Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly left for India on a private tour.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister is currently in India, according to Indian media reports.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa is also set to visit the famous Tirupathi Kovil.
MIAP
SLT-MOBITEL unveils December bonanza exclusively for new customers in Northern and Eastern province
SLT-MOBITEL as the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Solutions Provider is empowering communities in the Northern and Eastern provinces with an exclusive bonanza of not-to-be-missed product and service offerings during the month of December.
SLT-MOBITEL have unveiled an exciting line-up of promotional offers for new home broadband customers ensuring they have access to a total telecommunication and entertainment ecosystem. With options ranging from data plans and PEO TV offers, new customers will find the best plans tailored to suit their unique needs.
The December bonanza includes a host of services with many value additions, providing customers greater convenience and contributing to enhancing their lifestyles.
In delivering the best network experience for new customers, SLT-MOBITEL is offering exciting Fibre, ADSL and LTE broadband data plans catering to all their social media, work from home and gaming needs. Youtube users receive to 25GB-10GB, Messenger 10GB, Google Meet 100-30GB, Gaming bundle 50GB, corresponding to their subscription packages.
Assuring customers high quality entertainment, SLT-MOBITEL is also providing new customers in the North and East exciting PEO TV and PEOTV GO packages. For 4G LTE customers, a discounted offer of Rs. 5500/= includes PEOTVGO directly via the internet through the OTT Box. SLT-MOBITEL customers can also benefit as they will receive the PEOTVGO Mobile App with free data. The first 100 customers seeking new PEOTV subscriptions – packages including PEO Titanium, PEO Platinum, PEO Entertainment will receive premium merchandise comprising of HBO branded backpacks. As the nation’s telecommunication leader, SLT-MOBITEL is well positioned to offers customers of the North and East, a slew of value-added products by leveraging technology providing innovative solutions for the good of people and delighting customers in meaningful ways.
Water and Electricity bills to go up!
The government is paying focus on increasing the water and electricity bills following the generation of power being an additional cost amid the fuel price hike.
According to reports, the matter has been discussed by the top government leaders.
The Norochcholai Coal Power Plant is experiencing malfunction at times leading to unexpected power cuts and the generation of power may have to be risen up via fuel in any event should the Plant continue to collapse.
Meanwhile, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Vasudeva Nanayakkara stated that if the charges on electricity are to be increased, the charges for water should also be increased.
These charges, nevertheless, should only be imposed those consuming more water, without burdening the consumers who use less, he added.
MIAP
Omicron could be the main variant spread in Sri Lanka in the next few weeks – Upul Rohana
The Sri Lanka Association of Public Health Inspectors states that in another three weeks, the Omicron variety will become the prevalent covid variant in the country. Its chairman Upul Rohana says that this can be confirmed by studying the exposure of the seven identified Omicron to the society.
He pointed out that there is a risk of the Omicron variant spreading rapidly in the society especially during the upcoming festive season and therefore everyone should act responsibly and control the spread as much as possible.
Rohana states that although the number of infected people identified so far is 07, there could be more than that in the society.
He says that due to the current economic situation it is not expected that a decision will be taken to lock down the country again and that the authorities have decided that it is better to die of covid infection than to die without food. He emphasizes that the people have a full responsibility to protect their lives.
Ecological floating islands released to clean up Beira Lake
The cleaning process of the beautiful and popular Beira Lake spread over 65 hectares gets underway with the aim of making the lake attractive for locals and foreign tourists not just as a pleasant and tranquil view, but also as a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Created by the Portuguese rulers of Sri Lanka more than five centuries ago, to serve as a moat to defend their fort, the Beira Lake is today an “urban oasis”, a beautiful home for a variety of elegant water birds, the sight of which delights children as well as adults.
The placid waters of the lake attract spotted-billed pelicans, cormorants, herons, colorful storks and many other birds. However, seeing swarms of pelicans on the lake could be a matter of luck.
Seeing the tourism-generating potential of Beira Lake, the Sri Lankan authorities stepped up pollution control measures.
A few years ago, they worked with local enterprises to explore the use of Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTW), a technology that uses plants to clean severely polluted water bodies. This is done by the creation of “ecological floating islands” on the water body.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently released a thousand ecological floating islands to Beira Lake initiating the purifying process of the lake.
Beira Lake has been polluted due to unauthorized urbanization and improper upgrading of sewerage infrastructure in the city of Colombo.
The “Ecological floating islands” method was implemented under the guidance of Chairman of the Land Development Corporation, Retired Major General M.R.W. de Soyza, the PMD reported.
Ecologist Ranoshi Siripala points out that the experiment conducted for water purification by planting plants such as Cannas, Savandara and Heliconia using PVC pipes, bamboo and foam mattresses as floating supports has yielded successful results.
Plants in floating wetlands absorb excess nutrients carried in the water. This reduces the amount of algae in the water and purifies the water, eliminates odors, and maintains an ecological balance by providing habitat for water-dependent organisms. Water surface beautification is another benefit, the statement said.
Land Development Corporation Chairman M.R.W. de Zoysa pointed out that the project is expected to play an indirect role in controlling the diseases caused by the mosquito menace. He said a number of other benefits such as increased density of fish can also be achieved at a very low cost from this project.
At the end of 2020, the local government began to implement the ecological FTW project in the southern part of Beira Lake. Almost overnight, many floating green islands appeared on the lake.
These floating beds of aquatic vegetation were anchored to the water. Some were on the shore, while others were at the center of the lake. Each of these floating islands was a beautiful, small garden.
Residents noticed that the aquatic plants on the ecological floating islands were mainly Iris, Canna and Vetiver grass.
Under a brilliant sun and a blue sky, the yellow, red and purple Canna flowers are an enchanting sight.
The floating islands gently drift with the wind of the Indian Ocean, and the water birds on the ecological floating island seem relaxed, enjoying the slow ride.
The pelicans are now more numerous than ever, with up to 100 gathering at regular intervals. In the morning, pairs of spotted-billed pelicans “paddle” in search of the first pickings of the day.
After feeding, the pelicans swim leisurely towards the floating islands or zip through the sky like a helicopter and land there.
An expert in the planning and design of constructed wetlands and the ecological restoration of polluted water environment in China, said that the floating island is actually a kind of artificial wetland floating on the surface of the water body with suitable wetland plants and aquatic vascular plants, which can purify the sewage entering the lake.
The wetland plants can also reduce the smell of sewage and provide a suitable habitat for aquatic animals and waterfowl.
The ecological floating island itself has the aesthetic and leisure tourism effect of a water garden.
As an expert who has done extensive research on Sri Lanka’s lakes, reservoirs and lagoons, said, “This is a cost-effective and relatively effective nature-based water pollution solution for Sri Lanka.
Appointment of Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Sri Lanka
The Government of the Argentine Republic with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Hugo Javier Gobbi as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Sri Lanka based in New Delhi. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
22 December, 2021
Bandula proposes to hold an all-party conference to get the views of the opposition to resolve the economic crisis
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena says it is important to convene an all-party conference to seek the proposals of the opposition to find a solution to the country’s economic crisis.
“Instead of looking at the situation in our country from a political point of view, we need to move towards a non-political technical explanation of the problem that has actually arisen, the factors that led to it and how to rectify it. It is more important to call the leaders of the political parties and have a discussion with them. If anyone in the Opposition has a solution to this problem, that solution can be put forward if such a conference is convened. “
Minister Bandula Gunawardena stated this while expressing his views to the media yesterday (22).
Appointment of the High Commissioner of the of Republic of Botswana to Sri Lanka
The Government of the Republic of Botswana with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Gilbert Shimane Mangole as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Sri Lanka based in New Delhi. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
22 December, 2021
Commodity prices are high and will rise futher. People have to face this! – Johnny (VIDEO)
Commodity prices are high and will rise further in the future, said Chief Government Whip, Minister Johnston Fernando.
“Commodity prices high, those could increase further. We have to face these things until we get rid of the epidemic. These are not things we do willingly. Who wants to increase the price of goods? Who wants to increase fuel prices? This is something that affects all communities. But reluctantly we have to implement a program that will keep all of us employed and the economy afloat. “
Minister Johnston Fernando said this while answering several questions raised by journalists during a visit to inspect the construction work on the Central Expressway in the Kurunegala area yesterday (22).
Central Bank expects foreign reserves over US $3 billion within a week
The Central Bank says that the measures being taken at present will ensure that by end of 2021 official reserves will remain above US dollars 3 billion.
Despite the headwinds of the economic impact of COVID-19 and challenges posed by adverse developments in the external sector, the Sri Lankan economy showed resilience throughout 2021.
Also, Sri Lanka successfully met its debt obligations by repaying foreign loans, including the payments of the International Sovereign Bonds. Since the beginning of the year both the Central Bank and the Government have been actively pursuing possible avenues to replenish official reserves, with an emphasis on encouraging non-debt flows, so that the existing foreign debt could be managed in a sustainable manner.
number of foreign exchange inflows are envisaged in the very near term. Major foreign exchange inflows to the Central Bank include SWAP facilities with Middle Eastern and other regional central banks amounting to about US dollars 2.0 billion
The Government is also in the process of securing Government to Government financing, syndicated loans as well as loans from multilateral organisations. In addition, the expected foreign exchange facilities that were negotiated during the high-level visits abroad made by authorities are also progressing well
Further, the interventions made by the Central Bank on several facets of the foreign exchange market, such as incentive scheme introduced for workers’ remittances, and the repatriation and conversion requirements on account of exports proceeds will improve the liquidity in the domestic market, thereby enabling the Central Bank to build up official reserves further.
With the recent rise in departures for foreign employment and exponential growth observed in tourist arrivals, the external sector is expected to recover well in the period ahead and the pressures observed at present are expected to moderate with increased inflows to the economy.
The Government and the Central Bank remain confident that these expected inflows will materialise and the reserve position will remain at comfortable level throughout the year 2022.