It is reported that the people of the area have started a protest in front of the Carlton House belonging to the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle.
Accordingly, security forces have been deployed in front of the house.
People’s protests against the fuel price hike and the shortage continue
It is reported that people in many parts of the island are still protesting by blocking main roads today (20).
They are protesting against rising fuel prices and fuel shortages.
Accordingly, a mass agitation has been going on in the Balapitiya area blocking the Galle Road since this morning.
Also, a group of residents in the area is protesting by blocking the Badulla – Passara road and it is said that the traffic has been restricted to one lane.
Also, the protest launched by the people blocking the Galle Road in Panadura yesterday is still active today.
A special secret meeting between the PM and the Speaker last night
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had a special secret meeting with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last night (19), sources said.
It is said that the Prime Minister has summoned the Speaker to discuss the matter as there is a risk of the government losing the majority of 113 members in Parliament today (20).
Sources said that the Prime Minister had asked the Speaker whether he should resign before the government loses its majority and collapses as opposition to the government has intensified following the police firing in Rambukkana yesterday.
However, sources further stated that the Speaker has stated that there is no risk of the government losing the 113 majority in Parliament so far and therefore there is no need for the Prime Minister to resign.
An independent inquiry is needed into the Rambukkana shooting – BASL
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is shocked and saddened by the death of a man in a police attack on a public protest in Rambukkana, said its President Saliya Peiris.
He said that an independent inquiry should be conducted into the incident and that the government should ensure that the security forces exercise maximum restraint in dealing with the protests of the people in the face of real difficulties.
He further stated that the members of his association will continue to stand up for the security and rights of the people of the country.
All those responsible for Rambukkana’s murder will be brought to justice and punished – Sajith (VIDEO)
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Chaminda Lakshan, a resident of Rambukkana.
He also said that an independent inquiry should be held immediately into this brutal murder.
The Leader of the Opposition said that this attack was indicative of the vile nature of the Rajapaksa government and that it was the usual policy of the Rajapaksas.
He said that all those responsible for the murder would be brought to justice and severe punishment would be meted out to them.
Sajith Premadasa said this in a special statement issued last night (19).
IGP claims ‘minimum force’ was used (VIDEO)
Inspector-General of Police Chandana D. Wickramaratne claims the Police had used “minimum force” during the protest in Rambukkana yesterday(19).
The Police had opened fire on the protesters killing one person and injuring at least 24 others.
Issuing a statement, the IGP said that the Police had to use minimum force to prevent a major incident. He said the Police had to prevent the protesters from setting fire to a truck transporting 30,000 litres of fuel.
The Police had earlier opened fire on a group of protesters in Rambukkana killing one person and injuring a number of others. Police Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police had opened fire after initially using tear gas.
According to the Police, the protesters had blocked the railway track and protested in the area for several hours. The Police had advised the protesters to cleat the tracks but the request was rejected.
The Police media unit said that a number of policemen were also injured in the incident.
MAS Holdings, steps into support calls for change in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s largest private sector employer, MAS Holdings, has stepped into support calls of youth for change in Sri Lanka.
MAS had issued a statement expressing support of its citizen’s right to participate in peaceful protests and the freedom of expression.
Given the ensuing events, MAS recently reiterated the need for immediate and decisive action to resolve the current economic and social crisis, in a peaceful and sustainable manner.
“As a responsible organization, we unconditionally support the call for change and good governance, and earnestly request the nation’s leaders to heed the voice of the people and act on it, whilst respecting legal and constitutional due process,” MAS Holdings said.
As the largest private sector employer and exporter in Sri Lanka, MAS says it is also acutely aware of its role in maintaining the stability of Sri Lanka’s economy.
“To this end, it is crucial that we focus on delivering on our commitments to our customers without disruption, to protect the livelihoods of our 92,000 associates, their families, and the country.
The apparel industry has been the lifeblood of Sri Lanka’s economy through many turbulent and crucial junctures in our history. We remain confident that together, we can overcome this crisis, and bring about lasting change to build our country back, betterm,” MAS Holdings said.
MAS further noted that it is supporting communities island wide during this time of hardship through its social outreach programs by assisting those that are the most adversely affected by the crisis.
MAS Holdings, the Sri Lankan based design to delivery solutions provider, has announced its company-wide sustainability strategy, the MAS Plan For Change.
Knowing it operates in an industry with a large negative impact, The Plan For Change outlines three focus areas to improve its operations: Product, Lives, and Planet, with twelve goals to be achieved by 2025.
MAS has also recently signed up for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with commitments to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 25.2% by 2025 from a 2019 base year, and further commits that 85% of its suppliers by spend and 100% of joint ventures in scope 3 investments, will have science-based targets by 2025.
The Plan For Change is a commitment to inspiring sustainable change within its operations, amongst its customers, communities, and for the planet as a whole.
MAS Holdings is the largest apparel tech company in South Asia, headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka with facilities in 15 countries, powered by over 100,000 employees globally.
Since its founding in 1987, MAS has prioritized employee wellbeing based on a founding principle of doing the right thing and providing safe, secure, and comfortable places of work, with fair, equitable wages for team members.
This core principle percolates to all areas of business, including the relationships built with brand customers, work in local communities, the ethical treatment of people, and actions towards the natural environment.
Over three decades, MAS created many programs and initiatives aimed at improving workers’ lives, the products it makes, and the planet.
MAS acknowledges that the industry it operates in has significant negative impacts and it is doing its part to mitigate these effects.
The Plan For Change combines the work of these individual programs and formalises the goals into one cohesive strategy to be carried out across the group.
While the Plan For Change is a new strategic approach to the company’s product, social and environmental goals, MAS has been dedicated to uplifting people and the planet since its inception.
Progress towards sustainability is an ongoing journey for the company and is demonstrated by its long-standing membership in the UN Global Compact (since 2003), signing of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, commitment to reaching many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and partnerships with the IFC, SAC, ZDHC and many others.
MAS recognizes that addressing many of the challenges the world and its inhabitants face requires sustainable, systemic change and is committed to doing so through ambitious, collaborative initiatives.
COPE to summon SL Airlines with record breaking fourth quarter profit
SriLankan Airlines recorded its first profitable fourth quarter (Q4) since 2006 for the financial year that ended on 31 March 2022 with group net profit of USD 1.7 million despite pandemic challenges , officials said.
The profit making SriLankan Airlines would be summoned before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) regarding the plans to lease 21 planes , COPE Chairman Charitha Herath said.Hetold Parliament that he discussed the matter with the Auditor General and decided to summon SriLankan Airlines before the COPE.
StateMinister D.V. Chanaka said there was no immediate plan to lease the said planesand that a proposal has been made to lease out flights in place of flights whose lease period was to expire.
TheMinister said SriLankan was profitable now and that it had not obtained government funds for the last eight months. ” he said
The chairman of the airline Ashok pathirage noted that d it was able to achieve this financial turnaround through various measures in its 2021-22 financial year including scaling down staff costs and overheads; renegotiating supplier contracts;increasing cargo revenue; and creating an ambitious growth plan capitalizing on pent-up travel demand.
The initiatives paid off, with SriLankan making its first monthly profit since the onset of COVID-19 in December 2021 and continuing with a profit in the final quarter, the statement said.
The airline now has accumulated over USD 12 million in profits over the last 4 months as traffic has returned after the pandemic, he added.SriLankan’s expansion initiative saw the launch of flights to several new destinations in the last year including Seoul; Moscow;Kathmandu and Paris.
Frequencies were also gradually increased across the airline’s network in line with the recovery of the global travel industry and demand.
The airline has also carried out major campaigns to boost tourism to the country including a major initiative in India, roadshows supporting new routes and most recently sponsoring the popular French annual adventure trail, Raid Amazones, in March of this year
Sri Lanka seeks IMF bailout via EFF or RFF at a time of public unrest
After declaring pre-emptive debt default Cash strapped Sri Lanka has sought an International Monetary Fund bailout by way of Extended Fund Facility(EFF) or Rapid Finance Facility (RFF) , to battle record inflation and tackle balance of payment issues.
Minister of Finance Ali Sabry who was appointed several weeks before the IMF spring meetings in the wake of unprecedented public uprising against the mismanagement of the economy and in efficient and corrupt governance said that his talks with the IMF Chief on Monday was very positive.
Minister of Finance Ali Sabry had met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on 18th April at IMF Headquarters in Washington DC.
The IMF has commended the steps already taken by the Finance Minister to mitigate the situation, and assured fullest support by the IMF which was also positive on expediting the processes, Finance Ministry announced.
However the government has point blankly rejected these two possible financing facilities refusing to make asny official request from the IMF amidst demandes of the country’s leading economic experts and advisors during the past two years.
International media quoted Finance Ministry as saying that that negotiations between a delegation led by Finance Minister Ali Sabry and the IMF started in Washington on a positive note On Monday 18.
The IMF has noted the recent steps taken to increase the interest rates and calling for RfP’s for the appointment of international financial/legal advisors as good first steps towards a possible restructuring programme.
The Finance Minister had made a request for a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to mitigate the current supply chain issues.However, initially the IMF was of the view that it doesn’t meet their criteria.
The Finance Ministry said that India subsequently made representations on an RFI for Sri Lanka as well and the IMF may consider this request due to the unique circumstances.
The IMF also appears to be positive towards granting an Extended Fund Facility (EFF), the Finance Ministry said, adding that this can help stabilize things in the short term till long-term solutions kick in.
The South Asia nation is in the brink of its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948 with long queues forming outside gas stations and rolling daily blackouts imposed across the country.
A huge crowd stormed the presidential secretariat in Colombo and occupying Galle Face green for the 12 th day today Wednesday 20 over runaway prices with the rising cost of food, medicine and other essential goods causing serious hardship for Sri Lanka’s 22-million people.
Widespread street protests with the participation of massive crowds have now become the order of the day making the government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to use minimum police power to disperse aggrieved people who took to the street to demand fuel , coking gas and some thing to eat,
In one of the incident of police using minimum power of tearagasing,manhandling batoning and shooting at angry protestors reported on Yesterday at least 24 injured people injured and one person killed in the Rambukkana protest , eye witnesses said.
Soon after the tragedy Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung issued a statement demanding a full transparent investigation into the police shooting, which claimed the life of one individual following a tense situation during a protest staged in Rambukkana, eye witnesses said.
The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy has raised deep concerns over the casualties reported during the protest in Rambukkana.In this backdrop Sri Lanka delegation Finance Minister Ali Sabri,a lawyer turned politician is engaged in a gigantic task of persuading the IMF approve this financing facility and the days are numbered for the gaining of donor assistance under the present public unrest, several political analysts said
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka explore new investments and Blue economy potential
High Commissioner Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne drew home the importance of the tremendous potential both countries hold to work jointly towards a win-win situation on multiple areas of investments and be joint stakeholders in the blue economy having a shared interest in the Bay of Bengal. These ideas were discussed at a meeting held with the President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) Rizwan Rahman on 5th April 2022 at the DCCI office in Dhaka.
High Commissioner Seneviratne and DCCI President Rizwan held discussions on a wide range of initiatives and explored the possibilities for Bangladesh to invest in Sri Lanka in tourism, agriculture, shipping and logistical sectors in addition to pharma and education in Sri Lanka. DCCI President Rizwan stated that Sri Lanka could be an attractive destination for Bangladesh investors and expressed DCCI’s readiness to support the High Commission in its economic promotional activities. He also agreed to organize a business delegation to Sri Lanka at a convenient time this year.
First Secretary (Commercial) of the High Commission Srimali Jayarathna participated in the discussion.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Dhaka
19 April, 2022