Home Blog Page 2423

Foreign Minister says something special will happen on March 31

MIAP
-
0
Foreign Minister says something special will happen on March 31

A visit to India may have to be made within the next two weeks for the finalisation of the agreements on the reception of a fiscal facility of US$ 2.4 billion from India, said Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, speaking to a briefing held in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) head office today (14).

Sri Lanka will receive this fiscal facility for the purchase of food and medicine, as a result of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s visit to India, he revealed.

The Foreign Minister added that something special is about to happen on March 31.

“We hope that India’s Foreign Minister will visit Sri Lanka from March 18 to 20. Also, a very important event will take place on March 31. The INSTEC Summit is set to be held in Colombo. It is an organisation consisting of seven countries. This organisation is currently chaired by Sri Lanka. Leaders of all seven countries have cordially invited us to attend this state leaders’ event in Colombo.

The 49th session of the Geneva Human Rights Council begins on February 28. I am submitting a written report on Sri Lanka to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. This report will be discussed on March 03. We are attending this Geneva session with great confidence and hope that justice will be done. We are always ready to work with the international community who work in a friendly manner with Sri Lanka. It is by working in that style that these problems can be solved. This is the message that we hope to deliver at the 49th Session.”

MIAP

CID arrests Social Activist Shehan Malaka

MIAP
-
0
CID arrests Social Activist Shehan Malaka

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested civil activist Shehan Malaka on the instructions of the Attorney General.

His arrest is reportedly involved with a statement he had made on the Easter Sunday Massacre.

Malaka was very vocal about the genocide on recent occasions.

MIAP

Petrol Rs. 192. Diesel Rs. 169. CEYPETCO to hand over proposal on fuel price hike to Energy Minister

MIAP
-
0
Petrol Rs. 192. Diesel Rs. 169. CEYPETCO to hand over proposal on fuel price hike to Energy Minister

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.

MIAP

Two consultants with extraordinary pay package to be appointed to CEB

MIAP
-
0
Two consultants with extraordinary pay package to be appointed to CEB

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.

MIAP

No option but to seek International Court: Saman Ratnapriya (VIDEO)

MIAP
-
0
No option but to seek International Court: Saman Ratnapriya (VIDEO)

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.

MIAP

Staging strikes at this moment advantageous to government: Lalkantha

MIAP
-
0
Staging strikes at this moment advantageous to government: Lalkantha

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.

MIAP

Paddy Marketing Board purchases 31,600 metric tonnes of paddy

MIAP
-
0
Paddy Marketing Board purchases 31,600 metric tonnes of paddy

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.

MIAP

Dayasiri warns US Dollar might surge up to Rs. 300, if floating allowed

MIAP
-
0
Dayasiri warns US Dollar might surge up to Rs. 300, if floating allowed

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.

MIAP

Health Minister vows no submission to trade unions (VIDEO)

MIAP
-
0
Health Minister vows no submission to trade unions (VIDEO)

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.”

MIAP

White van assault on Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence!

MIAP
-
0
White van assault on Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence!

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.

MIAP

Photos: HiruNews
1...2,4222,4232,424...2,539Page 2,423 of 2,539