominated debt stock to the central government debt stock.
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe hands over the letters of appointments to several new High Court Judges: The District Judges T.J. Prabhakaran, P.K. Parana Gamage, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilaka and Senior State Counsel K.D.Y.M. Nayani Nirmala Kasthuriratne appointed as High Court Judges.
4. India’s Union Minister for Port, Shipping, Water Ways Sarbananda Sonowal flags off India’s first cruise ship “Cordelia Empress” to Sri Lanka from Chennai Port: The ship to reach the Hambantota Port on June 07, and is set to sail to Trincomalee and dock there for a day: Cordelia CEO Jurgen Bailom says the ship would carry 50,000 passengers from India to Sri Lanka in the next four months.
5. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says considering the appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar, there will be a 16% reduction in NMRA-registered drugs regulated by price controls, from June 15.
6. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce briefs key representatives of the IMF on recent economic developments in Sri Lanka, and their impact on the country’s economic trajectory: The meeting centres around interest rates, exchange rates, foreign trade, and the general political climate: CCC has been a strong advocate for the “debt default” and the subsequent IMF bailout which resulted in the sharp depreciation of the LKR, very high interest rates, high utility prices, massive negative growth, discontinuation of forex construction contracts, etc.
7. The Environment Ministry and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation sign an agreement on the ‘Green Climate Fund Readiness Initiative’: The proposal aims to enhance the technical capacity of the Ministry and its partners, including the private sector, for the implementation of necessary measures to address climate challenges: The Global Climate Risk Index reveals SL is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, consistently ranking among the top ten nations at risk of extreme weather events.
8. The Korean Government to provide Rs. 15,600 million in assistance to SL for the implementation of two floating solar projects by supporting the programme for the development of renewable energy in the island: These solar power plants to be located at Chandrika Lake and Kiriibban Lake in the southern region, and will contribute 2MW of electricity to the National Grid.
9. Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka Yohan Lawrence says with the current GSP+ regulation set to expire by the end 2023, it is imperative that SL takes measures to secure concessionary access to the European market; reminds securing GSP+ depends on SL upholding the already ratified conventions spanning human rights, labour, environment and governance; warns if SL is to lose GSP+, the combined loss for the apparel sector is estimated at US$494 million, which is 79% of the estimated trade loss.
10. Sri Lanka Cricket team head coach Chris Silverwood after the victory in the second ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa Int’l Stadium says they want to qualify for the World Cup and win the Afghanistan ODI series: adds the team has limited opportunities and time to prepare for the World Cup qualifier tournament and experience is vital at this stage: asserts he’s “very pleased with how the team has bounced back”: stresses Angelo Mathews’ experience is very important for the side.

Severe weather conditions have wreaked havoc in various areas of the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, leaving local communities grappling with the challenges posed by floods. In response to this crisis, the Sri Lanka Navy swiftly sprang into action on Sunday, mobilizing four relief teams to provide much-needed aid to the affected areas, including Bulathsinhala, Baduraliya, Lathpandura, and Kalawana.

One of the notable efforts undertaken by the Navy relief teams was the rescue and assistance of a group of school children who found themselves stranded in the flood-hit Lathpandura area of Baduraliya in the Kalutara district. These students were facing the threat of being unable to reach their examination centers for the upcoming G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Navy promptly arranged a boat service to transport the stranded students, ensuring they would not miss this crucial academic milestone.

In addition to the successful rescue operation, the Navy relief teams have been diligently working to alleviate the hardships faced by the affected communities. The dedicated personnel have been providing essential supplies, including food, water, and medical assistance, to those who have been displaced or isolated by the floods.