October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates slight depreciation against the US Dollar today (14) in comparison to last week, but remains below the Rs. 300 threshold, as per the official exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 288.50 from Rs. 288.46, and the selling price to Rs. 297.49 from Rs. 297.46.
Meanwhile, in a contradictory trend, the LKR indicates appreciation against several other foreign currencies, however remaining depreciated against Gulf currencies.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): Kamindu Mendis has once again been recognised for his outstanding performances on the global stage, securing the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the second time in 2024, ICC announced.
The left-handed Sri Lankan batsman outshone fellow nominees, Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia’s Travis Head, to clinch the prestigious honour.
Mendis had previously won the accolade in March, cementing his growing reputation as one of the most exciting talents in international cricket.
During September, Mendis featured in four Tests, accumulating an impressive 451 runs at an average of 90.20. His consistency with the bat was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s resurgence, helping his side to a crucial victory at The Oval in England, followed by a remarkable series win over New Zealand back on home soil.
His performances during this period were highlighted by his ability to steady the ship for his team in challenging situations, showcasing not only his skill but also his composure under pressure.
Expressing his joy at winning the award, Mendis remarked, “It’s an honour to be named ICC Men’s Player of the Month once again. This recognition reflects the hard work that has gone into my development as a player, and I’m thrilled to see it paying off on the international stage. This motivates me to strive for even greater achievements, to help my team win more matches, and to bring pride to our country and joy to our fans.”
Mendis’ achievements in September were nothing short of historic. He became the first male cricketer ever to score fifty or more runs in each of his first eight Test matches—a feat that had never been accomplished before in the long history of the game.
Additionally, he reached the 1,000-run milestone in Test cricket in just his eighth match, equalling the legendary Don Bradman’s record of achieving the mark in 13 innings, making him the fastest to do so in the past 75 years.
One of Mendis’ standout performances came during Sri Lanka’s second Test against New Zealand, where he scored an unbeaten 182, guiding his team to a formidable first-innings total of 602/5 declared. This innings set the platform for a commanding victory.
However, his century in the first Test of the series might have been even more significant. Walking in with Sri Lanka struggling at 88/3, and with veteran Angelo Mathews retiring hurt, Mendis played a crucial knock of 114.
His effort proved decisive as Sri Lanka narrowly won the match by 63 runs, with no other batsman on either side managing to reach triple figures.
Mendis’ performances have been a beacon of hope for Sri Lankan cricket during a time when the team is working hard to regain its place among the world’s elite. His hunger for success and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to make him a vital asset for Sri Lanka as they look to build a strong foundation for the future.
The young batsman’s ability to handle pressure and deliver under difficult circumstances suggests he could have a long and successful international career ahead, with many more accolades likely to come his way.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has released a press release announcing the names of the candidates who tendered their presidential election expenditures.
As of now, 35 candidates have tendered their election expenditures, according to the Commission.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s Office has informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet has decided to resort to reconsideration pertaining to the proposed wind-power project in Vedithalativ, Mannar being handed over to India’s Adani Company.
This was when the fundamental rights (FR) petition demanding the nullification of the agreement reached between the government of Sri Lanka and the Adani Company on the wind-power project was called in before the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices S. Thurairajah, A.H.M.D. Navaz, Shiran Gunathillake, Achala Vengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhana today (14).
The petition was lodged by a group of civil activists, including the Wildlife and Natural Resources Protection Association and the Centre for Environmental Justice. Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Avanthi Perera appearing for the AG’s Office has informed the aforementioned decision to the apex court.
Matters involving the execution of the proposed wind-power project were to be reconsidered by the Cabinet on October 07, Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Avanthi Perera, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of Energy, told Court, revealing that the content of the said agreement between the government of Sri Lanka and Adani are being reviewed and the execution of the project, thereafter, will be reconsidered.
She further informed the Court that the current interim Cabinet of Ministers has made this decision, and requested fixation of a date for the announcement of any final decision on the execution of the project to be made by the new Cabinet post-election.
The Deputy Solicitor General further informed orally that the current state of affairs of the project is being maintained until due course.
Expressing approval for the information tendered by the Deputy Solicitor General, the petitioners requested the Court to grant permission to add amendments to the petition by including the members of the Cabinet pending appointment, in the event that a change of the respondents cited in the petition has occurred succeeding the recent regime change.
Considering the facts, the Supreme Court has granted permission for the addition of amendments to the petition, and ordered that any observation pertaining to the matter from the government’s end be informed before January 31, 2025.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara announced there will be no need for the recalling of Grade 05 Scholarship Examination.
The Commissioner General made this announcement during a special briefing held this afternoon (14).
He went on saying that free marks will be given for the three questions allegedly leaked.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has handed down a six-month prison sentence to Arjun Aloysius, Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries, along with two other executives, for their failure to settle Rs. 3.5 billion in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT).
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) had filed the case against the company for defaulting on tax payments owed to the government from 2016 to 2019.
The case, which was heard before Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe, saw the court impose the sentence following the company’s repeated failure to comply with a previous order to pay the outstanding amount.
In November 2023, the court had directed the accused to clear the dues, yet the required payments were not completed.
With the company failing to adhere to legal directives, the court’s ruling is expected to set a precedent for other corporations with outstanding financial obligations to the state.
This case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved, particularly Aloysius, who has faced scrutiny in the past for his involvement in other high-stakes financial matters.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) has raised concerns over the recent reappointment of Shani Abeysekera to the police service, stating it was not done at an appropriate time.
According to a statement issued by the organisation yesterday (13), IRES believes the timing of Abeysekera’s return to a senior position in the police force, during an active election campaign, raises serious questions.
Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of IRES, expressed particular unease over the decision to appoint Abeysekera as the director of a police unit. The issue stems from Abeysekera’s involvement in supporting the National People’s Power (NPP) during the previous presidential election, when he was part of a group of retired police officers advocating for the party’s victory.
This background, Gajanayake suggests, adds a layer of controversy to the timing of his reinstatement, especially with the ongoing electoral preparations.
The announcement by IRES highlights the broader concerns about ensuring neutrality and maintaining public trust in state institutions when the country is approaching a pivotal election.
Gajanayake stressed that decisions of this nature should be approached with caution to avoid any perceptions of bias or undue influence, especially when the integrity of the electoral process is paramount.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera, has voiced concerns regarding the inefficiency of previous governments despite their large number of ministers.
He emphasised that, despite the presence of numerous ministers, deputy ministers, and state ministers in the past, many sectors within the state saw no significant progress.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Ranjith Ariyarathne, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, on Saturday, 12th October, the Chief Prelate welcomed the decision of the current government to reduce the number of ministers.
He described it as a commendable and positive shift.
“The new administration has restricted the number of ministers, which is admirable. Currently, there are just three ministers managing the state, in stark contrast to the hundreds of ministers seen in the past. Despite those large numbers, some sectors failed to progress, and issues faced by the public remained unresolved,” the Prelate said.
The Chief Prelate further highlighted the importance of reforming the Vihara Devalagam Ordinance, which governs the management of Buddhist temples. He revealed that a document containing proposed amendments had been prepared by the monastic leadership.
However, he acknowledged that the limited number of ministers made it challenging to address all pressing issues, saying, “There is much work to be done, but managing all of this with just three ministers is a difficult task.”
After meeting with the Chief Prelate, Secretary Ariyarathne addressed the media to clarify circulating rumours regarding constitutional reforms. He denied claims that the Ninth Article of the Constitution, which gives priority to Buddhism while ensuring equal respect for other religions, would be removed.
“Neither the President nor any ministers have proposed such a change. The Ninth Article remains intact, and there is no plan to amend it. Even non-Buddhist scholars working with us have stressed the importance of retaining this article,” he explained.
Ariyarathne added that the Ministry of Buddha Sasana had already initiated amendments to the Vihara Devalagam Ordinance.
“We have received a draft from the Attorney General’s office, which has been shared with the Chief Prelates for their review. Based on their guidance, we will move forward with the next steps of the amendment process,” he confirmed.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has secured an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to expand relief measures for citizens, according to Prof. Anil Jayantha, the President’s Adviser on Economic and Financial Affairs.
He disclosed that proposals outlining the enhanced relief will be submitted to the IMF in the near future as part of ongoing efforts to revitalise the country’s economy.
Prof. Jayantha highlighted that the government is prioritising increased support for the public as a key strategy for economic recovery.
The administration has engaged in detailed discussions with the IMF, emphasising the need to meet essential needs such as food, clean water, and fertiliser for farmers to stimulate growth.
“We stressed to the IMF that for the economy to truly recover, the basic necessities of the people must be addressed. The IMF did not oppose this view and, in fact, encouraged us to submit detailed programmes for increasing relief,” he stated.
In addition to discussions with the IMF, Prof. Jayantha noted that the government is coordinating with related institutions linked to the international financial body to ensure that aid is delivered efficiently and effectively.
The proposed measures are expected to focus on improving the supply of essential goods and services, enabling citizens to actively participate in the nation’s production process.
By facilitating access to vital resources, the government aims to bolster local industries and agriculture, thereby creating a stronger foundation for sustained economic recovery.
Prof. Jayantha stressed the urgency of these measures, expressing the administration’s commitment to ensuring that relief reaches those in need as quickly as possible.
As Sri Lanka navigates its way through economic challenges, this expanded relief package is seen as a crucial step towards stabilising the economy and fostering long-term growth.
With international support, the government is confident that these measures will help pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future.
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has placed major decisions concerning the restructuring of state-owned enterprises, including SriLankan Airlines and the potential transfer of Mattala International Airport, on hold until after the general election, a report by Daily Mirror claimed citing a senior official.
The election, scheduled for November 14, 2024, has prompted the government to delay actions on key initiatives.
Under the previous administration, the State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit was set up to oversee the divestment of 130 state-run businesses.
Amongst these were significant entities like Sri Lanka Insurance, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation, and Sri Lanka Telecom.
However, following the change in leadership under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the board of the restructuring unit resigned, leaving its future uncertain, according to report.
When asked about the status of the restructuring unit, a high-ranking official from the current administration stated that no decision regarding the unit or any state-owned enterprise would be made until after the general election.
This pause reflects the government’s decision to approach these issues with caution during the election period.
One of the focal points is SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, which has been struggling financially.
The official clarified that the airline would not be sold off outright, but its future will be discussed in consultation with a newly appointed management team.
This approach signals a potential shift in strategy, away from privatisation towards a more collaborative model of development.
Additionally, the previous government had planned to transfer operations of Mattala International Airport—a project valued at $209 million and initiated during the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa—to a joint India-Russia venture.
However, this transfer has been stalled, pending approval from the Attorney General’s office for the commercial agreement.
Beyond these major entities, other significant infrastructure projects are also in limbo. The construction of the Colombo-Ratnapura expressway and stages three and four of the Central Expressway, which connects Kurunegala to Kandy and Dambulla, remains uncertain.
Progress on the Kadawatha-Meerigama stretch of the Central Expressway has been delayed due to ongoing negotiations with the EXIM Bank of China, which has not yet disbursed funds following the country’s recent debt restructuring efforts.
Whilst the government acknowledges the importance of these initiatives, its current focus is on stabilising the political climate through the upcoming election.
The decisions regarding these critical state-owned enterprises and infrastructure projects are expected to be revisited after the elections, with further clarity on the future direction of the country’s economic and development policies.
