News

Continuous distribution of kerosene to fishing communities

Published

10 months ago

November 22, 2022

editor

President Director General (Community Affairs) Mr. Keerthi Thennakoon has sent a special letter dated 22 November 2022 to the District Secretaries, Provincial Fisheries Ministry Secretaries and Provincial Cooperative Ministry Secretaries regarding steps taken by the government to ensure regular and continuous distribution of kerosene for the fishing community.

Accordingly, the government has decided to release 50 fuel bowsers daily to meet the kerosene needs of the fishing community.

As at last week, the Petroleum Corporation had approved the release of 357 kerosene bowsers to meet the needs of the fishing community. However, the fuel stations had only obtained 206 bowsers (58%). The government has borne an additional cost of US $ 3.3 million for this purpose. However, Mr. Tennakoon pointed out that despite this additional expense, the supply of kerosene to the fishing community has not been done properly and the fishing community has not been able to carry out their fishing activities.

Ensuring food security is considered as a prime responsibility of the government and it is expected to meet the nutritional needs of the people through the current bountiful fish harvest. Therefore, it has been informed that the Ministry of Fisheries has delegated the responsibility to the Petroleum Corporation to determine the amount of fuel required by the fishermen and the areas where they should receive it.

It is also informed that the Secretaries of the Provincial Fisheries Ministries and Provincial Cooperative Ministries, Department of Fisheries, together with the Petroleum Corporation, have handed over the responsibility to the Navy to supply the required kerosene to the fishermen within the approved limits, through private, cooperative or other authorized fuel stations or with the assistance of the Navy.

News

Inflation in SL decreased by 62.1% – Siyambalapitiya

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that over the past year, inflation in Sri Lanka has significantly decreased by 62.1%, thanks to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s robust economic reform agenda.

Mr. Siyambalapitiya also highlighted that inflation, which stood at 66.7% during the first and second quarters of 2022, has now plummeted to just 4.6% for the same period in 2023.

He made this announcement during a press conference held today (21) at the Presidential Media Center, focusing on the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country.

News

SL President meets US President Joe Biden

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

President Joe Biden of the United States and President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial meeting yesterday (20) in New York.

This high-profile meeting unfolded amidst a lavish dinner hosted by President Biden, gathering all the heads of state who had participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The encounter began with a warm welcome from President Joe Biden, who extended his hospitality to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The leaders engaged in a cordial and insightful conversation, touching upon various topics of global importance. Following their discussions, they joined their fellow heads of state for a group photograph, symbolizing the spirit of international cooperation.

Adding to the diplomatic tableau, President Wickremesinghe, Professor Maithri Wickramasinghe and Mr. and Mrs. Biden posed for a photograph.

(President’s Media Division)

News

MCC consents to cancel nominations submitted for LG polls

Published

5 hours ago

September 21, 2023

editor

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government unanimously consented to cancel the nominations submitted for the Local Government Elections given that those who have submitted nominations have faced great difficulties due to the postponement of the elections.

The unanimous consent was given at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government held yesterday (20) in Parliament Chaired Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

A discussion was held regarding the obstacles faced by the field officials to run for elections in their electorate and the current status regarding the amendment to the relevant Act to remove such obstacles. The officials present stated that according to the instructions received by the Attorney General, if an amendment is required to revert a legislation to its former state, a 2/3 majority and a referendum is required for the said purpose.

Furthermore, a progress review regarding systematizing the transferring of Secretaries to the Provincial Councils, and the transferring of Divisional secretaries as mentioned in the service constitution was discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting held.

Attention was also drawn to the fact that provincial council government officials are not placed with due diligence. Accordingly, the Prime Minister also emphasized that the transfers of all administrative officers including divisional secretaries should be done properly.

Given that there is no new decision on making new recruitments to the public service at the moment, and since there are vacancies in the provincial and overall public service, considering the already existing employees who have passed the Management Service officer to grade III limited competitive examination to fill the existing vacancies was also discussed at the Committee meeting held.