April 29, Colombo (LNW): Opposing political factions may collaborate to obstruct the National Peoples Power (NPP) ascent to power, Party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, addressing a recent event in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dissanayaka highlighted ongoing instability in Sri Lanka, particularly citing unresolved questions surrounding the Easter Sunday carnage, which took away more than 270 lives in 2019.

He indicated that various rival factions, including figures like former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, are contemplating uniting to counter the NPP’s influence in the upcoming presidential election.

However, he noted potential hurdles stemming from personal conflicts between Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, the current Leader of the Opposition, despite shared policy objectives in this coalition.

Dissanayaka suggested that their aim is to impede the NPP’s progress and prevent its ascension to power.

Regarding the timing of the Presidential Election, the NPP Leader hinted at potential dates, suggesting either September 28 or October 5, 2024.

Dissanayaka called on supporters to engage actively, encouraging them to visit Sri Lanka during this period, advocate for NPP perspectives on social media, and discuss the importance of national development with their relatives.

Furthermore, Dissanayaka raised questions about the Easter Sunday attacks, particularly concerning possible collaboration between the perpetrators and those responsible for preventing such incidents.

He highlighted specific incidents, such as the case of Jameel, who failed to detonate a bomb at the Taj Hotel and later attempted to do so in Dehiwala, only to be intercepted by intelligence officials.

Dissanayaka also questioned the role of individuals like ‘Podi Zahran‘ and the circumstances surrounding the alleged death or disappearance of Sarah Jasmine, emphasising the need for clarity on these matters to address ongoing instability in the country.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to proactively address potential tensions with India, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction, led by Nimal Siripala de Silva as acting chairman, recently met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.

The purpose of the meeting was to officially distance themselves from remarks attributed to their former Chairman, Maithripala Sirisena, regarding alleged Indian involvement in the Easter Sunday attacks, Daily Mirror reported citing a reliable source.

Media reports previously circulated claims of Sirisena implicating India in the attacks during his statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sirisena’s recent controversial statements, suggesting knowledge of the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday carnage, have added complexity to the party’s internal dynamics.

However, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles clarified in Parliament last week that the former President did not specifically name any Sri Lankan or Sri Lankan organisation in his CID statement.

Presently, the SLFP is grappling with internal divisions, with Sirisena restrained from acting as party chairman due to a legal injunction.

Representatives of the faction opposed to Sirisena, including MPs Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Duminda Dissanayake, Suren Raghavan, and Faizer Mustapha, met with the Indian envoy to assert their disavowal of the ex-President’s purported claims and stress the importance of maintaining cordial relations with India.

The SLFP is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with a faction led by Minister Siripala de Silva and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who seek to wrest control of the party by sidelining Sirisena.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Teachers Service Union has announced its intention to initiate trade union action to address existing salary disparities within the education sector.

Deans and teachers from National Education Academies, Government Teacher Colleges, and Teaching Centres will participate in a token strike to highlight these disparities, according to Union Secretary Dhammika Mirihana.

Mirihana emphasised that besides their salaries, no allowances are provided to them, resulting in unfair treatment.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has made a partial payment of US $ 35 million out of the total debt of US $ 250 million owed to Iran for oil purchases made in 2012, a report by Daily Mirror said quoting an official.

The delay in payment was initially due to sanctions imposed on Iran.

Subsequently, the Sri Lankan government decided to address the outstanding dues through a barter agreement involving tea in exchange for oil.

A source familiar with the matter revealed that as of the end of February, Sri Lanka had successfully settled US $ 35 million of the owed amount, with an additional US $ 10 million slated for imminent settlement.

Although the tea-for-oil arrangement was formalised in December 2021, the export process encountered delays attributed to the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

By: Isuru Parakrama

April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge) is affecting the island’s weather, the Department of Meteorology said.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most provinces of the island after 01.00 p.m., with heavy showers above 100 mm being expected to occur at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces, the Department said in its daily weather forecast today (29).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the coastal areas of Eastern and Southern provinces and in Mullaitivu district during the morning as well.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the morning.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-Western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.

The public, therefore, is urged to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-coloured clothing.

By: Staff Writer

April 28, Colombo (LNW): A specialized committee has been entrusted with the task of formulating the framework for the Energy Sector Regulator within a concise timeline of two months

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish a dedicated regulator for the energy sector.

Taking to the ‘X’, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the Petroleum, LPG, LNG, Lubricants, Oils, and broader Energy sectors are set to fall under the purview of the newly formed regulatory body.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will retain its role as the regulator for the electricity sector, while the forthcoming regulator will assume responsibility for governing various aspects of the petroleum and energy industries.

This separation of oversight is expected to streamline regulatory processes, foster greater accountability, and optimize sector-specific regulations.

A specialized committee has been entrusted with the task of formulating the framework for the Energy Sector Regulator within a concise timeline of two months.

This framework is envisioned to encompass a comprehensive spectrum of regulatory considerations, ranging from fair pricing mechanisms and quality assurance to compliance monitoring and environmental standards.

Among the key areas slated for inclusion in the proposed regulatory framework are, fair pricing mechanisms & pricing formulas, quality assurance, compliance monitoring, safety in unloading, storage & distribution, environmental standards, industry collaboration & stakeholder engagement, dispute resolution, public awareness & education, emergency response and risk management.

This separation of oversight is expected to streamline regulatory processes, foster greater accountability, and optimize sector-specific regulations.

A specialized committee has been entrusted with the task of formulating the framework for the Energy Sector Regulator within a concise timeline of two months.

This framework is envisioned to encompass a comprehensive spectrum of regulatory considerations, ranging from fair pricing mechanisms and quality assurance to compliance monitoring and environmental standards.

Among the key areas slated for inclusion in the proposed regulatory framework are, fair pricing mechanisms & pricing formulas, quality assurance, compliance monitoring, safety in unloading, storage & distribution, environmental standards, industry collaboration & stakeholder engagement, dispute resolution, public awareness & education, emergency response and risk management.

By: Staff Writer

April 28, Colombo (LNW): The Committee of Public Finance (COPF), at its most recent meeting, has examined the effectiveness of recent tax increases on tobacco and liquor, aimed at discouraging consumption and boosting government revenue.

Drawing attention to the Laffer curve in taxation, the COPF observed a decline in government revenue over the past two months compared to the same period last year, attributing it to higher taxes that have led to increased smuggling and the adoption of alternative measures.

At the meeting held recently under the chairmanship of MP Harsha de Silva, the COPF members recommended a thorough analysis of the inflation index to guide tax adjustments and research into existing tax systems to prevent revenue loss.

Hpwever State Plantation Enterprises Reforms and State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, announced that in the first quarter of this year, state revenue has reached an impressive Rs. 834 billion.

This achievement not only surpasses the projected revenue but also indicates a growth of 6%.

Motrover the state minister emphasized that with prudent financial management and a consistent revenue pattern, 2024 promises to be a year where revenue targets can be successfully attained.

The COPF also raised concerns about the failure of the Excise Department to address issues such as non-payment of taxes and the use of fake stickers by liquor license holders, despite instructions from the Ministry of Finance.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of action, the Committee emphasized the urgency of implementing recommendations to safeguard government revenue.

Questions were raised regarding the Ministry of Finance’s decision-making process on taxing essential goods, given inefficiencies in revenue collection from liquor license holders.

It was revealed that the Excise Department continues to operate manually, hindering efficient revenue collection and enforcement against illegal activities.

The COPF emphasized the need for digitalization to address these challenges, expressing surprise at delays attributed to cost concerns. They urged immediate measures to solicit quotations for digital software to prevent corruption within the Excise Department.

The Department of Treasury Operations is encountering a challenging task in handling cash flow this year. This difficulty arises from the limitations imposed by existing laws, which prohibit obtaining loans and printing money.

Moreover, government spending has escalated, attributed to both welfare and recurrent expenses. However, it is noteworthy that effective financial management practices are underway in the country.

In comparing recurring expenses between the first quarters of 2020 and 2024, there has been a substantial increase of 35% in the latter period.

Notably, there is a significant surge of 114% in loan interest repayment and a noteworthy uptick of 60% in capital expenditure. Furthermore, the capital repayment of public debt has escalated by 177%, indicating substantial financial commitments.

Shifting focus to welfare expenditure, in the first quarter of 2020, Rs. 93,670 million was allocated for Samurdhi. However, in the corresponding period of 2024, this figure has risen to Rs. 117,107 million, reflecting a notable growth of 25% compared to 2020.