July 03, Colombo (LNW): Cabinet approval has been granted to sign the proposed agreement on the Global Textiles and Apparel Program between the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

The government has proposed entering into a project agreement with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the EDB for the implementation of the second phase of the Global Textile and Apparel Program. This initiative aims to support the transformation of Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel industry by promoting digitization and moving towards quality green products.

The proposal, presented by the President in his capacity as Minister of Investment Promotion, was approved by the Cabinet, paving the way for Sri Lanka to seek support from the Global Textiles and Apparel Program for industry advancements.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe announced that all uncertainties surrounding Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability have been resolved. He highlighted that while the international community has shown optimism about Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, some local parties remain skeptical for political reasons.

State Minister Semasinghe made these remarks during a press briefing titled “Collective Path to a Stable Country” held at the Presidential Media Centre.

1. The Cabinet approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to implement a special loan scheme to remove obstacles for women to engage in economic activities by using Rs. 2 billion out of the Rs. 20 billion previously allocated to implement an investment scheme to re-strengthen the enterprise sector. It is observed that women’s participation in Sri Lanka’s economic affairs is at a lower level than other regional and Asian countries. There are various reasons for this and according to the 2022 survey of Sri Lanka’s workforce, 35 percent of the economically active population are women.
2. Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday (02) that the government had failed to secure the optimal deal in the debt restructuring process. Soon after the President made a special statement to the House, Premadasa said that the government haD failed to secure the best possible deal in the debt restructuring process.
3. The Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, stated that Lanka IOC will be launching a 100 Octane premium petrol to the market.
4. This order was issued by the two-member Appeals Court bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Shashi Mahendran following an extensive consideration of the facts presented related to the petition. Accordingly, the judge bench also ordered the related parties to file written submissions related to the case, if any, before July 15, 2024.
5. The Findings and Preliminary Recommendations Report from the recently concluded National Symposium on ‘Catalysing Change: Making Local Governance Future Fit’ carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been handed over to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The report was officially handed over by Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka and Mr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
6. Two 15-year-old students, a male and a female, have reportedly died after falling from the Altair building in Colombo. The students are believed to have fallen from the 67th floor of the building, with their bodies being discovered on the 3rd floor by the police.
7. The price of Laugfs domestic LP gas cylinders will remain unchanged, despite price reductions made by Litro Gas PLC, the company announced. Accordingly, the current prices of Laugfs domestic LP gas cylinders are as follows; 12.5 kg cylinder – Rs. 3,680: 05 kg cylinder – Rs. 1,477
8. The Election Commission states that despite the deferral of the 2023 Local Government (LG) elections, the local government election law remains in effect as the polls have not been completed. It highlighted that accordingly, the local government election law is still effective as per the Article 104 (a) of the Constitution.
9. The Colombo District Court issued an interim order, preventing the removal of Dayasiri Jayasekara from his position as General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and his expulsion from party membership. This decision comes in response to a petition filed by Jayasekara.
10. Sri Lankan athletes Tharushi Karunaratne and Dilhani Lekamge have qualified to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Tharushi Karunaratne has qualified for the Women’s 800m event while Nadeesha Lekamge qualified for Women’s Javelin Throw events at the Paris Olympics.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), endorsed by the Green Environment Fund, has granted US$ 1.09 million to implement a sustainable and efficient e-mobility system in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet Spokesman and Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana announced that the Cabinet of Ministers approved his proposal to designate the Transport and Highways Ministry as the project implementing agency.

“Although the Environment Ministry was initially identified as the national entity for the project, the Transport and Highways Ministry can initiate the project more efficiently with all relevant parties since the project scope falls under its purview,” said Minister Gunawardhana.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Sathyananda signed and exchanged diplomatic letters on July 2 to formalize the modalities related to the Low Cost Transit Housing Construction Project at Madhu Shrine, Mannar. This follows the Government of India’s (GOI) decision to provide an additional grant of around LKR 100 million for the project, bringing GOI’s total commitment to over LKR 400 million.

In response to the economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka, GOI has decided to increase funding for nine ongoing grant projects to expedite their completion and mitigate the impact of rising construction material costs. The Low Cost Transit Housing Construction Project at Madhu Shrine is one of these initiatives.

With the additional funding, a total of 96 transit houses will be constructed at the Madhu Shrine to accommodate pilgrims. The project is currently in progress, with the proposed transit houses at various stages of construction.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena recently emphasized that the government has laid the foundation for the economy to move forward. He made this statement during a ceremony at Arangala Sanasa Hall on June 30, where egg incubators from the Chinese government and coffee machines from the Decentralised Fund were distributed to societies in the Kaduwela electorate.

During his speech, the Prime Minister acknowledged the country’s resilience in the face of crises, comparing the current economic challenges to the hardships faced during the Second World War. He praised the commitment of the public, especially retired public servants, and highlighted the government’s efforts to maintain pensions and salaries even in difficult times.

Gunawardena noted that Colombo district had borne the brunt of recent economic difficulties, but he expressed confidence in the nation’s progress. He pointed out the government’s success in restoring international trust and the ability to conduct international transactions, despite the challenges faced.

He emphasized the importance of cooperatives, such as Sanasa, in providing security and support to their members, and highlighted the government’s allocation of funds for relief and development projects. He also mentioned the need to prepare for an aging population by starting various services to meet their needs.

Gunawardena highlighted the potential of egg incubators to provide income and nutrition to low-income households, with the support of the Chinese government. He also mentioned that China and Japan have pledged support to help Sri Lanka’s economic development and to resume suspended projects.

The event was attended by Colombo District Coordinating Committee Chairman, Members of Parliament Pradeep Udugoda and Yadamini Gunawardena, Kaduwela Divisional Secretary Sampath Idamgodage, Kaduwela Municipal Secretary, Executive Committee member of the MEP youth organization Chandana Pushpakumara, and representatives of community organizations.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe felicitated veteran Language Instructor R. S. Jayasinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (1).

Before the Cabinet meeting, President Wickremesinghe presented a letter of appreciation to Jayasinghe, acknowledging his significant contributions.

Jayasinghe began his career at the Survey Department on August 1, 1961, and was appointed as a language consultant in the Cabinet Office on July 3, 1974. As of July 3, 2024, he has completed 50 years of service in the Cabinet Office. President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake was also present at the ceremony.

July 03, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.  Fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers will occur in North-western province.Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts in the evening or night.Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.