By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Chinese oil major Sinopec expects to start operations in Sri Lanka on Sept. 20 and will be allowed to sell fuel for less than the maximum retail price set by the government, Sri Lanka’s Power Minister said.

Sinopec’s entry into Sri Lanka will help reduce pressure on Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves, and the island nation expects two other international fuel operators to start operations by October and November, Kanchana Wijesekera said.

“Reducing pressure on our foreign exchange with Sinopec’s entry will also help us increase fuel imports and strengthen the economy,” Wijesekera told reporters.

Australia’s United Petroleum and U.S. firm RM Parks in collaboration with Shell are the other two companies that have received approval.

The entry of the new players will end a market duopoly of state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corp and Lanka IOC, a unit of Indian Oil Corp.

Under the new deal, the Chinese firm will be given a 20-year licence to operate 150 fuel stations and will also be able to invest in 50 new fuel stations.

Sri Lanka is grappling with its worst financial crisis since independence from the British in 1948 with reserves at $3.8 billion at the end of July.

The island’s economy was severely hit last year by spiralling energy costs worsened by the war in Ukraine, which caused long lines at fuel stations and hours-long power cuts.

“Sinopec and Vitol have also been shortlisted for a refinery project in southern Sri Lanka and we expect their request for proposals to be handed over at the end of August,” Wijesekera added.

The entry of the new players will end a market duopoly of state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corp and Lanka IOC, a unit of Indian Oil Corp.

The Board of Investment (BOI) recently clarified that no tax concession has been granted to China’s energy investor in Sri Lanka, Sinopec, in terms of the BOI law.

BOI top official said: “BOI can only give exemptions from Customs duties under the prevailing Inland Revenue Act. If any concession is to be given, it should be under this. This agreement does not provide any exemption from taxes.”

He added that no exemption from Inland Revenue laws was given in any BOI agreement. “The prevailing law applies. The present agreement is to set up fuel stations in terms of the approval granted by the Ministry of Power and Energy.

The BOI had given approval after it secured approval from the Ministry of Power and Energy. “In terms of that approval, we have granted BOI status. No tax exemptions will be given and the BOI doesn’t have power to do so,” she explained.

The BOI and Sinopec Energy Lanka signed an agreement to operate and establish filling stations for fuel distribution in Sri Lanka. Sinopec has invested $ 100 million into the project, which includes import, storage, and sale of fuel.

The project will involve 150 privately-owned fuel outlets currently operated by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Additionally, 50 new fuel stations will be established, the BOI said in a statement.

The agreement allows the project to operate for 20 years under the oversight of Sinopec Energy Lanka, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Board of Investment Act. Sinopec will sell various petroleum products, including octane 92 and 95 petrol, 500 PPM diesel, 10 PPM diesel, petroleum jet fuel, and other diesel and petroleum products.

Further, the agreement will facilitate the provision of value-added services at the stations such as automatic car washing and car service facilities, department stores, convenience stores, internet cafes, automated teller machines, and food courts.

1. All Ceylon Medical Officers Assn General Secretary Dr Jayantha Bandara says about 2000 doctors have left the country and about another 5000 are now planning to do so: also says doctors are troubled by high taxes and low pay.
   
2. National Institute of Mental Health Director Dr Dhammika Wijesinghe says a severe shortage of staff at their facility at Mulleriyawa has affected both patients and workers.
   
3. President’s Media announces that India has officially handed over a substitute Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security to be used by the Sri Lanka Air Force.
   
4. Knowledgeable analysts point out that although the economic growth since April’22 has been severely negative, the average weekly amounts offered at Treasury Bill auctions have increased from Rs.56 bn in March’22 to Rs.90 bn in June’22, to Rs.113 bn in March’23 & to Rs.158 bn in July’23: also point out that the interest rates have also more than doubled: warn this trend is unsustainable and a crash of the local debt is imminent, unless urgent remedial steps are taken.
   
5. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda announces that the Ministry of Fisheries aims to export 50,000 MT of shrimp by the end of this year: also warns that urgent measures are needed to address the proliferation of fungi and parasites if this target is to be achieved.
   
6. UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara says the doors of the UNP are open for anyone who is willing to support the unstoppable victory of President Wickremesinghe: also says if SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa wants to take the Premiership under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Premadasa should first support Wickremasinghe to get elected as the President again.
   
7. A Fire breaks out on the 2nd floor of the Finance Ministry building in Colombo: fire engines douse the flames and completely extinguishe the fire.
   
8. An officer of Parliament who inspected the Committee rooms of Parliament, finds 2 pillows and a mattress in a Committee room at the complex: previously, a group of officers have been accused of sexually harassing some young female employees of the Housekeeping Dept of Parliament.
   
9. An official of the Airline Pilots’ Guild says a shift of almost 70 pilots to rival airlines underscores the gravity of the situation facing the airline: also says approximately 12 pilots have submitted resignations and opted to fulfill their obligatory 3-month notice periods: SriLankan Airlines spokesperson Deepal Perera says all flights are operated according to the guidelines provided by the Civil Aviation Authority, which are in line with global standards.
   
10. Kandy Esala Perahera festival starts today with the planting of Kapa at the auspicious time in the Sathara Maha Devalayas: after the planting of Kapa, 5 internal peraheras to be held in the Sathara Maha Devalas of Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini: Kumbal Perahera street tour to begin thereafter.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The Vatican has lauded President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his recent statement on peace and reconciliation, the President’s Media Division said.

Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement in Parliament regarding peace and reconciliation.

He said that the statement had received the blessings of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, the President’s Media Division said.

Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe emphasized that religious leaders have a crucial role in maintaining peace and harmony in the country. He also stressed that whether a religious figure divides or unites the country is determined by their own actions.

He had expressed these views at the annual festival of the shrine of Our Lady of Madu in Mannar today which was attended by President Wickremesinghe.

During the service the President announced plans to transform Mannar into an energy hub. He also revealed that an inter-city express train service between Thalaimannar and Colombo will commence on 15th September to enhancing connectivity and facilitate smoother travel between the two cities.

“This service is being launched in response to the request of MP Charles Nirmalanathan. Additionally, steps have been taken to establish a sugar factory in Vavuniya, as requested by MP Selvam Adekkalanathan. Cabinet approval has been obtained for this project,” the President said.

The year 2024 marks the completion of 100 years since the enshrinement of the revered statue of Lady Madu. The church management board has decided to hold services throughout the year to commemorate this occasion.

“Numerous devotees come here to seek solace through prayers to Lady Madhu. During last year’s economic crisis, a substantial number of devotees gathered here to pray for Lady Madhu’s assistance and protection. It can be said that Lady Madhu’s blessings provided us with strength during that challenging time,” the President said.

Subsequent to the main ceremony, a revered statue of Lady Madhu was respectfully carried in procession throughout the church grounds to pay homage to the devoted attendees.

A significant number of devotees from various parts of the island gathered for the annual feast.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka government has embarked on a major initiative of promoting indigenous medicine overseas as it has the potential to complement western medicine in achieving a responsive health care system and high-quality health care outcomes in the country.

To leverage its potential, the government is set to establish data collection and management on the availability, accessibility, and utilization of traditional medicine; strengthen its monitoring and regulation; and promote intensive research and training in this sector.

In Sri Lanka, the use of traditional medicine also increased significantly at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Likewise, the Department of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation jointly introduced an immune-boosting drink and a powder for those infected with COVID-19. Ayurvedic hospitals were also allowed to treat COVID-19 patients with traditional medicine.

Data on service providers are also rare. The Ayurvedic Medical Council data indicate that there were about 24,000 registered practitioners in the country.

In order to promote Indigenous Medicine overseas, Sri Lanka will hold an international exhibition on indigenous medical education and trade in the capital Colombo on Sept. 8-10

State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody told the media that representatives from various countries will be participating in this exhibition to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

He noted that necessary steps have been taken to promote the indigenous medicine sector as an industry with commercial value that can generate foreign exchange.

The Ministry of Indigenous Medicine and the Department of Ayurveda have now started a  program to develop the indigenous medicine sector as an industry that can generate foreign exchange with commercial value,” Jayakodi commented further.

The state minister, stating that necessary amendments would be made to the Ayurveda Act, subject to the Supreme Court’s orders, mentioned that the top court has approved the clauses regarding the cultivation of medicinal plants necessary for the promotion of the export sector in the county and the generation of foreign exchange.

With the aim of boosting the tourism sector, the state minister said a new program is in progress to provide the contribution of the indigenous medical system to tourist hotels as a treatment method that goes beyond traditional methods. The program has already started producing well-trained certified therapists, he added.

Jayakodi also spoke of the potential to promote the indigenous medicine as a sector that can generate incredible foreign exchange. “Today there is a very high demand for herbal products all over the world. Also, the cosmetics industry is a place where billions roam today. Also, indigenous medicine has a special place in the field of tourism.”

The state minister also pointed out that many new trends have been made in the indigenous medicine system and Ayurvedic system in order to build a healthy population in the country as well as to solve the problems that have arisen in the health sector.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The welfare benefits paid by the government for differently-abled persons will be increased disclosed State Minister of Social Empowerment of Sri Lanka Anupa Pasqual, speaking at a briefing yesterday (16).

Accordingly, the revision on the welfare benefits entitled to differently-abled persons will take place as follows;

• Education welfare will rise to Rs. 20,000 from Rs. 10,000
• Self-employment welfare will rise to Rs. 40,000 from Rs. 25,000
• Welfare for equipment (aid) will rise to Rs. 35,000 from Rs. 15,000
• Welfare for housing will rise to Rs. 500,000 from Rs. 250,000
• Welfare for house repairing will rise to Rs. 250,000 from Rs. 150,000
• Welfare for lavatory facilities will rise to Rs. 100,000

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): A sudden fire erupted at the Ministry of Finance due to an electrical short circuit earlier yesterday (16 Aug) has been completely doused, ministry sources confirmed.

A fire has reportedly broken out on the second floor of the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, a fire has broken at the second floor of the Ministry of Finance located in the Old Parliament building in Colombo.

However, the fire brigade has taken prompt action to extinguish the fire with the support of fire fighters and it has already deployed several fire engines at the location to douse the flames, several officials of the ministry said.

Colombo (LNW): In a move to ease the process of obtaining vehicle revenue licences, the issuance of revenue licences for all vehicles registered will be implemented in the Central Province from September 01, annouced Transport Commissioner for the Central Province Parami Tennakoon.

The decision in motion will allow drivers having vehicles with registrations in other provinces to obtain their revenue licences from all divisional secretariats in the Central Province.  

Currently, revenue licences can only be obtained through the divisional secretariat of the province in which the vehicle has been initially registered.

Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister yesterday (16) called in a special discussion with the Governor of the Eastern Province to develop a plan pertaining to the energy sector in the Eastern Province.

Plans related to renewable energy and the energy policies of the province were discussed between the Minister, the Governor and other officials from the province, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA).

Concerns were raised on a number of matters, including the progress of the ongoing projects, plans for future ones, the development of the transmission lines in the area, expediting the approval process for the affair, refinery and tank farm operations in the East, and investments on green-hydrogen and land identification. 

PMD: A successor Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was handed over to Sri Lanka by India at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake.

During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention. The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance.

In response to Sri Lanka’s request, the Indian government took proactive measures during these deliberations. They decided to provide a Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, which was part of the Indian Navy’s fleet, to Sri Lanka free of cost for a span of two years. The formal handover of this aircraft took place at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, with Mr. Baglay officiating.

Upon its delivery, the Donier-228 aircraft was instrumental in performing specialized tasks within Sri Lanka over the past year.

Subsequently, it underwent mandatory annual maintenance services in India. In lieu of the aircraft undergoing maintenance, a replacement Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was assigned to the Sri Lanka Air Force at a ceremony held today (16) in Katunanayake.

Since its initial arrival in Sri Lanka, the Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft has significantly contributed to numerous operations.

These encompass a spectrum of activities such as monitoring and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s airspace and exclusive economic zone through maritime and coastal surveillance operations, executing search and rescue missions, and monitoring and controlling maritime pollution.

The official handover of the successor aircraft to Sri Lanka was attended by a delegation representing the Sri Lankan Government. This delegation included Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, HE Gopal Baglay, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and other officials.