April 03, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces after 2.00 p.m.
On April 3rd, the Sri Lankan Rupee remained stable against the US Dollar across various commercial banks in Sri Lanka, continuing its trend from Tuesday and staying below the Rs. 300 threshold.
According to Seylan Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar stands at Rs. 293.75, with a selling rate of Rs. 303.25.
At NDB Bank, both the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 293 and Rs. 304, respectively.
Peoples Bank reported a slight reduction in the buying rate of the US Dollar, from Rs. 294.54 to Rs. 294.44, and a similar decrease in the selling rate from Rs. 304.51 to Rs. 304.41.
Meanwhile, at Commercial Bank, while the buying rate of the US Dollar decreased marginally from Rs. 293.72 to Rs. 293.55, the selling rate saw a slight increase from Rs. 303 to Rs. 303.25.
Sampath Bank recorded no changes in the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar, which remain at Rs. 295 and Rs. 304, respectively.
April 03, Colombo (LNW) Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Priyantha Fernando, announced the extension of visa-free entry for tourists from seven countries by a month, extending the scheme until April 30th.
The visa-free entry initiative, which allows tourists from India, Russia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia to enter Sri Lanka without a visa, was originally implemented to encourage tourism.
Fernando attributed the decision to the rising number of tourist arrivals, indicating a positive response to the initiative. This extension reflects the government’s commitment to boosting tourism and enhancing the visitor experience in Sri Lanka.
April 03, Colombo (LNW): Under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a formal discussion addressing the educational hurdles encountered by Muslim schools in the Colombo region was convened at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.
The meeting, coordinated by the President’s Media Division, highlighted critical issues such as teacher shortages, insufficient infrastructure, challenges in teaching Islam in Sinhala, and the absence of schools in Muslim-majority areas.
Minister Ali Sabry and representatives of school principals and organizations briefed President Wickremesinghe on the specific challenges faced by Muslim schools in Colombo, prompting immediate action from the President. He directed officials from the Ministry of Education and the Urban Development Authority to investigate and report on the identified issues.
With approximately 40,000 students receiving education in the Sinhala medium, attention was drawn to the scarcity of teachers proficient in teaching Islam in Sinhala. Minister Sabry underscored the disparity between the number of Muslim schools in Colombo (around 19) compared to Kalutara (approximately 70), leading to higher dropout rates and associated social issues. President Wickremesinghe instructed the Ministry of Education to propose solutions to address this disparity.
Furthermore, the lack of Muslim schools in certain areas of Colombo was highlighted, hindering students’ access to education. President Wickremesinghe tasked Urban Development Authority officials with exploring options for relocating schools to suitable locations.
Efforts to address space shortages and facilitate donor-funded construction of new school buildings were also discussed, along with the imperative need to recruit approximately 200 additional teachers for Muslim schools in Colombo.
The President proposed initiating agriculture-related training programs for Advanced Level-passed students and announced plans to reconvene at the end of the month for further review of the challenges faced by Muslim schools.
The significant meeting was attended by key stakeholders including Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Governor of the Western Province Air Marshall Roshan Gunathilaka, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Thilaka Jayasundara, provincial education officials, representatives from the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, school principals, members of school development committees, representatives of Muslim organizations, and educators.
A discussion on the educational challenges confronting Muslim schools in the Colombo region was convened under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. Key issues addressed included the shortage of teachers, inadequate space and classrooms, difficulties in teaching Islam in Sinhala, absence of schools in Muslim-majority areas.
The National Peoples Power (NPP) has challenged Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa for a public debate, stating that it accepts the various calls for a debate proposed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members. Addressing the media, NPP member Sunil Handunnetti said party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ready for a public debate with MP Premadasa.
The Colombo High Court rejected the bail application filed by the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who was recently handed a 4-year rigorous imprisonment.
Member of Parliament Gamini Lokuge has been unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services for the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament.
The government has decided to import a total of 1,000 buses and vans to improve the transportation facilities provided to tourists. Accordingly, in a bid to boost the tourism sector, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to a proposal presented by the Minister of Tourism and Lands to import 750 vans and 250 buses.
Mr. W. K. D. Wijerathne has been appointed as the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
Chairman of the NMRA Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama says he requested support from the WHO to improve the condition of the laboratories. Accepting the request, a pharmacist and a doctor attached to the World Health Organization have arrived in Sri Lanka. Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama says they are currently conducting investigations.
The Colombo Commercial High Court yesterday issued an Enjoining Order restraining popular singer Senaka Batagoda from singing seven popular songs including “Api Kavuruda” and “Api Senasille”. The order was issued by Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando after considering a complaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by musician Janath Kulathilake who was the combined lyrics, melody and music compositor of those seven songs sung by Senaka Batagoda.
The government has decided to provide free-of-charge sanitary napkins to schoolgirls starting this month. Thereby, as many as 800,000 schoolgirls from rural schools, remote schools, estate schools, and urban schools with poverty-stricken students, will thus be provided with sanitary napkins free of charge.
The ongoing trade union action launched by the health sector workers has been called off. The trade unions affiliated with the Health Trade Union Alliance were planning to resort to an indefinite strike today (03) after the discussion that was originally scheduled to be held on Monday with the ministerial authorities was deferred
April 03, Colombo (LNW): Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera rebuked certain political factions claiming to represent farmers, accusing them of attempting to dissuade farmers from paddy cultivation. Speaking at a ceremony held at the Lunama Agrarian Service Centre on Monday, the Minister asserted that despite their efforts, not a single farmer has been deterred from cultivating paddy.
The event marked the collection of rice in the Hambantota district as part of the district-level rice collection program for the 57th New Rice Festival 2024, to be held in honor of Anuradhapura’s Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi on April 6.
Minister Amaraweera highlighted a significant milestone for Sri Lanka’s agriculture: achieving self-sufficiency in rice production. He noted that in 2022, the government had to import eight lakhs metric tonnes of rice, costing US$300 million. However, by 2023, the nation successfully produced the entire required amount domestically, ensuring that citizens consumed locally cultivated rice throughout the year. He reiterated that this year too, there is an abundant supply of rice, obviating the need for imports.
Attributing this achievement to government initiatives, including the reinstatement of chemical fertilizers and the return of protesting farmers to their fields in 2021, the Minister praised the nation’s farming community for their resilience and dedication. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating their contributions.
The upcoming New Rice Festival, scheduled for the 6th of the month in the presence of Anuradhapura’s Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, holds symbolic significance. Minister Amaraweera expressed hopes that this auspicious event would augur well for the Yala Season planting activities and the overall crop yield, ensuring self-sufficiency in paddy production for the year’s Maha Season and beyond.
April 03, Colombo (LNW):Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana announced yesterday that the government has successfully settled an outstanding amount of Rs. 361 billion owed to contractors of the Road Development Authority (RDA).
Gunawardhana explained that this payment was a result of the government’s commitment to fulfill conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which stipulated that contracts cannot be executed on credit. “The government has given an undertaking to the IMF to settle such credit within a month,” he affirmed.
Highlighting the fiscal challenges faced by the government, Gunawardhana revealed that while the government’s revenue in 2023 amounted to Rs. 3 trillion, recurrent expenditure exceeded Rs. 4 trillion. Despite this, only Rs. 5 billion in outstanding payments remain to contractors.
The Minister assured that contractors were promptly paid, with funds directly credited to their bank accounts. He emphasized that there was no preferential treatment, and all contractors were treated equally.
Regarding the allocation for road construction in 2024, Gunawardhana disclosed that only Rs. 20 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. He warned that failure to settle outstanding bills could hamper the development of roads, estimating that approximately 18,000 to 20,000 kilometers of roads could be improved if debts were cleared.
Gunawardhana acknowledged the challenges faced by contractors due to delayed payments by the government. In response, he personally met with contractors and instructed them not to engage with the ministry’s accountants responsible for calculations, indicating a commitment to streamline payment processes and alleviate contractor grievances.
April 03, Colombo (LNW): The Environment State Minister, Janaka Wakkumbura, assured Parliament yesterday of a comprehensive investigation into whether proper permissions were obtained for transporting hazardous cargo aboard the container ship that collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in America en route to Sri Lanka.
Wakkumbura stated that the Central Environment Authority had not been notified of the ship’s arrival, raising concerns about its cargo.
Responding to inquiries from MP Prof. Charitha Herath and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Wakkumbura disclosed that the vessel, named Dali, was carrying containers filled with harmful toxic substances, prompting a special investigation.
He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We have already informed the Sri Lanka Customs and the Colombo Port to conduct investigations immediately in this regard.” He further emphasized the necessity of a formal inquiry, promising to keep Parliament updated on its progress.
MP Prof. Charitha Herath expressed alarm over the revelation that 764 out of 4,644 containers on the ship contained dangerous toxins. He highlighted past crises and called attention to Sri Lanka’s adherence to the Basel Convention since 1992, which mandates notification of hazardous waste shipments passing through its ports. The failure to inform the Central Environment Authority of the ship’s arrival raised serious concerns.
Warning of the potential harm to the country, Herath urged decisive action from the authorities before the ship’s anticipated arrival between April 15 and 17. He raised suspicions regarding the multinational company acting as the ship’s Sri Lankan agent, suggesting a need for preemptive measures.
The government faces mounting pressure to address the situation swiftly and effectively to mitigate potential environmental and public health risks.
April 03, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly heavy showers about75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
April 02, Colombo (LNW): The Commissioner General of Excise, responding to a Right to Information Act request, disclosed that the 10 liquor companies collectively owe the government an astonishing amount exceeding Rs.6.9 billion.
The failure to collect these taxes has reportedly led to a significant impact on the national economy, causing a loss of 26 billion rupees in tax revenue in the year 2022 alone.
According to the Liquor Tax Act, companies are required to pay taxes for products within specific timeframes.
The Excise Department is also empowered to impose surcharges for unpaid taxes. Despite these provisions, the petitioners argue that companies deliberately evade payments, and the authorities are failing to enforce the law adequately.
Ten distillery companies have defaulted taxes to the tune of Rs 6.9 billion in 2023 as per the report of the Ways and Means Committee which was tabled in Parliament today.
The companies that have defaulted include W.M. Mendis & Company, Wayamba Distilleries, Wayamba Spirit, Globe Blenders, McCallum Brewery, Kalutara Cooperative Distilleries, Synergy Distilleries, Randenigala Distilleries, Hingurana Distilleries and Royal Ceylon Distilleries.
According to the directive of the Committee on Ways and Means, manufacturing and distribution of liquor by four companies who had defaulted tax, namely W.M. Mendis & Company, Finland Distilleries, Synergy Distilleries and Randeigala Distilleries, have been banned as their excise licenses expired on September 30 last year and the Excise Department has not renewed them.
However W.M. Mendis & Company, Finland Distilleries, Synergy Distilleries and Randenigala Distilleries who have agreed to pay default taxes have actually paid the first installments on November 4 2023. The four companies remitted a total of Rs 906,176,439.51 while there is an outstanding amount of Rs 332,715, 868.31
The report revealed that Wayamba Distilleries has filed a case before the Court of Appeal against the decision of the Excise Department to cancel its licenses.
The Committee has raised concerns on liquor companies such as Globe Blenders, Wayamba Spirit Stores and Kalutara Cooperatives Distilleries who have evaded paying taxes by terminating their businesses.
In a recent development, a group of social activists, led by Sanjay Mahawatta, has submitted a fundamental rights petition to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. “Neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Excise Department has taken action to seize the bottles of liquor with fake security tax stamps until the committee directed the Commissioner General of Exercise to begin raids to seize liquor bottles with the fake sticker.
April 02, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, has appointed an Independent Remuneration Committee to review the salary increase of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The Independent Remuneration Committee members include Mr Dinesh Stephen Weerakkody, Mr Arjuna Herath, Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Mrs Sudharma Karunarathne, Mr Anthony Nihal Fonseka, Mr Anushka S Wijesinha and Mr Duminda Hulangamuwa.
Responding to mounting pressures from Members of Parliament and the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), President Wickremesinghe has established an independent remuneration committee. This committee will review the contentious salary hike based on the recommendations delineated in the CoPF report on CBSL salary revision, the President’s Media Division said.
The CoPF report, as presented to Parliament by (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Chair of the Committee, underscores the paramount importance of transparency and accountability in the actions of the CBSL. It emphasizes that while CBSL retains autonomy, it is imperative for it to be answerable to Parliament, particularly amidst prevailing economic challenges confronting the nation.
The committee’s remit encompasses assessing the reasonableness of the across-the-board salary increase and proposing adjustments that are in consonance with CBSL’s mandate and economic exigencies. It will comprise members from both within and outside the CBSL, ensuring a diverse spectrum of perspectives in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, the committee is tasked with formulating a transparent formula for future revisions to CBSL staff remuneration, thereby fostering equity and transparency in the salary framework.
President Wickremesinghe’s expeditious action underscores his unwavering commitment to upholding accountability and ensuring prudent financial management within Sri Lanka. The nation anticipates the findings of the independent remuneration committee, poised to herald a new era of fiscal prudence and transparency within the CBSL, the PMD said.
CoPF also recommended that a report on the same be submitted within 4 weeks and that CBSL defer the salary increase until a mutually acceptable solution is arrived at, based on the findings of the report.
However on March 21, the CBSL informed the COPF that they accepted all recommendations from COPF report on salary revisions. It also announced that a majority of senior management and professionals of CBSL made a collective decision to consider a revision to their salaries that sparked controversy.
The salary hike, which amounts to an additional Rs. 232 million per month, drew sharp criticism from the Party Leaders. They voiced concerns over the timing of the raise, denouncing it as unjustifiable amidst widespread economic challenges faced by citizens.
Despite the Central Bank’s status as an independent entity, Party Leaders argued that it should have taken into account the prevailing national economic conditions before implementing such a substantial increase.
A significant bone of contention arose over the legality of the salary hike. While Central Bank officials asserted that the raise was carried out in accordance with a signed agreement, doubts were raised regarding the registration of this collective agreement with the Labour Ministry. This discrepancy has sparked a legal dispute, further complicating the matter.
