Cabinet approves a plan to aid victims of adverse weather, including rebuilding homes, funded by the government and supported by Tri-Forces: President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal received approval: Immediate aid will be provided without delays, and financial support will be increased: Funds earmarked for World Environment Day will be directed to weather relief: State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura confirmed the cancellation of national Environment Day celebrations.
Eight suspects including former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department over the alleged involvement of the importation of substandard human immunoglobulin further remanded till June 14: The 4th suspect to the case was released with two sureties of Rs. 500,000 and a cash bail of Rs. 100,000: The ex-Health Minister was arrested by the CID on February 02, 2024.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announces the Supreme Court deems the Electricity Amendment Bill inconsistent with the Constitution: Opposition calls for debate postponement, ruling party pushes for scheduled discussion with promised amendments: Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera assures compliance with the Court’s ruling: MP Harsha de Silva proposes extending debate to two days.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera reveals progress in discussions with the CEB’s tariff division to finalise electricity tariff revisions: asserts the government aims to implement a cost-reflective tariff system, with quarterly revisions: adds the tariff proposal for July will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission this week.
State Minister Dilum Amunugama announces Sri Lanka attracted over US$ 1 bn in FDIs in Q124, fulfilling the quarterly target: However, concerns arose regarding the realisation of these investments, especially with delays in the Adani Solar project: The progress review meeting aimed to address project issues and provide support: The dissolution of th BOI aligns with the Economic Transformation Act, establishing the New Economic Commission to oversee economic activities and trade zones: Amunugama assures the BOI’s role will remain intact, focusing on global marketing and preserving employee rights.
Litro Gas Chairman, Muditha Peiris, declares a price reduction for domestic LP gas cylinders starting midnight today (04): The 12.5 kg cylinder will decrease by Rs. 150 to Rs. 3,790, the 05 kg cylinder by Rs. 60 to Rs. 1,522, and the 2.3 kg cylinder by Rs. 28 to Rs. 712.
UGC Chief Prof. Sampath Amaratunge urges the public against sharing 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level Exam results on social media to prevent misuse of personal data and safeguard university placements: warns that unauthorised use of index and NIC numbers could cause delays for genuine applicants: With 173,444 candidates qualifying for university admission out of 269,613, caution is urged in disseminating results online.
The University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) highlights today’s importance for potential trade union actions by university non-academic staff: Following discussions with the Minister of State for Higher Education, UTUJC Co-Chairman, Dhammika S. Priyantha, emphasised addressing staff demands and professional concerns: Next steps involve deliberations with union representatives to discuss outcomes and future strategies. UTUJC plans to update on decisions and actions by the end of the day.
During the recent National Mosquito Control Week, alarming reports surfaced regarding mosquito breeding in private institutions: Over 1,200 establishments were flagged for breeding grounds, prompting legal action against many: Nationwide inspections reveal thousands of premises with mosquito larvae, emphasising the urgency of stringent control measures amidst rising Dengue cases: Authorities urge public vigilance.
South Africa secures a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup match held at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York: Anrich Nortje shone with career-best figures of 4 for 7: Despite some early setbacks, South Africa reached the target of 78 in 16.2 overs, with Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen guiding them to victory: Sri Lanka’s batting struggled, managing only 77 runs, with Nortje’s stellar performance earning him the Player of the Match award.
June 04, World (LNW): In India’s latest election showdown, early trends suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance is leading in just under 300 seats, whilst opposition parties are gaining ground in about 200, foreign reports claim.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, eyeing an unprecedented third consecutive term for himself and his BJP, faces a closely watched battle as the results unfold.
The lower house of India’s parliament, known as the Lok Sabha, comprises 543 seats, and to form a government, a party or coalition needs to secure at least 272 seats.
The BJP-led alliance initially aimed for a sweeping victory, setting an ambitious target of 400 seats.
However, current trends indicate they may fall short of that goal, with the alliance currently leading in approximately 295 seats.
This election, touted as the world’s largest, unfolded over seven phases across six weeks, engaging almost a billion eligible voters.
As results trickle in, the nation eagerly anticipates the official announcement from the Election Commission of India, which will declare the winners.
Whilst the BJP has made significant strides in several regions, including the north and west, their performance in the south has raised eyebrows.
K Annamalai, a prominent BJP candidate in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore constituency, trails by over 23,000 votes.
Annamalai, a former police officer, was seen as a strong contender to bolster the BJP’s presence in a state traditionally resistant to the party’s influence.
However, leading in Coimbatore is Ganapathy P Rajkumar, a former mayor representing the regional DMK party.
Surprisingly, the BJP is not leading in any seat in Tamil Nadu, as per current trends, while the INDIA alliance, consisting of various regional parties, is making significant gains.
As the counting continues and final results are awaited, the political landscape in India remains in flux, with each constituency’s outcome crucial in determining the country’s future leadership.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of government’s decision to dissolve the Board of Investment in accordance with economic transformation act, State Minister for Investment Promotion, Dilum Amunugama says the Sri Lanka has attracted over USD 1 billion Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to the country in the first quarter of 2024.
“This fulfills our first quarter target and we hope to touch the USD 4 billion investment target by year end,” he said during conversations with investors who signed investment agreements with the Board of Investment in the first quarter of this year and followed up on their business progress.
The investment objective of one billion dollars was met in the first quarter of this year, with the Adani Solar project investing USD 800 million and other enterprises contracting for another USD 320 million with the Board of Investment.
However these FDI’s are still to be realized as Adani Solar power project Sri Lankan officials said adding that the project has been facing some delays as a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) raising concerns over the project components including tariff.
Therefore accounting the FDI in the pipeline which is yet to be realized and publishing it as first quarter foreign investment attracted by Sri Lanka was an inaccurate statement, several high officials said.
The progress review meeting was primarily arranged to analyze the progress of signed projects, resolve any outstanding issues, and provide necessary support to projects signed in the first quarter of 2024.
Another main accounting practice of the BOI was the inclusion of foreign loans to Direct Investment Enterprises in annual FDI while publicising dollar earnings of existing free trade zone enterprises. This was against the proper accunting practices
The New Economic Commission is to be set up under this act replacing BOI and its control over free trade zones will be consolidated under its purview.
Furthermore, control over trade zones under the Board of Investment and newly established trade zones will be consolidated under this commission.
The commission will be empowered to oversee economic activities and international trade and govern both existing and newly established trade zones, ensuring cohesive and effective management of economic initiatives and investment infrastructure.
However minister Amunugama highlighted that the BOI’s position will be aligned with worldwide marketing, and that current zones will stay under the BOI’s control, strengthening its role and preserving all employee rights.
Furthermore he stated that the statements made by all of the investors demonstrate that they were able to carry out their projects without issue. As a result, it serves as an excellent illustration of the Board of Investment’s efficiency.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates slight depreciation against the US Dollar today (04) in comparison to yesterday, as per leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 296.40 from Rs. 296.50, and the selling price to Rs. 306.44 from Rs. 306.54
But at Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 295.84 from Rs. 295.59, and the selling price to Rs. 306 from Rs. 305.75.
At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar have increased to Rs. 297.50 from Rs. 297 and Rs. 306.50 from Rs. 306, respectively.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Sampath Amaratunge has issued a plea to the public, urging them to abstain from sharing the outcomes of the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level Examinations on social media platforms.
Amaratunge cautioned that disseminating such information on social media channels could potentially hinder students’ chances of securing university placements.
He highlighted the risk associated with divulging personal details like index numbers and National Identity Card (NIC) numbers, as this data could be misused by unauthorised individuals for university admission purposes.
Emphasising the repercussions of such actions, Prof. Amaratunge noted that if an unauthorised application is submitted using these details, the genuine applicant may face delays and challenges in rectifying the situation, leading to prolonged waiting periods.
In light of these risks, Amaratunge reiterated the importance of refraining from sharing A/Level results, particularly on platforms like Facebook, and urged students and their families to exercise caution in this regard.
The results of the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level Examinations were unveiled on May 31.
According to the Department of Examinations, out of the total 269,613 candidates, 173,444 applicants (equivalent to 64.33 per cent) qualified for university admission.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka holds a leading position amongst its South Asian counterparts in recruiting women at the entry level within the banking sector, a recent report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) disclosed.
According to the report titled ‘Women’s Advancement in Banking in Emerging South Asian Countries’, conducted in collaboration with the Australian government, Sri Lanka stands out with women comprising 46 per cent of new recruits and holding 27 percent of board positions.
This positions the country as the leader in board-level gender diversity among the assessed nations.
The research, focusing on private sector commercial banks in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, examined seven prominent private commercial banks in Sri Lanka, collectively representing 41 per cent of the market share.
It revealed that 38 per cent of the workforce in these banks comprises women, with 70 per cent expressing aspirations for senior roles.
However, the report uncovered disparities between women’s career aspirations and their actual progression within the sector.
Despite Sri Lanka’s proximity to gender parity in recruitment and workforce representation, the data revealed a decline in women’s representation from entry-level positions (40 per cent) to middle management (27 per cent) and further to senior management roles (20 per cent).
Numerous barriers were identified, including sociocultural constraints, lack of fair evaluations, and non-conducive work environments, impeding women’s advancement in the sector.
Sociocultural norms, which often burden women with unpaid care work and lead to career interruptions post-marriage and parenthood, were highlighted as a significant challenge.
Additionally, the absence of objective performance assessment criteria and prevalent biases in evaluation processes hindered women’s progress.
Furthermore, less than half of female respondents reported feeling confident at work, citing micro-aggressions such as frequent interruptions during communication.
Whilst efforts have been initiated by banks and policymakers to address these challenges, the report emphasised the need for stronger commitment from banking industry leaders to create inclusive workspaces.
IFC Regional Director for South Asia, Imad N. Fakhoury, stressed the importance of comprehensive and collective action to overcome these barriers, advocating for targeted efforts such as commitment to gender diversity, equitable workplaces, and supportive ecosystems.
The report concluded by recommending specific measures to bolster women’s advancement in commercial banking, including enhanced commitment and accountability for gender diversity and the creation of equitable and safe work environments.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): During the recent National Mosquito Control Week, conducted by the Epidemiology unit of the Health Ministry from May 26 to June 1, concerning revelations emerged regarding mosquito breeding in private institutions.
This has sparked a cascade of legal actions and raising profound concerns regarding public health standards.
Out of a total of 4,599 private establishments inspected, a substantial 1,220 were flagged for harbouring mosquito breeding grounds.
This flagrant disregard for mosquito control protocols has ignited public outcry, leading to legal proceedings against 981 of these entities, with an additional 3,121 receiving official notices to rectify the situation.
Simultaneously, across the nation, from a comprehensive inspection of 93,874 premises, close to 5,000 were found to host mosquito larvae, with over 25,000 households being identified as potential breeding sites.
The inspection efforts during the week extended across 15 districts in Sri Lanka, including prominent areas such as Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, Gampaha, Jaffna, and Ratnapura.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the alarming report from the Epidemiology unit, which indicates a total of 25,095 reported dengue cases island-wide as of June 3.
This concerning trend highlights the urgent need for stringent mosquito control measures to safeguard public health across Sri Lanka. The adverse weather conditions are attributed to the spreading of seasonal diseases, including Dengue, and the public, therefore, is urged by the health authorities and medical specialists to exercise caution.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (04) announced that the Supreme Court has ruled the Electricity Amendment Bill to be inconsistent with the Constitution.
However, the Court suggested that this inconsistency could be rectified through amendments aligning with its proposals.
The Supreme Court’s determination led to a parliamentary standoff, with the Opposition advocating for the debate’s postponement.
Meanwhile, the ruling party pressed for the scheduled debate on Thursday, vowing to incorporate necessary amendments.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella urged for a delay in the debate and the submission of the Bill to the Sectoral Oversight Committee, citing the need for thorough examination.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera assured that amendments would be made in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, advocating for proceeding with the debate as scheduled.
In the midst of discussions, MP Harsha de Silva proposed extending the debate to two days instead of one.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet has approved a proposal aimed at offering assistance to victims of adverse weather conditions, including the reconstruction of completely destroyed homes, funded by the government and with support from Tri-Forces personnel.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe submitted the proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers on the previous day (03), which received approval.
Additionally, it was suggested to provide immediate aid to affected individuals without bureaucratic delays and to enhance financial support for them.
Wickremesinghe has directed the allocation of funds initially intended for World Environment Day celebrations towards providing relief to those impacted by recent severe weather.
State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government of Sri Lanka, Janaka Wakkumbura, also confirmed the cancellation of the national World Environment Day celebrations scheduled for the following day.
June 04, Colombo (LNW): The University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) has announced that today (04) marks a crucial juncture for deciding on potential trade union actions by the university’s non-academic staff.
UTUJC Co-Chairman, Dhammika S. Priyantha, underscored the significance of recent developments following a dedicated meeting held with the Minister of State for Higher Education on the preceding day (03).
During this session, pertinent issues including the staff’s demands and broader professional concerns were addressed comprehensively.
Priyantha further elaborated on the next steps, stating that deliberations with trade union representatives will ensue to discuss the outcomes of the aforementioned meeting.
It is anticipated that these discussions will centre on the agreements reached and the strategies to be implemented moving forward.
UTUJC aims to provide an update on the decisions made and outline the prospective course of action by the end of today.
