July 18, Colombo (LNW): Dilshan Madushanka has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and given a demerit point.
This is following the player breaching Article 2.5 of the LPL Code of Conduct, which is a Level 1 offense, during a game between the Dambulla Sixers and Galle Marvels played on July 14th.
He was reported by on-field umpires for using language, actions, or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his dismissal.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Mahinda Amaraweera, has directed the State Fertiliser Company to significantly reduce the prices of fertilisers used for plantation crops such as cinnamon, tea, and coconut.
Dr. Jagath Perera, Chairman of the State Fertilizer Company, announced that the prices of five types of fertiliser—APM, YPM, urea (for cinnamon), SA (for cinnamon), and TDM—will be reduced by Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 with immediate effect.
Additionally, the price of each type of fertiliser produced by the State Fertiliser Company will be reduced by Rs. 5,000 per metric tonne.
This decision was made during a discussion at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries yesterday (17).
Minister Amaraweera stated that the aim of this price reduction is to encourage the increased use of fertilisers to boost the production of cinnamon, tea, and coconut.
The meeting was attended by Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, A.M.H.L. Abeyratne, Commissioner General of Agrarian Development, and officials from the National Fertilizer Secretariat.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has introduced a new, streamlined process for applying for passports, effective from yesterday (17).
As part of this new system, applicants must complete prior registration through the provided link: https://www.immigration.gov.lk.
After registration, applicants will be given priority access to obtain their passports, applicable for both standard and one-day services.
The following details outline the new methodology introduced by the Department:
From 1 January 2025, Sri Lankans will have access to new, efficient, and secure e-passports. To facilitate this, a new application process has been implemented starting 16 July 2024.
Applicants must register in advance using the specified link. This new process commenced on 19 July 2024 for registrations made on 16 July 2024, and will remain effective until 18 July 2024.
After registration, priority will be given to applicants for passport issuance.
Both existing passport holders and new applicants can register for passport services. Priority will be given based on:
Current possession of a valid passport.
Validity period of the current passport being less than six months.
Urgent need for the passport for imminent foreign travel.
Required documents for registration include:
A valid National Identity Card (one per applicant, including children under 16).
A valid mobile phone number (one number can be used for up to two registrations).
Applicants meeting the above criteria can visit the website and complete registration after obtaining a photograph receipt from an approved photo studio.
Successful registrations will be notified via SMS, including a date for application submission. It is mandatory to visit the designated office before noon on the assigned date.
The prior registration process is valid for both one-day and normal services.
Current passport holders can continue to use their passports until they switch to the e-passport, provided there are blank visa pages available.
Passports cannot be obtained without an assigned date and time.
For further details and to complete the registration process, visit the Department’s official website.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has introduced a Cabinet paper to establish a committee dedicated to conducting threat assessments on Presidential candidates and former Presidents.
This initiative aims to ensure the safety of candidates during the forthcoming Presidential elections.
The proposal includes the appointment of a Deputy Inspector General of Police to manage security arrangements, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
July 18, Colombo (LNW): The Wildlife Department announced today that unlawful fishing methods, such as bottom trawling, have led to the deaths of marine creatures, including turtles and dolphins, in the nation’s coastal waters.
Officials reported that bottom trawling, an illegal fishing technique, indiscriminately kills marine life, including protected species like dolphins and turtles.
In the past week alone, the Department has discovered ten dead turtles along the western coast.
Postmortem examinations by wildlife veterinarians indicated that these turtles succumbed to breathing difficulties, injuries, and damaged flippers.
Some turtle carcasses were found in advanced stages of decomposition upon reaching the shore, complicating postmortem efforts.
These illegal fishing practices not only harm sea turtles but also pose a significant threat to dolphins and other marine mammals.
The Wildlife Department urges the public to stay vigilant against illegal fishing activities and report any suspicious behaviour to the relevant authorities to help safeguard marine life.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, Kana Kananathan, held a significant meeting with Liberian President Joseph Boakai at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia on Tuesday (16).
This event marked the first official bilateral engagement by a Sri Lankan diplomat in Liberia, highlighting a commitment to strengthening political, trade, and investment relations.
President Boakai noted the historic nature of the meeting, which coincides with 15 years of diplomatic relations between Liberia and Sri Lanka.
He praised President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his effective efforts in stabilising Sri Lanka’s economy after the 2022 crisis, commending his leadership and strategic measures that have been pivotal in the country’s recovery and the restoration of public trust.
Boakai expressed that Wickremesinghe’s actions serve as a commendable example for other nations facing similar challenges.
Ambassador Kananathan reaffirmed his dedication to boosting economic cooperation, promoting trade and investment, and enhancing people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The meeting aimed to deepen the friendship and collaboration between Sri Lanka and Liberia. Both President Boakai and Ambassador Kananathan agreed on the importance of building mutual trust and cooperation.
President Boakai also recalled the invitation extended to Ambassador Kananathan by the Liberian Government to serve as an election observer for the Presidential Elections in October 2023, noting that such engagements further strengthen the ties between the two nations.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): Fitch Ratings on Tuesday (16) announced it has chosen to withdraw the rating of SriLankan Airlines for commercial reasons and therefore will no longer provide ratings or analytical coverage for the national carrier.
It also withdrew the rating on the US$ 175 million government guaranteed 7 percent unsecured bonds of SriLankan Airlines, due 25 June 2024, which was affirmed at ‘C’.
The rating on the bonds was driven by the unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the government of Sri Lanka (Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR): RD). SriLankan Airlines did not pay the bonds’ principal and interest due 25 June 2024, and is currently within the 30-day grace period.
The previous defaults of the airline on the bond’s coupon payments due 25 December 2023, 25 June 2023, and 25 December 2022 are continuing, with grace periods having expired.
Another event of default was triggered due to the 12 April 2022 announcement by the Sri Lankan government of a debt moratorium on several categories of sovereign and public-sector entities’ external debt, as well as the ensuing non-payment of interest on the government’s external debt.
SriLankan Airlines bonds are rated ‘C’, factoring in Fitch’s view of average- to below-average recovery prospects following a default, in line with the agency’s Corporates Recovery Ratings and Instrument Ratings Criteria, and Country-Specific Treatment of Recovery Ratings Criteria.
“The bonds of issuers that are very close to default show little distinction between ‘RR4’ and’RR6’ recoveries. Therefore, Fitch has not assigned a Recovery Rating to the bond,” the rating agency said.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Ports and Aviation affirmed there are no suitable investors for the debt-heavy national carrier. Since there was minimal global interest in the airline, the government is looking to restructure the airline instead of going ahead with the plan of selling it outright.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of an oil tanker capsising off the coast of Oman, search and rescue efforts have successfully saved nine crew members, including a Sri Lankan national, the Indian Express reported citing sources.
The rescue operation, carried out by the Indian warship INS Teg, also saved eight Indian crew members.
Efforts to locate the remaining crew members are ongoing.
The Indian Navy spokesperson posted on X, asserting that the search and rescue mission, involving both Indian and Omani resources, is being conducted under challenging weather conditions, including rough seas and strong winds.
In addition to INS Teg, the Indian Navy has deployed a P-18 long-range maritime surveillance aircraft to search for the 16 missing crew members, which includes 13 Indians.
The oil tanker, named MT Prestige Falcon, capsised around 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, near the port town of Duqm, on Monday.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre reported that the vessel, a Comoros-flagged oil tanker, remains submerged and inverted.
The centre did not confirm whether there has been any oil leakage from the tanker or if the vessel has stabilised following the capsising.
According to shipping data from LSEG, the tanker was en route to the Yemeni port of Aden when it capsised off the coast of Duqm, an industrial port located on Oman’s southwest coast.
July 18, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman announced a review of water tariffs is underway in light of the recent electricity tariff revision, with a decision anticipated by the end of the week.
The Minister noted that the Water Supply Board, which had been incurring monthly losses of LKR 2.8 billion, is now generating a profit of LKR 6.2 billion.
During the ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), Minister Thondaman stated:
“We commend Minister Kanchana Wijesekera for initiating the reduction of electricity tariffs. Given the close linkage between the water supply sector and electricity tariffs, this revision is likely to result in lower water tariffs as well.
Water availability is influenced by various factors. We previously committed to lowering water tariffs alongside reductions in electricity charges. Currently, the Ministry is not only focusing on electricity but also assessing the impact of reduced interest rates, down from 26% to 11%.
Additionally, we are studying the potential reduction in water tariffs based on changes in the dollar exchange rate. The cost of chemicals procured by the water supply board is influenced by the dollar exchange rate.
A decision on the extent of the reduction in water tariffs is expected by the end of this week. When I took office in January 2023, the Ministry faced challenges, unable to provide even 1,000 new water connections.
Moreover, I inherited a Ministry burdened with an USD 800 million debt and a Water Supply Board experiencing monthly losses of approximately LKR 2.8 billion. The board’s monthly recurring expenses of LKR 4.5 billion had a significant national impact.
Since then, we have delivered on our commitments. The number of new water connections has increased to 113,000, with plans to add approximately 30,000 more connections in the coming weeks.
We have successfully transformed the Water Supply Board’s monthly loss of LKR 2.8 billion into a monthly profit of LKR 6.2 billion. With a recurring expenditure of LKR 4.5 billion, we have ensured the sustainability of the water supply sector by allocating the surplus towards debt servicing.
Through the Ministry of Power and Energy, we secured a USD 100 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Preparations are also underway for a sub-programme within the water supply sector.
Cabinet approval has been obtained for the final two issues of the ADB’s reform proposals: the water tariff formula and the investment framework criteria. Upon approval by the Asian Development Bank Executive Board, an additional USD 100 million is anticipated.
We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable and economically disadvantaged communities from the impact of water tariffs. Measures have been implemented to provide subsidies to hospitals, schools, and religious institutions classified as charitable entities.
We are also pleased with the success of the ‘Aswasuma’ programme and the President’s focus on increasing wages for plantation workers and granting land rights. The Upcountry communities have gained confidence in the President’s initiatives.
Despite challenges faced by Upcountry communities, we are optimistic about the direction we are heading. Many longstanding issues affecting Upcountry communities have been resolved.
Next month, discussions will be held with the Ministry of Industries and Estate Companies aimed at finding a lasting solution to the plantation workers’ wage issue. In response to our longstanding request, the President submitted a cabinet paper on land rights last Monday.
In Upcountry areas where numerous families reside, there is often only one Grama Sewa Officer, leading to inadequate distribution of government welfare benefits. This is exacerbated by historical land demarcation issues affecting Upcountry residents.
These challenges have impeded the development of Upcountry communities. To address this, the President’s cabinet paper proposes formally recognising Upcountry areas as villages.
Additionally, there is widespread agreement that priority should be given to providing housing rights to Upcountry people. Securing land rights enables individuals to build homes, fostering community development.”
July 18, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing windy conditions over the island are expected to continue further, due to the active South-west Monsoonal condition, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, and fairly heavy showers about 50 mm are likely at some places.
Several spells of showers will occur in Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Monaragala and Hambantota districts. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (35-45) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (60-65) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaitivu and Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil can be very rough at times. The sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaitivu and Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle can be rough at times. The swell waves (about 2.0–2.5 m) height (this is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota. Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive in this regard. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
