Minister of State Vidura Wickremanayake says that the people are already significantly dissatisfied with the government and that it is not possible to build a country by appointing jokers to the cabinet.
Q. The people appointed this government with high hopes. But there is no relief. Now fuel prices have also been increased. Are you committing dereliction of duty?
“We acknowledge that this increase in fuel prices will put a heavy burden on the people. This is not just for fuel, but sooner other commodities will go up proportionately. Then more burden will be added. We acknowledge that this is a difficult time. And next year could be even harder.
Q: Today, when there is a shortage of dollars, millions of dollars are being paid for a Chinese fertilizer ship. Why don’t you raise your voice?
“It’s wrong. We clearly say it’s wrong. It’s not something that government or the people of this country should pay, it should be paid by those who ordered. Because these are not things that happened through a proper tender procedure. There is no legitimacy. At least they did not check whether the fertilizer was up to standard. That is why all these should be recovered from those who ordered them. “
Minister of State Vidura Wickremanayake stated this while expressing his views to the media in Kandy yesterday (21).
Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dullas Alahapperuma says that the country’s foreign reserves have plummeted and even the increase in fuel prices was one of the solutions to the rapid decline in foreign reserves.
“There is a big drop in reserves. This has not happened as a result of this government coming in and increasing the amount of foreign loans. It is no secret, however, that the reserves have unfortunately declined. The living conditions of the people are very critical.
Even to increase fuel prices, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance and all these institutions discussed and decided that this was the only solution for the rapid decline of foreign reserves. The Ministry of Finance, the Petroleum Corporation, the Central Bank and all those institutions are of the view that the use of fuel should be managed. We all understand that this is not a good thing for a country’s economy. Now, when Minister Mangala Samaraweera mentions the price formula in history, we too have sat in the Opposition and sometimes ridiculed and insulted it. It is no secret that if there was a price formula at a time like this, the benefits would be shared by both sides when that price fluctuates. “
Minister Dullas Alahapperuma stated this addressing a media briefing held yesterday (21).
The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC obtains enjoining order against Lanka Sathosa & ReeBonn Lanka for distributing/marketing and manufacturing Sathosa Kohomba soap for the second time, violation of its intellectual property rights
The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, manufacturer of the market leading Swadeshi Khomba soap for almost eight decades recently obtained several enjoining orders in respect of ‘Sathosa Kohomba’ soap manufactured by ReeBonn Lanka Pvt Ltd. and marketed/distributed by Lanka Sathosa Ltd, for violation of its intellectual property rights. The Honorable Commercial High Court of Colombo Judge M.A.R Marrikar was pleased to issue the said enjoining orders on 15th December 2021.
Swadeshi instituted action against Lanka Sathosa and ReeBonn Lanka on the basis that they were manufacturing, marketing and selling “Sathosa Kohomba” in violation of the registered trademarks owned by Swadeshi, as well on the basis of the Law of Unfair Competition.
The Colombo Commercial High Court upon being satisfied of the submissions of counsel for Swadeshi, Romesh de Silva PC, issued several enjoining orders which included the prevention of the Reebonn Lanka and Lanka Sathosa from in any way or manner manufacturing, distributing and selling a product which is identical or similar to its personal care product “Swadeshi Khomba” soap.
Swadeshi Khomba is a registered trademark. Furthermore, Swadeshi Khomba has gained tremendous reputation and goodwill amongst the public over a period of 80 years. Swadeshi Khomba contains natural Kohomba oil which has been trusted for generations for an authentic ayurvedic herbal therapy. Swadeshi Khomba enhances the natural beauty of the skin, is mild, yet cleans deep and gives a natural protection from germs. Fully (100%) vegetarian, not tested on animals and produced cruelty free, Swadeshi Khomba is recently accredited by the Vegetarian Society, UK. Swadeshi Khomba range comprises of herbal beauty bar, herbal transparent bar, herbal baby care range, herbal shampoo, herbal body wash, herbal handwash, herbal hand sanitizer and herbal talc, reinforcing the natural protection and cleaner, soothing skin. Swadeshi Khomba is also a registered product with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Sri Lanka.
Swadeshi, a 100% Sri Lankan company has claimed many industry firsts to its name including the most recent Covid-19 safety management certification. The pioneer and market leader in the herbal soap and herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, was incorporated in 1941. Swadeshi is renowned for its trademark herbal care products: Swadeshi Khomba, Rani Sandalwood and Swadeshi Khomba baby, which have been warmly embraced and trusted by Sri Lankans over the years. The company has a rich history of 80 years and is now venturing into global markets backed by its years of trusted excellence.
The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC was represented by President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva with Attorneys-at-law Shanaka Cooray and Vasanthakumar Niles, instructed by D. L & F De Saram – Attorneys-at-law & Notaries Public.
Reverend Father Cyril Gamini speaking to the briefing held in the House of the Archbishop today (21) questioned whether the truth behind the Easter Sunday Carnage is still being concealed after 32 months of its happening due to the alleged involvement of the President and the current government.
Pointing out that what can be seen is an act of covering the truth up, Fr. Gamini added that it would be a question as to why there are 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, adding 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 fuel price had to be increased in response to the prevailing foreign reserve crisis, said Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, speaking to the briefing held today (21).
The increase in fuel prices will have an impact of 03 per cent on the country’s inflation, the Minister added.
An amount of US$350 – 400 million has to be spent every month on fuel imports leading to the rapid depletion of the country’s foreign reserves, Alahapperuma pointed out, adding that the need for a ‘fuel price formula’ to tackle the situation has been discussed in the face of the fuel price surges.
He admitted that he mocked late former Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s original idea of a fuel price formula to tackle such situations, and that it would be more appropriate to allow fuel prices to fluctuate compared to the ups and downs of the global market prices.
In the on and off surge in the fuel prices and the prices of inputs used for bakery products, it has become difficult to determine the prices of bakery products including bread, said the Bakery Owners Association.
In the backdrop the Union will no longer be interfering in determining the prices of bakery products, it added.
The Union made this observation in response to the government’s decision to surge fuel prices since midnight yesterday (20).
The Bakery Owners Association added that from now on the prices of bakery products will be determined based on the supply and demand.
Accordingly, the bakery owners will be given the opportunity to predict the prices based on the said criteria, it added.
Suggestions have been made that there should be a revision the prices of bakery products and other food items as well as bus fares following the fuel price hike.
Following the last hike of milk powder prices in the local market, the price of milk powder in the global market has soared by 10 per cent, revealed the Milk Powder Importers Association.
This will probably be leading to another price surge in milk powder in the local market, Union Spokesperson Asoka Bandara predicted.
In the severe shortage of milk powder in the local market it may take at least another two months to recover the situation, he added, expressing the milk importance grievance that they are facing a severe crisis due to the dollar deficit.
This is mainly due to the inability to obtain the required dollars for their import activities, Bandara added.
The strike action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Assocition has failed and this mafia-like medical group was harboured by the current regime, alleged Chairman of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana speaking to media today (21).
The GMOA’s single demand demonstrated yesterday has now multiplied into seven demands, pointed out Dr. Bellana, adding that the officials of the current Health Ministry are suffering the consequences of the former Health Minister’s failed conduct.
The Health Ministry shall not be approving of such strike actions, he added, alleging that the GMOA is staging its strike action in a mission to protect the losing control of the health sector.
Despite the strike action in five selected districts yesterday, all wards, clinics and other operations at the hospitals were functional and only five per cent of those endorsed the action had not reported for duty, Bellana revealed, urging the authorities that the Media should be allowed to report them properly.
The fares of three wheelers will be increased due to the fuel price hike, revealed the National Union of Three Wheelers and Industrialists.
Accordingly, the Rs. 50 fare charged for the first kilometre of a three wheeler trip will be increased to Rs. 80, said Rohana Perera the Union Secretary.
The Rs. 45 fare charged from the second kilometre, nevertheless, will remain unchanged, he added.
Sri Lanka’s ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Health Sector Enhancement Project (HSEP) progress has been slowed down by improper prioritisation of procurement, underutilisation of allocated funds and accountability issues, according to the Quarterly Progress Report submitted by the Health Ministry to the Finance Ministry.
The outcome and the status of the US$ 60 million (Rs.12 billion) HSEP has been indicated in the Quarterly Progress Report for the Quarter – 1st of July to 30th September 2021.
This amount comprising $37.5 million in concessionary loans, $12.5 million grant and $10 million equivalent from the Government of Sri Lanka in counterpart funds is being implemented through a project investment modality.
It has been observed that the project was marred with a host of problems due to the irregular and inconsistent procurement of equipment and deviation from the scientifically agreed prioritization, the report said.
This project is for the enhancement of primary health care to strengthen healthcare and prevention, formulation of policies in that regard and capacity building in the Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Central Provinces.
Accordingly, the proposal made by Ranil Wickremasinghe, the former Prime Minister in his capacity as the then Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs in 2018, to enter into the necessary agreements to secure the relevant funds, was approved by the Cabinet of the previous regime.
With the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the surfacing of new variants, Sri Lanka had to face shortages of medical resources, including hospital beds and medical equipment.
Under the present pandemic situation the project also provided crucial resources for the immediate emergency response to the corona virus disease since March–April 2020.
The COVID-19 reallocation budget had been prepared by the Health Ministry in addition to HESP’s general estimates as an additional investment
had to be utilised to improve the efficiency and equity of health care in Sri Lanka and expand access to primary and secondary level of health services during the pandemic period.
This COVID-19 reallocation budget relating to emergency response activities paved the way for improper prioritisation of procurement, under-utilisation of allocated funds and accountability issues, the assessment report of the budget estimates revealed.
As stipulated in the report, it is evident that most of the project goals are lagging behind without completion.
Also, it demands thorough investigation and justifications for the deviations and inconsistencies from the original project allocations and government policies.
The vehicle budget estimated at $ 4.8 million (Rs. 1 billion) being allocated has been fully exhausted amidst vehicle import restrictions imposed by the government.
There is no indication whatsoever in the HSEP progress report as to who has authorised and for what purpose such amounts are spent instead of purchasing vehicles when the country is facing difficulties to keep the basic and fundamental health care services operational.
According to the reallocation budget, there was an increase of equipment and furniture estimated at Rs. 19 billion from the previous allocation of Rs. 9 billion estimated in the original budget.
Procurement of reagents and consumables for COVID-19 (TRPCR test) under Contract awarded stipulates a massive amount of Rs. 112 Million.
This matter needs to be investigated and explained as to what has been purchased at what cost and whether such purchased pricing is as per market acceptable pricing, official sources said.
It has been observed further that a next Generation Genetic Sequencer which had been purchased at a colossal amount of Rs. 90 million some time back is still lying in boxes at Apeksha Hospital without being utilised due to incompleteness of ancillary equipment, computational systems and trained personnel to operate these complex medical systems.
