Apr 11 (FT) SL Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando’s allegation that SL Association Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and SL Association of Professional Conference and Exhibition Organisers (SLACEO) are opposing the change of the Act to protect Board Seats has been described by the industry as baseless and an attempt to change the focus from the real situation. “We as responsible associations representing the real stakeholders who bring in the tourists and the much needed more..

Apr 11 (CT) Amidst the worsening shortage of essential medicines, doctors yesterday (10) requested the new CB Governor to utilise the Itukama Fund to restore the fallen State health service. The Secretary of the Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said the Itukama Health and Social Welfare Security Fund was opened during the first Covid-19 wave. He said they would urge the new Governor of the Central Bank to utilise the money to rebuild collapsing health service. more..

Apr 11 (AD) Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara says there was no discussion regarding the proposed interim govt during today’s meeting between President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the group of MPs who recently quit the govt to stay independent in Parliament. Speaking to media following the meeting, Former Minister hinted that that the talks had ended without a final consensus being reached. more..

Apr 11 (DM) Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena has appointed an official coordinator to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services and facilitate medicinal and equipment donations to SL. Accordingly, Director Medical Technology Services at Health Ministry Dr. Anver Hamdani has been appointed as the coordinating officer on behalf of Ministry of Health to coordinate, facilitate and liaise with relevant stakeholders. The relevant official is expected to coordinate more..

Apr 11 (EN) SL’s main opposition SJB and a group of legislators who had distanced themselves from Prez Rajapaksa would continue discussions on future options, participants of a meeting said. The meeting was held at ex-Prez Maithripala Sirisena’s house with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and representatives of the 41 group. “We came represent the people’s view,” SJB legislator Ranjith Maddumabandara said. “We put forward these ideas. We will take the discussions forward.” more..

Apr 11 (EN) Hundreds of SL protesters occupied near the president’s office for the second night on Sunday as Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa defied calls to resign amid an increasing public protest after his policy mismanagement resulting in the country’s worst economic crisis since the independence in 1948. Protesters shouted slogans against Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family members as many protesters held placards more..

Apr 11 (DM) A clash reportedly took place in Chilaw between a group of people who support the govt and another group that was against the govt. Police and security forces were deployed to disperse the protesters to take the situation under control. Police said tense situation culminated when a group of pro-govt activists led by State Minister Sanath Nishantha marching towards Puttalam, confronted a group of anti-govt protesters from the UNP and another group and engaged in clashes. more..

Apr 11 (FT) The world is young again. It is full of goodwill, hope and expectations. Society confronts the State face to face. It demands a change for the better. Everybody seems to know what’s at stake – their liberty and their dignity. These young people know that Liberty is not a pronoun for a shopping plaza. It is a basic human entitlement – a principle. They know that justice is fairness and not gimmickry performed by black-robed trapeze artists. Someday scholarly minds will explain these events, more..

Apr 11 (SLN) SL Navy on 10th April rendered assistance to safely bring ashore a group of fishermen who were aboard a distressed fishing vessel in southern seas and rush them to hospital for medical attention. Five fishermen aboard the multi-day fishing vessel Madushan 14 which left the Galle fishery harbour on 07th April, were in desperation as the fishing trawler had capsized about 40 nautical miles (about 74km) off Galle. Another multi-day fishing vessel in the vicinity more..

Apr 11 (MFA) Minister of Foreign Affairs G.L. Peiris met with High Commissioners and Ambassadors of countries in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 7 April. Minister briefed the envoys on the current situation in SL and responses by the Govt. This included discussion on political and economic aspects. Among other matters discussed were reform to the Prevention of Terrorism legislation, constitutional reform and preparation for negotiations with the IMF. more..

Apr 11 (AD) The discussions held between Prez Rajapaksa and the MPs who decided to leave the govt and become independent had ended without an agreement being reached. However, another discussion is expected to be held with the Prez tomorrow. The discussion between the Prez and the group of MPs had commenced at around 7pm last night. Discussion had lasted for nearly two hours and focused on 11-point resolution more..

Apr 11 (FT) My former colleague Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, fondly known as Nandalal, should be commended for coming forward to take the baton of the Central Bank at a time when the country’s social, political, and economic fabric is in utter chaos unprecedented in the whole of SL’s post-independence history. Along with him, another former colleague of mine, Mahinda Siriwardena, who is presently a Deputy Governor of CB assumed duties as Secretary to Ministry of Finance. more..

Apr 11 (EN) SL’s monthly fuel import bill has risen to US$ 700 million in April from US$ 450 million two months ago as increased global oil prices and higher demand including for power generation have resulted in higher spending. SL’s average monthly fuel import bill was 311 million dollars last year, but it has started to rise mainly after the global oil prices started to increase after expectations of Russian attack over Ukraine in the latter part of last year. SL spent US$ 430.3 million for fuel in January, more..

Apr 11 (AD) SL actor Hiran Abeysekera has won the award for Best Actor at the Olivier Awards which was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London. Abeysekera picked up the award for his performances as the leading man on more..

Apr 11 (Island) Participating in an anti-govt protest in Negombo on Saturday, the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith urged the govt to step down and let capable people of integrity take the country forward. People of other faiths and their religious leaders also took part in the protest. Those who had gathered in Negombo then marched towards St. Anthony’s Shrine, in Kochchikade, one of the Catholic’s holiest shrines, attacked on Easter Sunday in 2019. more..

Apr 11 (EN) PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is to make a statement on an ongoing economic crisis triggered by money printed to keep interest rates low under flexible inflation targeting. Rajapaksa will speak at 7.30pm in a national address. The current one is the third currency crisis since flexible inflation targeting began 7 years go. As forex shortages worsened creating shortages, a political crisis has developed with protestors asking the President Rajapaksa to go home. more..

Apr 11 (Island) Executive Director of Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES), Manjula Gajanayaka said that the people who elected crooks, rogues and embezzlers to govern the country, and top public officials who looked on while these unscrupulous lawmakers plundered public wealth were responsible for the current economic crisis. Gajanayaka pointed out that the very same people who elected the present regime to power had taken to the streets today, more..

Apr 11 (DM) The sale of petrol and diesel in plastic or any other cans at filling stations will be suspended for three days from tomorrow, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said. Accordingly, fuel in cans will not be available on April 12, 13 and 14 he said. The decision was taken after considering the information revealed about frauds conducted over collecting fuel stocks at individual places and stopping reselling the collected diesel and petrol at higher prices. more..

Apr 11 (EN) SL is expected to reduce power cuts from Apr 18 due to availability of more fuel, coal and water to generate power though there will still be blackouts as part of a measure to manage the resources for longer term. The country has decided for uninterrupted power supply Apr 13 to 15 during the two-day Sinhala-Tamil new year followed by Good Friday. However, there will be a 2 hour and 15 minutes power cut on Apr 16-17 more..

Apr 11 (Island) Over 1,000 Sri Lankans and US citizens, of SL origin, protested opposite SL Consulate in Los Angeles, on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prez Rajapaksa and the SLPP govt over the economic woes experienced by the hapless public. Since the violent protest opposite Prez Rajapaksa’s private residence, at Pangiriwatte Road, Mirihana, and a spate of countrywide protests, Sri Lankans living overseas launched demonstrations in various parts of the world. more..

Apr 11 (Island) VP women’s wing, Women for Rights, yesterday said that if the govt continued to cling on to power its leaders should be ready to face the fate suffered by despot rulers such as Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and Muammar Gaddafi of Libya. “We hope that the Rajapaksa family would understand the political reality in the country and public opinion against them. They should step down with respect rather than waiting till people come to their homes to drag them out. more..

Apr 11 (EN) SL’s govt politicians who have been asked to resign are under fire from frustrated protesters on social media after close allies of Prez Rajapaksa added the national flag on their Facebook profile frame. SL’s economic crisis has now turned into a political crisis after a March 31 protest turned violent near Prez’s private residence followed by people defying his curfew order despite State of Emergency & social media ban. more..

Apr 11 (DM) There will be no scheduled power cut on April 13, 14 and 15 on account of the up coming Sinhala and Tamil New year as well as Good Friday, Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) chairman Janaka Ratnayaka said. He said the PUCSL had planned not to impose power cuts during the festive season with the support of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). However, there will be a 2¼ hour power cut will be in place next weekend (April 16, 17). more..

Apr 11 (EN) Two Sri Lankans died in fuel queues over the weekend, police media said on Monday, bringing the death toll in fuel queues to seven since March 31. Both death had occurred due to heart attack after being waiting in the queues for a long time. “The two deaths earlier were due to heart attacks. They were on medications,” Police Spokesman said. A 47-year old private bus driver from Gonawila died on Saturday while waiting in the fuel queue. more..

Apr 11 (AD) Refuting allegations of an alleged National Security Council (NSC) meeting convened over the violent protests in Mirihana as baseless, Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne stated that no such meeting had taken place contrary to media reports. Defence Secretary illustrating the composition and the significance of the NSC stressed that there are no instances of unauthorized persons attending the NSC meetings. Prez as the Minister of Defence and Chairperson & PM, more..

Apr 11 (FT) New CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said he welcomes the decision by existing members of the Monetary Board to continue. “As the newly incumbent Governor of the CB, I am delighted that Sanjeeva Jayawardena, President’s Counsel and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, appointed members of the Monetary Board, have acceded to continue to serve on the Monetary Board,” Governor Weerasinghe said. He said they have always acted very independently, more..

Apr 11 (Island) Police Headquarters has sought public assistance to apprehend the suspects who torched several vehicles, including two buses belonging to the SL Army, at Mirihana, on 31 March. Protesters and the Opposition have alleged that some pro-govt elements turned an otherwise peaceful protest into a violent confrontation with the police and the Army by setting vehicles on fire. Seeking public assistance in support of more..

Apr 11 (DM) SJB today said its MPs had already begun placing signatures for an impeachment motion against Prez Rajapaksa while the placing of signatures for the no confidence motion against the govt is also continuing. SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said that the impeachment motion against the President is underway while the placing of signatures for the no faith motion is also continuing. “These are components of a programme which the party has devised to take the nation out of more..

Apr 11 (Island) LSSP leader Prof Tissa Vitarana, in Parliament, on Friday, said that if the present govt handed power over to a suitable interim govt of good people, chosen from Parliament, and the administrative service, at the helm, and properly execute the above policies, and some others, it would be possible to find a solution to the present major crisis confronting the country. Text of Prof Vitarana’s speech in Parliament: “The people of SL are suffering due to the high prices and more..

Apr 11 (DM) Two days after the public uprising in Mirihana, social activist Thisara Anuruddha Bandara was arrested by Modara Police under Section 120 of the Penal Code while in Kandy . He was the administrator of a Facebook group titled GoHomeGota2022. Bandara was arrested at midnight in front of his relatives and his whereabouts were unknown until the next day. He was questioned for promoting the GoHomeGota2022 hashtag more..

Apr 11 (EN) Sri Lanka is seeking a second US$ 500 million credit line from India as the island has almost finished the first credit line of a similar volume, CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said. SL has rapidly used up the credit line as oil prices rose and power cuts and reduced furnace oil and naptha production at a domestic refinery, drove up diesel demand for power. “We are in discussions with India for an oil credit of another U$500 million dollars,” Wijesinghe told reporters in Colombo. more..

Apr 11 (EN) Central Bank’s net liabilities had reached 734 billion rupees (US$ 3.6 b) by Feb 2022, when gross reserves were reported as US$ 2,311 mil in the same month as the agency borrowed dollars after running out of reserves. The central bank has about US$ 2.2 billion of swaps with the Reserve Bank of India, Bangladesh Bank, People’s Bank of China and domestic counterparties. It also has a US$ 1.3 bil loan from China. The CB also has special drawing rights allocation, more..

Apr 12 (DM) Finally, the govt has decided to go to the IMF seeking assistance to bail out itself from the current economic imbroglio that has led to a massive political crisis. Also Prez Rajapaksa has got his ministers resigned on April 3 and requested the political parties representing the Parliament to nominate MPs to take over ministries. Yet, no takers. Meanwhile, he appointed four ministers temporarily to cover the areas of foreign affairs, finance, education and quite puzzlingly highways. more..

Apr 12 (TM) Protests against Prez Rajapaksa & Govt are evolving and spreading at unprecedented speed, and the longest such protest, which entered its third day yesterday, is in progress with unforeseen enthusiasm and unity at and around Galle Face in Colombo. Even though these protests were conducted in a peaceful manner thus far, yesterday, for the first time since the beginning of the ongoing spate of protests, a clash was reported between an anti-Govt group and a pro-Govt more..

Apr 12 (DM) If you are depressed, like many millions of Sri Lankans are, by the perilous state of the country, everyday shortage of essentials and the nepotistic regime that hangs on to power, you might need something to feel positive. Look no further than protests in the Galle Face Green, and indeed, across the country. They offer a ray of hope for a future that is progressive, inclusive and tolerant. They are a refreshing alternative to rotten more..

Apr 12 (GV) Sri Lanka is set to commence its discussions with the IMF on Monday. The country has jumped off the plane of economic stability without a parachute and now we must hope that this fresh group of genuine experts can assemble a parachute mid-air before SL crash lands. Driven to action by the demands of its citizens, the govt has done a lot more this week to salvage the economy than it ever done in the past two years. There appears to be a glimmer of hope among more..