May 25 (CT) The govt’s intention to appoint a full complement of ministers and state ministers, and the jostling for positions amongst them, seems to suggest an attitude of business as usual. This is quite astonishing as it was just two weeks ago that no govt member felt safe from the wrath of mobs that formed themselves very swiftly and apparently spontaneously to attack their homes and properties. Last week they overrode the opposition’s demand for time to debate motion of censure against more..

May 25 (CT) Rajapaksa Govt, now backed by his Premier UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in only two years and seven months in power has raised the price of petrol 92 octane, used by many including three-wheeler taxis, by a record 206.57% (Rs 283) to Rs 420 a litre. Among some of the other record price increases were petrol 95 octane by 179.5% (Rs 289) to Rs 450 a litre, auto diesel, used by buses, by 284.62% (Rs 296) to Rs 400 a litre and super diesel by 237.12% (Rs 313) to more..

May 25 (FT) Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday called on the Govt to incorporate the democratic principles enshrined in the 19th Amendment and pass the 21st Amendment immediately. Jayasuriya who is also the Chairman of the NMSJ said the people have already understood the devastating effects of the 20th amendment and therefore, delaying the new amendment will only lead to a more aggressive and heightened people’s struggle. “The damage caused by more..

May 25 (Island) In this the second part of a three-part article on the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka becoming a republic, the writer submits that the 1972 Constitution paved the way for constitutionalising majoritarianism in multi-cultural SL. Although Tamil parties expressed their support for the Constituent Assembly process, they were to be disappointed by the substance of the new constitution. Basic Resolution No. 2 proposed by the Govt called for SL to be a unitary state. more..

May 25 (FT) Govt yesterday sharply increased fuel prices triggering a one off domino effect on other goods and services forcing further agony to people already suffering from severe shortages. The move meant all kinds of fuel is now priced above Rs. 400 per litre. As per the latest price revision of CPC, a litre of 92 Octane petrol has increased by Rs. 82 to Rs. 420, while 95 Octane petrol up by Rs. 77 to Rs.450, auto diesel more..

May 25 (Island) Failures are the pillars of the incumbent govt. Most of the newly-reappointed ministers have earned notoriety for incompetence and dishonesty. With them as Cabinet members, does the country need any enemies? The resignation of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa was expected to pave the way for the formation of a multi-party, interim govt. But nothing of the sort has happened, and failed politicians are going places, again. Worse, the most important more..

May 25 (ST) Former Ceylon cricketer and old Antonian Cricket Legend A.C.M. Lafir is no more. Late Lafir still holds the record for the first wicket with Ronnie Stephens in the Trinity- St Anthony’s big match played in 1954. Whilst still a schoolboy from St. Anthony’s, he got selected to play for Ceylon against late Sir Leonard Hutton’s team at the Colombo Oval. He was a brave opening batsman who showed scant respect for any bowler including Ted Dexter, when he drove two scorching more..

May 25 (SO) The third month of the 44th Observer-SLT Mobitel School Cricketers of the Year Most Popular contest has gathered momentum. Ever since the launch of the Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest in 1978, the Mega Show has turned out to be the most looked forward to event by school cricketers. Not only school cricketers but also by the old boys of the respective schools and sports enthusiasts who have made it a fashion. more..

May 25 (ST) Last week’s headline in this column Scraping the barrel hit the nail on the head when it comes to foreign reserves. While the gross official foreign exchange reserves were US$1.8 billion in April, the usable reserves (amount available to be used freely for any import or transaction) were less than $5 million! We are literally scraping the barrel when it comes, not only to forex reserves but also cash flows for local expenditure. In the meantime, the Central Bank announced on Thursday, more..

May 25 (TM) SLPP said that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe must solve the economic crisis before bringing in a Constitutional amendment, adding that such amendments should not be drafted to target any specific individuals, which prevent them from entering Parliament or becoming President. “The SLPP cannot immediately say as to whether we are supporting the 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill. more..

May 25 (DM) Akuressa police on Monday afternoon (23) reported to Deiyandara magistrate court that Magistrate Kushika Kumarasiri had posed death threats on OIC Deiyandara police Sudesh Nalaka and that the OIC’s complaint in this regard would be investigated. Police requested the case to be heard by another magistrate. OIC Akuressa police CI S.Jayaweera told court that the magistrate had criticised the police with the two sergeants on duty at the magistrate’s official residence and more..

May 25 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has written to Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Prison Reform Wijedasa Rajapakshe on the proposed 21st Amendment with its observations and recommendations. Following is the full text of CCC Chairman Vish Gonvindasamy’s letter to Minister Rajapakshe with copies to Prez, PM and Leaders of political parties. We appreciate the efforts taken by you to expedite the process of gaining approval from Cabinet to place before the Parliament, more..

May 25 (AD) World Bank on Tuesday said it is not planning to provide any new financing to cash-strapped SL until an adequate economic policy framework has been put in place. In a statement, multilateral development bank said it was repurposing resources from previously approved projects to help SL govt pay for some essential medicines, temporary cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households, and other support. more..

May 25 (FT) Colombo Port’s terminal operators along with shipping lines’ agents reassured global customers that it is business as usual in the South Asian hub despite the ongoing economic and political crisis and social unrest. The reassurance came jointly via a statement and amidst reports claiming global lines were scaling down operations to Colombo and domestic crises hampering productivity. “Management of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), more..

May 25 (RW) Today, Administrator Samantha Power held a call with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss how USAID is responding to the country’s political and economic crises. Administrator Power expressed her sympathy for those Sri Lankans who were killed or injured in the political unrest earlier this month. She pledged her support to the people of SL and committed that USAID would help the country weather the crisis. She stressed the need to urgently undertake political and economic more..

May 25 (SLA) One more contingent of 100 well-trained, meticulously-prepared and professionally-trained Army personnel in the Combat Convoy Company (CCC), designed to serve in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) left for Mali this evening (23) as the first group of the contingent of 243 troops, set to leave in stages. Giving a stimulant to their overseas responsibilities, General Shavendra Silva took time off to arrive at the departure terminal to more..

May 25 (EN) State-run SriLankan Airlines owes Ceylon Petroleum Corporation more than 300 million US dollars for fuel supplied before 2019, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. “During the past two years they have paid for all the supplies made,” Wijesekera said. “But from before 2019 for a long period there is a 300 million dollars which should be paid to the CPC.” SriLankan had said it has made profits in the last quarter and paid suppliers in US dollars it earns as revenues. more..

May 25 (TM) With SJB Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva reiterating that he will not accept the Finance Minister portfolio under the present political conditions, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to take oaths as the new Finance Minister today (25), with Prez Rajapaksa acting as the Finance Minister until the new appointment is made. The crucial position still remains vacant, in the midst of the country’s most severe economic crisis more..

May 25 (EN) Sri Lanka stock market slipped nearly 1 percent on Tuesday (24) following a fuel hike and the comments by the central bank governor, who said the island nation will see the worst ever contraction this year, dealers said. “The sharp increase in fuel price hike is a deterrent for the growth of manufacturing and service sector with the electricity price is also expected to rise,” a market analyst said. “The central bank governor comment also was negative for the sentiment.” more..

May 25 (DM) Incumbent PM Ranil Wickremesinghe will have to resign from his post or will have to dance according to the tune of SLPP if he remains, an SJB MP said yesterday. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that PM Wickremesinghe will have to bow down to SLPP if he wants to remain as the premier. “The present govt cannot be called a multi-party govt, as it is controlled by SLPP. Ministers of the new cabinet are ones who have contested under the SLPP ticket other than the two from SJB,” he added. more..

May 25 (TM) A circular was set to be issued by Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, PCs and LG yesterday, requesting public officers, with the exception of those working in essential services, to work from home in view of the current fuel crisis in the country. Secretary to the Ministry J.J. Rathnasiri confirmed that the circular would be issued soon. When asked as to whether any special mechanism would be put in place to ensure that public sector employees in the essential services more..

May 25 (Island) SL’s Ambassador to Tokyo Sanjiv Gunasekara had resigned, well informed sources said. The Ambassador’s letter of resignation has been sent to the Foreign Ministry from the US, where Gunasekera owns several businesses in Los Angeles. Gunasekera, a longstanding associate of Prez Rajapaksa, was cleared by the Parliamentary High Post Committee to assume duties as Sri Lanka’s top envoy in Japan on Jan 6, 2021. Sources said that the resignation of the Ambassador more..

May 25 (Reuters) Sri Lanka’s new PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday he will present an interim budget within six weeks, slashing infrastructure projects to re-route funds into a two-year relief programme for the crisis-hit island nation. Wickremesinghe, who took office two weeks ago, warned that inflation would rise as the govt gets down to tackling the crisis, and that there could be more protests on the streets. more..

May 25 (CT) Islandwide inflation broke all records last month, beginning with its monthly index change registering a record Month-on-Month (MoM) increase of 10.2% or Rs 5,672.59 to last month. This 10.2% (Rs 5,672.59) monthly increase to last month reflects an increase in a family’s monthly expenditure basket. Consequently, nationwide inflation hit its highest peak of 33.8% last month (April 2022), breaking a near 42-year record, where the previous highest record of 32.5% more..

May 25 (CT) Moose Clothing Company, SL’s youthful and trendy clothing brand, will continue to support SLC as the Official Overseas Team Sponsor of the National Cricket team. Commenting on this ongoing sporting partnership, Ashley de Silva, CEO of SLC stated: “We are gearing towards moving up in the ICC World Test Championship rankings, and I am confident Moose Clothing’s partnership in this endeavour will help the clothing brand to gain the desired exposure." more..

May 25 (TM) The draft 21st Amendment to the Constitution Bill was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday by Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, and has been sent to all party leaders representing Parliament, seeking their views on it. “The draft 21st Amendment was presented to the Cabinet on Monday. It will be given to all party leaders in Parliament, and ideas and revisions pertaining to it will be taken up this week. more..

May 25 (FT) The Political Pulse column focuses this week on a man who was perhaps the last of the great trade unionists. A legend in his lifetime who was at the helm of a vibrant trade union continuously for a period of 66 years – an unsurpassed record! I am of course referring to comrade Bala Tampoe who was the Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU) General Secretary from 1948 to 2014. Though called the CMU still, the amended name of the union is now The Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and more..

May 25 (FT) In 2020, Sri Lanka spent $ 10.5 million to import rice. In 2019 rice imports cost $ 12.8 million. But in 2021, a year without a drought, the Central Bank reports that SL spent $ 73 million on rice imports, approximately seven times the amount spent in previous years. In the same year, Govt paid $ 6.7 million for a shipment of sub-standard organic fertiliser. These are illustrative examples, not the total cost, of the damage caused by the decision of Prez Rajapaksa to ban more..

May 25 (AD) A group of suspects including MP Sanath Nishantha, MP Milan Jayathilake and Dan Priyasad, who were remanded in connection with the attack on the anti-govt protesters in Colombo earlier this month, where have been produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The case will be taken up following the identification parade scheduled for this morning. The CID had arrested MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayathilake, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, more..

May 25 (AD) A total of 40 filling stations in the country have been closed due to protests and unruly behaviour by various groups, the Petroleum Dealers’ Association says. The co-secretary of the association Kapila Naotunna said there were reports of certain individuals intimidating the filling station employees to obtain fuel. All fuel orders for these filling stations were accordingly cancelled, he said further. According to reports, such intimidation and unruly behaviour have appeared more..

May 25 (EN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe’s appointment as the crisis-hit SL’s finance minister has raised some hopes locally for longer-term economic policies, but international donors are still wary because of past experiences. Since Wickremesinghe was appointed as prime minister on May 12, the intensity of the main protest near prez secretariat has declined and the number of participants has drastically come down. more..

May 25 (AD) Dept of Immigration and Emigration says its one-day and normal services to obtain passports will be provided only to the applicants who have made prior appointments. Controller General noted that a large number of people have been arriving at the department without prior appointments despite being informed that it is mandatory to make an appointment in advance. The inconvenience caused to public who visit without obtaining prior appointments is unavoidable, more..

May 25 (NR) The first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh saw batters from both sides make considerable gains in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings. The first Test between Bangladesh and SL that ended in a stalemate saw both sides score heavily in the three innings. The game saw three hundreds and six fifties scored, which reflected in the latest ICC Player Rankings. On SL’s side, Dimuth Karunaratne’s fifty in the second ensured he stays on as 6th-ranked batter in the world. more..

May 25 (DM) CID conducting investigations against Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa, concerning alleged misappropriation of Rs.70 million belonging to Krrish Company today informed Court that they have sought Attorney General’s advice regarding possible future legal action into the matter. Accordingly, Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage fixed the case for Sept 21. more..

May 25 (EN) Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe is doing an extremely good job in difficult circumstances, ex-CB Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. “Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe is doing an extremely good job in dire circumstances,” Coomaraswamy said. PM Wickremesinghe had made any request him to return to the central bank, he said. There has been speculation in some quarters that Coomaraswamy may return as Governor. more..