Deputy High Commissioner of India, Mr. Vinod K Jacob participated in the Coordination Forum of Development Partners of Sri Lanka, chaired by Mr. Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister for Finance at the premises of the Treasury in Colombo on 4 April 2023. In his intervention, Mr. Vinod K Jacob welcomed the initiative of the Treasury and supported the proposal to convene such a Coordination Forum once in six months. He stated that India had steadfastly supported the people of Sri Lanka through the economic crisis as well as at the IMF and expressed hope that Sri Lanka will achieve early economic recovery. 

2.     Explaining the flagship development cooperation partnership between India and Sri Lanka, Deputy High Commissioner Jacob said that the engagement was based on the principles of South South cooperation between friendly neighbours. The projects are selected in line with the priorities of the Sri Lankan side and pertain to socio-economic sectors like the Indian Housing projects, 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance, Kandyan Dancing Academy, SL UDI, fishery harbours, hospitals, schools and the like. The total development cooperation portfolio stands at USD 600 million and in the past 8 years, more than 20 projects have been completed. 

3.     Elaborating on the challenges faced, Deputy High Commissioner Jacob said that during the past few years import restrictions and capacity issues have impacted the pace of execution. Further, on some occasions lack of availability of local resources have been an impediment to progress. An unique characteristic of Indian projects are its reliance on Sri Lanka partners for supply of locally available and environmentally sustainable materials. India remains confident of jointly resolving these concerns with the Sri Lankan side.

Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, has announced that the Sri Lankan government will be moving away from the distribution of fertilizer during the ‘Maha Season’, and instead providing financial allocations for farmers under a subsidy system. This decision comes as part of the government’s efforts to transition the distribution of fertilizer to the private sector.

During a recent press conference, Minister Amaraweera stated that the government will no longer be involved in fertilizer distribution activities, and instead, these activities will be handed over to the private sector. The goal of this move is to provide financial allocations as subsidies to facilitate farmers in purchasing the required fertilizers.

The Sri Lankan government had spent Rs. 6.5 billion on the distribution of urea and MOP fertilizer during the recent cultivation season, while Rs. 2 billion was spent on the distribution of TSP fertilizer during the Yala cultivation season.

Minister Amaraweera highlighted the purpose of this program is to provide financial allocations as subsidies to farmers. This will help to ensure that they have access to the fertilizers they need to grow crops successfully.

This announcement by the Minister of Agriculture comes as a significant development in the country’s agricultural sector. It is expected to promote greater private sector involvement in the distribution of fertilizer, while also improving the livelihoods of farmers.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Mr. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC clarified on reports on him receiving a luxury vehicle, stating that the said vehicle is provided by the Company not on a demand or personal request by him but to the position itself.

Speaking to LNW, Mr. Fernando clarified that in the case of current vehicle used by the state telecommunication service provider’s chief a suitable vehicle was sourced in 2020 as the existing vehicle, a Land Cruiser V8 was over six years old and had clocked closed to 300,000 km requiring major repairs.

Below is the full statement made with LNW by the SLT Chief in response to the reports:

Chairman’s vehicle is provided by the Company and not on a demand or personal request by the Chairman.

In the case of current vehicle used by the chairman a suitable vehicle was sourced in 2020 as the existing vehicle a Land Cruiser V8 was over six years old and had clocked closed to 300,000 km requiring major repairs.

When checking the prices they (Company) found that Land Cruiser V8 prices as a replacement to be 10 million Rs more than Range Rover prices.

I was only asked whether it’s OK by me to go for the cheaper option and if so to inspect the vehicle as it was imported one year before by a private car importer.
The old Land Cruiser allocated as the chairman’s vehicle was sold by auction and I believe it yielded 23 Million Rs. Hence the total outflow needs to calculated taking this amount as well.

As the Chairman of SLTMOBITEL I use only one official vehicle and at night it’s parked at Mobitel premises.

When in such situation and when the official vehicle is sent for service or repairs I use my private vehicle.

On the contrary the Chairman before 2020 had a fleet of vehicles for his use as well as back up vehicles for security provided by the PSD.

Now this should clear the picture from my side but anyone can check with the Company

Why or should a vehicle be given to the chairman of the second largest market cap listed entity, running at best profits and categorized amongst the 10 best Companies in SL.

What should be the ideal vehicle a Chairman should be given to use considering travel to far corners of the island including remote locations such as Kytes and Delft islands where Company installations and switches are located.

Is it the public or board of directors who should decide this issue in the first instance.

I am sure all procedures and board approvals have been received by the Company procurement sections in this regard.

Has their been a fraud or alleged fraud in the purchase of the vehicle and if so what legal action could be instituted as opposed to writing stories in social media.

A high-ranking representatives of the well-known South Korean company ”Hyundai”; stated that it is expected to provide more job opportunities to Sri Lankan youth in South Korea. This was stated when the said representatives met with the Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, Deputy Speaker yesterday (04).

A delegation including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hyundai Marine Company, Mr. Kim Byong Boo, who came to Sri Lanka to look into the interview process and training related to the selection of Sri Lankan youth for South Korean jobs, mentioned the above when they met the Deputy Speaker Hon. Ajith Rajapakse in Parliament.

The delegation stated that the youth of this country are highly skilled and they expect to bring more trained Sri Lankan youth for jobs in the country. They further emphasized that it is important for these workers to be disciplined young persons with good qualities.

The delegation pointed out the need for the government to intervene and provide proper vocational training in the country and send trained workers to South Korea as soon as possible without delay. It was also assured that the facilities and safety of the workers in South Korea will be provided to the maximum extent.

Accordingly, the delegation pointed out that there is a high demand for trained workers in the fields of ship construction and repair, electricians, welding etc. and they are entitled to high salaries. The Deputy Speaker Hon. Ajith Rajapakse addressing the gathering requested to provide support for the construction of a fully equipped training center for skilled workers in Sri Lanka.

He also said that in addition to professional skills, it is expected to provide an understanding of the Korean language, culture, etc. through this.
The delegation who expressed their interest for it pointed out that they expect to provide more job opportunities in South Korea to the talented youth of this country. Members of Parliament Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Hon. Sampath Athukorala, were also present on this occasion.

In response to the recent reduction in gas prices in Sri Lanka, the All Ceylon Canteen Owners Association has announced a reduction in the prices of certain food items. Chairman of the Association, Asela Sampath, stated that the price of a rice packet, Koththu, and Fried Rice will be reduced by 20% from midnight on April 5th.

Asela Sampath also announced that the price of a cup of plain tea will be reduced by Rs. 10, with the new price being set at Rs. 30. Additionally, a cup of milk tea will now cost Rs. 90.

This decision by the All Ceylon Canteen Owners Association comes as a relief to many customers who have been struggling with rising food costs. With the reduction in gas prices, it is hoped that more canteens and restaurants will follow suit and reduce their prices.

The Association has called on all its members to implement the new prices as soon as possible to benefit customers. This move is expected to boost customer satisfaction and promote more business for canteens and restaurants.

The public is encouraged to check with their local canteen or restaurant for the updated prices of food items. The All Ceylon Canteen Owners Association has assured customers that they will continue to monitor prices and make necessary adjustments to support the public during these challenging times.