Apr 8 (DM) Today, SL is facing numerous and probably the biggest challenges in its history. Economists have warned of possible famine-like conditions and even greater food shortages than we are presently facing. The coffers of the treasury are empty, and our int'l debts exceed currency availability. In fact, our country is facing bankruptcy. Speaker of the House yesterday, repeated this warning and implored MPs to join hands sinking party-political divisions to help set the country more..

Apr 8 (Island) Power is not only corruptive but also divisive. It nurtures the base instincts ingrained in human psyche, such as insatiable greed and irrepressible urge to control and dominate others. Humans are no different from animals where their intense, selfish desires, and perverse tendencies are concerned. So, the saying that blood is thicker than water does not necessarily hold true for those who are pursuing or savouring power. What has befallen the current govt may serve as an example. more..

Apr 8 (Island) The centenary National Athletics Championship which serves as the final selection trial for this year’s Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games will commence without much fanfare at Diyagama today. With Sri Lanka Athletics deciding to scrap earlier plans to bring athletes from the South Asian and other regional countries due to the current situation in the country, the top notch athletes aiming for locally set more..

Apr 8 (Island) Word processing this on Sunday afternoon in a lather of sweat and shiver of apprehension. The reason for the first is obvious; the second is for the country as a whole and for the people who rose up having had enough; up to the eyeballs in irritation mounting to positive anger and desire for making known their severe disgruntlement. Starting with silent candlelit vigils holding posters with the messages they wanted conveyed. The People, or in Cass’ vocab more..

Apr 8 (FT) EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS), a dynamic and truly global delivery network, has opened its new facility at the World Trade Centre, Colombo. EY GDS consolidated the move by signing a lease agreement with Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, the owner, developer and manager of the iconic World Trade Centre, Colombo on fifth April 2022. EY GDS will offer business and technology consulting and audit services anchored on advanced digital skills via the facility at WTC Colombo. more..

Apr 8 (TM) The Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) said that the number of hours of power cuts is most likely to gradually reduce in the coming week. The PUCSL also reiterated its request that the Govt urgently appoint a cabinet minister or ministers for the power and energy sectors. “Currently, there are over six hours of power cuts per day. We believe that this will continue until tomorrow (8). more..

Apr 8 (FT) Daily COVID-19 vaccination rates remain low with only 3,398 persons vaccinated against the virus on Wednesday. 2,013 persons received the booster dose on Wednesday. Third dose has been administered to 7,899,706 persons in total. Pfizer vaccine is being administered as the booster in SL. The first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 17,016,161 persons and the second dose has been administered to 14,431,451 persons. 77.63% of the total population has received more..

Apr 8 (FT) Economic Times of India: The textile hub of Tirupur in Tamil Nadu and tea estates of southern India and Assam are witnessing a surge in overseas orders as the export demand has diverted to India from Sri Lanka owing to the economic and political crisis in the island nation. Garments and tea are the major exports from Sri Lanka. “It has crippled the manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka, especially apparels,” said Tirupur Exporters’ Association President Raja M. Shanmugam. more..

Apr 8 (FT) Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and the Medical Professional Colleges and Associations, working in collaboration as the SLMA Medical Intercollegiate Committee (SMIC), yesterday wrote to Prez Rajapaksa calling for urgent corrective measures for the crisis that is affecting the health and wellbeing of Sri Lankans. “We urge you to discuss with ministers holding relevant portfolios, public officials such as Secretary to Treasury, Secretary Health and Governor of the CB more..

Apr 8 (FT) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe was appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank while K.M.M. Siriwardena was appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Finance. Prez Rajapaksa handed over the letters of appointment yesterday evening. Dr. Weerasinghe, who has vast experiences in the financial sector, served as the Alternate Executive Director at the IMF, Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank, Assistant Governor and the Senior Deputy Governor of the Central Bank. more..

Apr 8 (EN) SL’s stocks plunged nearly 4 percent on Thursday to an eight-month low as rising market interest rates and an economic crisis that has now turned into a political crisis weighed on the investor appetite, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) ended 3.86% or 331.23 points at 8,249.70. Market analysts have said that investors are extremely concerned therefore they are not holding on to shares for long and more..

Apr 8 (DN) National Paralympic Committee (NPC) is expected to develop the quality of Para sports in the future. President of the NPC, Lt. Colonel Deepa Herath, and Social Service Director Chandana Ranaweera joined hands to develop para sports with a new plan. Last year Para athletes created history by winning the first gold medal by Dinesh Herath and Samitha Dulan bronze medal in Javelin Throw at Tokyo Paralympic Games. These achievements created inspiration among para-athletes. more..

Apr 8 (TM) State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said that MPs must declare their assets and income in Parliament if they are to refute widespread public allegations of corruption. He said: “I have a few suggestions to make, which I feel would address the current allegations made by citizens of this country. Firstly, why can’t all MPs have their assets and income audited and declared in Parliament? This can be presented to the Secretary, who will then produce it before Parliament annually. more..

Apr 8 (FT) The embattled private sector yesterday in writing appealed to all members of Parliament to urgently restore political stability as the current crises is destroying the economy further. In an unprecedented move, 38 Chambers of Commerce and Industry jointly wrote to the Speaker, Party Leaders and MPs stressing the need for the economic crisis to be resolved urgently to prevent a serious catastrophe. more..

Apr 8 (DN) Creating a historic economic landmark, South Asia’s first Downtown Duty-Free (DF) Mall, now being constructed at the Colombo Port City will be opened in August this year. The Downtown Duty-Free will offer duty free shopping to tourists as well as Sri Lankans and expatriates returning from overseas giving them more choices of shopping. The venue will also elevate Sri Lanka as an even better shopping destination for tourists. Downtown Duty-Free is also expected to attract more..

Apr 8 (DN) Rs.97.5 billion has been allocated for the payment of salaries and festival advances to public servants during the New Year, Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Priyantha Ratnayake said yesterday. Rs.92 billion has been allocated for salaries and Rs.5500 million for festival advances. “Although the pay day of public servants for the month of April falls on the 10th, all public servants will be paid their April salaries today (08) as 10th is a public holiday,” he said. more..

Apr 8 (ST) Protests in SL that have arisen from a dire economic situation are a strong statement from the people of the country, tea company Dilmah CEO Dilhan Fernando said. People have taken to the streets amid shortages of essential items like fuel, food and drugs that have lasted for weeks, and the crisis has led to the mass resignation of the country’s Cabinet ministers. Fernando said: “No matter who comes in next, there has been a line drawn – that the people are united. more..

Apr 8 (Island) Minister Johnston Fernando in Parliament yesterday pleaded with JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abandon his plans to involve schoolchildren in street protests as such a move would worsen the prevailing crisis. “We know that crisis and perpetuating crises is your long suit. You and your party cadres are happy only when the country is in turmoil. Your desire is to see more people suffering in queues. You love to see blood. You should stage rallies and protests. more..

Apr 8 (Island) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has directly sought Indian assistance to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of the PUCSL has written to Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay requesting 37,000 MT of diesel on April 10 or 11th through the recently arranged Indian credit line in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. more..

Apr 8 (CT) Kandy top order batters, Kamil Mishara, Kasun Vidura, Oshada Fernando and Kamindu Mendis notched up half centuries to end day one on top against Jaffna in the final of the National Super League 4-Day Tournament which commenced yesterday at Galle International cricket stadium. Kandy had one of their better days by coming out on top in all three sessions on the opening day to post 288-2 at stumps after electing to bat. They were off to a positive start with Kamil Mishara and more..

Apr 8 (CT) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was appalled by the conduct of legislators of both the Govt and Opposition, who resorted to their usual practice of bickering, rather than trying to make use of the time allocated for the debate to find sustainable solutions for the crises that have plagued the Nation. Speaker said: “PM, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the House, Chief Government Whip and the Opposition, Ministers and MPs, I thank all MPs of both the Govt and more..

Apr 8 (EN) Behind SL’s economic crisis are set of officials that made policy in Prez Rajapaksa’s party, a legislator said as a flexible exchange rate which is not a clean float collapsed after two years of money printing. “We have accepted that that during the last two years deep (barapathala) problems economic management has arisen,” SLFP legislator Charitha Herath, a legislator said. “We can mention several persons, former CB more..

Apr 8 (Island) Chief Opposition Whip and Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella yesterday speaking in parliament called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to learn from Indian PM Narendra Modi and tender an apology to the public for the mess he created by driving people to stage street protests. “The present crisis has been created by none other but by Prez Rajapaksa. He should take a cue from Indian PM Modi. Modi introduced an Act in Parliament to give farmers’ lands to companies. more..

Apr 8 (DM) The US $ 500 million India credit line for fuel will almost be exhausted after another 120,000 tons of diesel and 35,000 tons of petrol is delivered to Sri Lanka during the remaining period of this month, Daily Mirror learns. The next stock of 40,000 tons of diesel will be dispatched on April 15. Besides, arrangements are in process to send another similar consignment on April 18. An informed source said Sri Lanka will receive a similar quantity of diesel on April 23. more..

Apr 8 (CT) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, who was appointed as the 17th Governor of the Central Bank of SL (CBSL), received his letter of appointment from Prez Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday evening. Accordingly, he is scheduled to assume duties today. Dr. Weerasinghe said, his primary intention is to continue discussions with the IMF and technical level discussions with the IMF have already more..

Apr 8 (FT) Now the mass uprising that has erupted in the wake of the crisis facing the country has reached a historic moment in which the initial phase of a great transition of the political will of the people has largely ended. The process so far can be considered as a direct democratic uprising of the people. There are many good things that could be done by peaceful mass uprisings. But, unless exercised with due discipline, clear and sound knowledge on when and where to stop them, more..

Apr 8 (FT) Cabinet Minister Johnston Fernando assured Parliament that Prez Gotabaya will not resign. We do not know how events will unfold. History seems to endorse the confidence of the hooch maker turned road builder. As I said in my earlier essay Looking back without anger on Thursday (7), when the Bastille was stormed King Louis XVI made a diary entry Today Nothing. The Bastille was stormed on 14 July 1789. The king was suspended in Aug 1792. more..

Apr 8 (ENS) A family of four, including two children, fleeing Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis followed by unrest landed at Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram on Friday morning, the police said. According to the cops, fishermen in the area alerted them after they spotted the family and their boat near the shore. “They are being shifted to the Mandapam camp. Further steps will be decided after the state intelligence and central agencies complete their procedures,” an officer said. more..

Apr 8 (MFA) The inaugural session of the bilateral political consultations between SL and the Netherlands at Foreign Ministry level was convened on Tuesday (5) on a virtual platform. The consultations coincided with a year-long programme jointly organized by the Embassies of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in Colombo and in The Hague to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two sides engaged in productive discussions on a multitude of more..

Apr 8 (EN) SL ruling party MP Ali Sabry, who on Monday was sworn in as Finance Minister only to resign the next day amid an intensifying political crisis, told parliament that he still holds the portfolio as Prez Rajapaksa has declined to accept his resignation. Sri Lanka is expected to begin talks with the IMF next week as the island nation sinks deeper into an economic meltdown which has now precipitated a worsening political crisis. more..

Apr 8 (AD) Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was compelled to temporarily adjourn parliamentary proceedings twice today, during the debate on the IMF’s report on SL. Proceedings were suspended due to the unruly behaviour of two MPs. Thereby, Speaker ordered to temporarily remove SJB MPs Chaminda Wijesiri and Tissa Kuttiarachchi from the Chamber, pursuant to Standing Order 79 of the Parliament. Speaker told the House that it is regrettable to witness such conduct from more..

Apr 8 (DM) Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau (CFIB) has informed Court that it has sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding the investigations into the questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton and his advice over the matter is yet to be received. CFIB made these remarks when the magisterial inquiry into this incident came up before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. On a previous occasion, the Fraud Bureau produced reports pertaining to Finger Print more..

Apr 8 (EN) Sri Lanka’s opposition legislators criticized President Gotabhaya Rakapaksa to his face in the parliament on Thursday over the current economic crisis that has now turned into a political crisis. Rajapaksa attended the parliament on Thursday as per a constitutional request amid tight security in Colombo and continued protests across the country. “Now you (the speaker) said, that there will be a food shortage. more..

Apr 8 (AD) Interruptions to the electricity supply are most unlikely on the 13th and 14th of April, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) says. According to the chairman of electricity sector regulator Janaka Ratnayake, the CEB is in possession of adequate stocks of fuel and furnace oil required for power generation. Further, the duration of power cuts will be shorter in the coming days as the demand for electricity is expected to be low during the week-long holidays, Mr. Ratnayake added. more..

Apr 8 (DM) In response to reports about the offer of the Finance Ministry portfolio, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said no offer had come from Prez Rajapaksa but from a number of senior ministers and various interlocutors on his behalf. He said he is ready to take on the responsibility but people across the country wants the President to step down . “We are ready to take on the responsibility and get this country out of this mess. We certainly can do it. But people across this nation want the Prez to more..