Sep 9 (Island) Sri Lankans are gluttons for punishment. In 2019, as many as 6.9 million of them, hoping for a better future, exercised their franchise to elect the current administration. Three years on, their dream leaders have bankrupted the country, and the people who are food-insecure number 6.3 million, according to WFP. One may have been able to console oneself by considering it as comeuppance of sorts if the starving souls had been all SLPP voters, but that is not the case. more..

Sep 9 (Island) According to a media report Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has set up a “committee to evaluate renewable energy project proposals…with the aim of identifying the obstacles to the quick implementation of renewable projects and providing solutions for them” (Daily News, Aug 27, 2022). “This step has been taken at a meeting, which was led by the Minister with the CEB and Sustainable Energy Authority officials to review progress of renewable energy projects. more..

Sep 9 (FT) Cabinet of Ministers has approved the new tariff for purchasing electricity from Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) sources. NCRE sources include; biomass, agriculture and industrial waste, and excess power from agriculture and industrial waste of the same industry. Standardised Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) will continue for NCRE projects with a capacity of up to 10 MW. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the above tariff revisions on 1 Aug. more..

Sep 9 (CT) SL secured their slot in the semi-final of the Asian Netball Championship 2022 when they overcame Hong Kong 62-51 in their last match of Round 2 at OCBC arena, Singapore yesterday. With the win SL extended their unbeaten streak to 5 matches and will once again meet Hong Kong in the first semi-final on Saturday. The first quarter ended 20 – 09 in SL’s favour which set the pattern for the match. Defending champions looking controlled in attack, profited from their opponent’s errors. more..

Sep 9 (FT) The Govt has extended 242 acres of farm land to strive for a massive cultivation drive to ensure food security and nutrition. NLDB has identified eight farms in three districts coming under its purview, and has called for a fresh round of bids from local investors to develop those lands to boost crop cultivation. The farm lands will be leased on a short-term basis to encourage crop planting as part of increasing local produce. more..

Sep 9 (CI) Both economies are on the verge of collapse - Sri Lanka's, it might be argued, is collapsing already; both nations are straining under outsized external debt; and both are negotiating with the IMF for relief. It is the first of two Pakistan vs Sri Lanka matches to finish the Asia Cup off. Welcome to the first Debt Trap Derby. On their way here, both teams have done a lot of high-class chasing. Sri Lanka set a Sharjah ground record when they ran down 176 against Afghanistan. more..

Sep 9 (DM) SL Cricket team led by Dasun Shanaka is keen to continue their winning streak before the final when they meet Pakistan at the last super four game at the Dubai Int'l Cricket Stadium commence today at 7.30pm (SL time). Both teams have qualified to play in the final on Sunday at the same venue in Dubai while the two teams are expected get pre final exposure today. Asked what about the team plans a senior official of the team management said we never take it lightly and wanted more..

Sep 9 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar has accused Prez Wickremesinghe of now appointing those who were directly responsible for the economic crisis as Govt Ministers. “At the time these state ministers are being sworn in our country is financially bankrupt. It is laughable that those responsible for it have now been sworn in as Ministers yet again,” he said. He also noted that activists of the citizen’s struggle such as more..

Sep 9 (EN) Stocks closed at a fresh over 5 months high on Thursday on positive retail investor sentiments pushed by the market heavyweight Expolanka. ASPI gained 1.61% or 152.05 points to 9,599.32, its highest since March 29. The market saw a turnover of 5 billion rupees, higher than this year’s average turnover of 3.17 billion rupees. “The market moved on Expolanka crossings continued from yesterday and we also saw buying coming into plantation & fertilizer companies,” more..

Sep 9 (ST) Suspension of the import of 300 items to ease the country’s financial burden is having an impact on the mobile phone accessory business also. Through a recent gazette notification, the govt suspended the import of non-essential items such as electronic items, cosmetics, building materials, deodorants, shampoos, dental floss & various clothing items. Pettah traders said they were faced with the threat of losing their businesses, with the high cost of the already available stocks of more..

Sep 9 (BBC) Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer. The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change. Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a moment of great sadness for him and his family and that her loss would be deeply felt around the world. more..

Sep 9 (FT) Leading business LMD reported that confidence barometer has headed north after two successive months of stagnation. It added: “There is indeed cause for cautious optimism as the LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index (BCI) has risen by 32 basis points – from the dismal 49 registered in the consecutive months of June and July to 81 in Aug.” In Aug last year, the barometer recorded 98 basis points and an upward trajectory thereafter, until as recently as March this yr more..

Sep 9 (EN) SL’s new tax-on-tax social security contribution levy which undermines value chains goes against the stated policy of the country and should be consolidated into value added tax or removed as soon as practicable, opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said. SL’s parliament passed the tax with 91 voting for and 10 against losing an opportunity to reform the country’s tax system in a graphic display of what more..

Sep 9 (Island) The govt was all out to privatise profit-making govt institutions on the pretext of restructuring Sate Owned Enterprise (SOEs) Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said following a meeting with representatives from the SL Insurance Corporation (SLIC) unions. “A large number of people now believe loss-making SOEs must be restructured or privatised. Govt is using this sentiment to privatise profit making entities. If we do this, the state will lose its income while continuing to be burdened more..

Sep 9 (Island) Parliament yesterday ratified the Social Security Contribution Levy with amendments. The second reading of the Bill was approved by a majority of 81 votes with 91 members voting for and 10 against. MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dilan Perera, three NPP MPs led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake and three SJB MPs including Ajith Mannaperuma, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and Ashok Abeysinghe voted against the Bill. Others SJB MPs including Leader of Opp more..

Sep 9 (DN) Scientific and evidence-based decision making is prerequisite for agriculture development and SL must do away with archival laws and regulations that hinder the development of the sector, Senior Prof. Buddhi Marambe said. Noting that the interim budget has a lot of reference to agriculture, Prof. Marambe said that the budget has identified the need for a fusion between agriculture and entrepreneurship, value chain development, youth technological interventions, more..

Sep 9 (TM) The Ministry of Finance has Rs. 100 billion worth of bill payments due to construction companies and the military, even though the Govt is trying to cut down on expenditure to manage the budget deficit, Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (8), he said that the Treasury has Rs. 75 billion in bill payments for road construction work and owes Rs. 25 billion to the military, whereas education bills only amounted to Rs 1 billion. more..

Sep 9 (TM) Leader of the House and Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha said yesterday that no written agreement has been reached between the IMF officials and the Govt of SL (GoSL), and that what exists is only an understanding between the global lender and GoSL. “No agreement has been signed between the Govt officials and the IMF, but a consensus and understanding has been reached,” more..

Sep 9 (AD) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has given directives to lower the national flag in all public buildings half-staff, PMD says. The period of national mourning is expected to be announced subsequently, PMD said further. Prez also expressed deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the govt and the people of the UK on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of Ceylon from 1952-1972. more..

Sep 9 (DM) A major tea export company in SL has been evading taxes worth US$ 300 million every year, a govt MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage said. MP who made this disclosure in Parliament added that none of the companies who run supermarket chains does not pay a single cent as taxes. "There is also a popular clothing store which has 48 outlets islandwide that also does not pay a single cent and a major apparel company which earns Rs 700 million annually but evades paying taxes. more..

Sep 9 (AI) SL authorities have fiercely clamped down on protests and demonized protesters during a period of economic crisis and hardship in the country, Amnesty International said in a new digest released today. The briefing, Penalized for Protesting: SL’s crackdown on protestors, details how the authorities have failed to protect peaceful protesters and resorted to excessive use of force, deploying the military to police protests and more..

Sep 9 (FT) One needs to question whether strengthening of Sinhala Buddhist hegemony has been a consequence of other religious denominations veering more towards orthodoxy and fundamentalism or whether it has been the other way about. There is confusion as to where the Egg is and where the Chicken is. During a meeting in A'pura recently, Prez Wickremesinghe, deliberately, or inadvertently and/or innocently touched on a core issue that is at the heart of the dissatisfaction people have with the political system more..

Sep 9 (FT) Everyone is talking about the need to restructure public entities as an urgent need. However, the first step in restructuring is to introduce management discipline and political accountability. Without this, it is like saying, let us repair our vehicle without changing the driver who is totally undependable! Who is at the end of the day responsible for the waste, corruption and malpractices? Who makes the decision finally for everything which happens in the entity? The Minister! Of course. more..

Sep 9 (NI) A Sri Lankan businessman was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman along a busy street here Thursday afternoon. Captain Kenneth Rosales, Cotabato City police station 1 commander, identified the victim as Rifard Mohamed Siddeek, 46, a SL national residing in Barangay Semba of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao. Colonel Querubin Manalang Jr., Cotabato City police director, said a manhunt operation is still ongoing as of this posting. Rosales said Siddeek had just alighted from more..

Sep 9 (SLE) Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe met with Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Ambassador Uzra Zeya at the Ambassador’s residence in Washington D.C. today – 8th Sept 2022. The meeting was arranged by Ambassador Samarasinghe to brief Under Secretary Uzra Zeya on the current developments in Sri Lanka in the context of forthcoming Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. Under Secretary Uzra Zeya was accompanied by Special Assistant Emily Ball and more..

Sep 9 (HRW) On Thursday, SL Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed 37 new ministers to his govt. In the latest alarming indication that his new administration is not committed to protecting human rights, ending impunity, or upholding the rule of law, three of the appointees are implicated in serious rights abuses. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, better known as Pillayan, is a former member of the armed separatist LTTE, who was personally implicated in abducting children more..

Sep 9 (DM) Parliamentarian D.V. Chanaka, who was sworn in as the State Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Reserves assumed duties as the State Minister of Power and Energy this morning. Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Indika Anuruddha who took oaths as the State Minister of Power and Energy also resumed duties this morning. State Minister Chanaka assumed duties at the Ministry of Power and Enegry while State Minister Anuruddha at the Ceylon Petroleum Cooperation premises. more..

Sep 9 (EN) Sri Lanka has signed an agreement for an emergency assistance loan of 200 million US dollars from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a 3 million dollar grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) to implement a food security and livelihood recovery emergency assistance project. “The Govt of Sri Lanka is planning to borrow USD 200 million from the ADB to finance the implementation of a Food Security and Livelihood Recovery Emergency Assistance Project,” more..

Sep 9 (TM) Claiming that most religious institutions including Buddhist temples cannot bear the recent 555% increase in electricity tariffs, Sri Bodhiraja Temple Embilipitiya Chief Incumbent Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera said that it seems that the Govt is punishing such institutions through the move to increase electricity tariffs. He said: “As a result of short-sighted, selfish, and corrupt politics, the people are in dire straits at present. more..

Sep 9 (DM) While continuing the import restrictions, permission to import goods that cannot be manufactured locally, and the required raw materials to engage production, should be granted, SL United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA) Chairperson Tanya Abesundara said. She addressed an opening ceremony in Nugegoda, saying SLUNBA had requested the govt to provide the infrastructure to uplift local manufacturing. "The govt should not rely on exports and dollars; instead, it should improve domestic manufacturing more..

Sep 9 (TM) Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe advised officials to revise the circulars immediately if it impedes on the implementation of development projects. Prez chaired a discussion at the Prez’s Office today to examine the progress of several development projects in the country based on Indian investment cooperation, and had advised the officials at this meeting. This was made known via a media release by the President’s Media Division today. Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Vinod Jacob also participated. more..

Sep 9 (DM) Details on the staff level agreement which Sri Lanka has reached with the IMF cannot be given to Parliament as it contains some sensitive matters with regard to taxes, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced today. “I have discussed the IMF staff level agreement with the Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and he is not against presenting it to Parliament and he informed me that the issue is that it contains sensitive matters with regard to taxes,” Speaker said. more..

Sep 9 (Island) Plans are afoot to increase the allowance paid to those recruited on a casual basis as the caretakers of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) warehouses. PMB caretakers appointed to ensure the safety of the PMB warehouses were paid a monthly allowance between Rs. 7,500 and Rs. 10,000 each, Chairman of the PMB Neil de Alwis said. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has pointed out to the PMB that the monthly allowance paid to the currently appointed casual caretakers was not sufficient. more..

Sep 9 (TM) The Board of Inquiry to ascertain lapses, if any, by the armed forces and State intelligence services during the recent incidents of violence has informed President Ranil Wickremesinghe that a serious lapse in the conduct of the Armed Forces, Police, and intelligence services during the spate of protests from 31 March onwards was its reluctance to act decisively by baton-charging, firing in the air, and firing below the knee when the need arose. more..

Sep 9 (DM) As SL is in the midst of securing fund disbursement from the IMF to bail out the crisis-struck economy, all measures must be taken to avoid a haircut, particularly on the country’s domestic debt, so that long-lasting negative impacts on the economy can be evaded. Financial consultant and former senior banker Mangala Boyagoda stressed pertaining to the debt restructuring effort that is underway, it is essential for the govt to steer clear of any haircut, especially on the domestic debt front. more..