April 20, Colombo (LNW): The Russian Embassy in Colombo issued a statement refuting claims of Sri Lankan nationals participating in the Ukrainian conflict on the Russian side, dismissing any knowledge of their involvement or the numbers potentially involved.

Responding to a lead story published in the Daily News on Friday (19) regarding the alleged recruitment of Sri Lankan mercenaries for the Russian Army, the Embassy clarified that they lack information on such participation. They emphasized that the safeguarding of Sri Lankan citizens’ interests and rights in Russia falls under the jurisdiction of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow.

The statement reiterated that visas are issued to Sri Lankans based on valid travel documents, unrelated to military activities. The Embassy emphasized their lack of knowledge regarding Sri Lankan involvement in the Ukrainian conflict or any local recruitment agencies facilitating such actions.

Additionally, the Embassy denied any association with the return of a corporal purportedly fleeing from the combat zone, as mentioned in the Daily News article titled “Popular tele actresses found recruiting mercenaries” by Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe.

While emphasizing that the Russian Embassy in Colombo oversees the protection of Russian citizens in Sri Lanka, they noted that matters concerning foreigners in Russia are the responsibility of relevant diplomatic representations in Moscow.

However, the Embassy underscored their efforts to prevent individuals with military intentions from entering Russia, conducting additional interviews to assess travelers’ intentions. They acknowledged the possibility of travelers altering their plans once in Russia but reiterated their commitment to upholding visa regulations.

In conclusion, the Embassy reiterated its focus on protecting Russian citizens in Sri Lanka while emphasizing the distinct responsibilities of diplomatic representations in Moscow regarding foreign nationals in Russia.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): The distribution of fortified rice, part of a school meal initiative spearheaded by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, kicked off at the Veyangoda warehouse complex under the auspices of the World Food Programme (WFP).

To combat iron deficiency among school children, fortified rice is being provided as a nutritious component of school meals. Oversight for this distribution falls under the purview of M.H.A.M. Riflan, Director General of the Partnership Secretariat for World Food Programme Co-operation (PSWFPC), operating within the Presidential Secretariat.

In its initial phase, 735 metric tons of rice are earmarked for distribution to provincial-level schools, beginning on the 19th and continuing on the 20th. This process is being closely monitored by officials from Provincial Departments of Education and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).

Director General Riflan disclosed plans for further distributions, including 378.835 metric tons of dhal, 412.08 metric tons of sunflower cooking oil, and 300 metric tons of dates, to commence with the start of the new school term on May 19.

The Education Ministry has devised a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students in grades 1-5 receive a nutritious main meal at school. Students are provided breakfast between 7.30 and 8.30 a.m. daily, following recommendations from nutritionists.

Under the banner of ‘Healthy Active Generation,’ the 2024 school meal programme aims to address nutritional concerns, enhance school attendance, promote healthy eating habits, elevate educational achievements, and celebrate local food culture.

This year, the school feeding programme benefits 1.6 million students, encompassing primary students from 9,134 government schools, as well as smaller schools with fewer than 100 students. The government has allocated Rs.16.6 billion to provincial councils for this purpose, supplemented by support from entities such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities in Sri Lanka have issued a warning regarding a surge in diarrhoea cases among children following the New Year period, alongside a rapid spread of viral flu and influenza. Lady Ridgeway Hospital’s Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. Deepal Perera, urged parents to promptly seek medical attention if their children experience persistent fever for 3 to 4 days.

Dr. Perera emphasized that the viral flu and influenza are particularly prevalent among young children, with symptoms including cough, phlegm, vomiting, and diarrhoea. He noted that while some individuals exhibited flu-like symptoms, not all tested positive for influenza, indicating variations in the underlying conditions.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, Uva and Central provinces and in Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Mannar, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Kalutara, 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 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Manufacturing sector recorded the highest values recorded for March 2024 in three years, the latest data by the Central Bank shows.

Manufacturing recorded a Purchasing Managers’ index value of 62.5 in March, compared to 56 in February this year, it added. .

The Central Bank said all sub-indices expanded and this was mainly due to the seasonal demand and the industry expectations for the next three months remain positive.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Services (PMI – Services) also expanded in March 2024, CBSL said.

PMI – Services Business Activity Index recorded an index value of 67.7 in March, this was 53 in February 2024.

Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) recorded an index value of 62.5 in March 2024, indicating an expansion in manufacturing activities. 

This marks the highest PMI-Manufacturing that was recorded in three years. All the sub-indices expanded on a month-on-month basis contributing to this increase, mainly driven by the seasonal demand.

The increase in New Orders and Production was mainly attributable to the manufacture of food & beverages and textiles & apparel sectors. 

Most of the manufacturers, especially in the food & beverage sector, were optimistic about the upcoming festive season. 

Moreover, Employment and Stock of Purchases increased during the month in line with the New Orders and Production. Further, a decline in price levels was also evident. 

Meanwhile, Suppliers’ Delivery Time remained lengthened, yet at a slower rate in March. The industry expectations for the next three months remain positive.

However, most of them expect a natural decrease in production during April following the end of the seasonal peak.

Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Services (PMI – Services) indicated a further expansion in service activities in March 2024 as reflected by the Business Activity Index, which recorded an index value of 67.7.

The continued expansion in Business Activities was driven by the improvements observed across most of the sub-sectors.

Accordingly, the wholesale and retail trade sub-sector experienced a significant uptick attributed to increased sales ahead of the festive season. 

Further, business activities in the financial services subsector continued to grow supported by the accommodative monetary policy stance. 

Meanwhile, the accommodation, food and beverage sub-sector continued to grow driven by high tourist arrivals, while transportation, other personal activities and professional services sub-sectors also recorded positive developments during the month.

New Businesses increased in March, particularly with the increases observed in wholesale and retail trade, financial services, insurance, transportation and professional services sub-sectors.

Employment increased due to new recruitments made by several companies in view of the festive season. Meanwhile, Backlogs of Work continued to decline, yet at a slower rate, during March.

Expectations for Business Activities for the next three months continued to rise supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions.

April 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka anticipates US $ 1.3 billion revenue approximately from Ceylon tea exports in 2024, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chair Niraj de Mel said, adding that apparently first quarter export revenue was precursor for the possibility of  achieving this target.   

First quarter tea exports in $ terms had hit a six year high of $ 354 million, Asia Siyaka Research said yesterday quoting data published by Sri Lanka Customs.

Sri Lanka shipped 62 Mn kg during the period January – March 2024, up 15% on last year’s figure of 54 Mnkg. 

“Due to steady strengthening of the Sri Lankan Rupee against US$ YoY and lower auction prices, Rupee earnings show only a nominal change with an increase from Rs. 36 billion to Rs. 38 billion,” Asia Siyaka said.

“In USD however, the approximate value is $ 354 million was 13% more than the 2023 figure of $ 314 million. This year’s Dollar earnings are the highest since 2018; however, the country exported 68.8 Mnkg in Q1 of that year compared with 62.3 Mnkg in 2024,” Asia Siyaka added,

It said Iraq topped the list of biggest buyers with a quantity of 8.4 Mnkg amounting to 14% of all shipments in 2024. The UAE follows with 7 Mnkg, up 56% on last year. Shipments to Russia have grown 14% YoY 6.4 Mnkg. 

Turkey follows but quantities have declined a sharp 40% to 4 Mnkg. Iran has increased 166% YoY from 1.3 Mnkg to 3.4 Mnkg this year. Saudi Arabia has increased 39% YoY 2.5 Mnkg and is followed by China up 8% to 2.4 Mnkg.

However, Hayleys Group Managing Director and Planters’ Association (PA) of Ceylon Spokesperson Dr. Roshan Rajadurai noted that VAT has, in fact, cost of production as tea production inputs such as fuel, machinery, energy, chemicals and materials have increased. 

At the same time, there are opportunities for Ceylon Tea in the global market,  such as India anticipates to increase its domestic tea consumption which eventually results in India leaving the traditional Western and Russian countries from tea exporting. Sri Lanka can reap from such market situations, PA spokesperson further explained.  

Moreover, the Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman  said that the application for Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Ceylon Tea within European Union (EU) countries could be submitted soon , “hopefully”. 

April 19, Colombo (LNW):. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, a Catholic priest and spokesperson for the Colombo Archdiocese, reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning.

He was complying with a summons issued on Wednesday to record his statement regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

April 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, recently held discussions with Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, focusing on Sri Lanka’s economic progress and efforts in debt restructuring, tax administration enhancement, and governance reforms.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Semasinghe highlighted that the talks were productive, with Kaproth expressing strong support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing initiatives. Kaproth reassured full US support for the country across all areas discussed.

Kaproth, also posting on X, expressed his satisfaction with Sri Lanka’s advancements in economic recovery and the stability of its financial sector, acknowledging the significant progress made by the nation in these critical areas.

April 19, Colombo (LNW): The State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit (SRU) of the Finance Ministry has disclosed the names of both local and international firms that responded to requests for quotes and the shortlisted bidders for the divestiture of government-held shares in several key state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

In a detailed press release, the SRU outlined the timeline for concluding these divestitures, targeting completion for all except SriLankan Airlines by August 2024, with the airline’s divestiture process extending to September 2024.

The divestiture initiative follows the Cabinet of Ministers’ March 2023 approval for selling government shares in major enterprises including Hotel Developers Lanka Ltd (owners of Hilton Colombo), Canwill Holdings Pvt Ltd (owners of Grand Hyatt Colombo), Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC, Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, and others such as Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.

The divestiture process is supported by Transaction Advisors who conduct comprehensive due diligence, market sounding, and valuation. A Special Cabinet Appointed Negotiating Committee, alongside Special Project Committees comprising public and private sector members, oversee the preparation and evaluation of qualification requests and proposals, ensuring a transparent and credible process.

The government has already conducted pre-bid meetings for all entities, with deadlines for submitting qualifications now closed for several entities, while remaining open for SriLankan Airlines until April 22, 2024.