News

50% of jobs in the export sector at stake due to the proposed electricity tariff hike

Published

1 year ago

January 1, 2023

editor

The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA) warned that Sri Lanka’s exporters would be compelled to cut the workforce by 30%-50% as a result of the proposed 60% hike in electricity tariffs this month.

The proposed electricity tariffs are scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet on the 2nd of this month. This is the second electricity tariff hike in less than six months. The government in August last year increased the electricity tariff by 76% percent.

According to reports, the country’s SME exporters are faced with a total collapse and the large-scale exporters are witnessing a 30% drop in export orders due global economic slowdown.

The FTZMA Secretary Dhammika Fernando said that the country’s export sector risks a total collapse due to the proposed hike in electricity tariffs and foreign exporters could relocate their operations to other countries that present much more attractive prospects.

The FTZMA along with other associations representing apparel exporters have already warned of the consequences to the President. Further, they have also held discussions with the Minister of Power and the Chairman of the Public Utiiris Commission (PUCSL). However, the Minister of Power hasn’t responded positively to the pleas of the exporters. Meanwhile, PUCSL Chairman Janka Rathnayake opined that there’s no requirement tariff hike.

Fernando urged the government to focus on minimizing corruption and waste at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) instead of moving ahead with the proposed electricity tariff hike which could cripple the entire export sector.

According to Rathnayake, the PUCSL was yet to receive any proposals for a hike in electricity tariffs. He stressed that the electricity tariffs can not be increased based on various assumptions.

Source- Deshaya

News

Easter Sunday bombings : Rs. 295 mn. paid as compensation

Published

6 hours ago

April 20, 2024

editor

The annual reports of the Office of Reparations have revealed that over Rs. 295 million (295,499,069) have been paid as compensation to victims and property damage of the Sunday Easter bombings.

Under this, Rs. 273,747,000 have been paid as compensation for 719 victims while Rs. 21,752,069 have been paid as compensation for property damages.

News

350 medical specialists have left SL

Published

6 hours ago

April 20, 2024

editor

A study conducted by a group of specialist doctors at the Ministry of Health has revealed that 350 specialists have left the country during recent times.

Many of them have left for countries such as UK and Australia. According to a spokesperson of the ministry, economic hardships have been cited as one of the main reasons for them to do so.
Doctors suggest that the government should provide an immediate solution to this issue.

Commenting on the issue, Secretary of the Health Ministry – Dr. Palitha Mahipala says that there is still a shortage of anesthetists and pediatricians after most of them had left the country.

However, some who have gone for training, are returning after their training is complete, he adds.

Meanwhile, sources in the Health sector also say that over 200 nurses too have gone overseas, but new recruits have enabled to prevent hospital operations from continuing without hindrance.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Details of SL recruits in Russian military, sought

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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Sri Lanka has sought a report from Russian authorities on details of Sri Lankan military recruits and how many of them have died during the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the ‘Aruna’ newspaper reports.

According to a directive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia has forwarded this request to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Previously, the Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling and Maritime Crime Investigation Division (CID) arrested a retired major and an employment agent, identified as leaders of an organized scheme that recruited retired military personnel as mercenaries for the Russian army.

The Defence Ministry in Sri Lanka has urged the Tri Force commanders to brief Tri Force personnel not to fall for such rackets.

(Source : Aruna)