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Lankan team going to US for tariff talks

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A Sri Lanka delegation that will travel to the United States next month plans to discuss with the US Trade Office how it can avoid reciprocal tariffs that will come into effect from April 2, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

He said Sri Lanka would be unable to bear such tariffs on exports when the country’s economic situation remained volatile.

Last year, the US imported from Sri Lanka goods valued at US$3 billion, with more than 70% of the products from the garment sector going to the United States, making that country one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners.

However, last month industry analysts said the new US tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and several other countries would have a beneficial impact on countries like Sri Lanka as buyers are now reviewing their global supply chains and shifting orders.

MAS Holdings’ Chief Executive Officer Suren Fernando told the Sunday Times that they were receiving inquiries from international buyers who were hoping to shift part of their orders to suppliers like Sri Lanka.

US President Donald Trump announced recently that reciprocal tariffs would take effect on April 2 and target imports from countries that levied high duties on US goods. He said he believed the tariffs would level the playing field and protect American industries.

A high-level Sri Lanka business forum will be held in the US next month with representatives of the Finance Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and delegates from the business community.

Mr. Herath said they hoped to discuss the issue of tariffs during this visit with members of the U.S. Trade Office and seek relief for the country.

He expressed hope that Sri Lanka, working within the IMF programme, would receive a tax waiver, as the country could not withstand increased tariffs.

Reciprocal tariffs refer to imposing tariffs on imported goods from a specific country in response to similar tariffs that that country has placed on goods from the imposing nation.

The idea behind reciprocal tariffs is to create a balance in trade by ensuring that both countries are subject to the same level of duties on each other’s products. These tariffs are often used to pressure a trading partner into lowering their own tariffs or to retaliate against unfair trade practices.

(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Govt. urged to cap mask & sanitiser prices

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The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.

He said this during a media briefing.

Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.

Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.

“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.

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Several senior police officers transferred

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The National Police Commission has approved a series of immediate transfers and appointments affecting several senior police officers.

Senior Superintendent Of Police M.S. Mohan Lal has been appointed as the Director of Investigations at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). He currently serves as CIABOC. He previously served as the SSP in charge of the Financial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The list of transfers and appointments is as follows:

  1. Senior Superintendent of Police M.S. Mohanlal – From the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as Director (Investigations) of that Commission
  2. Superintendent of Police A.S.K. Bandara – from Ampara Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  3. Assistant Superintendent of Police W.T. Anuranga – from Mount Lavinia Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  4. Assistant Superintendent of Police B.L.A. Prasanna – from Elpitiya Division to Nugegoda Division
  5. Assistant Superintendent of Police M.D.P. Deepthi Kumara – From Nugegoda Division to Elpitiya Division
  6. Chief Inspector of Police J.D.D.C. Jayakody – from the post of OIC of Balangoda Police to Badulla Division for general duties.
  7. Chief Inspector of Police W.D.K.C. Navaratne – to perform duties as OIC of Balangoda Police Station from Colombo Central Division.
  8. Chief Inspector of Police R.P.C.U. Rajapaksa – to perform the duties of the post of OIC of the Udawalawe Police Station from the Human Resources Management Division.
  9. Chief Inspector of Police B.P.L. Fernando – transferred from the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters to Batticaloa Division for general duties.
  10. Chief Inspector of Police K.M.D.N.D. Kangara – From the post of OIC of Delft Police to the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters
  11. Chief Inspector of Police K.W.C.N. Abeynarayana – from the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police to the post of OIC of Delft Police
  12. Chief Inspector of Police S.S.K.Rathnayake – To perform the duties of the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police from Matale Division
  13. Chief Inspector of Police D.G.S. Wijesinghe – transferred from the post of OIC of Nawa Kurunduwatta Police to Gampaha Division for general duties
  14. Police Inspector M.H.N. Tharaka – As OIC of Poovarasankulam Police from the post of OIC of Bemmulla Police
  15. Inspector of Police S.M.N.N. Siripathi – As OIC of Bemmulla Police Station from Negombo Division

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Govt to recruit 10,000 retired soldiers to Police

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The Ministry of Public Security plans to recruit 10,000 individuals under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service into the police force.

Public Security Minister – Ananda Wijepala announced this during the opening of the Thambutthegama Superintendent of Police office.

He had stated that a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to recruit these ex-military personnel for a 05 year period will be submitted to the Cabinet today (June 09).

Meanwhile, he also revealed that approximately 7,880 children have been identified as being at risk of drug abuse.

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