Colombo (LNW): To enhance the efficiency of the Aswasuma benefit programme and address ongoing concerns, the Ministry of Finance has introduced an ‘Aswasuma Week’ scheduled from November 06 to 11.

The primary objective of this initiative is to promptly resolve programme-related issues and ensure that deserving beneficiaries promptly receive the support they are entitled to, as stated by Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.

Minister Semasinghe emphasised that this initiative is designed to provide immediate assistance to families who have yet to receive their entitled benefits.

It also extends support to relief beneficiaries who have been selected and those whose benefits have been delayed due to technical complications.

During a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday (30), with the overarching theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, unveiled the upcoming ‘Aswasuma Week’ and elaborated on its core goals.

State Minister Semasinghe stressed that ‘Aswasuma Week’ will facilitate the swift distribution of benefits to families who have encountered difficulties in receiving their entitled assistance. This includes both families who have not yet received any benefits and those who have experienced delays due to technical issues.

Moreover, the State Minister of Finance confirmed that various government departments, including the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Administration and Divisional Secretariats, are dedicated to resolving issues related to relief beneficiaries during this designated week. This concerted effort reflects the government’s dedication to addressing the concerns of those reliant on the Aswasuma programme.

In addition to the forthcoming resolution of existing issues, the State Minister announced that all payments for the month of July have been successfully distributed to beneficiaries, with payments for August set to commence from the upcoming Wednesday.

State Minister Semasinghe reiterated that ‘Aswasuma Week’ should not be mistaken for a call for applications for the upcoming year. Instead, it is an initiative aimed at addressing unresolved issues from the current year’s application submissions. The Welfare Board is collaborating with Divisional Secretariats to ensure that beneficiaries are informed about the progress made.

The State Minister of Finance also provided a financial outlook, indicating that Rs. 8.5 billion will be distributed to 1,365,000 beneficiaries within the next two days, enabling beneficiaries to access their funds starting from November 01 (Wednesday). Subsequently, payments for the month of September are expected to be completed before the end of the following month.

The State Minister acknowledged that while there haven’t been financial issues, technical complications, such as problems with bank accounts, have posed challenges. Nevertheless, the government is determined to resolve these technical issues promptly to expedite payments.

State Minister Semasinghe recognised the profound impact of the economic downturn on vulnerable populations and assured that the government is committed to mitigating their hardships. He emphasised the government’s commitment to accelerating the distribution of financial aid, with the goal of finalising payments for July through December by the end of the year. Additionally, the government plans to broaden its focus to address various other aspects when inviting applications.

In conclusion, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe acknowledged the less popular economic decisions taken by the President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the government and highlighted their vital role in achieving economic stability. He emphasised that the government’s efforts extend to benefiting both government employees and the general public, ultimately fostering a robust and resilient national economy.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared during yesterday’s (30) cabinet meeting that he intends to boost the salaries of all public sector employees in the forthcoming 2024 budget.

President Wickremesinghe also urged the private sector to contemplate salary increases in line with the rising cost of living, coinciding with the salary increments for government employees.

It has been noted that certain groups, including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), are attributing these developments to their influence, despite the President’s assertion that their claims are unfounded.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of the working population.

The President’s third budget proposal is slated for presentation to Parliament on November 13.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most provinces of the island after 02.00 p.m, and fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast toady (31).

Showers will occur in Eastern province and in Hambantota district during the morning too, the statement added, revealing that misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the morning.

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

Marine Weather:

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says salaries of State Sector employees will be increased via the Budget 2024 and that the Private Sector too will be requested to do the same.
   
2. Minister of Power & Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says the proposed Electricity sector Reforms Bill was submitted for Cabinet approval.
   
3. State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says “Aswesuma” applicants who were not selected for the benefit due to technical & management issues will be screened again during “Aswesuma Week” from November 6 – 12 & eligible persons will receive the benefits, effective from July’23: also says “Aswesuma” payments for August’23 will be credited to the beneficiary accounts on November 1 & the allowance for September’23 will also be credited during November’23.
   
4. Former CB Deputy Governor W A Wijewardene points out to analyst Dhananath Fernando’s view that SL still does not have sufficient forex to meet its requirements and that when it starts to repay debt after re-structuring, the forex outflow will be more than the limited availability of inflows: explains the implication of that situation is that the exchange rate might start crashing at any time.
   
5. Maligakanda Magistrate imposes a foreign travel ban on the owner of the company which has been accused of importing 22,500 substandard immunoglobulin vials: also imposes a travel ban on the 2 top Govt employees who approved the importation.
   
6. Sri Lanka’s debt office rejects all bids at an auction for the sale of Rs.45 bn Treasury Bonds comprising of Rs.22.5 bn of 2028 maturity & Rs.22.5 bn of 2031 maturity: market participants say the sentiment is negative.
   
7. Jaffna’s Blood Bank informs that it is facing a severe shortage of all blood types & that the shortage is significantly affecting the hospital’s ability to conduct scheduled surgeries.
   
8. SL Railways says several office trains which were scheduled for the evening of 30 October were cancelled due to the shortage of railway guards.
   
9. Sri Lanka loses to Afghanistan by 7 wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023 group level match: SL – 241 (49.3 overs): Pathum Nissanka 46, Kusal Mendis 39, Sadeera Samarawickrama 36; AFG – 242/3 (45.2 overs): Dilshan Madushanka 48/2).
   
10. Percy Abeysekera 87, who led the cheers for the Sri Lanka cricket team for many years, passes away.

Colombo (LNW): The proposed Electricity Sector Reforms Bill was submitted to the Cabinet today (30) for its observations and approval, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

The proposed reforms will unbundle the services of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), improve efficiency, transparency, competition and allow private sector participation in the electricity industry, the Minister wrote on his official X account.

“The Bill was prepared over the last 10 months with the assistance of energy and legal experts from development agencies and industry stakeholders. The Bill received the certification of the Attorney General last week after the proposed amendments by the AGs Dept was incorporated by the Legal Draftsman’s,” he wrote.

Wijesekara added that once the Cabinet approves the Bill, it will be gazetted and tabled in the Parliament for approval.

Colombo (LNW): Two officials from the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) have been suspended following the vanishing of nearly 700,000 kilograms of paddy stocks valued between Rs. 65 – 70 million.

Media outlets have reported that these paddy stocks went missing from two state-owned storage facilities in Kurunegala.

The Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board has confirmed the suspension of these two officials linked to the disappearance.

Last week, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested a report in response to claims of paddy stocks missing from five state storage facilities in the Kurunegala District.

Numerous grievances were lodged by PMB staff, suggesting that officials from both the central and regional PMB offices were implicated in the missing stocks.

Colombo (LNW): A senior World Bank (WB) delegation, led by Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations, visited Kopay Hospital in Jaffna today (30) to oversee projects under the Primary Healthcare System Strengthening Project, which the World Bank funds.

The delegation, which arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (29), also met with bankers in the Jaffna District.

A roundtable discussion will be held between them, the President and multilateral financial institutions tomorrow (31).

Anna Bjerde praised women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka for their passion and determination on the World Bank Sri Lanka Facebook page.

“Everywhere I go, I find inspiration from women entrepreneurs. In Jaffna, I met some incredible women supported by IFC – International Finance Corporation and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. From the Zumba teacher to the trailblazer breaking barriers in the construction sector, I was energised by their passion & determination,” Bjerde wrote on Facebook.

The same page highlighted Kopay’s divisional hospital’s crucial role during Sri Lanka’s crisis, serving over 16,000 people.

For the past five years, the World Bank has collaborated with the Sri Lankan government to enhance primary healthcare in over half of the country’s facilities.

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Railways announced the cancellation of multiple commuter trains set for this (30) evening due to a shortage of engine drivers.

Consequently, several commuter trains across all routes will not operate as scheduled.

However, train services on the Up Country Railway Line, which were previously disrupted due to a derailment, have now resumed.

The derailment occurred on Monday (30) afternoon at Kinigama, Bandarawela.