Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) happens to have fluctuated against the US Dollar today (30) in comparison to last week’s Friday, as revealed by leading commercial banks of the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 320.67 from Rs. 320.18, and the selling price to Rs. 332.41 from Rs. 331.91.
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar dropped to Rs. 320.49 from Rs. 320.65, but the selling price has increased to Rs. 331.50 from Rs. 331.
At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar remain steady at Rs. 322 and Rs. 332, respectively.
Colombo (LNW): Nine transactions related to medicines with serious contamination concerns have been identified, in a recent audit report covering up to December 2022.
The Health Ministry and the Medical Supply Division of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) have raised significant concerns about the manner in which the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) managed the importation of several drugs into Sri Lanka, including Frusamide, Trastuzimab, Ceftraixone, Diclofenac Sodium, Etoricoxilo, Cetrizine, Clonazipam, Cefotaxime, and Ipratropium, said Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Association of Health Professionals.
“The Auditor General’s report has highlighted several grave issues, including +the importation of medicines without the requisite registration certificates, sourcing medicines from alternative companies rather than the initially indicated manufacturers by the drug suppliers, presenting forged letters and inconsistent documentation and samples, altering labels on blood samples and medicinal bottles, acquiring medicines nearing their expiry dates, and the importation of substandard medicines into Sri Lanka,” Kumudesh said in his statement.
He further highlighted that, despite many information on corruption in the healthcare sector being unveiled, no one has faced any consequences to date, emphasising that it falls upon senior government officials and the President to ensure that those implicated in corrupt practices are not reinstated.
He further stressed the urgency of acting on these reports of corruption and not merely relegating them to inconsequential paperwork, while also hastening the penal process for the culprits.
Colombo (LNW): School development unions are acting in a bid to increase the convenience fees charged by students, alleged the Federation of State, Provincial and Government Trade Unions.
The convenience fees charged by students are being aimed for a rise due to the recently increased electricity tariffs, said the Union’s Chief Secretary Ajith K. Thilakaratne, addressing a briefing in Kandy yesterday (29).
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most provinces of the island after 02.00 p.m, and also in the Northern province and in the Puttalam district during the morning, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (30).
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala District, the statement added.
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:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankasanthurai. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other sea areas around the island particularly during the afternoon or night.
Winds:
Winds will be Northeasterly or variable in direction and wind speed will be (20-25) kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
SL supports UN General Assembly Resolution proposed by Jordan urging an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict with the goal of achieving a cessation of hostilities: the resolution also called for unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
SL’s major investor in the Swarnavahini TV network Lycamobile’s French companies fined Euro 10mn by a Paris Court for money laundering and VAT fraud: Group’s former CEO Christopher Tooley also receives a prison sentence and a heavy fine for complicity in the VAT fraud: Lycamobile disagrees with the Court decision and appeals.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says a new Property Tax will be introduced from 2025 onwards: also says the tax is expected to be collected from people who own a “lot of property”: explains that such tax is a very good & progressive tax and was implemented during the period Dr N M Perera was the Finance Minister.
Raid at Boosa Prison reveals several mobile phones and other contraband in the possession of organised criminal convicts: confirms that a number of organised crime groups, especially ones involved in the narcotics trade, are managed by key figures who are held behind bars.
Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake says the Govt is making a huge profit by selling fuel: asserts it has the ability to reduce the fuel price, but does not do so, as it wishes to give an opportunity for IOC & Sinopec to make profits.
The body of the SL woman Anula Jayathilake who was killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict brought to SL.
New Health Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana says Rs.5.6 bn has been allocated by the Treasury for the supply of medicines: also says an urgent action plan to settle all outstanding bills of Govt hospitals is being prepared in consultation with the Treasury.
Organisation of Professional Associations elects Sarath Gamage as the 43rd President of the OPA; the OPA is the apex body of 52 professional member associations representing 34 professions: Gamage is the immediate Past President of the Institute of Supply and Materials Management of Sri Lanka.
Chess player Osini Devindya Gunawardena wins a historic Gold medal for the first time at the World Youth Chess Tournament in Egypt: Osini is a Grade 6 student of Wycherly International School in Colombo.
SL wins a total of 11 Medals at the 4th Asian Para Games in China.
Colombo (LNW): In collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, the British Council is calling for entries to the South Asia Festivals & Culture Academy (SAFCA), addressing the rise of both independent and major arts and culture festivals.
This innovative programme connects festival aficionados with industry professionals, promoting an online knowledge exchange in India and its surrounding South Asian nations.
The SAFCA Intermediate Course is set to commence in January 2024, accepting applications until 19 November 2023.
SAFCA offers tailored short courses, aimed at arming festival organisers with vital skills for navigating the dynamic festival scene.
The curriculum includes international curation, leadership, financial handling, operations, marketing, risk control, health measures, equality, diversity, inclusion, and eco-friendliness.
Orlando Edwards, Director British Council in Sri Lanka commented:
“The significance of strong festival management skills cannot be overstated. We know from the UK’s extensive and vibrant festival scene, that better managed festivals, and more skilled festival managers results in greater sustainability and more possibilities for growth across the arts festival sector. The South Asia Festival Academy presents an exceptional opportunity for artists, performers, and individuals engaged in or interested in the festival industry to cultivate their business acumen within an inclusive setting while benefiting from the expertise of international festival professionals.”
“Festivals are universally acknowledged as platforms for artistic expression, cultural enrichment, and inclusivity, with a substantial impact on local economies. They hold immense cultural significance in both the UK and Sri Lanka, and make a significant economic contribution to local economies. We look forward to receiving a number of Sri Lankan applications for the Academy.”
The intermediate course provided by SAFCA encapsulates three years of expertise, having been refined to align with BA Hons academic courses whilst catering to the distinct South Asian festival and cultural environment.
The programme is delivered by festival scholars and specialists from both the UK and South Asia.
Crafted for festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and senior figures within the arts and cultural festivals throughout South Asia, this course offers a 10-week intensive, structured skills enhancement programme.
The Intermediate Level course welcomes applications from festival directors, founders, entrepreneurs, and senior professionals in the arts and culture realm across South Asia.
Eligibility is contingent upon demonstrating significant experience in a top leadership position and having 5–10 years’ background in the festival and cultural sector.
The comprehensive fee per participant is £750, but with a £500 subsidy from the British Council, the net fee is reduced to £250.
For an in-depth overview of the South Asia Festival & Culture Academy and to register for the Intermediate Level course, please visit https://bit.ly/3FzeVLK.
Colombo (LNW): The Public Health Inspector’s Union is set to launch a two-day strike starting tomorrow (30), citing multiple demands.
The Union plans to carry out their nationwide strike on both Monday and Tuesday (31).
In tandem, various state and provincial public service trade unions are preparing for a broad-based protest, scheduled for 12.00pm tomorrow.
This will see participation from Development officers, Management Service Officers, Grama Niladhari officers, Samurdhi officers, and other provincial public service personnel.
The core aim of this protest is to advocate for a Rs. 20,000 allowance or a wage hike in the upcoming 2024 Budget.
Colombo (LNW): Measures have been taken to expedite the hiring of 1,500 family health service officers (midwives) who have been awaiting appointments for three years after successfully passing their interviews, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
The Management Services Department has been directed to finalise a decision regarding these recruitments in the coming days, noted the Minister.
This announcement was made during a meeting on October 27 with representatives of the Government Family Health Service Officers Association at the Finance Ministry.
Per a gazette notice issued in January 2021, interviews were conducted to fill 2,500 positions in family health services.
However, it was uncovered that only 1,000 of these individuals are currently in training, leaving the remainder still awaiting their postings.
Mrs. Devika Kodithuvakku, chairperson of the association, highlighted that due to a freeze on government jobs stemming from the economic downturn, those who passed their interviews but remained unappointed faced significant challenges.
Minister Siyambalapitiya acknowledged the challenges of covering costs in a climate of limited revenue. Nonetheless, he emphasised that recruitment in crucial sectors like health cannot be overlooked.
He has directed the Department of Management Services to explore the potential for such hirings.
He also stressed the possibility of leveraging aid from the World Bank for this purpose or, if that proves untenable, sourcing alternative funding methods.
The Minister added that there are also vacancies in departments like the Local Revenue, which contribute to government revenue. Still, priority is being given to recruitment within the health service.
Colombo (LNW): The government will not make decisions detrimental to the country’s economy, and the ongoing reforms, which are in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, should have been introduced decades ago, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.
Speaking at the North Central Province Outstanding Entrepreneurs Awards Night on Friday, the State Minister emphasised that these are reforms the government should have undertaken two or three decades prior.
Highlighting the government’s recognition of the increased strain placed on the Sri Lankan populace in the pursuit of addressing the economic crisis, the State Minister stressed that everyone, including policymakers, must play their part in ensuring Sri Lanka’s continued economic recovery.
Further discussing Sri Lanka’s arrangement with the IMF, Semasinghe pointed out that nations like India and South Korea flourished economically after IMF assistance, expressing confidence that Sri Lanka too will witness a robust economy after fully realising the reforms.
