News

Beer demand drops; stocks to expire soon?

Published

2 weeks ago

March 13, 2023

editor

The Excise Department said that beer products produced by some liquor companies are piling up in warehouses without being able to be sold due to the decrease in alcohol sales by about 30%.

As a result, some companies involved in liquor production have been closed for two or three weeks.

Meanwhile, Excise Commissioner General Saman Jayasinghe has told the media that the Excise Department is focusing on increasing the export of locally produced liquor products as local sales have fallen.

The Commissioner also said that the annual export income of Rs.22 billion is expected to be increased to Rs.30-35 billion.

It was said that although the price of ethanol has increased rapidly in the past, the price of ethanol has come down now and that there is a surplus of ethanol in Sri Lanka.

However, the Excise Department said that due to the current economic crisis, there is less motivation to buy alcohol in a background where the prices of all goods in Sri Lanka have increased.

Therefore, the Excise Department has planned several strategies to achieve this year’s revenue target of Rs.214 billion.

Also, they pointed out that there are about 350 vacancies at the department and this lack of staff has hindered the achievement of the target revenue.

News

Visiting Indian delegation holds talks with Power minister

Published

22 mins ago

March 24, 2023

editor

A discussion had been on Energy sector cooperation & Investments today (24) with the visiting delegation from India led by Secretary of India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas – Mr. Pankaj Jain, at the Ministry of Power and Energy in Colombo.

Taking to Twitter, Sri Lankan minister of Power and Energy said that several topics such as the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub, oil & gas exploration, renewable energy, LNG infrastructure development & supply and solar cooking burners were discussed.

The Indian delegation included the Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas – Ms. Esha Srivastav, IOC Chairman – Mr. S. M. Vaidya, Chairperson of Engineers India Limited – Ms. Vartika Shukla, MD of Petronet LNG Limited – Mr. A.K. Singh, MD of the ONGC Videsh Limited – Mr. Rajarshi Gupta, Director Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited – Mr. Amit Garg.

They were accompanied by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Gopal Baglay, the Deputy High Commissioner – Mr. Vinod. K. Jacob as well as officials of the Indian High Commision.

S. M. Vaidya, Chairman, IOC, Vartika Shukla, Chairperson, Engineers India Limited, A.K. Singh,MD, Petronet LNG Limited, Rajarshi Gupta,MD, ONGC Videsh Limited, Amit Garg, Director Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited & officials of the High Commision. pic.twitter.com/PWZm4PTaK9
— Kanchana Wijesekera (@kanchana_wij) March 24, 2023

News

Dhananjaya denies claims on refusal to bat at No. 7

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2023

editor

Sri Lankan cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva has refuted claims that he refused to bat at No. 07 position in tomorrow’s ODI match against New Zealand.

Tweeting, he said: “The story circulating in social media saying that I have refused to bat at No. 07 during tomorrow’s game is false, and I wish to state that I am a player who always stands with the team”.

The story circulating in social media saying that I have refused to bat at No. 7 during tomorrow's game is false, and I wish to state that I am a player who always stands with the team.
— Dhananjaya De Silva (@dds75official) March 24, 2023

News

Ensure safety of Saliya Peiris – BASL

Published

1 hour ago

March 24, 2023

editor

In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has requested the police take necessary action to ensure the safety of the BASL President – Saliya Pieris.

The letter to the IGP relates to the protest that took place opposite the chamber of Saliya Pieris PC.

view the said protest seriously hinders his right to represent a client, a professional right which has been safeguarded by law,” the BASL said.

“Therefore, we strongly demand that you take action to ensure that Mr. Peiris’s professional duties as an Attorney-at-law, are not hindered and to ensure his safety,” the BASL added.