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Home » NewsLanka’s economic destiny in their hands
The main event for the revival of Sri Lanka’s economy is the ongoing talks with the delegation from the International Monetary Fund. Our picture shows the three important personalities in the delegation at the talks to reach the IMF staff-level agreement. The delegation leader Rory Mungoven is seen making a point to Sri Lanka’s delegation [...]
Upto 700 fuel stations to be handed over to foreign oil companies
Power and Energy Ministry receives 27 proposals from companies including Sinopec and British Shell By Damith Wickremasekara Sri Lanka is to hand over between 500 and 700 fuel stations for retail operations by foreign oil companies as the fuel import bill soared with estimates showing the country would need more than USD 2 billion to [...]
Coal supplies: UAE-based company gets contract amid host of unsolicited proposals
By Namini Wijedasa Among four companies that had submitted unsolicited proposals for a US$ 1.47bn (Rs 524bn) long-term coal tender to Sri Lanka is the United Arab Emirates-based Coral Energy DMCC, which is currently dominating oil supplies to the country, and China Merchant Engineering Corporation (CEMC) which has no background in supplying coal. The hotly-contested [...]
Japan bins garbage-truck deal with Jaffna MC, seeks refund
The Japanese embassy has requested the Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) to refund the money spent for the import of four reconditioned waste-collection trucks after the project was delayed for more than three years. The embassy has written to the council to refund Rs 14.3 million (USD 83,432) which was given for the import of the [...]
Elevated highway: Top officials push for Chinese company on unfavourable terms
By Namini Wijedasa The Highways Ministry’s senior officials are pushing the Road Development Authority (RDA) to finalise the award of the proposed US$ 550mn (Rs 110bn) New Kelani Bridge (NKB) — the elevated highway — to Athurugiriya to China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) despite an official freeze on costly mega projects. These officials—who are now [...]
Three-member committee appointed to look into Tamil Diaspora’s concerns
By Chris Kamalendran Justice and Prison Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has appointed a three-member committee headed by former Chief Justice Asoka de Silva to look into issues raised by the Tamil Diaspora representatives. This is after he initiated a first meeting with Tamil Diaspora members through a teleconference. The minister held a lengthy teleconference last [...]
State-of-the-art drug manufacturing factory all set to make a difference
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Sporting an exterior of white, sunny yellow and ash-grey shades pleasing to the eye, within a rectangular building in the Nanotechnology & Science Park set amidst pastoral scenes in Pitipana, Homagama, the wheels of silvery machines are turning silently – producing stocks of medicines both tablets and in liquid form. Bound [...]
‘No cause for fear of COVID-19 but need to protect vulnerable groups’
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi “There is a surge of COVID-19 infection but do not worry. It is mild disease and if we protect our vulnerable groups we can overcome the latest challenge being thrown at us by the pandemic.” This reassurance comes from Consultant Microbiologist Dr. Mahen Kothalawala attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka [...]
Kerosene price hike sparks anger from hill country to coastal areas
Energy minister says subsidy price a drain on CPC, assures relief for low income families By Nadia Fazlulhaq The recent kerosene price hike will be a topic of discussion both at Cabinet level and Parliament after the government’s decision to increase a litre from Rs. 87 to Rs. 340 sparked anger among urban low income [...]
Significant amount of ‘confirmed’ forex flows failed to materialise: Finance Ministry responds
Right of reply The Finance Ministry has drawn attention to an article published in the Business section of the Sunday Times last week under the headline ‘New revelations over SL’s foreign debt default’ The response said: The above news article claimed, citing a ‘top government official’ that “there was an expected forex inflow of over [...]
Paper crisis depriving information oxygen to Lanka’s readers
By Kapila Bandara Relative shortages of the low-grade paper, called newsprint, used by newspaper publishers, and price inflation, have regularly emerged to haunt the print industry. Back in 1951, such a deficit drew the attention of the UN’s Economic and Social Council, which adopted a resolution, proposing solutions and asking the main consumers to cut [...]
Household water bills worsen misery, while lawmakers owe Rs 13 million
By Chrishanthi Christopher Water bills will rise by 127.4% for more than two million homes, compounding an unprecedented rise in the costs of living for Sri Lankans. Just last week, higher electricity tariffs were announced by the Ceylon Electricity Board. A gazette notification on revised water charges published midnight Saturday, will be effective from September [...]
Utuwankanda expedition goes awry after 27-year-old falls to her death
Pix and text by L.B. Senaratne Virashmi Kodituwakku, the 27-year-old assistant lecturer who tragically died after falling off Utuwankanda in Mawanella, during an expedition was a founder of the Peradeniya University’s Explorers Club, and was no novice at hiking and mountain climbing. Her fellow club members said she had climbed mountains and mountain ranges such [...]
Scramble to secure Rs 60 eggs deal
Eggs will be sold to Sri Lankans at between Rs 50 and Rs 60 each, following an understanding between the poultry industry and authorities, the Sunday Times has learnt. Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando met with the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association and the All Island Poultry Farmers Association to settle on the price range. [...]
Nallur Kandaswamy Devastanam festival draws huge crowds after peak pandemic closure
By N Lohathayalan and Pranavesh Sivakumar This year’s annual Nallur Kandaswamy Devastanam festival – celebrated after two-year long pandemic restrictions – saw thousands of Hindu devotees from here and abroad flocking to worship Lord Skanda, the main deity of the iconic temple in Jaffna. On Thursday, at least 150,000 devotees took part in the chariot [...]
“I can’t speak like I used to on certain issues”: Ranjan walks out of prison, ready for new role
After serving one year and seven months of a four-year prison sentence, popular actor and former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ranjan Ramanayake walked out of the Welikada Prison and into the arms of an adoring crowd on Friday (26). Mr Ramanayake walked out a free man after President Ranil Wickremesinghe granted a conditional presidential [...]
Sri Lanka told to ensure toll on malnourished children will not worsen
By Yoshitha Perera Child malnutrition could increase in Sri Lanka and this could have direct repercussions on economic growth and societal development in the future, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei said. In an interview with the Sunday Times, he said Sri Lanka should prioritise investment in nutrition, education, and health because these [...]
Rice price wrestling continues amid output shortage call
By Senuka Jayakody Sri Lanka is expecting a shortfall in paddy output in the Yala season that is drawing to a close, while the purchase price of paddy and retail price of rice remains a contentious issue at a time of increased food insecurity. Imports will help cover the expected shortage, said Professor Buddhi Marambe, [...]