Private bus owners’ associations say bus fares should also be increased in line with increased fuel prices.
Accordingly, the minimum bus fare should be increased to 25 rupees said the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association Gemunu Wijeratne.
President of the All Ceylon Private Bus Companies Federation Anjana Priyanjith stated that bus fares should be increased by 20%.
State Minister of Organic Fertilizer Shashindra Rajapaksa says that the shortage of vegetables in the country will be resolved within two months.
“There is a problem with the fertiizer that came from the Chinese ship. That’s why it was returned. According to our standards, the fertilizer will be re-produced and given back to us. We have to pay when it is delivered.
Q. Does that mean this money is not going to be wasted?
“No, no. Not wasted at all!”
Q. There are no vegetables in the country now. And there is no money to import?
“Ask me that question in two months… then I will answer it”
Shashindra Rajapaksa stated this addressing a media briefing held in Badulla yesterday (20).
A protest was held in Mullaitivu today, demanding justice after a 13-year-old Tamil girl was found dead last week.
The child, who has been identified as 13-year-old Yogarasa Nidarshana, was discovered in a dilapidated plot of land just a few hundred meters from her family home.
According to an autopsy carried out on her body, her body had signs of injuries to her genitals. It also revealed that she was approximately 2 months pregnant at the time.
Her mother had filed a complaint at the Sri Lankan police station in Puthukkudiyiruppu, after Nidarshana had gone missing on the 15th of December.
The latest reports from Mullaitivu indicate that a relative of Nidarshana has been arrested in connection with her death.
Protestors in Mullaitivu highlighted instances of violence against women and children, and demanded justice for her death.
TAMIL GUARDIAN
It is reported that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit the famous Tirupati Kovil in India this week.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister will leave for India on December 24 and will return on December 26, sources from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The visit will be co-sponsored by the Government of India and will be accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Secretary Gamini Senarath, sources said.
Crude oil prices have fallen in the world market due to the spread of the Omicron Covid variant.
Accordingly, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil at the end of yesterday was 71.52 US dollars, which is a decrease of 2.72%.
The price of a barrel of American WTI crude oil was $ 68.23, and it showed a decrease of 3.71%.
However, fuel prices in Sri Lanka were increased from midnight yesterday (20).
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has taken steps to increase fuel prices with effect from 12.00 midnight yesterday (20).
Accordingly, the price of 92 octane petrol has been increased by Rs. 20 per liter. Its new price is 177 rupees, up from 157 rupees previously.
The price of 95 octane petrol has been increased by Rs. 23 per liter. Its new price is 207 rupees, up from 184 rupees.
Also, the price of a liter of auto diesel has been increased by 10 rupees from 111 rupees to 121 rupees.
The price of a liter of premium diesel has been increased by 15 rupees. Its new price is 159 rupees, up from 144 rupees previously.
In addition, the price of kerosene has been increased. Accordingly, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announces that the new price of a liter of kerosene oil which was 77 rupees will be 87 rupees.
Three days ago, Lanka News Web reported that the government was preparing to increase fuel prices, but the Minister in charge of the subject, Udaya Gammanpila, had issued a statement denying this. But now the news has been confirmed.
With 19 more Covid related deaths confirmed by the Director General of Health Services, the death toll due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka has climbed up to 14,771.
Despite numerous occasions in which the President was requested to release former MP Ranjan Ramanayake and the Inter-Parliament Union’s stance on releasing him based on nine key points, the former MP is still imprisoned, said Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa today (20).
The Opposition Leader made this observation following his visit to the Welikada Prison to see Ramanayake this morning.
Pointing out that the former MP is spending a prison sentence for neither theft nor misconduct, Premadasa reminded that Ramanayake was a person who always had stood up for the rights of the people.
When the ones who are responsible for the Sugar Scam, the Coconut Oil Scam, the Gas Cylinder Explosion Mayhem and the Fertiliser Scam are still at large, a man who always spoke the truth on behalf of the people is spending a prison sentence, the Opposition Leader pointed out.
Urging the release of Ramanayake once again in the name of Social Service, Premadasa added that he will continue a democratic struggle for the former MP’s release.
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said it would be launching an islandwide strike action from 8 am tomorrow (21), based on seven demands, including resolving issues regarding the granting of post-internship appointments.
The GMOA is still on strike in five districts today, alleging that the Health Secretary has acted arbitrarily in granting post-internship appointments.
The 2022 Budget for the Lindula Urban Council ruled by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been defeated in a second row.
The Budget was tabled by UC Chairman Lechchumun Bharatidasan and defeated with a majority of two votes.
Two SLPP UC members have also voted in opposition to the Budget, according to reports.
