The Lotus Tower was opened for public exhibition on the 15th. Every day a large number of people came to see the Lotus Tower and the people who came had expressed different opinions about the Lotus Tower.
One of the monks said that after climbing the lotus tower, he felt as if he had come close to ‘Tusitha Dew Lowa’. Some people had said that after spending days in fuel queues and gas queues, they were in a queue for the first time to see the Lotus Tower. People also said that they forgot all the issues for a moment.
People who post positive opinions about the Lotus Tower say that the revenue from its display can be used to pay off debts. However, it is a problem how to pay the loan taken in dollars for the construction of the lotus tower with rupees received from local tourists.
Joining a television conversation last night, the Minister of State Shanta Bandara also expressed a similar opinion.
However, foreign tourists must come to visit the Lotus Tower in order to pay off the debt from the revenue generated through the exhibition.
As stated by the Minister of State Shanta Bandara, the number of foreign tourists who have visited the Lotus Tower in the first 04 days is 28. One foreign tourist has to spend 20 dollars for that and thus the income earned in the first 03 days is 560 dollars.
The Attorney General has informed the Colombo High Court that the investigations started regarding the Pearl Xpress ship which caught fire and sunk in the ocean area near the port of Colombo will continue.
The case filed in connection with the fire incident of the ship was called before Colombo High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta today and the government lawyer representing the Attorney General informed the court about the current status of the investigations.
Pointing out that the investigation is in the final stage, the government lawyer asked the judge to complete the investigation and give a date for presenting the facts.
Having considered the request of the Attorney General’s Department, Damith Thotawatta ordered the case to be called again on November 23 and ordered the government attorney to report the progress of the investigations on that day.
The captain of the Xpress Pearl and four directors of the ship’s local agency have been named as respondents in this case.
The Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe says that the agreement received from the creditors is extremely crucial for obtaining financial relief from the International Monetary Fund. He points out that in order to continue the negotiations with the financial fund, an agreement must be reached with the creditors.
Nandalal Weerasinghe mentions that discussions are being held with creditors regarding debt restructuring, and he hopes to receive a positive response from them regarding debt restructuring by next Friday.
The Governor of the Central Bank expressed these views while attending a conference held in Colombo.
He says that in order to recover from the crisis that the country is facing, it is mandatory to restructure the loss-making government institutions, and economic stability cannot be achieved except with such a decision. Nandalal Weerasinghe said that the first step is to increase the electricity tariffs, maintain the fuel price at a stable level, and increase the tax revenue, and as the second step, the restructuring of institutions such as the Petroleum Corporation and the Electricity Board, which are suffering serious losses, should be carried out.
The Governor of the Central Bank emphasizes that certain decisions taken for the sake of economic stability will be painful for the society, but for the good of the country, the people will have to endure the pain for a limited time.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who had gone to Britain to attend the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II, has returned to the island.
Accordingly, it is reported that today (21st) at around 8.20 am, the delegation including the President arrived at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport.
The Trinitarian Incumbent Theros emphasize that religious places are facing a serious crisis through the removal of electricity tariff concessions and that people moving away from religious places without observing and participating in the religious rituals that have been going on for a long time may cause many negative consequences in the society in the future.
Addressing a letter to the President regarding the crisis faced by Buddhist temples and other religious places due to the electricity tariff revision, Chief Theros say this.
The relevant letter points out that it appears that the religious places maintained by the donations of the public are treated at the level of factories that receive financial profits in the new amendment, and because of this, religious shrines such as Buddhist temples and Piriven institutions cannot be maintained.
Taking into consideration the emerging crisis situation, the Theros are requesting the President to intervene in order to prepare a systematic and lenient new electricity tariff policy for religious shrines.
Party leader Maithripala Sirisena has decided to remove the members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party who have received ministerial positions in the current government from all positions of the party and from the membership of the party’s central committee.
Accordingly, it is stated that actions have been taken against the two who got the positions of Cabinet Ministers and the five who got the positions of State Ministers.
Maithripala Sirisena recently amended the constitution of the Sri Lankan National Party as per his wish and he was given the power to remove any member from the positions.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe meets King Charles III in London: also meets the Sri Lankan diaspora in UK and invites them to foster new investment opportunities in the country: asserts that all must get together to fight “bankruptcy”.
Analysts say Government’s interest expenditure increased by a staggering Rs.398bn in just over 5 months since the Central Bank upped its policy rates by 7% on 8tb April: additional expenditure on T-Bills interest – Rs.99bn, and on T-Bonds – Rs.299bn: assert the fiscal deficit has risen to untenable levels.
Government MPs call upon PM Dinesh Gunawardene to have a Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to carry out a probe on tax evaders and consultants who aid and abet tax evasion.
Mahanayake Theras of the three main Chapters call for a methodical and concessionary electricity tariff policy for places of religious worship: Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says only 12,586 religious places out of 48,682 get electricity bills over Rs.3,990 per month.
SLFP sources say their MPs who accepted Ministerial portfolios from the Government will be removed from their official positions in the party.
Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka says India has begun talks with Sri Lanka on restructuring its debt: also says first round of talks with Sri Lankan officials held on 16th September were cordial, symbolising India’s support for a speedy commencement of an IMF programme.
Tourism earnings increase in the first 8 months of 2022 to USD 893mn from USD 63mn in 2021: Workers’ remittances decrease in first 8 months of 2022 to USD 2215mn from USD 4,224mn in 2021, although Rupee has been depreciated from 200 per USD to 365 per USD.
Shavindra Fernando PC submits to the Supreme Court that Sri Lanka recorded its best-ever growth and other macro-economic indicators when his client Ajith Nivard Cabraal was Governor from 2006 to 2014: asserts all decisions taken when he was Governor were lawful and bona fide: says FR petitions against his client are arbitrary, vexatious, and malicious: calls for its dismissal in limine.
Pivithiru Hela Leader and former Minister Udaya Gammanpila says Sri Lanka’s unitary status could be at stake as the UNHRC’s resolution could be tied to aid to Sri Lanka: expects Western countries to exert pressure as the country has now declared bankruptcy.
Well known Australian cricketer cum coach Tom Moody and Sri Lanka Cricket end their contract by mutual consent.
It was alleged that the President had gone to England with a large group of people for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. This matter was also discussed in Parliament yesterday.
The Presidential Media Division has issued an announcement clarifying the allegations. It is stated in the announcement that members of parliament and social media activists are working to mislead the public by highlighting various false information regarding the President’s visit.
According to an official invitation, the official delegation that attended the Queen’s funeral included only the President’s personal secretary Sandra Perera, the President’s Director of International Relations Dinuk Colombage and the President’s doctor.
The announcement also states that the First Lady participated in the trip at her own expense.
In addition, Ruwan Wijewardena, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change, was present for the meeting with the Sri Lankan Diaspora held on the 19th, and Wijewardena joined the discussion while he was on a private visit to Britain, according to the Presidential Media Division.
“Minister Manusha Nanayakkara hands over the vehicle import permit to the first recipient’s nominee”
The nominated representative of the first recipient of the newly introduced programme to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import an electric vehicle after remitting money through official channels received the relevant vehicle import permit from Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara today.
Daham Perera the authorized representative of the Sri Lankan migrant worker who imported the vehicle received the vehicle import permit from Minister Nanayakkara.
The minister on the occasion noted that the decision to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers who remit money through official channels to import an electric vehicle has been much appreciated and inquiries in this regard by workers are increasing on a daily basis.
Any Sri Lankan who lives, works or holds dual citizenship in a foreign country are eligible to import an electric vehicle under the scheme. Those sending USD 20,000 or more between May 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, can obtain a permit to import an electric car. Those who remit USD 3000 or more via official channels from May 1st 2022 to May 2023 are eligible to import an electric motorcycle.
The minister emphasized that it is mandatory remittances directed to Sri Lanka are sent through the legal channels such as the banking system to be eligible for this benefit. The minister further said that it was also mandatory that 50 percent of the money sent has been converted into rupees. He said the motorcycle or the car can be imported for a value not exceeding 50 percent of the amount remitted.
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara further said;
Importing vehicles to Sri Lanka is currently prohibited. But only foreign workers who send dollars to the country have the facility to import an electric vehicle. So make the most of this opportunity. Enjoy this reward. As a ministry, we fully support it. Similarly, the tax levied on the import of luxury vehicles will also be revised in the future.
But the permission is only to import electric vehicles. These vehicles should be unused vehicles. Either brand new or mileage should be ‘0’. Similarly, it is mandatory to import within one year of the first registration.
As the ministry, we hope that the battery pack and electric motor of this imported vehicle should have a warranty of at least three years. This should be ensured by the manufacturer, importer and exporter. It should also be ensured that the battery is disposed in accordance with international electric vehicle road safety standards and approved standard procedures. The remittances sent to Sri Lanka can be converted into rupees and the taxes for this can be paid. They must also be subject to Department of Motor Vehicles compliance. A car should have at least 200 kilometers mileage after charging once. Similarly, a report of all money remitted to Sri Lanka should be submitted through the relevant bank.The minister further said that the relevant application and information can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Labour or the Foreign Employment Bureau. He said after producing proof that money has been remitted through official channels and the documents related to the importation of the vehicle, the measures to initiate providing the vehicle import permit can be carried out.The vehicle imported in this way cannot be transferred to a third party until two years after its registration. The minister also said for persons wanting to transfer ownership before two years facilities have been provided to do so by making a payment in USD equivalent to 10 percent of the CIF value of the vehicle.
