May 17 (TM) CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) said that in the worst-case scenario, if there is no fuel available at all for thermal power plants, the country will have to face power outages of five to seven hours. Unit One of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai faced a breakdown earlier this month, which led to its closure. CEBEU President Anil Ranjith said that while it was being repaired, another issue had arisen. more..

May 17 (Island) Security for Parliament and surrounding areas has been beefed up in view of IUSF-led agitations against the govt and Prez Rajapaksa. During a special meeting, headed by Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando, with security experts and other stakeholders from Parliament, it was decided to enhance security during the next sitting week of parliament scheduled to start at 10 am today. In addition the number of Navy boat patrolling in the adjacent Diyawanna Lake more..

May 17 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said he had to with great unwillingness give permission to print money to pay state salaries, despite the move putting further pressure on the rupee to depreciate. “With great unwillingness (dhadi ukker-math-th-en) I have to give permission to print money,” PM said in a televised address. “That is to pay the salaries of state workers to pay for essential goods and services. “However we have to keep in mind that printing money will depreciate the rupee.” more..

May 17 (HRW) Every year on May 18, SL Tamils mark Mullaivaikkal Memorial Day commemorating those who died in the civil war that ended in 2009. In recent years the authorities have sought to suppress the commemorations, issuing court orders, intimidating participants, shutting down events, and even detaining mourners over allegations of terrorism. This year the anniversary comes at a time of unprecedented public protest in Sri Lanka. Amid a devastating economic crisis, thousands of more..

May 17 (DM) Expressing its displeasure, the National People's Power (NPP) criticised the govt for not having implemented the law against the perpetrators behind the attack on peaceful protesters outside Temple Trees and at GotaGoGama on May 9. The NPP also urged the govt and the IGP to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident. NPP MP Vijitha Herath told a news conference that if the govt acted partially, it would have resulted in escalation of people's anger. more..

May 17 (FT) Revealing the precarious state of the economy and the country’s finance, newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged that immediate steps must be taken to establish a national assembly or political body with the participation of all political parties to find solutions for the crisis. In an address to the nation last evening, Wickremesinghe who was sworn in as PM on Thursday, emphasised that more..

May 17 (Island) FUTA condemned what it called the non consultative and self-serving appointment of Ranil Wickramasinghe as PM. A statement signed by FUTA General Secretary Rohan Laksiri said: As the national trade union representing university academics, which has stood firmly behind the ongoing people’s struggle for democracy and economic stability, FUTA strongly condemns the non-consultative and self-serving appointment of Ranil Wickremasinghe as PM by Prez more..

May 17 (EN) SL’s govt-owned State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) is facing black listing from foreign companies after the SPC failed to settle its dug import bills for the last four months, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. SL’s dollar shortage has forced it to reduce imports of medicines including some essential and life saving drugs. MP said there is a severe shortage of a number of medicines including drugs required for heart disease as well as surgical equipment. more..

May 17 (TM) Attorney General (AG) Sanjay Rajaratnam has instructed IGP C.D. Wickramaratne to arrest a total of 22 persons, including four MPs and a top cop, if reasonable suspicion exists regarding their involvement in the incident of peaceful protestors in front of the Temple Trees and at the Galle Face Green being attacked by a group of SLPP Govt supporters on 9 May. Among the said 22 persons are SLPP MPs more..

May 17 (FT) Aseni, student of economics, and her grandpa Sarath Mahatthaya, an ex-officer of the Finance Ministry, are in conversation on currency board systems. They have talked about why colonial Ceylon had established a currency board in 1884 when the country had faced its first monetary and banking crisis. They have noted that the currency board which had issued currency backed by a 100% reserve of foreign exchange, namely, Indian silver rupees and investments in securities, more..

May 17 (FT) A few days ago, a Buddhist monk and two Christian priests were beaten up opposite the official residence of the Prime Minister of the country. They were among 30+ peaceful protestors attacked by governing party goons. These same Christain priests, had just days before washed and kissed the feet of a representative group of protestors at GGG. The repetition of this act initiated by Jesus, demonstrates solidarity in an ardous journey, and conveys that just causes more..

May 17 (EN) Govt MPs Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa were absent during a controversial vote held in parliament on Tuesday (17) for the vacant post of deputy speaker, while at least two MPs whose arrest has been advised by the attorney general were present. On May 12, the Colombo Fort Magistrate slapped a travel ban on the two Rajapaksas and 11 other MPs representing the ruling SLPP including Johnston Fernando, Sanath Nishantha, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, more..

May 17 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today that he had instructed the IGP to report on the progress on the investigation conducted by the police on the attack carried out on the protesters in Galle Face and in front of Temple Trees to the Speaker every other day. “I have spoken to the IGP and inquired about the progress which the police have made on the investigations and on arrests. I told him to report on the progress to the Speaker every other day,” he said. more..

May 17 (AD) The nominee of ruling party SLPP MP Ajith Rajapakse has been selected as the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament in a secret ballot that took place in the House today. He obtained 109 votes in total. He was voted in with a majority of 31 votes as MP Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, the main opposition SJB’s nominee, secured 78 votes. Following the commencement of parliamentary proceedings this morning, more..

May 17 (AD) Jagath Samarawickrama, SLPP’s representative from Polonnaruwa District, has been appointed as a MP. The appointment was made to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant by MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala, who was killed in Nittambuwa area amidst the nationwide tensions that broke out last Monday. Election Commission today issued a Gazette Extraordinary to announce the appointment. Samarawickrama had come in fifth among the SLPP candidates who led more..

May 17 (AD) The mobile phones belonging to two journalists have reportedly been forcibly taken away from them inside the Parliament complex today. The mobile phones of local journalists Prageeth Perera and Kasun Samaraweera have been taken away in this manner. It is reported that as ruling party’s MPs were leaving following a meeting of the parliamentary group of the ruling party, the journalists in question had been engaged in reporting event using their mobile phones. more..

May 17 (DM) It is observed that the political authorities are making a concerted effort to privatise free health care in a systematic way to plunge the health service further into crisis, GMOA said. They said the indifferent attitude towards allocating funds for health care, appointing a Minister of Health, finding a solution to the drug crisis, and attempts to slash the wages of health workers are a clear indication that right to life more..

May 17 (EN) SL’s women and girls will be given dignity and maternity kits after money printing led to the collapse of the country’s unstable soft-peg with the US dollar has triggered shortages of medicines and other goods. “The current socio-economic crisis is having far-reaching implications on the ability of women and girls to live in dignity as rising inflation, power cuts, scarcity of food, fuel, and other essential items such as medicines have made meeting basic needs a daily challenge,” the UNFPA said. more..

May 17 (DM) Steps have been taken to strengthen security of Parliamentarians and their residences following a request made by the party leaders, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardane informed Parliament today. He told Parliament that Defence Secretary and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security were directed to order the IGP to take necessary action to initiate a special security plan and to provide additional security to the MPs' and their residences. more..

May 17 (DM) For the protection of the passengers, the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) yesterday decided to strictly prohibit the carrying of unwanted luggage in buses. LPBOA chief Gemunu Wijeratne advised the passengers not to put their bags on the luggage racks but to keep them in their possession. "The time has come again to provide safety of our own with the warning issued by Indian intelligence regarding a possible LTTE attack in the coming few days," he said. more..

May 17 (TM) MP Harin Fernando and SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara have submitted a letter to PM Ranil Wickremesinghe with 7 questions and matters they have requested answers for. The points listed in the letter are as follows: People’s demand is that Gota goes home. Do you have any actions to take for this? What are the timeframes for it? What are the legal actions being taken related to supporters and protectors of Rajapaksas who made a bloodbath take place on May 09? more..

May 17 (AD) CID arrested SLPP MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake this evening, in connection with the attack on the anti-govt protest sites in Colombo on the 9th of May. Attorney General, on Monday (16), instructed the CID to arrest 22 suspects including MPs Johnston Fernando, Milan Jayathilake, Sanath Nishantha, Sanjeewa Edirimanna and Senior DIG in charge of Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon, more..

May 17 (AD) SL Police said that two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer. PM and a police sergeant attached to his security detail were killed in an attack that occurred on the 9th of May. The arrests were made this afternoon by officers attached to the Homicide and Organized Crime Division of the CID, the police spokesman’s office said. The arrests were made in the Nambadaluwa and Junaid Mawatha more..

May 17 (DM) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera admitted today that there is a very restrictive nature on the distribution of 92 octane petrol in the country and stated that they hope to overcome the restrictive situation within two or three days. He said that the Ministry would be able to provide petrol continuously as needed, but required Octane 92 to be provided for essential services in the identified areas. However, a petrol shipment is to arrive tomorrow, & after 3 days, petrol scarcity will be resolved. more..

May 17 (CI) Tamim Iqbal had been dismissed in the nineties twice in his the last five innings against Sri Lanka, coming into the first Test. He had seven half-centuries against them in the format, but had not breached the three-figure mark even once. The 31-year-old made sure he set the records straight as he notched up his 10th Test century on the third day, helping the hosts take control of the first Test, in Chattogram. more..

May 17 (EN) SL’s commercial banks quote the rupee at 365 against telegraphic transfers while the central bank set a daily guidance rate for interbank spot trade for 359.75 plus or minus 2.50 for March 17. Banks could quote 2.50 rupees plus or minus under the new direction and the rate is set below the market rates. The kerb rate has also eased after spiking last week. CB stopped quoting day rates on January 23 when the rupee was floated with an interest rate correction after the soft peg more..

May 17 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that moving a motion to suspend Standing Orders was poor Parliamentary strategy and that had he been in Opposition he would still have voted against suspending Standing Orders, a statement issued by the PM’s Office said. The PM, during a discussion with Opposition MPs M.A. Sumanthiran, Rauf Hakeem and Mano Ganesan on Monday was informed that they were wanting to suspend Standing Orders and debate the Motion more..

May 17 (AD) Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon is currently recording a statement at the CID over the unrest that unfolded near the Temple Trees and at Galle Face Green on the 9th of May. Earlier today, it was reported that IGP has directed the CID to act in compliance with the directives of the Attorney General with regard to the investigations into the incidents. In a statement, police media division said 22 suspects involved in recent violence more..

May 17 (TM) Milk Powder Importers’ Association has NMSJ cites grounds of accountability, economic destruction stated that milk powder importers are increasing the price of milk powder according to their own wishes, and that the current price increase has not been decided by the Association. Association Spokesman Asoka Bandara said that it has not yet decided to increase the price of milk powder, and therefore advised importers not to increase the price of stocks that have already been imported. more..

May 17 7 (ANI) A no-confidence motion against Prez Rajapaksa was defeated in the parliament after 119 MPs voted against it. The motion to suspend the Parliament's standing orders to debate the Motion of Displeasure against the Prez was moved by the opposition party, TNA MP MA Sumanthiran. Out of the total MPs, only 68 MPs voted in favour of the motion. Thus, it was not taken up for the debate in the parliament. more..

May 17 7 (TM) National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), led by its Chairman and former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, has pointed out that Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa should resign, respecting the principle of accountability, and that the abolition of the 20th Amendment should be the foremost task of newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Making a statement on the current situation in the country, Jayasuriya said: “The NMSJ has always placed a high value on accountability. more..

May 17 7 (EN) SL’s main stocks closed firmer, gaining 4.4% on Tuesday (17) to hit a six-week high due to hopes of political stability in the crisis-hit nation after violent clashes though concerns remained over the economic crisis, dealers said. “The market is moving on the positives as there is some sign of political stability. But this momentum will not last for long as interest rates in the market are already high,” a top market analyst said. ASPI closed 4.44% or 359.24 points up at 8,457.65 more..

May 17 (TM) A 75% decrease in tourists going on safaris in the Yala National Park has been reported, following countless months of a prolonged halt to tourism and due to the current situation in the country. Safari driver A.M.P. Sudesh Sameera said that due to the collapse of the local and global tourism industry, many drivers have either temporarily stopped working as safari jeep drivers or have completely resigned, as most of them are planning to seek work abroad. more..

May 17 (CT) Govt Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) will get a facelift after many years, as elections are to be held on 11 June 2022, where speculation is rife that it would also include a change in the presidency. Informed sources said two of its members who are already in the Executive Committee, including the current Assistant Secretary Dr. Naveen D. Zoysa would not contest the election. While incumbent president, Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya has not yet submitted his nomination, more..

May 17 (BBC) Sri Lanka's new PM says the country is down to its last day of petrol as it faces its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years. In a televised address, Ranil Wickremesinghe said the nation urgently needs $75m (£60.8m) of foreign currency in the next few days to pay for essential imports. He said the central bank would have to print money to pay government wages. Mr Wickremesinghe also said state-owned more..