April 01, Colombo (LNW): State-run LP gas distributor LITRO Gas Lanka has declared a reduction in the prices of its domestic LP Gas cylinders.
Effective from midnight today (01), the updated prices are as follows:
12.5 kg cylinder: Reduced by Rs. 135, with the new price set at Rs. 4,115.
5 kg cylinder: Reduced by Rs. 55, with the new price set at Rs. 1,652.
2.3 kg cylinder: Reduced by Rs. 23, with the new price set at Rs. 772.
This announcement aims to provide relief to consumers and reflects the company’s commitment to offering competitive pricing in the domestic gas market.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): In February, the deficit in Sri Lanka’s trade account of the Balance of Payments (BoP) expanded compared to the previous year, primarily due to increased imports as the economy resumed normal activities.
However, the deficit contracted significantly from the previous month, largely attributable to reduced spending on fuel imports due to lower demand.
Imports totaled US$ 1,378 million, while exports amounted to US$ 1,059 million, resulting in a trade deficit of US$ 319 million for February.
This figure represents a notable increase from the US$ 39 million deficit recorded a year earlier when the economy faced foreign exchange constraints.
Nevertheless, the month-on-month deficit of US$ 319 million was substantially lower than the US$ 541 million deficit recorded in January.
This improvement can be attributed to strengthened exports and reduced imports, as mentioned earlier.
Year-on-year data indicates a 35.0 per cent increase in merchandise imports and a 7.9 per cent increase in exports.
These figures reflect the gradual normalisation of economic conditions, supported by relaxed import restrictions and accommodative monetary policies.
Export growth was observed across all major sectors, including industrial, agricultural, and mineral categories.
Notably, petroleum product exports, particularly bunkering and aviation fuel, drove industrial exports, while robust tea earnings contributed to agricultural exports.
Garments and textiles exports showed signs of recovery in February compared to January, indicating positive developments for the industry.
Imports were driven by consumer, intermediate, and investment goods categories. Consumer goods imports increased, reflecting rising expenditures on both food and non-food items.
However, fuel imports notably declined in February compared to January levels.
Investment goods imports, particularly machinery and equipment such as cranes and building materials, surged, indicating a revival in construction sector activity.
Cumulatively, Sri Lanka’s imports totaled US$ 2,890 million, and exports amounted to US$ 2,030 million in the first two months of the year, resulting in a trade deficit of US$ 860 million.
This represents a significant increase from the US$ 484 million deficit recorded in the corresponding period of 2023.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee continues to appreciate against the US Dollar steadying below the Rs. 300 threshold today (01) in comparison to last week’s Thursday, as per leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 294.59 from Rs. 294.93, and the selling price to Rs. 304.56 from Rs. 304.91.
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 293.80 from Rs. 294.46, and the selling price to Rs. 303.50 from Rs. 303.75.
At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 295.50 and Rs. 304.50, respectively.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): The dry weather prevailing in Sri Lanka has adversely affected approximately 10,000 individuals from 3,027 families nationwide.
The district of Gampaha is experiencing the greatest impact, with 7,053 individuals affected by the dry conditions.
In addition, 2,813 people in the Kegalle district are also facing challenges due to the lack of rainfall.
Hot weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the month of April, according to the Department of Meteorology.
In its forecast, the Meteorology Department predicts scattered showers or thundershowers in several areas of the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva provinces after 2:00 p.m.
Some regions may experience fairly heavy showers exceeding 50 mm.
Additionally, showers or thundershowers may occur in a few places in the North-western and Central provinces, as well as in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts during the evening or night hours.
Misty conditions are anticipated in certain areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, and Western provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts during the morning period.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): The cargo ship responsible for the collapse of the bridge in Baltimore was transporting hazardous materials, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) disclosed.
Among the cargo aboard the vessel, named MV Dali, were 56 containers containing corrosive substances, flammables, and lithium-ion batteries.
MV Dali, owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and chartered by Maersk, was carrying a total of 764 tons of hazardous materials when it collided with the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.
The vessel was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka at the time of the incident.
This is not the first time the MV Dali has been involved in a maritime incident. In 2016, the same vessel was engaged in a collision while departing from the port of Antwerp, Belgium.
The incident occurred as the ship, with a length of 948 feet (290 metres) and a capacity of 10,000 containers, was maneuvering out of the container terminal.
It reportedly struck the quay, resulting in significant damage to several metres of the hull.
Although the ship was detained by authorities and docked in Deurganckdok, Belgium, there were no reported injuries or environmental contamination.
Weather conditions were reported to be favorable at the time of the collision, with the incident attributed to the actions of the ship’s master and onboard pilot, according to Vessel Finder.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): As of March 27, 2024, Sri Lanka has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals, surpassing the 600,000 milestone within the first 27 days of March.
This achievement was reported by provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and reflects a significant acceleration compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the country reached the 600,000 mark towards the end of June, highlighting the accelerated pace of recovery in the tourism sector.
Historical comparisons underscore the resilience of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, with the country successfully crossing the 700,000 mark by the end of March in both 2018 and 2019, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Easter Sunday attacks.
As of the reporting date, Sri Lanka has welcomed a total of 181,872 international visitors, with a weekly arrival average of approximately 46,000 and a daily average of about 6,700.
Projections indicate that tourist arrivals are expected to surpass the 200,000 mark by the end of March.
Analysis of tourist arrival trends since 2015 suggests that the influx of international visitors typically experiences a slowdown from the third month of the year until July.
Leading the surge in tourist traffic for March 2024 is India, constituting 16 per cent of the total arrivals, followed closely by the Russian Federation at 14 per cent.
Germany ranks third, contributing 9 per cent of the total tourist arrivals, with the United Kingdom and China securing the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Meanwhile, earnings from tourism for the first two months of the year amounted to US$ 687 million, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth of 118.2 per cent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, Central Bank data showed.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): In the second Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka achieved a notable milestone by amassing a total of 531 runs, marking the highest-ever Test match score without an individual century.
The victory in the first Test, held at Sylhet, saw outstanding performances from Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, who both scored centuries.
Their remarkable partnership of 202 runs contributed to several record-breaking feats, including Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 280, which stands as the lowest all-out score to feature a double-century stand.
In the second Test at Chattogram, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, reaching 314-4 by stumps on the opening day.
They were eventually bowled out for 531 on the second day, with Shakib Al Hasan claiming 3-110 on his return to the Test side.
The lowest all-out total in Test cricket remains South Africa’s 517 against Australia at Adelaide in 1997/98, which featured five half-centuries but no centuries.
Sri Lanka’s achievement of six half-centuries without a century marks the sixth instance in Test history, joining the ranks of India, Pakistan (twice), Zimbabwe, and England.
As of the latest update, Bangladesh were 45-0 in their innings, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy (20) and Zakir Hasan (23) at the crease.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced adjustments to fuel prices effective from midnight yesterday (31).
As per the revision, Petrol 95 Octane will see a reduction of Rs. 07, now priced at Rs. 440 per litre, while Super Diesel will witness a decrease of Rs. 72, bringing its price to Rs. 386 per litre.
Similarly, the price of Kerosene will be reduced by Rs. 12, now set at Rs. 245 per litre.
However, there will be no changes in the prices of Petrol 92 Octane and Auto Diesel, according to the CPC.
April 01, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above50 mm are likely at some places, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (01).
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in North-western and Central provinces and in Mannar and Vavuniya districts in the evening or night.
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 minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Mainly fair weather will prevail sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be variable and wind speed will be (15-25)kmph.
State of Sea:
Sea areas around the island will be slight.
Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, Southern, North-western, North-Central, Eastern provinces and Ratnapura, Monaragala, Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.
The public 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.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe extends Easter wishes, reflecting on Christ’s resurrection as a symbol of hope amid economic challenges: emphasises unity, urging Sri Lankans to prioritise security and development while guarding against division: reaffirms the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring national security.
Leader of Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) and ex-media giant Dilith Jayaweera says Sri Lanka is not the property of the Rajapaksa family: urges the Rajapaksa family not to play with the lives of the innocent people of Sri Lanka: strongly criticises Basil Rajapaksa, who according to him is ‘an American’, stressing that he should not be allowed to determine the course in which the country’s future elections are set.
The proposal to remove Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Duminda Dissanayake from their SLFP positions was unanimously approved at a conference chaired by former President Maithripala Sirisena: K.P. Gunawardena, Hector Bethmage, and Sarath Ekanayake have been appointed as their successors.
Premier Dinesh Gunawardena pushes for stronger economic ties with China during his visit to Shanghai: Both countries advance this agenda by signing an MOU between China’s Quality Certification Centre and Sri Lanka’s Bureau of Standards, aiming to align trade standards.
IGP Tennakoon orders increased security at Sri Lankan churches for Easter Sunday, deploying over 9,500 officers and military personnel to protect 1,873 churches.
CB data reveals that Sri Lanka experienced an inflation rate of 0.9% in March, with the non-food sector seeing a slightly lower inflation of 0.5%: Moreover, tourism earnings notably increased from US$162 million in February 2023 to US$346 million in February 2024: Additionally, the country’s official reserves witnessed significant growth, reaching US$4.5 billion in February of this year from US$2.2 billion in February 2023.
The Health Ministry is investigating the death of a 50-year-old patient at Ragama Teaching Hospital shortly after receiving a vaccine: The patient, admitted for an ear condition, was pronounced dead after getting the ‘co-amoxiclav’ vaccine: Hospital authorities are conducting an internal probe to determine the cause of death, considering the possibility of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
Deputy Director of Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana discloses that the primary water tank and other storage facilities at the hospital have not been cleaned in two decades: The hospital manages 161 tanks, including the main tower, with no documented cleaning schedules: Despite routine bacterial assessments, concerns persist about water purity, risking patient and staff health, and equipment integrity: stresses the urgent need for corrective action, highlighting negligence by health inspectors and sanitation staff.
The UNESCO Executive Board unanimously approves a decision to commemorate the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO, following the initiative championed by Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar: Led by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Delegation, the decision mandates annual Vesak commemorations at UNESCO Headquarters, emphasising Vesak’s universal significance and its alignment with UNESCO’s goals.
Sri Lanka Cricket unveils the new Ratnapura District Cricket Ground in Monaravila: The facility boasts seven turf wickets and will host various cricket matches, including international women’s games, benefiting local schools and clubs: The inauguration was attended by cricket officials and players, including Sri Lanka T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and National Player Pathum Nissanka.
