The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today (05) has launched another walk demanding the stepping down of the government and a system change,
The walk has commenced from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and is currently marching towards Rajagiriya.
MIAP
A price formula will be introduced to determine the fuel prices, said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara speaking to Parliament today (05).
The fuel price formula is being introduced to minimise the losses incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and not to gain any profit, he added.
A fuel price formula was introduced during the Good Governance regime but was revoked upon the current regime’s reigning in. However, many parties had been suggesting over the months that a fuel price formula should be introduced to address the continuing rise in fuel prices.
It has been decided to use railway transport to curb the losses incurred by the CEYPETCO, Wijesekara went on, adding that there is no shortage of petrol in the country and that the CEYPETCO has enough petrol stocks meeting the demand.
He added that there is a shortage of diesel given that most of the diesel has to be used for power generation due to the breakdown at the Norochcholai Thermal Power Plant. Nevertheless, it will be possible to end the shortage in the next few days, the Minister further noted.
MIAP
The sell price of the US Dollar has increased up to Rs. 369.99 and the buy price up to Rs. 356.83, the Foreign Exchange of the CBSL revealed.
However, many commercial banks in Sri Lanka bids a higher rate for the US Dollar, revealing its sell price to be over Rs. 370. As of today, even state banks declared the sell price of the US Dollar to be Rs. 375.
Should Sri Lanka fail to find a solution to the forex crisis even by temporary means the value of the US Dollar could be rising above Rs. 500 before the end of the month further depreciating the Sri Lankan Rupee, economic analysts warn.
MIAP
The Attorney General has been summoned to appear in the Supreme Court on May 12, based on a petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The order was made as the petition was taken up today (05).
The BASL filed the petition seeking action to provide essential commodities and services including fuel, gas, electricity and other essential items without any shortage, and the AG has been summoned to inquire as to what steps have been taken to address the shortages.
The petition was taken up before the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Arjuna Obeysekara and Mahinda Samayawardena.
MIAP
Pyramid Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd. said it would be taking legal actions against defamatory allegations levelled against the company involving the importation of sugar by certain parties.
In a statement, the company noted that Pyramid Wilmar, has, at all times, acted fully in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of Sri Lanka and has conducted itself in an ethical manner upholding the highest standards of corporate behaviour.
Full Statement:
Pyramid Wilmar (Private) Limited and its Board of Directors wish to inform its loyal stakeholders and the general public that, in recent times, there have been several false and malicious defamatory allegations levelled at Pyramid Wilmar (Private) Limited and its Directors, with regard to the importation of sugar during the period October 2020 to February 2021.
Our Company wishes to place on record the fact that it has, at all times, acted fully in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and has conducted itself in an ethical manner upholding the highest standards of corporate behaviour.
Our Company, being part of one of the leading agribusiness groups in Asia, takes pride in having made immense contributions to the National Economy over the years and takes any defamatory statement made against it and/or its Directors, seriously.
Our Company has already taken steps to initiate legal action in this regard.
Our Company wishes to assure its loyal stakeholders and the general public that it will do its utmost to contribute to the National Economy during these trying times and place on record the fact that the aforesaid defamatory statements are false and baseless.
The purchase of new aircraft for the SriLankan Airlines has been postponed for three months based on a decision by the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE), said Chairman MP Prof. Charitha Herath.
The Committee Chairman made this observation while tabling the second CoPE report for the second session of the ninth Parliament.
MIAP
The protest held in Mainagogama, a hypothetical village built in objection to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of the bigger anti-government struggle, near Temple Trees, Kollupitiya is being held for the 11th consecutive day now.
Backing the protest demanding the stepping down of the Prime Minister, a death fast has also been launched and running for the sixth consecutive day, the protesters told media.
Heavy Police guard has also been set up around Temple Trees.
MIAP
Kegalle District MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has been reelected as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament today (05).
Siyambalapitiya previously held the same position and stepped down on April 30 over the political conflict between the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
The SLFP proposed the reappointment of Siyambalapitiya to fill the vacant post and the Ruling Party also backed it.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) nominated Imtiaaz Bakheer Marker for the post and the House was led to hold a secret ballot due to the presence of two candidates.
Siyambalapitiya secured 148 votes and Marker, 65 votes. Votes of three MPs have been rejected.
MIAP
Roads around Parliament will be closed as public protests are obstructing the honourable members of Parliament, a press statement by the Police Media Division revealed.
MIAP
A Senior Superintendent of Police who arrived in the Parliament entrance where public protests were being held yesterday (04) displayed a rather bizarre behaviour by uttering what they appeared to be involuntary words in the manner of making an order.
The SSP is seen supposedly uttering ‘..Fried Rice.. Human Barrier.. Stand By.. Watermelon..,’ which some critics claim to be some sort of a code implying order.
A footage capturing the scene has gone viral on Social Media, and even some editing done by Social Media activists has made it more hilarious.
MIAP
