The proposal soaring fuel prices in the objective of minimising losses will be handed over to Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila today (14), revealed the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO).
As of now, the price of one litre of petrol is Rs. 177 and the price of one litre of diesel is Rs. 121, but the cost of one litre of imported and refined petrol is Rs. 192 and diesel of the name nature, Rs. 169. Accordingly, the CEYPETCO is incurring a loss of Rs. 15.68 per litre of petrol and Rs. 48.30 per litre of diesel, it added.
The proposal minimising the loss by soaring the fuel price was handed over to the Finance Ministry on a previous occasion.
The fuel price was last soared by the CEYPETCO on December 20, 2021, after which Lanka Indian Oil surged the prices of petrol and diesel again. The CEYPETCO viewed that it should at least increase the prices in compliance with the IOC’s price hike.
Two consultants are set to be appointed to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) as per the approval of the Board of Directors.
These consultants, former Additional Secretary of the Power Ministry Susantha Perera and former General Manager of the CEB M.R. Ranatunga, are to be appointed on the instructions of Power Minister Gamini Lokuge, subject to a remuneration of over Rs. 01 million with allowances each.
Top officials of the CEB have been going on public record over the years stating that the state-run body is incurring huge losses and is compelled to pay billions of rupees to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for fuel purchased for power generation.
It is in this backdrop are these two consultants subject to an extraordinary pay package to be appointed to the CEB.
Chairman of the Government Nursing Officers’ Association revealed that they will continue the trade union action upon the conclusion of the Court proceedings and that the International Court will be sought against repression.
Although the strike action was called off in obedience to the Court order, the struggle for winning labour rights will continue, he emphasised, speaking to a briefing held today (14).
Revealing that the Health Ministry was briefed about the demands about four months ago, Ratnapriya added that their call has been denied even by the Health Secretary.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has also forwarded a pledge but has not fulfilled the promises, the Trade Union Chairman went on, adding that even the President has neglected his responsibilities.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) former MP and Political Bureau Member K.D. Lal Kantha speaking to a rally held in Kandy today (14) emphasised that this would be not an ideal moment t stage any strike action given that it would only benefit the government itself.
Pointing out that staging strikes for labour rights against the people who are suffering will further pressure them, the former MP added that the government thereby will be given the opportunity to stand by the side of the oppressed people.
In the backdrop, the people too will stop criticising the government and clash with the trade unions, he noted.
Therefore, it is more appropriate to continue working and gaining the public’s trust at the same time, the JVP Political Bureau Member added.
The purchasing of paddy through the Paddy Marketing Board is successfully being carried out said Board Chairman Neil De Alwis.
Accordingly, 31,600 metric tonnes of paddy have already been purchased.
Paddy is being purchased in a number of districts including Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Anuradhapura.
A kilo of Nadu paddy can be sold at Rs. 90, a kilo of Samba paddy for Rs. 92 and a kilo of Keeri Samba paddy, Rs. 95, Alwis went on, adding that if paddy is purchased to the branches of the Board, Rs. 02 will be paid per kilo for transport charges.
Despite many requests to allow the Sri Lanka Rupee to float against the US Dollar, the dollar may initially appreciate to around Rs. 300, warned State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, speaking to a public rally held yesterday (13).
“There is a high demand to allow the Dollar to float. If it is allowed to float, the dollar might surge up to around Rs. 300 at the first strike. Then it may drop to about Rs. 250 later.
Therefore, we have to foster a plan to produce everything within the country at our highest capacity. This is what Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa newly initiated through the “Weda Lakshayak” program for the development of livelihood. This means we do the work needed for production in the grassroots. This has been made a priority now,” he said.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella joining the event declaring the Bibila Base Hospital as the ‘Professor Senaka Bibile Commemoration Hospital‘ yesterday (13) vowed that he will never submit himself to the trade unions in the Health Sector and emphasised that any problem should be managed within his framework.
Q: The protest in the health sector is still ongoing..
“No, I think it will be sorted out. I as the Health Minister will take this into consideration. Having it said, if there is something that can be done, it will be done, and if it cannot be done, it will not be done. So, we have to work within the framework.
When hundred thousands of innocent patients are living with various difficulties – there are difficulties suffered by the health sector too – we have to manage it and go. I will not let anyone take advantage of the situation.”
The residence of journalist and youtuber Chamuditha Samarawickrama has been attacked by a group of assailants this (14) morning.
His house in Cambridge Court, Piliyandala was attacked by a group of four persons who had arrived in a white van this morning, Samarawickrama revealed.
The assailants held a gunpoint at and threatened the security officer of the house complex and launched a faeces and rock attack at Wickramasinghe’s house in a forced entrance.
The journalist who revealed that he heard several gunshots as well informed the Police in this regard and investigations are now underway.
Samarawickrama recently picked a bone with Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara in the spotlight involving the quarantining of a famous model in Sri Lanka and went on public claiming that he was receiving death threats.
Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Sajith Premadasa should start building up his image in a manner in which the public embraces him, instead of reminiscing the contributions made by leaders of yesterday, said SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, speaking to a SJB rally held yesterday (13).
“Since the colonists left the country, it has been falling. As this was being fallen, nobody felt it directly. But the agile politicians collected its benefit by earning money and property out of it, making family units and children and educated their children. They did not feel it right away. Because they got what they fundamentally needed, with difficulty. Now they understand!” Fonseka said.
“Today, this has fallen and hit the rock bottom and therefore it is felt to the stomach, the body, the kitchen, the pocket and everything,” the Field Marshal went on. “So, looking at your faces, it is hardly agreeable that you have happy faces. Everyone is worrying. We are depending on what we collect on a daily basis – Edawela Tours. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. We are wondering if we will run out of milk for our child, how to refill the bike and how much will rice be tomorrow. Everyone here has these problems in their heads for sure. This means that this country has turned into a state full of people living with problems.”
Fonseka further noted: “This is the reality. To build this country up, first we have to understand this reality. Understanding it, then we can start building it up. Therefore, I am of the view that it is pointless to reminisce the history. You will gain no recognition for your grandfather being a village headman. You should work out and build your own recognition. So, our party too should start building that image now. We are not scored for marketing the services by the leaders of yesterday. That being said, we have a new leader for this party. So, this leader should start building up his image in a manner in which the public embraces. If we are to exist as future MPs and ministers, their image should be built up by giving the public the confidence that we will build this country up in the future. We should do it, nothing else matters. Otherwise, it is pointless to speak of a former leader, like JR. People of image should get together, build up a party of image, commit themselves to building this country up, if we are to accomplish this goal.”
The allowance entitled to Samurdhi beneficiaries will increase by 28 per cent from today (14) as per the government’s decision, revealed State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.
Accordingly, the allowance Rs. 3,500 entitled to family unit will increase up to Rs. 4,500, Rs. 2,500 entitled to a family unit up to Rs. 3,200, and Rs. 1,500 up to Rs. 1,900.
The revised allowances will be distributed from today.
