The Chinese government has made a special diplomatic contribution to Sri Lanka in appreciation of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) ‘Samagi Jana Balawegayen Husmak,’ an initiative introduced by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa aimed at improving the Health Sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accordingly, the Chinese government has expressed its satisfaction and pleasure for the SJB’s contribution to the country’s Health Sector and provided financial assistance of Rs. 19.6 million for the Kidney Dialysis Machine, an equipment considered essential for testing kidney related diseases, today (22).
According to a Chinese delegation, the above assistance was a donation and not a debt.
During the discussions with China in search of support, the Opposition Leader had repeatedly urged that the people of his country be given a donation instead of a debt. Impressed by the transparency of the SJB-led initiative, the Chinese government had agreed to support the country financially via a donation instead of a debt.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong commented that he had observed that the Opposition-led initiative has been providing essential hospital equipment in a very transparent, systematic and optimal manner.
“Ambassador Qi Zhenhong today (22 Dec) handed over a donation of 8 lifesaving Kidney Dialysis Machines worth of Rs. 20 million to needy hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, upon a request by Hon. Sajith Premadasa Leader of the Opposition,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.
The “Samagi Jana Balawegayen Husmak” initiative is supported and funded by the efforts of the SJB Parliamentary Group, organisers, local and overseas members and donors with the aim of promoting and protecting the lives of Sri Lankans through the provision of life saving medical equipment to the government hospital sector amid the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Earlier, the initiative donated medical equipment worth Rs. 101.6 million on 34 phases.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Ratnapura District MP Akila Ellawala said he is deeply saddened as a Ruling Party MP by the recent fuel price hike.
The MP, nevertheless, commented that there is no other option but to increase the price of fuel.
Despite the Opposition’s criticism that the fuel price has been soared to an unbearable level, Sri Lanka still has the lowest fuel prices in South Asia, he added.
He added that many who suggest the submission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to recover from the economic crisis are not saying anything about the conditions that may befall the country upon such an action. The submission to the IMF will entitle Sri Lanka to certain conditions such as the dismissal of public servants and the government will not take any action to obtain loans by agreeing to such conditions weakening the public service, he noted.
The Ruling Party MP pointed out that the government refuses to seek the IMF’s support to protect the public servants.
1 Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa being welcomed by Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris
2 Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Members of Parliament from Kalutara District Jayantha Samaraweera and Sanjeewa Edirimanna laying the foundation stone
3 Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris (extreme right) pointing at a replica of the Baduraliya Factory Complex
4 Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa addressing the gathering
5 Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris addressing the gathering
With local manufacturers assuring 80% self-sufficiency in ceramic manufacturing the government will continue its policy of import restriction and import substitution, Industries Minister Wimal Weerasinghe said recently.
“Not only in tile and ceramics, but lot of businesses had to face hardships with the introduction of import restrictions due to the devaluation of the rupee and dwindling of foreign reserves. As such the government will not turn back on its policy of import substitution and encouraging local manufacturing,” Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa said at the laying of foundation stone of a ceramic manufacturing plant in Baduraliya, which is to be built at a cost of Rs four billion.
Due to the fall out of the Covid-19 global pandemic, in 2020 March Government introduced import restrictions on non-essential goods as foreign reserves showed signs dwindling, which was extended to include all import items except pharmaceuticals and fuel on 1 April 2020.
Although on 2 February this year Government issued a gazette notification relaxing the import restrictions on selected tiles and ceramic products only on a minimum 180-day credit facility provided by the foreign supplier. However, the Import and Export Control Department on 3 February reversed this policy by issuing new operating instructions for Sri Lanka Customs and all commercial banks to suspend the implementation of regulation No.3 and 4 of the Gazette Extraordinary No.2213/8 dated February 02, 2021, in terms of Imports and Exports Control Act No.1 of 1969 read with Regulations No.17 of the Gazette Extraordinary No.2184/21 dated 16,2020.
According to Central Bank of Sri Lanka, ceramics exports in 2019 which amounted to USS 30 million plummeted to US$ 24 million in 2020.
TPS Ceramic Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. the recent-most entity to join Sri Lanka’s largest ultra-modern sanitary-ware and ceramic trading company and distributor – Puwakaramba Group of Companies (PGC), will create history with the laying of the foundation stone of a state-of-the-art ceramic manufacturing plant on 16 December 2021 at Baduraliya.
Located in the PGC Factory Complex situated in a picturesque corner of the Kalutara District, TPS Ceramic Industries aims to become a formidable player and join other local players in order to nearly double the domestic ceramic production from its current 40% to 75%-80% of the total consumption needed for Sri Lanka, in the near future, in line with the vision of the government to encourage import substitution. The ambitious project is projected to cost Rs four billion and is slated to create over 400 direct job opportunities.
Poised to become one of Sri Lanka’s largest ultra-modern ceramic manufacturing plants, TPS Ceramic Industries’ Baduraliya Plant is poised to kick start its manufacturing process of three ceramic and sanitary-ware product lines by the end of 2022 and thereafter increase to 12 product lines in the upcoming years. The main objectives of the Baduraliya Plant are to contribute positively to the country’s economy, assist in cushioning the excessive pressure on Sri Lanka’s balance payment and foreign reserves through import substitution and employment generation.
TPS Ceramic Industries’ state-of-the-art plant situated along the Hedigalle Road in Horagoda Estate, Baduraliya was ceremoniously opened under the patronage of Hon. Wimal Weerawansa – Minister of Industries and Members of Parliament from Kalutara District Jayantha Samaraweera and Sanjeewa Edirimanna, in the presence of a host of distinguished invitees.
Puwakaramba Group of Companies (PGC) Founder Chairman Deshamanya Dr. Laksiri Peiris addressing the gathering had this to say:- “Puwakaramba Agencies which started as a small retail hardware shop on 7 November 1985 with just two employees, has now grown to over 500 employees and has a dealer network of over 5,012 today. The Group has given birth to numerous subsidiaries, namely- Puwakaramba Agencies, TPS International, PGC Marketing, Metro Auto Mart, Silkway Cargo, Elegant Homes & PA Manufacturers. We created history in 2016 by establishing the largest warehouse capacity in Sri Lanka and today, yet again, we are laying the foundation for one of the largest manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka as far as the construction industry is concerned.”
Puwakaramba Group of Companies’ new factory complex in Baduraliya, declared opened by Dr. Laksiri Peiris on 30 August 2021; kicked off the commencement of the production of 100% locally-manufactured products widely used in the construction field such as Ceiling Grids, PVC Ceiling Panels, G.I. Tubes, C-Purlins & C-Channels. Spread across a 30-acre land, this premises possess ample opportunity for vast expansions and future additions to its product portfolio.
Prior to import restrictions, PGC handled a staggering import capacity of 475 – 500 containers per month, a vehicle fleet of over 85 and a combined warehouse capacity of 356,000 square feet. “As a subsidiary of Puwakaramba Group of Companies (PGC) – TPS Ceramic Industries will focus tremendously on offering the latest, best quality ceramic and sanitary-wear products for our customers. We will continue to invest in manufacturing, logistics and warehousing in order to give better service to our customers.” In addition to one of Sri Lanka’s largest warehouse complex related to the construction industry at Horana, PGC also boasts state-of-the-art warehouses in Mount Lavinia, Katubedda, Habarana and Suwarapola (Piliyandala) and in conjunction with its 30th anniversary the Group added two more warehouses to its Regional Warehouse Complex in Habarana.
Dr. Laksiri Peiris thanked all customers and stakeholders who helped in no mean measure to make the ‘Puwakaramba Group’ a household name in Sri Lanka.
One of Sri Lanka’s largest importers, manufacturers and distributors of hardware items – Puwakaramba Group of Companies (PGC) strives to be amongst the top 100 companies in Sri Lanka. PGC’ vision is to be the best business partner of its customers and of its suppliers and the mission is to constantly strive to meet or exceed its customer needs and expectations of price, service, and selection, while establishing a successful relationship with its customers and its suppliers.
The Association of Medical Specialists has announced its observations on the recent controversy regarding post intern appointments, notably raised by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Health.
Ravi Seneviratne, former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was summoned to the Department yesterday (21) morning and questioned for over 05 hours related to the Easter Sunday Carnage.
During the interrogation, Seneviratne unravelled the ties between Zahran Hashim, the ringleader of the pack of suicide bombers responsible for the massacre, and the Army Intelligence units, sources closer to the Police Headquarters divulged.
The former senior DIG also revealed that the Army Intelligence had deliberately misled the CID by producing false information about extremist Islam organisations in Sri Lanka, and that the manner in which they had dealt with the suicide bomber in Dehiwala was suspicious, the sources added.
Seneviratne had previously produced statements before the Malalgoda Commission and the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the massacre. His statement before the Special Presidential Commission was obtained for more than 14 hours.
Seneviratne was appointed as the Chief of the CID in 2012 and acted as the Senior DIG in charge of the Department until his retirement on December 31, 2019.
Meanwhile, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini speaking to the briefing held in the House of the Archbishop yesterday (21) questioned whether the truth behind the Carnage was still being concealed after 32 months of its occurrence due to the alleged involvement of the President and the current government.
In his statement, Fr. Gamini added that what can be seen is an act of covering the truth up and that it would be a question as to why there were no attempts being made to uncover the truth, if neither the President nor the government has any involvement.
He reminded that two commission reports had been submitted regarding the attack and that the government should be held accountable for wasting public funds if it did not implement the recommendations revealed in the report along with the names of those responsible for the massacre.
Had the names of those involved been announced at a preface, the truth behind the attack would be revealed to the world, Fr. Gamini emphasised.
The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association states that State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama has agreed to increase bus fares in comparison to the increase in fuel prices. During the discussion between the Minister and the Private Bus Owners’ Association, approval was given to increase the bus fares.
Accordingly, the new bus fares are due to be announced next Wednesday and the State Minister of Transport has instructed the National Transport Commission to decide on the amount of bus fares to be revised.
However, the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Federation and the Southern Provincial Bus Owners’ Association did not participate in the discussion. The unions say they have not been invited to the talks.
Secretary of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Federation Anjana Priyanjith says that his association does not agree to an increase in bus fares. Anjana Priyanjith also states that the most suitable solution is to provide a fuel subsidy as fuel prices are revised from time to time.
Asela Sampath, Chairman of the Public Rights Protection Foundation, says that the Petroleum Corporation has gone bankrupt and the burden has fallen on the people due to the reckless rule of the ‘political Appuhamis’ who ruled the CPC for a long time.
He says the company has a large number of employees and a large sum of money goes into their pay overtime pay.
He says that in the current situation, the increase in the price of food items due to the increase in fuel prices is unavoidable and the control price in restaurants will also be removed as it is no longer possible to maintain a control price.
The fuel price had to be increased again due to the exchange crisis but efforts are being made to control the supply of fuel through the move, said the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
Such a move the outflow of foreign exchange will be controlled to some extent, he noted.
The CBSL Governor also added that subsidies cannot be provided for fuel due to the exchange crisis and point out that despite allegations that fuel prices have been soared to an unbearable level, fuel is still being sold in Sri Lanka at a price lower than India.
Following the price hike, a litre of premium petrol is sold for Rs. 210 in Sri Lanka, but in India the figure is Rs. 264, he added.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said the response of the Colombo University students against the new Chancellor at the graduation ceremony was very accurate.
The people have the right to protest against the wrong decisions taken by the government in a democratic manner in a democratic country, the former President emphasised, adding that what those students demonstrated that day was their democratic rights.
She added that all the people of the country should be committed to protect democracy and that such events reveal that the young generations are now coming forward.
