News

Fishermen lament fish imports!

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2022

editor

The fishing industry is facing destruction due to the Ministry of Fisheries allowing the importation of fish during the ‘Valala’ Season when there is ample fish harvest, Secretary of the All-Island Multi-Day Boat Owners’ Association Ruwan Fernando said.

He said that no matter how many requests are being made to the authorities to prevent the importation of fish during the ‘Valala’ fishing season from October to April, when there are abundant fish harvests in the seas around Sri Lanka, they do not heed.

He said the fishermen who are helpless due to high fuel cost will suffer further due to the fall in local fish prices when fish are imported.

Mr. Fernando said that multi-day fishing vessels have been severely affected by the importation of Cupra and Thalapath, while the fishermen who catch Linna have been severely affected by the importation of Salmon.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Fisheries is also of the opinion that the import of fish should be restricted, its Secretary Indu Ratnayake said.

She said that a tax of Rs.400 has already been imposed on imports and only essential types of fish are allowed to be imported since fish produce is abundant.

However, government sources said the import of fish has been increased due to the excessive increase in the price of fish by the local fishermen in the past.

News

PNB seize over Rs. 280 mn. in biggest drug money bust

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has seized a stash of currency notes amounting Rs. 283 million.

It is said that this is the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka.

The banknotes were recovered from a residence in Kurunegala during a search operation. 18 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal Methamphetamine), a double-cab, and a van were also seized during the raid.
According to police, the money allegedly belongs to a suspect who is currently in prison.

The suspect was presented before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court and the Magistrate has granted permission for authorities to detain and further interrogate him.

News

Energy Ministry differs on electricity tariffs (Update)

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

Hours after the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 20% average reduction in electricity tariffs effective from midnight today (Jan. 17), the Energy Ministry has stated that the tariff revision would be implemented only upon receiving approval from the Finance Ministry.

In a media release, the Ministry has said that the proposals should be first officially received and thereafter they would need Finance Ministry advice.

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(Previous News : January 17, 2025 3.05pm)

Electricity tariffs slashed by 20%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to slash electricity tariffs by an overall average of 20 percent.

The tariff reduction will affect all consumer categories and will come into effect from midnight today (Jan. 17).

The PUCSL’s proposed reductions are as follows;

Domestic tariff – reduced by 20%
Places of worship – reduce by 21%
Hotels – reduced by 31%
Industries – reduced by 30%
Government Institutions – reduced by 11%

Electricity tariffs reduction (Domestic)

0-30 units reduced by 29%
31-60 by 28%
61-90 by 19%
91-180 by 18%
More than 180 by 19%

BIZ

SL – China currency swap agreement, renewed

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2025

editor

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the People’s Bank of China, in December 2024, successfully renewed the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement signed in 2021, for a period of another three (03) years, under the terms and conditions stipulated in the original agreement.

The CNY 10 billion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) currency swap facility reflects the financial cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement on behalf of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, while Mr. Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, signed on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.

(CBSL)