Oct 21 (AD) SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne says that the IMF targets on SL’s primary balances needs to be revisited by providing a longer period to achieve the target. Commenting on the President’s statement on increasing of taxes, he said that it is inevitable that tax revenues have to increase. Primary balance has been created only 4 times since Sri Lanka’s independence; twice in the 1950’s and in 2017 and 2018, he said. Creating a primary balance is a clear indication of debt sustainability, he said, more..

Oct 21 (IE) Emphasising on the need to attain self-reliance, Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt Thursday said Sri Lanka was in such a bad economic crisis that its security forces were unable to pay the nominal fees for training exercises in India. Bhatt, who was speaking at a session on AatmaNirbharta in Defence R&D – Synergistic Approach at the DefExpo at Gandhinagar, also hailed India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war. more..

Oct 21 (FT) PM Dinesh Gunawardena slammed State agencies over the failure to submit financial reports to Parliament. He said all State institutions that have to date failed to submit financial reports to Parliament must be made to do so prior to the reading of the Budget. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Gunawardena revealed that a large number of State agencies have failed to submit their annual reports and other financial documents to the Parliament for a number of years. more..

Oct 21 (TM) During a programme to purchase paddy from farmers and produce rice to be sold through Lanka Sathosa from 2019 to 2021, nearly Rs. 1 billion was misappropriated, while there is presently a risk of the misappropriation of another Rs. 500 million. The programme, which involves District Secretaries (DSs) and small and medium-scale rice millers in the 2019-2020 Maha, 2020 Yala, 2020-2021 Maha and 2021 Yala seasons, more..

Oct 21 (DM) Lodging a complaint with CID, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapksha has urged the CID Director to conduct an investigation into the false and malicious Facebook Post alleging that he as the Minister of Justice and Prison has given special treatment to remand prisoner Thilini Priyamali. Justice Minister maintained that the dissemination of the said untruthful and malicious post via electronic media regarding a pending case has caused a severe prejudice to the entire legal system. more..

Oct 21 (TM) The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has agreed to the Ministry of Education’s request to not disconnect the water supply to schools that have not settled the relevant water bills until the Ministry prepares a programme for such schools to settle the said payments. An official of the Education Ministry said that Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha has discussed the non-settlement of water bills by certain schools with the NWSDB Chairman. more..

Oct 21 (TM) While seeking the support of all MPs to pass the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill, Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe reflected on the majority support that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution garnered despite heavy criticism against it. Dr. Rajapakshe made these remarks during his opening speech at the second reading of the 22nd Amendment more..

Oct 21 (FT) Recently, Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) is reported to have said that the country should follow a national policy with national council as the platform, and that policy should encompass a national economic framework, social framework and a political framework. What this triple framework would entail and what is expected from the national council in relation to these frameworks have not been made clear yet. However, the content and objective of the economic framework more..

Oct 21 (FT) The economy can be likened to a train engine pulling carriages up a hill. The engine represents the wealth generating component of the economy, which is the private sector. This is because the existence of the private sector depends on profits, and since profits are an increase in value over costs, the private sector is always a surplus to economy. Carriages, on the other hand, are the govt sector. Though this sector is important, it relies on private sector resources to maintain its size. more..

Oct 21 (AD) Emirates is looking for candidates to join its multinational cabin crew team with an assessment day planned in Colombo on 26 Oct. The Dubai-based airline is looking for individuals who are passionate about delivering simple yet personalised and impeccable hospitality while creating memorable moments for its customers. Safety being one of Emirates’ highest priorities, the ideal candidate will lead confidently and take control when it comes to managing aircraft services, more..

Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka has scheduled power cuts of 1 hours 20 minutes for October 22, 2022 Chairman of the PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said. SL has reduced the two hour power cut to one hour as rains boosted hydro generation. October 22 and 23 – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW will have 1-hour and 20 minutes power cut between 5 pm and 9 pm. Two hour power cuts will come back from Monday. Download the power cut schedule for October 22 and 23 from here more..

Oct 21 (EN) SL’s nation-wide inflation hit 73.8% in Sept 2022 with prices rising 2.3% during the month, data from the state statistics office showed. SL’s National Consumer Price Index grew 5.8 points to 256.3 points. Food prices rose 0.7% to 85.8% in the 12-months to September. Food prices are up 107.4% since Feb 2020 when money printing began in earnest for to close a persistent output gap. Food prices are up 134.3% since more..

Oct 21 (CI) SL women's captain Chamari Athapaththu will return to Melbourne Renegades as a replacement player for the remainder of the WBBL following the withdrawal of India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Renegades lost last year's player of the tournament due to a back injury following India's Asia Cup triumph. Renegades had signed English batter Eve Jones as a short-term replacement but have added Athapaththu as an experienced batting option. more..

Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka Cabinet has decided to pay 10 million in compensation to the family of late Sri Lanka Pdujana Peramuna member Amarakeerthi who was killed by in a mob attack during protests earlier this year, PM Dinesh Gunawardena said. Premier Gunawardena said, the limit for compensating a govt official was five million rupees, however at the meeting of cabinet ministers last week it was decided to increase the limit up to 10 million rupees for the late MP Athukorala. more..

Oct 21 (DM) While claiming that the Metropolitan Police have not deployed any officers in support of the SL investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in SL, Britain on Wednesday said that Metropolitan Police will consider any request to support an overseas investigation where it is proportionate, necessary and legal. In response to a written question by a Labour MP whether the Metropolitan Police more..

Oct 21 (AD) The govt has decided to remove import restrictions imposed on selected items, State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says. According to the lawmaker, import restrictions under several HS Codes on skincare products, vehicle spare parts and raw materials are slated to be lifted within the next two weeks. The decision was taken after taking into account the repeated appeals made by those who are employed in relevant sectors and under the recommendations Economic Research Dept more..

Oct 21 (AD) Minister of Education has issued a special notice on conducting 2022 G.C.E. A/L and Grade 5 Scholarship exam. Communiqué also mentions the dates on which the second and third terms of schools are planned to commence and end. Accordingly, the Grade 5 Scholarship exam will be held on Dec 18, 2022 and the G.C.E. A/L exam is scheduled to be held from Jan 23, 2023 until Feb 17, 2023. Meanwhile, the second and third term dates and holidays for Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim more..

Oct 21 (AD) Lanka Premier League 2022 launched a new logo for the tournament, heading into the 3rd edition of SL’s topmost domestic T20 league, with an international flavor. The new logo depicts multiple facets of SL and was designed by an ardent fan of the Lanka Premier League, following a fan competition conducted to develop a creative new LPL logo. The new logo is mainly created around the Lion symbol thus symbolizing the courage, determination, boldness & strength of nation more..

Oct 21 (DM) The investigations into the controversial illegally imported Hummer vehicle has been handed over to the CID by the State Finance Ministry. Secretary of State Ministry Mahinda Siriwardena has forwarded a written request to the IGP informing the CID to investigate into the incident, on the advice of State Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya. Hummer was illegally imported into SL on Feb 22 last year and later it was impounded. However, the high luxury vehicle was later auctioned more..

Oct 21 (AD) The second reading of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill has been passed in parliament by a majority of 178 votes. During the division, 179 MPs in total voted in favour of the bill. It received only one vote against it. The two-day parliamentary debate on the second reading of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill commenced on Thursday (20). At the end of the debate today, a vote was called on the bill. more..

Oct 21 (EN) Stocks fell 0.59% Friday, as higher taxes and concerns over future profits began to affect sentiment, brokers said. The market saw a turnover of 1.3 billion rupees, lower than this year’s average turnover of 3.2 billion rupees. ASPI slipped 0.59% or 51.86 points to close at 8,685.52. The more liquid index S&P SL20 closed 0.3% or 7.72 points lower at 2,605.34. Index has lost 12.5% so far this month and 28.9% year-to-date after being one of the world’s best stock markets with an 80% more..

Oct 21 (DM) The proposal submitted to the cabinet seeking approval with regard to promotions of police officers who have not been promoted for a long time, will be studied by a cabinet sub-committee prior to the approval, Minister Tiran Alles said. Public Security Ministry said last month that minister Alles had submitted a proposal to the cabinet seeking approval to promote 8,312 policemen and 1,105 policewomen including sergeants and constables who have completed their service periods as more..

Oct 21 (EN) Coca Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd said it is putting a family sized glass bottle back in the market to encourage re-usable packaging and also make it easier on the purse as the country suffers the worst currency crises in the history of its intermediate regime central bank. The Big Buddy Pack branded 750 milliliter glass bottle is priced at 180 rupees, compared to 150 rupees for a 400lm PET bottle & 380 rupees for a 1.5 litre more..

Oct 21 (CT) Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rohana Pushpakumara said measures have been taken to release urea required for paddy cultivation in the Maha season without any hindrance. He said fertiliser is provided in several stages for this Maha season, adding that the Department of Agriculture has recommended the use of 70% chemical fertiliser and 30% organic fertiliser for paddy cultivation this year. “Generally, for paddy cultivation, urea is applied 14 days after sowing or planting, more..

Oct 21 (Reuters) CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe thinks inflation in the island nation is peaking, with price rises likely to ease this month. "We think we are seeing the peak of inflation," Weerasinghe said, although there was still some way to go in fixing the crisis-hit country's economy and finances. A key measure of SL's consumer inflation spiked to a record 69.8% on year in Sept, highlighting the challenge for the central bank as SL confronts an unprecedented financial crisis. more..

Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka’s central bank is gradually losing its ability to create balance of payments, deficits data how, after running out reserves and counterparties and foreign central banks no longer willing to loan foreign currency, data show. Balance of payments deficits are problem associated with soft-pegged central banks which prints money to drive up credit and sells dollars to stop the currency falling when its peg comes under pressure from the newly minted cash. more..

Oct 21 (ANI) A high-level Sri Lankan delegation is on a visit to India for attending India's premier biennial global defence exhibition DefExpo 2022, the Sri Lankan High Commission of India informed on Friday through a press release. A three-member delegation from Sri Lanka was led by the Sri Lankan defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and comprised several Army and Navy officials. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 19. more..

Oct 21 (TM) Sri Lanka plans to continue the work of the second terminal at the BIA with $ 2.5 million from Airport and Aviation Services SL (Pvt) Ltd (AASL) until the JICA resumes its funding upon the completion of the ongoing debt restructuring, stayed Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. Minister said he had submitted a Cabinet paper seeking approval last week to continue the work at the second terminal at BIA more..

Oct 21 (TM) The CID informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe that it has commenced investigations into a large-scale financial fraud committed by a certain party who had sent letters bearing the signature of former Secretary to Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Govt J.J. Rathnasiri to 14 persons, promising them Govt jobs. CID informed the court that the relevant investigation has been commenced following a complaint more..

Oct 21 (CC) In recent months, the Sri Lankan government increased its repression amidst an economic and political crisis, sending in the army on workers protesting peacefully. Today our partners Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union together with the National Labour Advisory Council Trade union Collective are holding a members rally at the Public Library in Colombo. CCC, Labour Behind The Label, Maquila Solidarity Network, Workers United and War on Want more..

Oct 21 (TM) As a large number of US-German made Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine doses in the possession of the Ministry of Health are due to expire on 31 Oct, Ministry has requested all those who are eligible to receive the second or third doses of the vaccine to obtain the relevant dose. Health Ministry Communications Director, Public Health Services Deputy Director General, and Disaster Preparedness & Response Division more..

Oct 21 (DM) Ministry of Finance ordered an urgent report from the Department of Excise on several alarming issues pertaining to the alcohol industry and its taxation including artificially produced toddy entering the country’s liquor production process. The issues were transpired at a special meeting held between the State Minister of Finance, the Excise Chief and the liquor license holders association. Certain liquor manufacturers using adulterated or artificially developed toddy for more..

Oct 21 (EN) Sri Lanka is planning to have another meeting with creditors shortly after sessions with official and private creditors in Washington, State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe said as the country tries to wrap a up deal with the IMF. IMF officials have asked Sri Lanka to complete prior actions under a staff level agreement early, he said. A key requirement is to get assurance of debt restructuring from bilateral lenders, including China and India. more..

Oct 22 (DM) Irrespective of whether the 22nd Amendment Bill is passed in Parliament or not, the vacillation of the ruling SLPP over supporting it in the recent weeks raises many moral questions. The party had expressed its reservations on the matter during a meeting with Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, as late as on Wednesday. The Bill had already been slated then to be debated on Thursday and Friday. Media has been reporting since lately that the party is concerned about two major issues more..

Oct 22 (DM) 17 Oct 1972 was a Tuesday. 50 years ago on that auspicious day, a new political party was launched in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Founder and pioneering leader of that party – which celebrated its golden jubilee a few days ago- was the well-known film actor turned politician Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran known popularly as MGR by his magical initials. New party at its inception was named Anna -Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). It was later changed to AIADMK. more..