July 02, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Police announced the immediate transfer of fifteen senior officers, which includes six Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs).
This decision, sanctioned by the National Police Commission, is based on operational necessities.
Among the transferred officers are DIGs G.I.D.R. Wijesinghe, G.A.N.L. Wijesena, I.B.T. Sugathapala, L.A.U. Sarath Kumara, A.L.U.N Liyanage, and A.S.P.C. Wedamulla. Additionally, the transfers involve six SSPs and three SPs, including the Director of the Police Special Bureau.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has deemed several clauses of the Economic Transformation Bill as inconsistent with the nation’s Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told Parliament today (02).
Accordingly, these clauses necessitate a special majority in Parliament and, in certain instances, approval via a referendum to proceed.
The Speaker further disclosed that with amendments to these contentious clauses, they could potentially be passed with a simple majority in Parliament, based on the apex court’s determination.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking in Parliament this (02) morning disclosed that Sri Lanka has become one of the pioneering middle-income countries to adopt a new framework for debt sustainability analysis, specifically designed for nations in this economic bracket, in order to embark on debt restructuring.
In his address to Parliament, the President highlighted that Sri Lanka’s foreign debt stands at US$ 37 billion.
This includes US$ 10.6 billion in bilateral debt, US$ 11.7 billion in multilateral debt, US$ 14.7 billion in commercial debt, and US$ 12.5 billion in sovereign bonds.
Wickremesinghe emphasised that agreements were reached on June 26 with Sri Lanka’s official creditors regarding debt repayment, with authorised Cabinet officials signing these agreements on behalf of the country.
Detailing the specifics of the agreements with the official creditor committee chaired by India, Japan, France, and China Exim Bank, the President noted that the terms include a grace period for principal repayment extended until 2028.
He also highlighted that interest rates have been maintained at or below 2.1 per cent, with a full debt repayment grace period extended until 2043.
Moreover, under the restructuring agreements, the President explained that the repayment of the principal loan amount can be gradually increased, thereby deferring debt servicing costs.
As a result of these agreements, President Wickremesinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s remaining debt service amounts to US$ 5 billion.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The prices of LITRO domestic LP gas cylinders have been reduced, effective from midnight today (02), announced LITRO Chief Muditha Peiris.
The new prices are as follows:
The 12.5 kg cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 100, bringing the new price to Rs. 3,690.
The 5 kg cylinder has been lowered by Rs. 40, making the new price Rs. 1,482.
The 2.3 kg cylinder has seen a reduction of Rs. 18, now priced at Rs. 694.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The Government has successfully settled an outstanding debt of Rs. 200 billion owed to construction contractors, Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga announced yesterday (02).
This debt had accrued due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis.
Ranatunga highlighted that the Government is now addressing unpaid bills for several contractors, which had previously been delayed due to technical issues.
The construction industry accounts for approximately 8 to 9 per cent of Sri Lanka’s Gross National Product, employing about 20 per cent of the population.
Following directives from the President, five committees comprising government officials, industry experts, and contractors were established to revitalise the construction sector, which had suffered greatly due to the pandemic and economic downturn.
These committees proposed around 50 measures to rebuild the construction industry.
The Government has prioritised 14 areas for immediate enhancement. Minister Ranatunga also stated that a new policy to promote the construction sector is being developed and has been presented to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Furthermore, registration for construction contractors has commenced without late fees.
In response to a request from the National Construction Association, small and medium contractors (C4-C9) who were unable to register before 2020 will now have the opportunity to re-register for three years.
The Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) has waived late fees for these contractors, simplifying the registration process.
In addition, CIDA has facilitated NVQ certification for approximately 7,000 construction workers in trades such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and tiling over the past five years, at a cost of Rs. 485 million.
The programme for issuing ID cards to skilled craftsmen with NVQ qualifications across 26 craft categories is ongoing, with around 300 ID cards issued so far.
CIDA also reported that 1,386 construction machine operators have been trained at the Anuradhapura, Galkulama Construction Machinery Operators’ Training College, and 814 at the Battaramulla, Pelawatta Construction Machinery Training Centre over the last five years.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): Under the guidance of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Food Programme (WFP) will supply 55,000 metric tonnes of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertiliser to Sri Lankan farmers at no cost, announced Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.
This allocation of fertiliser is designated for paddy cultivation over the next two cropping seasons. The Government of Sri Lanka will receive this fertiliser through the WFP initiative.
Minister Amaraweera highlighted this development during a discussion on the National Fertiliser Programme held at the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry on the 1st of July.
He noted that the absence of MOP fertiliser, crucial for paddy cultivation, leads to yellowing of crops and stunted growth of panicles.
It has been observed that many farmers do not utilise MOP fertiliser, with only 400 metric tonnes sold during the current Yala season.
Previously priced at Rs. 14,000, the cost of MOP fertiliser has been reduced to Rs. 9,000 by government-owned fertiliser companies since the last Maha season, following the Minister’s directive.
However, the distribution of this fertiliser is estimated to incur costs of Rs. 3.5 billion, covering VAT and operational expenses.
Specifically, Rs. 1.1 billion is allocated for utility costs and Rs. 2.4 billion for VAT.
Minister Amaraweera confirmed that Cabinet approval has been secured to cover these expenses.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The remains of distinguished politician and former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan will be brought to Parliament tomorrow (03).
His body will lie in state in the Assembly Hall of Parliament from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on July 03, allowing members and staff to pay their respects.
The Committee on Parliamentary Business decided yesterday to bring R. Sampanthan’s remains to Parliament on July 03, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera announced.
Consequently, Parliamentary sittings will not be held on that day, she added.
Additionally, the Secretary General stated that the Committee on Parliamentary Business has resolved to present only a special statement from the President regarding the Resolution for the Implementation of External Debt Restructuring Agreements.
The debate on the related resolution, initially scheduled for today, will not take place.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): Approximately four Sri Lankans die every three hours due to various accidents, with around 35 fatalities occurring daily, Dr. Samitha Siritunga, a Community Medicine Consultant from the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, disclosed.
Annually, about one million individuals are hospitalised due to accidents, he noted speaking at a briefing organised by the Government Information Department.
Dr. Siritunga highlighted the Health Ministry’s initiatives planned for the week of July 1 to July 5.
He noted that accident victims often seek treatment from outpatient departments, private hospitals, as well as Ayurvedic and traditional medicine practitioners.
He mentioned that one in five people requires medical attention for an accident at some point in their life.
Two to three individuals die daily from drowning, with approximately 800 drowning deaths annually, Dr. Siritunga went on, adding that in addition to road accidents, a significant number of fatalities result from falls and drowning.
Dr. Siritunga stated that around 12,000 deaths occur each year due to accidents. He emphasised that those most affected by accidents are the key contributors to the economy, resulting in substantial economic losses and increased government expenditure on medical treatments.
Statistics show that roughly 50 percent of outpatient treatments are for domestic accidents, 25 percent for road accidents, and 10 percent for workplace injuries.
He concluded by asserting that experts believe all accidents are preventable and that changes in attitudes and behaviours can significantly reduce the incidence of accidents.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The release of 465 Sri Lankan military personnel who enlisted in the Russian army has encountered legal complications, it was reported.
Russian authorities have indicated that Sri Lanka’s request for their release will be considered later, alongside requests from other foreign nationals serving in Russia, an official said yesterday.
Some of these Sri Lankans have obtained Russian citizenship, as revealed during discussions with Russian officials, a report by Daily Mirror citing comments from Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, who was part of the recent Sri Lankan delegation to Russia, disclosed.
“Under Russian law, dual citizenship is not permitted. Consequently, some of these individuals are now Russian nationals, which restricts our ability to request information about them,” he explained.
Russia has not disclosed the exact number of military personnel who have received Russian citizenship.
Additionally, Dr. Weerasinghe mentioned that others had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) when joining the military, which stipulates that withdrawal is only possible on medical grounds.
“A medical appeal must be reviewed by a panel, adding another layer of difficulty in securing their release,” he added.
Dr. Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka requested the repatriation of these individuals based on the bilateral goodwill between the two nations, noting that they had joined the Russian military due to economic hardships at home.
“With approximately 10,000 foreign nationals fighting in Russia, it is challenging for Russia to grant an exemption solely for Sri Lanka. They will consider Sri Lanka’s request in conjunction with those of other countries in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Russia has halted recruitment from Sri Lanka as of May. Russia has also agreed to pay compensation of 13 million Russian rubles (Rs. 45.5 million) for each of the 17 Sri Lankans killed in combat and 3 million rubles (Rs. 10.5 million) for the wounded. Additionally, family members will be allowed to travel to Russia for funerals.
The delegation, led by Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, included MPs Dayasiri Jayasekera and Gamini Waleboda, Defence Ministry Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Charge d’Affaires of Sri Lanka to Russia Ambassador P. M. Amza, Additional Solicitor General Harippriya Jayasundara, and Director General of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sisira Senavirathne. They held discussions with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Andrey Rudenko, and Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Colonel General A. V. Fomin.
July 02, Colombo (LNW): The Railways Department has announced delays in train services on the coastal line due to damage between Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte.
As a result, train operations have been restricted to a single track, causing significant delays.
Deputy General Manager of the Railways Department, N.J. Indipolage, confirmed that measures are underway to begin repairs on the damaged track.
