News

Received letter of assurance from China’s Exim Bank last night – President

Published

2 weeks ago

March 7, 2023

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Received letter of assurance from China’s Exim Bank last night – President

Delivering a special statement in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the Government has received the letter of assurance from China’s Exim Bank last night (06).

He added that the Letter of Intent signed by the Central Bank Governor and himself was sent to the IMF last night itself.

“We have fulfilled our duties…I hope the IMF duties will be done by the third or fourth week of this month,” he said.

Noting that the government took many extremely difficult economic measures to stabilize the economy and efforts are now being made to ensure economic growth, he noted that the suffering caused by this continues for everyone in society.

Strong action

While apologizing as a government for the hardships the people have had to undergo in meeting the IMF’s conditions for restructuring, the President also sought cooperation from the opposition and warned that if the restructuring process is sabotaged, the government will not hesitate to take strong action.

In his address to parliament, the President further said that with the provision of fertilizer, the country achieved a successful harvest during Yala and Maha seasons, & the export of agricultural products has gained a fair degree of normalcy & economic problems since June 2022 have been resolved to some extent.

He also said that the government implemented various measures such as providing essential commodities, uninterrupted electricity supply, fertilizer to farmers, and additional funds for Samurdhi beneficiaries & restored tax policies implemented in 2019 to improve revenue as the emergency tax cuts implemented earlier led to a decrease in government revenue.

The President also noted that although the unfavourable conditions in the country in 2022 resulted in an unsuccessful tourism industry, there are indications that the situation is improving this year.

News

Visiting Indian delegation holds talks with Power minister

Published

34 mins ago

March 24, 2023

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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

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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

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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.