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Celebration of 75 glorious years of India’s Independence

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Celebration of 75 glorious years of India’s Independence

75 years of India’s Independence was celebrated with great fervor in different parts of Sri Lanka on 15 August 2022. The celebrations this year are a part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, a global campaign to commemorate 75 years of a progressive and self-reliant India through numerous activities and events.

 2.    The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay hoisted India’s national flag and inspected the guard of honour. He also read excerpts of the President of India’s message on the occasion.

3.     Several cultural events added flavour to the milestone celebrations. Sri Lanka Navy Band played melodious tunes, symbolic of valour and patriotism. Students of Guru Sadara Supathum performed a dance to the music of ‘Bharat ko Salaam’. There was another ‘Garba’ dance performance in honour of Goddess Durga, who epitomizes strength, protection and motherhood. The event was telecast live and was attended virtually by friends of India and members of the Indian community in Sri Lanka.

4.      High Commissioner and officers of High Commission of India also paid homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial to the memory of the Indian soldiers of IPKF who made the supreme sacrifice defending peace and unity of Sri Lanka.

5.     Special events were organized by the Assistant High Commission in Kandy, Consulate General in Jaffna and Consulate General in Hambantota as well on the momentous occasion. It needs emphasis that the celebrations in Jaffna were held at the iconic Jaffna Cultural Center, a state of the art and one of its kind facility in the city which was built with grant assistance by Government of India.

6.      A highlight of this year’s celebration was the enthusiastic participation of members of the Indian community in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign wherein they showcased their love and respect for the Indian tri-colored flag in various innovative ways.

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Colombo 15 August 2022

Dhanish Ali granted bail!

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Dhanish Ali granted bail!

Dhanish Ali, a galleface protester who was accused of storming into the Rupavahini Corporation, has been granted bail on the basis that there are not enough evidence to further remand him under the Public Property Act, the Colombo Magistrate Court ordered.

Accordingly, the suspect was released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000 and two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each, as per the order of Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe.

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No SJB member will submit themselves to the Rajapaksas (VIDEO)

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No SJB member will submit themselves to the Rajapaksas (VIDEO)

The country was thrown into a precipice by the Rajapaksa regime and no member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) would become the Rajapaksas’ trash trucks, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said, speaking to the electorate authority board meeting organised by Rakwana SJB organiser B.K. Ariyawansa yesterday (14).

Today, the whole country is suffering from an economic, social and political tragedy because of choosing the wrong path instead of the right one in the 2019 and 2020 elections, Premadasa pointed out.

He added that the latest magic happening in this bankrupt country is the all-party government and emphasised that the country does not need a group of individuals who chase after ministerial posts and powers.

Therefore, what should happen immediately is the holding of an election to reveal the public’s judgement, he added.

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Breakdown at Unit One of Norochcholai Power Plant!

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Breakdown at Unit One of Norochcholai Power Plant!

A breakdown has reportedly occurred at the Unit One of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

The technical staff is currently working to identify the fault, according to Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara.

The generator of the Unit Two of the Plant has currently been out for maintenance and only the Unit Three will continue to operate.

Nevertheless, until the collapse of the Unit One is repaired, the power supply will be managed using the Yugadanavi and other fuel plants, the Minister added.

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President instructs to strictly limit government spending

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President instructs to strictly limit government spending

The President’s Secretary has issued a circular strictly limiting the government spending in a move to address the country’s economic situation, as instructed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The circular has been forwarded to all ministerial secretaries.

The President’s circular also instructs all relevant bodies to comply with the circular previously issued by the General Treasury to limit government spending.

The President has expressly instructed that the hiring of new buildings for government offices or entering into new rental or lease agreements be suspended until further notice and that the approval of the Treasury must be obtained prior to extending agreements related to vehicle acquisitions for government purposes.

The President has also instructed that the use of paper be minimised as much as possible and instead electronic communication methods be used.

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UNDP supports SL social protection for the vulnerable communities

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UNDP supports SL social protection for the vulnerable communities

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has stepped into support the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance social protection measures for the vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable recovery from the current challenges

Considering the impacts of the prevailing economic crisis, in addition to the regular welfare programmes, the Government is in the process of providing additional relief for the most vulnerable groups of the society, a finance ministry report revealed. .

The assistance of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank has been mobilised through this repurpose project funds for emergency spending on social protection needs by these two institutions

The Government will be continuing to provide a cash allowance of Rs. 5,000 with an additional top up payment for the “Samurdhi” beneficiaries and other categorical recipients such as elders, disabled persons, and kidney patients, whilst including wait-listed people of those beneficiary categories for the months with effect from May to October 2022.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had met a visiting United Nations Development Program director and discussed ways to help vulnerable communities in the island, a statement said after the collapse of a currency peg following two years of money printing putting food out of reach for poor people.

“The Foreign Minister and the Deputy Regional Director also discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UNDP and the Government of Sri Lanka to support social protection measures for the vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable recovery from the current challenges,” a statement from the ministry said.

Sri Lanka has expressed its willingness to work with UNDP and continue its cooperation.

“Deputy Regional Director Bahuet affirmed the continued support and cooperation of the UNDP to Sri Lanka, particularly in the priority areas identified and recovery measures being taken by the Government to overcome the current challenges,” the statement said.

The Finance Ministry is in the process of devising transparent criteria to identify recipients of welfare support to ensure that this assistence is received by the most deserving households.

The improved targeting will enable higher allocations to recipients and will be in the form of cash transfers directly to the bank account of the recipient. This scheme is expected to be implemented in the coming months.

The Government has incurred Rs. 191.2 billion on household subsidies including “Samurdhi“ payments, elder’s allowance, assistance to differently-abled soldiers, food package for pregnant mothers, fertilizer subsidy and school uniforms and text books in the first four months of 2022.

Expenditure on the Samurdhi cash grants provided to low-income families has increased to Rs. 20,679 million for the first four months of 2022 from Rs. 17,27 billion in the same period of 2021 owing to the government .decision to increase the “Samurdhi” allowance by Rs. 1,000 per month.

The Government expenditure on health and nutrition programmes including the medical supplies for the government hospitals has declined by 2.4 percent to Rs. 19.65 billion in the first four months of 2022, compared to Rs. 20.14 billion in the same period of 2021.

The cost of welfare programmes on education such as free textbooks, uniforms and shoes for students of schools in difficult areas in the first four months of 2022 was Rs. 2.59 billion.

Harsha reveals 10 step-plan to recover economy

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Harsha reveals 10 step-plan to recover economy

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha De Silva has revealed a programme to recover the country’s economy in the short and medium terms, titled “Getting Out of the Debt Trap and Inclusive Sustainable Development Plan.”

The programme, consisting of minimum 10 steps, has also been tabled in Parliament on August 13.

The MP noted that he has philosophically believed in a highly competitive social market economy blended by the combination of economic liberalism that affirms individual freedom and independence and political freedom that affirms fairness and justice.

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SL poultry industry urges Govt to stop egg imports to tackle shortage

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SL poultry industry urges Govt to stop egg imports to tackle shortage

The Sri Lankan poultry industry expects a 20% drop in production this year as high feed costs hit farms. Ussec Sri Lankan Consultant Athula Mahagamage said the layer industry is feeling the most impact, with many farms shutting.

The chicken meat production has collapsed 30 percent and egg output 40 percent as a currency collapse pushed up costs feed imports were blocked by foreign exchange shortages, an industry official said.

Prices of chicken and eggs have risen in Sri Lanka due to a surplus demand in the market and further price hikes are expected due to a shortage in animal feed, the All Island Poultry Industry Association said.

Ajith Gunasekera, the associationpresident said that the price of an egg has increased to around 62-70 rupees and the price of a one kilogram of frozen chicken has increased to around 1,700 rupees

Gunasekara attributed the price hike to a dearth of animal feed that has made it difficult for the poultry industry to maintain animal stocks in farms, mainly in the SME sector.

“Small and medium farmers are leaving the business due to feed shortages and because big poultry companies are stopping buy back schemes,” he said .

Broiler meat output has fallen 30 percent to 12,000 metric tonnes a month from 18,000 metric and prices have shot up, he said.

As Sri Lanka needs 40 million US dollars a month to import animal products, the country should focus on local production of substitutes to minimise the cost and secure a continuous supply, the All Island Poultry Association said.

Association President Ajith Gunasekera said that with egg and chicken suppliers leaving the market due to lack of animal feed, Sri Lanka is facing issues in supplying eggs and chicken to the local market and the tourism sector which is expected to boom from the third quarter of 2022.

Before the contraction, the poultry industry was able to produce 216,000 MT of chicken and 26.5 billion MT of eggs a year.

However, with the fertilizer ban in 2021 resulting in a drop in crops, the production of maize, an essential raw material for animal feed, dropped.

With the forex issue emerging in March 2022 followed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) floating the rupee, Sri Lanka put heavy restrictions on imports, resulting in the industry being unable to import animal feed, supplements and medicine.

As a result, local production dropped significantly, resulting in a rapid increase in prices due to high demand.

Gunesekara said the industry is concerned about meeting a possible rise in demand in the coming weeks with more restaurants and hotels mainly in urban areas restarting their business with the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals.

Private buses to operate from today for schoolers

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Private buses to operate from today for schoolers

About 90 per cent of the private buses will operate island wide from today (15), revealed President of the Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association Gemunu Wijeratne speaking to media yesterday (14).

“Arrangements in particular have been made to start schools from Monday on all five days of the week. We are planning to run 100 per cent buses on Monday, at least 90 per cent. Also, school buses have been deployed in the Western Province. We are working to start the school bus service in other areas at the time of starting and ending of schools under regular fares on the routes. So, we think that we have the capacity to restore the private bus service and public passenger service from Monday,” he said.

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Daily power cuts reveal slight increase

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Daily power cuts reveal slight increase

A power cut of one hour and twenty minutes will occur today (15) and tomorrow (16) revealed the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).

Accordingly, the daily power cut of one hour has been extended up to twenty more minutes.

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