Sri Lanka is due to receive a debt facility of US$ 500 million from India for fuel purchases. This provision will be made based on a request made by the Sri Lankan government.
Prior to being received the debt, Sri Lanka has also received 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel for the management of energy crisis.
These fuel stocks have arrived in the Colombo Port from ‘Swarna Pushpa’ ship and were handed over to Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay.
MIAP
The shortage of auto diesel at almost every petrol stations around Colombo has had a severe impact on the import-export container transport, revealed President of the All Ceylon Container Carriers Owners and the All Ceylon Container Integrated Transport Forum Sanath Manjula, speaking to a briefing today (15).
The situation occurred since last night and the absence of diesel has led the import-export container transport to suffer severe inconveniences, he disclosed.
The same situation occurred for three days last week.
Should the problem continue, they may have to withdraw from container transport duties, Manjula warned, urging the government to provide an immediate solution.
He added that discussions will be held with the Subject Minister on learning the possibility of obtaining fuel for containers from filling stations located at the port premises.
The appeal lodged by former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday Massacre was taken up in the Civil Appeals High Court today. The appeal was called in before the Civil Appeal High Court Bench comprising Justices A. Frank Gunawardena and Saman Weeraman.
In his appeal, Sirisena requests that the cases filed before the Colombo District Court by the relatives of those killed and injured in the Massacre demanding compensations be dismissed and his acquittal from all charges.
Further consideration of the former President’s appeal has been adjourned till March 09.
MIAP
The strike action launched health trade unions for nine consecutive days will be called off for a period of 14 days, the trade unions revealed.
Accordingly, health workers endorsing the strike action will be reporting for duty from 8 am tomorrow.
They added that they are providing this 14-day period for the government to come up with solutions for the problems suffered by their employment. The President’s intervention on this matter is also expected, the trade unions noted.
MIAP
Jayampathi Heenkenda, Director General of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, has reportedly resigned from his post.
His resignation comes in following a notice issued by Secretary to the Mass Media Ministry Anusha Pelpita.
Person to be filled in vacant position remains undisclosed.
MIAP
SATHOSA has limited the number of coconuts purchased in a row. Accordingly, one person can only purchase three coconuts from any SATHOSA outlet.
The restriction was revealed by Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena during the briefing held on announcing Cabinet decisions, stating that the decision has been taken given that SATHOSA sells coconut for Rs. 75, when it is sold for Rs. 90 at the market.
The Minister added that it is mandatory to purchase other items when purchasing rice and that there is no opportunity to purchase only rice. As rice is being sold at low prices through the SATHOSA, restrictions have been imposed to prevent racketeers from stockpiling rice, he noted.
Every commodity sold at SATHOSA are of lower prices than the regular market, the Trade Minister further added.
MIAP
Civil Activist Shehan Malaka who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday has been granted bail upon being produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate Court today (15).
Reports claimed that Malaka was arrested under the instructions of the Attorney General on the grounds of making controversial comments about the Easter Sunday Massacre.
Malaka’s arrest was severely criticised by the Catholic Church.
The Cabinet has concluded to provide subsidies for selected low income families as a solution to surging cost of living.
Accordingly, 40 selected families in every Grama Niladhari Division will be distributed a Rs. 2000 relief package. Families entitled to this relief package will be given a digital card, which can be used to purchase items up to Rs. 2000 from super markets.
Meanwhile, a 15 kg wheat flour subsidy will be distributed to the families in the plantation community on a monthly basis. Accordingly, 115,867 families will be entitled to this facility.
MIAP
A special meeting of the Election Commission is scheduled to be held on the 24th. Representatives of all registered political parties have been asked to attend the event.
It is reported that there are plans to hold an election in the next few months and the Election Commission is preparing for it soon.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the political parties representing the government have launched an operation to find popular figures targeting the forthcoming provincial council elections. Recently, several prominent personalities have been invited to enter electoral politics.
The local government election scheduled for this year has been postponed by a year and the provincial council election is scheduled to be held. It has been many years since the term of the Provincial Councils came to an end but elections have not been held yet.
It is reported that the government is preparing to hold the provincial council elections by next April.
Minister of State Shehan Semasinghe states that we have to face a huge power crisis today due to the wrong decision taken by the people in the 2015 Presidential Election. The Minister of State states that if Mahinda Rajapaksa is re-elected as the President then, power plants will be established to meet the future demand for electricity.
However, Semasinghe states that the Yahapalanaya government that came to power in the 2015 presidential election did not take steps to establish the required power plants considering the future demand for electricity.
The Minister further stated that during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime measures were taken to meet the demand for electricity by setting up new power plants but since 2015 that program has been completely inactive.