It is reported that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given a one-year service extension to Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage.
Accordingly, it is stated that the service period of the Army Commander has been extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023.
Mr. Vikum Liyanage assumed the position of Army Commander from June 1st.
The budget submitted by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna for the year 2023 of the Kurunegala Municipal Council, which is in power, has been defeated by a majority of 07 votes.
Only 07 votes were received in favor of the budget presented by Mayor Thushara Sanjeeva and 14 votes were received against it.
Kurunegala is considered a stronghold of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and the mayor of Kurunegala, Thushara Sanjeeva, is a close disciple of Johnston Fernando, one of the strongest in Pohottuwa. Similarly, the leader of Pohottuwa, Mahinda Rajapaksa also contested the last two general elections from Kurunegala district.
The deadline for submission of applications for A/L students’ scholarships programme through the President’s Fund ends on December 23
The accepting of applications for the scholarship award programme by the President’s Fund for students with economic difficulties who have successfully completed the G.C.E O/L examination in 2021 and will be sitting for the G.C.E. A/L examinations in 2024 will end on December 23.
The duly completed applications which were obtained from the school principals should be submitted to the respective school Principals on or before 23rd December 2022. The Grama Seva Officer should recommend the income status of the applicants’ family. The application forms will be handed over to the President’s office through the zonal education offices.
However, due to the lack of understanding of the application submission process, a large number of applications were directly sent to the President’s Fund. Therefore, all the scholarship candidates are informed to hand over the application forms to the respective principals instead of sending the application forms directly to the President’s Fund in order to facilitate the scholarship awarding process without delay.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the monthly income of the applicant’s family should not exceed Rs. 75,000/- and the applicant should be a student of a government school or in a private school that does not charge fees.
The applicant should be a student who has completed the G.C.E. O/L examination for the first time in 2021 and should be fully qualified to follow the G.E.C. A/L examination in the year 2024.
The number of scholarships per educational zone is 30, and the selected scholarship winners will receive a bursary of Rs. 5,000.00 each for a maximum period of 24 months.
President’s Media Division
By Dwayne Ferreira
A fitting finish to a wonderful Qatari World Cup saw Argentina finally get their paws on a third World Cup title since 1986.
Lionel Messi and Argentina defeated a weak yet persistent French opposition in a final penalty shootout after a stunning hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe rescued Les Blues from an early two-goal deficit.
Kylian Mbappe sent shockwaves through the majority of thousands of sky blue and white fans at the Lusail Stadium, as he not once but twice equalized against Messi and the Albiceleste.
The South Americans however, were clearly the more dominant on the night and their built-up confidence throughout the 120 minutes of play helped in beating the 2018 World Cup champions in the closing stages on penalties.
Argentina and Lionel Messi were rightfully awarded with their fairytale ending after having overcome an almost catastrophic start to their campaign in the group stages and a few bumpy obstacles in the knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi was the star of the show yet again, scoring twice and becoming the first man to score in all four knockout stages of the World Cup.
The Paris Saint Germain talisman was able to give his side an early lead in the 27th minute with a well-struck penalty following a foul on Angel Di Maria by Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.
Di Maria then doubled Argentina’s lead with a goal ten minutes later thanks to a counter-attacking break from halfway, set up also by Lionel Messi.
Argentina was well on their way to an almost uncontested win over the reigning champs but unfortunately gave away a penalty in the 80th minute and sent Mbappe straight to the penalty spot.
Kylian was able to score France’s first goal of the night and suddenly Les Blues were wide awake and filled with newfound confidence.
Paris’ hero went on to then light up the eyes of many with an unbelievable right-foot volley into the bottom right corner just over a minute after scoring his first goal.
Tricolore fans filled the Stadium with long-awaited cheers and screams, as his brace was able to equalize a two-goal deficit and send the game straight into extra time.
Argentina and France then put on a show with outstanding displays of teamwork and individual brilliance, slogging away at each other until Lionel Messi finally made a breakthrough in the 108th minute.
Messi found himself on the end of a deflected shot that was initially saved by Hugo Lloris, and the Argentinian forward did not miss his opportunity to potentially see off the Europeans in extra time. His goal put him in joint first place for the golden boot alongside opponent Mbappe with 7 goals each.
Unfortunately for Messi, France was awarded yet another penalty due to a handball in the 118th minute and Kylian Mbappe was sent to the spot for the second.
Mbappe calmly banged in France’s third goal of the night to equalize the game three all, while also going one goal above Lionel in the race for the golden boot.
Mbappe’s hat trick sent the game into a shootout but France’s surprise burst of luck soon ran out and Argentina evidently walked away victorious in the Final of the World Cup.
Their South American grit and sheer determination outplayed the French both mentally and physically in the shootout, while Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was also able to use this to his advantage and force a save, and a wide shot out of the French.
Four of the confident Albiceleste penalty takers scored all their shots past France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and ended France’s well fought dream of winning two World Cups in a row.
Qatar ended the most controversial FIFA World Cup with a stunning closing ceremony that did the Middle Eastern nation and FIFA justice following a well organized tournament full of thrills and spills.
FIFA president and Qatar’s Emir awarded the best player on the planet and eight-time Ballon D’Or with his first-ever World Cup title in grand Qatari fashion while also handing over Argentina’s first World Cup title in 36 years.
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez was awarded the FIFA Young Player Award while Emiliano Martinez received the Golden Glove Award for his heroics throughout the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe was awarded the Golden Boot for his total of 8 goals while Lionel Messi walked away with the Golden Ball for best player of the World Cup.
This will probably be the last time fans see Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria grace a World Cup stage but the pair have certainly said goodbye to the World in the best way possible.
Qatari’s and Argentinian fans continued to cheer the victory late into the windy desert night, while fans back in Argentina wait patiently for the Jules Rimet Trophy to make its way home to Buenos Aires until 2026.
Social Activist and Journalist Sasika Dissanayake who worked at ‘Aragalaya FM,’ a media channel that served the ‘Aragalaya’ anti-government protests in Galleface, has been summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (20) for questioning.
On his way out, Dissanayake told the reporters that he was questioned regarding ‘Aragalaya FM,’ but no proper notice was given.
The public funds are wasted in the CID’s conduct of summoning those who speak out for the country instead of the Parliament representatives, who, in reality, should be questioned, he emphasised.
He added that each time repression is laid on those speaking out the willingness to stand up will grow.
MIAP
Issuance of VISA and fulfilling other relevant activities to the investors and other relevant parties expected to arrive for various services such as international trade, navel and monitoring, financial, information technology and tourism etc. that is expected to be established in the Colombo Port City should be done by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Minister of Public Security to take necessary steps to introduce following VISA categories subject to the recommendations of the Colombo Port City Commission:
MIAP
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) was reportedly compelled to settle nearly Rs. 160 billion as principal payments, in addition to interest payments on December 15.
However, the Treasury-bond auction failed to raise the entire Rs. 160 billion requirement and managed to sell only Rs. 124 billion.
Accordingly, the CBSL has printed an additional amount of Rs. 64 billion for the settlement.
Meanwhile, domestic debts are being settle via ‘money printing’ in the recent period as no other funding sources are available, according to DailyFT.
MIAP
Sri Lanka’s tea exporters have come forward defending their industry along with the bandwagon categorically stating that they were not stashing their dollar earnings without bringing it to the country and they have been abiding by the Central Bank’s relevant rules and regulations.
Amid allegations regarding exporters not converting the export proceeds as mandated by the monetary watchdog, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) has met with Central Bank (CBSL) Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe recently to clarify the position.
In the first week of December, the local apparel sector too clarified on the misconceptions in this regard.
The TEA, in an elaborated statement to the media yesterday, pointed out that the sector does not have the “luxury” of either delaying the receipt of payments or the opportunity to differ the conversions of export proceeds into Sri Lankan rupees.
This is due to the tea cost amounting to almost 75 percent of the value of the exported items and the survival of the exporters depend on the timely receipt of sales proceeds, specially during the current high interest rate regime.
“Most tea export companies, due to intense competition from other tea producing countries and extended payment terms demanded by supermarkets, provide a reasonable period of suppliers’ credit within the repatriation period mandated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka,” the TEA said.
The association noted that the tea export business is highly working capital intensive. The teas purchased at the auction are settled within seven days while the sales proceeds are often received within 30-90 days from the shipment date or in certain cases full or part payment is received in advance.
They added the tea export companies convert a much higher proportion of their export proceeds into local currency in comparison with the figures indicated by the Central Bank.
Most tea exporters, to remain competitive, borrow their working capital requirements (packing credit) from local commercial banks in foreign currency.
Once the exporter receives his export proceeds, the borrowed working capital component is deducted by the bank and only the remaining portion is left for conversion into the local currency.
“The exporters believe this financing component caused the discrepancy between the CBSL figures, which were ascertained from the commercial banks and those from the tea exporters based on their actual foreign currency conversions,” clarified the TEA.
At present, the exporters are authorized to make five types of payments in foreign currency—import of packaging materials and other inputs, settlement of loans obtained in foreign currency, payment for brand promotion activities.
Moreover they have to pay legal fees, certification charges and commissions for overseas agents/distributors, payment to suppliers deemed as indirect exporters who have a large import component and payment of shipping and freight charges.
The remaining balances are converted into local currency by the seventh of following month by the respective commercial banks, as per the Central Bank regulations.
The TEA asserted that as responsible stakeholders, it recognizes the necessity for the strict monitoring of the repatriation of export proceeds under the prevailing economic situation.
“Further, they called on commercial banks to maintain accurate records of all inflows related to tea exports, covering advance payments as well as deferred payments and report these complete figures to the Central Bank
Ajlan and Bros Holding Group is set to jointly Develop Port City Colombo with CHEC as Strategic Partner. Port City management company sources said.
Ajlan and Bros Holding Group (or Ajlan in short) is one of the largest comprehensive conglomerate holding group in the Middle East, Ajlan has established its presence in more than 25 countries around the world.
It has 75 companies in the fields of power, environment, industrial manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, technology, retail, real estate, garments and textiles, mining, water, FMCG, logistics, finance & fintech and entertainment and gaming, etc.
Ajlan is a well-known Saudi garment manufacturer and trading company, as well as one of the largest real estate developers in Saudi Arabia.
On 8th December, Ajlan and Brothers Holdings inked into a strategic cooperation agreement with CHEC in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, forming a strategic partnership to jointly develop Port City Colombo and several key pilot developments worth more than US$ 1.3 billion.
These development activities included Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC) Phase 1, Marina Waterfront Commercial and Marina Hotel, Super Luxury Villa and Golf Development within the coming years, kicking start the much-anticipated vertical development and business activities with the Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Port City SEZ is the first of its kind export oriented SEZ for modern services within the region, catering for ICT, Financial Services, Professional Services, Logistics and Maritime Services, Digital Education, and Tourism and MICE.
Up to date, a few regulations regarding company registration have been finalized and other regulations forming the ecosystem of the SEZ are expected to be realized within the next few months.
Coupled with the future-ready infrastructures and internationally competitive policy framework, Port City SEZ is expected to drive the economic and social development of Sri Lanka for the post-crisis era.
It will be attracting MNCs and FDIs to unlock the potential of the strategic location and high quality workforce of the island nation as a high-end service hub for Asia Pacific.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in association with the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), Germany has taken measures to build one to one contacts with buyers in Europe.
It has successfully concluded a series of initiatives that nurtured a new set of exporters to the nation’s economy.
Since 2018, the EDB with the assistance of the IPD undertook a wide range of activities to open market access in the European Union (EU) for enterprises involved in the sector of natural ingredients in Sri Lanka.
The selected enterprises were given exposure in areas such as Market Intelligence, capacity building, knowledge on import standards and conformity requirements to enter the market. Participation at International Trade Fairs, etc during the 4-year programme.
The beneficiaries had the opportunity of taking part in premier food and beverage exhibitions such as BIOFACH, SIAL, Food Ingredients Europe, and ANUGA under this assistance scheme.
The participant enterprises under this programme were: Woga Naturals Pvt Ltd Waguruwela Oil Mills Pvt Ltd, Lihini Nature Products Pvt Ltd, Pasanka Pvt Ltd, Asian Agro Products Pvt Ltd, and Manchiee De Coco Pvt Ltd.
The selected entities export a range of agricultural products such as coconut-related products, spices, dehydrated fruits, canned jackfruit, herbs, ingredients for tea, etc.
The beneficiary exporters represent all regions of the country including the Southern, Central, and the North-Western provinces. The participant enterprises have obtained certification pre-requisites such as ISO, ORGANIC, HACCP in order to be eligible for market access in the EU.
To mark the successful completion of this worthwhile programme, a ceremony was held to hand over certificates to the participant companies on 9th December at the EDB under the patronage of EDB Chairman Suresh D de Mel.
Furthermore, seven (7) EDB officers who were trained in EU Market Entry requirements were given certificates of recognition.
Expressing her views at the occasion, EDB Director General Malani Baddegamage pointed out that the EDB has come a long way with the IPD since 2018, the success of the work done together is reflected through these many export companies who entered the EU market.
She added that it takes a certain amount of time for companies to become export-ready and the commitment of companies to build capacities and fulfil Prerequisites to become exporter is essential.
Angie Martinez – Expert Sourcing and Purchasing – IPD, observed at the event. She noted that the IPD-EDB joint initiative was able to create the next generation of exporters in Sri Lanka.
Jacob Fernando, Manager – Planning & Certifications – Asian Agro Products (Pvt) Ltd, mentioned that their company was able to gain a thorough experience in sales coaching, trade fair participation, creating a professional website, sending personalized emails, and customer follow-ups through the IPD assistance.
Asian Agro Products is a company involved in the production of Dessicated Coconuts and one of the few BRC-certified entities in Sri Lanka. Since joining the IPD programme, the firm has been able to obtain export orders from Germany, Spain, and Poland.
“We are extremely pleased to create a knowledge-exchange platform by training EDB officers on EU market-entry requirement and hope that the trained EDB officers would share the knowledge they gained with their colleagues and the wider exporter community in Sri Lanka”, Linda Menze,
IPD- Germany, promotes the establishment of durable, long-term trade relations between importers and tour operators in Germany and Europe and companies from selected partner countries.
