- Chairman Election Commission announces that the notice calling for nominations for Local Government elections will be issued to District Returning Officers today (4th Jan’23).
- Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage says Sri Lanka will be made a destination for international events to attract tourists: asserts that is being worked on, right now: also says a few events will be started this year that will continue for many generations.
- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam says all political parties that are in alliance with the SLPP will compete in the upcoming local government elections under the “Pohottuwa” symbol.
- Former CB Governor A N Cabraal calls for a substantial reduction in interest rates: warns of a major catastrophe if that is not done immediately: asserts the “fixed” exchange rate policy followed over the past 7 months is correct, but wants the Rupee fixed at a lower rate to the USD: asserts the current highly damaging “debt default policy” must be urgently reversed.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe calls for explanations from the heads of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and SriLankan Airlines regarding payment of bonuses to employees, despite the Finance Ministry informing loss-making corporations and boards not to pay bonuses to employees.
- A Finance Ministry “senior spokesperson” says if an election is held this year, the government will not have money to even buy paddy in the next Season: asserts if it is not possible to buy paddy, there’s a risk of the paddy market collapsing: warns the farmer will then be in a helpless situation.
- Finance Ministry makes sharp increase of 20% in Excise Duty with immediate effect: consequent price increases will be – 750ml Special Arrak (Rs. 206), locally brewed foreign liquor (Rs.266), Beer (Rs.21 to Rs.39), cigarettes per stick – Rs.85 to Rs.100, Rs. 90 to Rs.105, Rs.70 to Rs.80, Rs.60 to Rs.70 & Rs.15 to Rs.24.
- Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardane expresses concern that Intelligence Units were unaware of gangster Kanjipani Imran’s escape to India: Imran was arrested in Dubai in 2019 for alleged murder & criminal intimidation and thereafter remanded: recently, a local Court granted him bail on 2 sureties of Rs.5 mn each.
- MD of Express Newspapers Kumar Nadesan to receive the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award” given by the President of India to honour exceptional and meritorious contributions in their chosen field or profession in India or abroad.
- India beats Sri Lanka by 2 runs in the 1st T20 International Cricket match played in Mumbai: IND – 162/5 (20): SL – 160 all out (20), (Dasun Shanaka 45, Kusal Mendis 28, Chamika Karunaratne 23*).
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 04/01
A few showers will occur in Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces
A few showers will occur in Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.
Former British PM David Cameron visits Colombo Port City
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron who arrived in Sri Lanka two days ago (01) on a goodwill tour has paid an observation tour at the Port City of Colombo today (03).
During his visit, Cameron also met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and exchanged views on the friendly ties between the two countries and the future path of Sri Lanka.
MIAP
Employees at Export Development Board walk out as Chairman makes speech!
Footage surfaced on Social Media reveals employees of the Export Development Board walk out from a meeting held today (03) as the Board Chairman commences his speech, in what critics described as objection to his alleged failures as the Chair, in the latest event of the growing trend of public rejection towards politically biased government officials.
Suresh De Mel, the Export Development Board Chairman, appears to have been severely embarrassed by the employees’ action.
Earlier yesterday (02) the Chairman of the ‘Maganaguma’ Road Construction Machinery Company was reportedly chased away by the Company workers by throwing piles of milk rice at him.
MIAP
Colombo Port City to commence four mega projects attracting US$ 1.5 billion of FDI
The Colombo Port City is set to attract US$ 1.5. billion of foreign direct investments (FDI) in its initiative of commencing mega projects contributing to development under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, a report by the Finance Ministry revealed.
Accordingly, at least four mega projects with an investment flow of about US$ 953 million are to commence whilst the balance US $ 547 million will be attracted in logistic and infrastructure development activities.
These development initiatives come in with the infrastructure development slated for completion by the third quarter of 2023, and are said to be of potential investments greater than the island nation’s biggest FDI-funded Port City development project commenced earlier, with an amount of US $ 1.4 billion committed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Port City Colombo Pvt Ltd, having US$ 1.2 billion already invested.
Company Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare said they will implement marketing strategies and proceed with other matters of logistics as soon as possible after the enactment of new regulations.
The Colombo Port City is expected to add US $ 13.7 billion per annum to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in its full manifestation as an economic hub in Sri Lanka featuring international investment, trade, finance, entertainment, leisure and other services, Aluwihare added.
It was earlier revealed that Ajlan and Brother Holdings, one of the largest business partners in the Middle East, entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with CHEC in Saudi Arabia to jointly develop the Colombo Port City, i.e. the Phase 01 of Port City International Financial Centre (CIFC), Marina Waterfront Commercial and Marina Hotel, Super Luxury Villa and Golf Court.
With the all-new infrastructure development at the Colombo International Financial City Special Economic Zone and the International Financial Centre currently under construction, the island nation is set to be on the ranking lists, and these initiatives may spark the vertical development and business operations within Port City.
President appoints Ranjith Ariyarathne as Chief Secretary of North Western Province
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Ranjith Ariyarathne as the Chief Secretary of the North Western Province, effective from today (03).
According to the President’ Media Division, the appointment of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (Special Grade) Officer Ariyarathne as the Chief Secretary of the North Western Province will come into effect from today.
He previously served as the Post Master General at the Department of Posts.
MIAP
CEB workers temporarily drop trade union action against tariff hike
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Joint Trade Union Alliance has decided to postpone the series of hartal protests scheduled across the country today (03) against the increase in electricity tariffs, Union Convener Ranjan Jayalal said.
The decision comes in following a decision taken by the Cabinet at yesterday’s (02) Cabinet meeting to postpone the move to increase tariffs pending a final decision by a week.
The CEB trade unions were preparing to stage an island wide hartal movement if the Cabinet approved the proposed 65 per cent electricity tariff hike.
Nonetheless, discussions have already commenced to bring all parties together in the protests against any increase in the tariffs, Jayalal added.
MIAP
State owned enterprises under go seven model restructuring process
Sri Lanka’s State owned enterprises (SOES) will be re-structured in multiple ways and work on the sale of Sri Lanka Telecom has started, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced.
In 2021, a sum of Rs 367 billion s had had been given by the Treasury to maintain the 430 entities and the restructuring process is still not materialized he said adding that it will be a priority this year
The total loss of the key 52 SOEs was Rs. 726.9 billion for the first eight months of 2022 of which 31 SOEs recorded a profit before tax of Rs. 134.9 billion and the balance, 21 SOEs reported a net loss of Rs. 861.7 billion.
Notably, 99 percent of the total loss has been generated by three SOEs namely, CPC, CEB, and Sri Lankan Airlines (SLA) totaling a cumulative loss of Rs. 854.5 billion from these entities.
These three entities have been loss making for years which has resulted from debt overhang warranting cost reflective pricing for CPC and CEB and restructuring of SLA to mitigate large fiscal risks. The levy/ dividend collection dropped to about Rs. 17.8 billion in the first eight months of 2022 due to the contraction of the economy.
The government has already devised seven models for state enterprises that will be re-structured as soon as possible
Among these models are changing the structure into separate entities and managing them,-consolidating enterprises engaged in similar activities, keeping state management but giving operations to the private sector.
The other restructuring models are giving management to private sector and keeping ownership with the state,leasing parts of entity or as a whole,selling down a stake of 49 percent or less and transferring full ownership to another entity on a transparent mechanism
The SOE re-structuring unit had already started work on Sri Lanka Telecom, which was listed in the budget for 2023 for sale, but the model had not been decided, he said.
SLT is a publicly listed company in which the Treasury has a 49.5 percent stake and Global Telecommunications Holdings NV, a part of Malaysia’s Maxis group, has a 44.9 percent stake.The method of sell-down on SLT has not been decided, he said.
The business operations of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have been disrupted during the first eight months of 2022 due to the supply chain disturbances stemming from the difficult economic situation in the country.
The unprecedented pressure exerted by the large rupee depreciation has become one of the contributors to the notable losses of the SOEs. The fiscal risks on the guaranteed debt of SOEs were also notably inclined during the first eight months of 2022.
Two state banks have been highly exposed to the credit risks on SOEs’ borrowings exerting pressure on banking operations. As such, a proactive and well informed balance sheet restructuring strategy for key SOEs needs to be implemented expeditiously to mitigate the fiscal risks to the government finances.
The difficult economic conditions of the country warranted much needed SOE reforms while mitigating the additional burden on the limited fiscal space. As such, energy prices including fuel and electricity have been adjusted to reduce the losses of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
Meanwhile, a special unit has been set up to identify the methods for minimizing the financial burden shouldered by the General Treasury while enhancing the performance of SOEs more efficiently and productively.
Sri Lanka to import eggs to meet market local demand
The Sri Lankan Government has decided to import eggs to meet the demand in the market.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held today.A proposal was put forward to import eggs and the proposal was approved.
Bakery owners had said last week that there was a serious shortage of eggs in the market.
The shortage was as a result of poultry associations refusing to sell eggs at Rs. 55 in the market.An egg was being sold at Rs. 60-70 in some places.
As a result, the Government had decided to import eggs and sell an egg at Rs. 55 or less.
The daily production of eggs had dropped to 3.5 million from eight million, All-Island Poultry Farmers’ Association Chairman, Ajith Gunasekara, said adding that farmers were not starving the market.
“We can only keep an egg for 14 or 15 days. After that they get rotten. The egg production has dropped. It’s impossible to produce eggs at the controlled price,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Animal Farmers’ Union Convener, Sujeewa Dhammika, said that it was impossible to sell an egg at 55 rupees.
“We don’t want to increase prices. However, the cost of feed has gone through the roof. A lot of farmers have closed shop. They have also sold their chicken for meat. Most people can’t afford to buy parent chickens, so the industry is on the verge of collapse,” he said.
Dhammika alleged that during the Christmas and New Year season, Sri Lankans, on average, consumed about 200 million eggs.
“Some sections want to make the local production collapse and import eggs. Even if they have a two-rupee profit from an egg, they can make 400 million rupees in a few weeks. That’s what’s going on,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera said that there the poultry industry was on the verge of collapse. The Cabinet would discuss the matter soon and take steps to ensure that the industry would remain afloat, he said.
The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association has called upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe in writing yesterday not to allow the All-island Egg Producers’ Association to sell eggs at exorbitant prices to consumers, said the Bakery Owners’ Association’s Chairman N.K. Jayawardena.
The All Ceylon Bakery Association Members have sought President Wickremesinghe’s intervention to import eggs from India. He added that they called upon the Government to take steps to ensure that the consumers can buy eggs between Rs. 18 to Rs 20.
He said although the Government has said that the price of an egg should be about Rs. 43 for a white egg and Rs. 45 for a brown egg, there was no indication that the egg producers would reduce the prices. The supermarket shelves now have Rs. 70 per-egg cartons, he said.
Egg producers have problems feeding their poultry stocks due to higher animal feed costs. Jayawardena said, “Even with all their problems, they can still sell an egg at Rs 30 (retail) and yet make profits”.
Writ lodged at Supreme Court against Local Government Election
A writ lodged with the Supreme Court yesterday (02) by Retd Col. W.M.R. Wijesundara challenging the proposed holding of the Local Government Election claims that the petitioner was informed by the Election Commission that the holding of such an election can only be funded on the basis of ‘revenue or debt obtainment.’
The petition lodged in compliance with Section 140 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka cites the Chairman and the four Members of the Election Commission, the Prime Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner argues that there is no benefit to the public, nor the country, by the holding of a Local Government Election in these times, adding that he, upon questioning the Commission under the Right-to-Information Act (RTI) two weeks ago whether funds are available to be allocated for the holding of an election, was informed in writing that Rs. 10 billion, in general, will be required to hold one and that the affair would only be possible in any event was it funded on the basis of what he described as ‘revenue generation or debt obtainment’.
Retd. Col. Wijesundara’s argument, which he backs by producing documented evidence to the Supreme Court, comes in amidst many demands by political parties to hold a Local Government Election, whilst media reports go on claiming that the Government of Sri Lanka has no money to hold one, depicting a growing grudge between democracy and economy.
The petitioner elaborates on the current income status of the country, the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the ratings under which Sri Lanka is designated by international credit rating agencies at the moment, and the government’s income and expenditure for the past three years, thereby questioning as to what would be the benefit of calling in an election to the public, or the country, when;
- An island-wide electoral reform is being considered for establishment,
- Legislation to control the finances of political campaigners and parties is being considered,
- The political representation of youth and women is decided by percentage,
- Legislation on candidate transparency is being considered and a parliamentary select committee is appointed in this regard,
- The serving 8,711 local government members are already an economic and social burden to the country, and negotiations are being held to limit them to one-thirds.
In any event was Sri Lanka compelled to resorting to money-printing amidst the inability to receive debt from both bilateral and multilateral stakeholders, the inflation will once again skyrocket, he goes on, stressing that the occurrence of many crises and social pressure lowering the living standards would be inevitable, was the era of fuel and gas shortages and long-hour power cuts triggered by recession spawned by the aforementioned election costs to return.
The petitioner, therefore, demands that a writ command be issued to the respondents including the Chairman and the four Members of the Election Commission nullifying the organisations advocating for the holding of a Local Government Election, and he also demands that the documents produced before the Court and any other document required for further review be produced and reviewed. The petitioner also demands that a writ command be issued barring further changes in the hearing under time-appropriate interim injunctions until the conclusion of the trial, and barring the impact of the Election Commission’s decision to hold the Local Government Polls.
MIAP