The Presidential Pardon granted to former MP Duminda Silva has been revoked by an interim order issued by the Supreme Court.
The order was made as a fundamental rights petition filed by former MP Hirunika Premachandra was taken up for consideration.
Sri Lanka Urges Airlines to Fly Full Tank or Fill Elsewhere
- Emirates, SriLankan among carriers forced to fill up overseas
- Island nation going through shortage of all essential supplies
Sri Lanka is recommending airlines carry enough jet fuel to last return trips or fill up elsewhere, as the island grapples with a shortage of everything from oil to food due to a foreign-exchange crisis.
“We’ve asked airlines to carry the required fuel while operating to Sri Lanka, because there is a shortage of aviation fuel, and we have to manage the situation,” Rayhan Wanniappa, a director of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority, said in a phone interview Monday. “Airlines are bringing certain additional supplies, while we are also providing from our stocks.”
How Sri Lanka Landed in a Crisis and What It Means: QuickTake
Airlines that fly to Sri Lanka, including Dubai’s Emirates Airline are tankering — carrying more fuel than required — while the island’s flag carrier is using the Southern Indian city of Chennai and Dubai to refuel for long-haul flights, people familiar with the matter said, declining to be identified as plans are confidential. There’s increased refueling at southern Indian airports by international flights to and from Colombo to offset the shortage, according to an official at Indian Oil Corp.
Sri Lanka has been plagued by a dearth of necessary items, power cuts and rampant inflation, leading to public protests calling for the ouster of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The country defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time this month, and has started bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.
SriLankan has taken measures for minimum interruption to flight schedules, a spokesman for the airline said. The steps include fuel tankering and refueling aircraft through technical stops at foreign airports, he said.
Singapore Airlines Ltd. is uplifting additional fuel on flights departing Singapore to Sri Lanka due to the shortage, a representative said in an email. Emirates didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bankrupt Sri Lanka Takes Russia Oil as Fuel Crisis Persists
“There’s been no effect in airport and airline operations,” said G.A. Chandrasiri, chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services, that operates the main airport in Colombo. “This is just a preventive measure.”
The Indian ocean nation has been trying to come up with cash to pay for oil that’s been sitting on tankers off its coast as its fuel crunch persists. The country’s sole refinery is attempting to restart after three months of shutdown, with crude supplies from Russia which it hopes to refine into usable fuel.
— With assistance by Debjit Chakraborty, and Asantha Sirimanne
Did Agriculture Minister acknowledge mismanagement between fertiliser and rice?
In the shortage of rice in the country there is a need to import a large quantity of rice this year, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, speaking to the briefing held in announcing Cabinet decisions today (31).
“There is a shortage of rice. For now, the Trade Minister is acting on importing rice. There is a need to import a large quantity of rice this year,” Amaraweera said.
The Minister went on that however, a plan is being drawn up to stop the importation of rice from next year and to produce the required quantities locally. As of now, 338,000 metric tonnes of rice have been imported, he revealed.
Amaraweera added that the Paddy Marketing Board will obtain 40,000 metric tonnes of rice and supply them through the SATHOSA outlets and supermarkets.
MIAP
Lester Piggott: Champion apprentice Marco Ghiani recalls the day he received trophy from legendary rider
Lester Piggott, 11-time champion jockey and nine-time winner of the Derby, died on Sunday aged 86; Ghiani was presented with his champion apprentice trophy by Piggott on what turned out to be one of the nine-times Derby-winning jockey and 11-time champion’s final public appearances
Marco Ghiani has reflected on the “really special” moment he received his champion apprentice title from Lester Piggott on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot in October.
On Sunday the racing world collectively paid tribute to the legendary Piggott, after his family announced he had died peacefully in Switzerland at the age of 86.
Popular Italian Ghiani, whose parents own a pizza restaurant in his homeland, was not even born when Piggott was in his pomp, but is fully aware of the indelible mark he made on the sport.
“When I was a child we were really clueless about racing, but when I came to work with horses we started seeing Frankie (Dettori) and Lester and Willie Carson, so he’s always been there,” he said.
“Everyone knew who Lester was.”
Despite barely being able to speak English at the time, Ghiani took the brave decision to leave home and enrolled at the British Racing School aged just 16, joining Luca Cumani’s stable in Newmarket.
The now 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2021, accumulating 51 winners during his title season including at Royal Ascot victory in the Hunt Cup aboard Real World, who he went on to steer to Listed and Group Two success at Newbury and York respectively.
On Champions Day he was presented with his title trophy by Piggott on what turned out to be one of the nine-times Derby-winning jockey and 11-time champion’s final public appearances.
Ghiani admits it is a day he will never forget.
He added: “It was really special and a very good experience. Obviously he (Piggott) didn’t talk much, but it was a privilege to receive the trophy from him.
“To get the title from him, it was a great day and will be in my memory forever.”
Vikum Liyanage appointed as Army Commander. Predecessor Shavendra Silva appointed as CDS
Major General Vikum Liyanage has been appointed as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. The appointment letter has been handed over to Liyanage by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House.
Liyanage who is the highest ranking official in the Army is due to assume duties as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army tomorrow (01).
Meanwhile, General Shavendra Silva who is Liyanage’s predecessor and is retired has been appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff. During his tenure as the Army Commander, Silva also served as the acting CDS.
Silva is also due to assume duties tomorrow.
MIAP
No special attention on dual citizenship in 21A (VIDEO)
The matter on dual citizenship in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution is just another clause and all clauses contained in the amendment will equally be taken into consideration, said MP Charitha Herath, speaking to reporters today (31).
The matter will be discussed in depth with Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa, he noted, adding that the current economic and political crises should be solved at the same time.
MIAP
Shashi Weerawansa granted bail!
Shashi Weerawansa, wife of MP Wimal Weerawansa, who was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for two years has been released on bail as per the order of the Fort Magistrate Court today (31).
Mrs. Weerawansa was convicted for obtaining a passport through counterfeit documents and later she had lodged an appeal before the Colombo High Court.
She requested the Fort Magistrate Court to grant her bail as she had filed an appeal against the verdict. The verdict was due to be announced today.
Accordingly, Fort Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe concluded that Mrs. Weerawansa be granted bail.
MIAP
Ranil prepares to increase VAT, income, telecommunication and many other taxes
The Cabinet has approved the Cabinet Memorandum submitted by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ranil Wickremesinghe to increase government revenue.
In his cabinet memorandum, Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that government revenue had declined significantly through the tax reform introduced in 2019 with the introduction of a relaxed tax policy, and sought approval to amend several tax bills to increase tax revenue.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister proposes to amend
Financial Management (Liability) Act No. 03 of 2003
Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017
Value Added Tax Act No. 14 of 2002
Telecommunication Tax Act No. 21 of 2011
Betting and Gaming Tax Act No. 40 of 1988
The proposal has been approved by the Cabinet and the draftsman will be instructed to draft the relevant Acts accordingly.
SL Business Leader outlines 12 strategies to boost forex earnings
Business leader Dhammika Perera has unveiled 12 strategies that can boost much-needed dollar earnings and help Sri Lanka come out of the prolonged foreign exchange shortage which has triggered an economic crisis leading to political instability and social unrest.
As per his action plan, if the 12 strategies are implemented the country could garner an additional $ 8 billion inflow per annum. He says implementation of these 12 strategies does not incur additional capital investment on the part of the Government.
His 12 strategies encompass sectors such as tourism, agriculture, power generation, foreign employment, higher education and ICT and focus on foreign exchange generation as well as saving measures.
In tourism, strategies suggested include increasing tourism revenue by 10% by extending the tourist visa validity period for six months and establish budget airline hubs to generate additional $ 2 billion.
In agriculture strategies mooted will generate an additional $ 600 million income from coconuts exports and Government lifting ban on planting palm oil thereby saving $ 200 million spent on imports.
Billioneer bisoness magnet Dhammik Perera also recommends measures to save 20% of the $ 2.5 billion outflow on account of students opting for overseas education and earn foreign exchange by attracting more foreign students and shows how ICT export earnings can be increased to $ 5 billion.
In the power sector, Perera suggests saving of $ 1 billion by allowing the private sector to invest in new power plants generated by solar or coal in Norochcholai and Sampur.
Dhammika also expands on the special residency visa scheme for foreigners which he is confident of racking in $ 5 billion within five years. He also lists measures to boost workers remittances to $ 24 billion via a 10-year plan.
He says outward payments such as dividend payments, air and sea transport fees, travel, construction, insurance, royalty fees, telecommunication, and computer service fees can be converted to dollars and deposited for a three-year period with an interest rate decided by the Government (for example, at a 6% interest rate). Via this measure he says an annual deposit of $ 300 million can be received.
“Sri Lanka has an annual shortage of inflows of $ 6 billion to accommodate basic needs such as fuel, gas, medicine, fertiliser, and food.
The International Monetary Fund and other multilateral funding agencies have also stressed the importance of Sri Lanka’s external debt sustainability. By implementing the proposed 12 key strategies, an additional annual income of $ 8 billion can be generated as future cash inflows,” stresses Dhammika Perera
“It will be easier to build confidence in Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic stability and unlock international financing from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the IMF and World Bank if additional cash inflows as suggested in my action plan are generated to reduce the deficit in the balance of payments,” he added.
Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the government has no international recognition
Dr. Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament for the Samagi Jana Balawega says that the government formed under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe has no international recognition. He emphasized that this situation would be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s reputation in the long run.
Harsha de Silva said that at present no party is offering assistance to Sri Lanka despite its status and that aid organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as countries such as Japan, which has historically helped Sri Lanka recover from crises, are refusing to provide assistance.
He pointed out that in order to obtain aid, a stable government had to be established and the confidence of the international community had to be restored. He states that through this a message could be given that political stability has been established in the country and after that the focus could be on obtaining assistance.
He says various committees have been set up to strengthen the economy and resolve crises, but they are often thinking of a very distant future. He emphasized that the focus should not be on the distant future but on how to import essential commodities including fuel, gas and medicines for the next three months. Many organizations and countries have so far refused to provide assistance or loans, and only India continues to lend.