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).
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.
Keheliya Rambukwella, the Minister of Health has stated that he has never interfered in the transfers or promotions of doctors and that he is ready to resign from the ministry at any time if anyone proves that he did so.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated this addressing a media briefing held in Udugama yesterday (22).
Jagath Kumara, Member of Parliament for SLPP says that it is doubtful whether certain individuals who have joined the government in various positions from organizations such as Wiyatmaga are trying to destroy the country.
“We believed that with the experience of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the love for the country, we could save this country. I believe they are still making this effort. But there is a question as to whether those who came from all those “Maga” projects sometimes helped in the destruction of the country. That is why some say that this is not ‘Wiyathmaga’ but ‘Kiyathmaga’.
Everyone is asking the President and the Prime Minister to somehow create an environment for the people on this ground to live. If that doesn’t work, then we really have to get ready to go to the opposition.”
SLPP Parliamentarian Jagath Kumara stated this while expressing his views to the media yesterday (22).
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, concurrently accredited to the Republic of Belarus, presented copies of her Credentials to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Nikolai Borisevich on 07 December 2021.
In the course of amicable conversation the sides discussed the prospects of strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and Belarus in the spheres of trade, tourism, education and others. The Sri Lankan community in Belarus is represented by more than 1 000 students mostly residing in Minsk, Grodno, Vitebsk and Gomel. This year the two countries celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The Police Headquarters urged the public to immediately report any information related to assets suspicious of being acquired illegally or indicative of an extraordinary nature, following observations of illegal assets being acquired in various ways throughout the country.
Such information can be reported via the 1917 hotline, the Police HQ said in a statement, revealing that the hotline operates 24/7.
A new Investigative Unit has also been opened in this regard, namely the Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Division, functioning under the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Secretary General State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that they are ready to ally with all leftist forces in building a stronger political movement.
This includes the interest of allying with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) as well, Jayasekara went on, adding that the formation of such an alliance would be possible in the future.
Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, his wife Mela Karunanayake and daughter Onela Karunanayake have been granted bail over a case filed by former Governor Azath Salley.
The bail order was declared by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court today (22).
The case involved an alleged invasion and acquisition of property located in Wellawatta.
The case was filed following a complaint lodged with the Wellawatta Police by Salley’s wife while he was in remand custody.
The administration of the booster dose against Covid-19 may reduce the risk of infection of new variant Omicron by 83 per cent revealed Specialist Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa, Director of the Health Promotion Bureau, speaking to a briefing held today (22).
The statistics come in following research carried out in countries in which the new Covid variant is most prevalent, he added, urging the public to obtain their booster dose as soon as possible. Vaccine doses have been delivered to the country in this regard, he noted.
The Chinese government has made a special diplomatic contribution to Sri Lanka in appreciation of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) ‘Samagi Jana Balawegayen Husmak,’ an initiative introduced by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa aimed at improving the Health Sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accordingly, the Chinese government has expressed its satisfaction and pleasure for the SJB’s contribution to the country’s Health Sector and provided financial assistance of Rs. 19.6 million for the Kidney Dialysis Machine, an equipment considered essential for testing kidney related diseases, today (22).
According to a Chinese delegation, the above assistance was a donation and not a debt.
During the discussions with China in search of support, the Opposition Leader had repeatedly urged that the people of his country be given a donation instead of a debt. Impressed by the transparency of the SJB-led initiative, the Chinese government had agreed to support the country financially via a donation instead of a debt.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong commented that he had observed that the Opposition-led initiative has been providing essential hospital equipment in a very transparent, systematic and optimal manner.
“Ambassador Qi Zhenhong today (22 Dec) handed over a donation of 8 lifesaving Kidney Dialysis Machines worth of Rs. 20 million to needy hospitals in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, upon a request by Hon. Sajith Premadasa Leader of the Opposition,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.
The “Samagi Jana Balawegayen Husmak” initiative is supported and funded by the efforts of the SJB Parliamentary Group, organisers, local and overseas members and donors with the aim of promoting and protecting the lives of Sri Lankans through the provision of life saving medical equipment to the government hospital sector amid the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Earlier, the initiative donated medical equipment worth Rs. 101.6 million on 34 phases.
