Three Chinese loans requested to be considered as state loans!

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2023

editor

The Finance Ministry has submitted a proposal to the Cabinet seeking approval to consider loans obtained from China for three projects as state loans.

The three projects are Mattala Airport, Norochcholai Power Plant and Hambantota Port.

The purpose of this proposal is to transfer the loan amount obtained from the China Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank of China) to the balance sheet of the Government of Sri Lanka.

As at the end of 2022, an amount of USD 93 million from the loan obtained for the Mattala Airport was still to be paid.

The Finance Ministry said that USD 591 million has to be paid from the loans obtained for the Norochcholai Power Plant project while USD 742 million has to be paid for the Hambantota Port project.

Due to the release of Hambantota Port on a long-term lease basis, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has removed the relevant loan and asset reports from the financial statements.

Furthermore, the Auditor General has also informed the ministry that eight project loan agreements signed with the Exim Bank have not been included in the government’s financial statements.

Cost reflective price for MPs’ daily meals proposed

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday that a cost reflective price between Rs.2,500 and Rs.3,000 will be proposed for meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea for Members of Parliament.

He stated that the proposal is scheduled to be presented to the House Keeping Committee of Parliament today and that a proposal will also be presented to the Cabinet in the future.

“MPs will have to pay Rs.3,000 for their meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea. The price of meals for others will also be increased,” he added.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Probe into clearing of 323 red-tagged containers – Dy. Minister

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Prof.Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday (Jan. 22) admitted in Parliament that 323 containers with red tags have been released through the green channel by the Sri Lanka Customs.

In response to a question raised, the Deputy Minister said that an investigation will be launched into the incident.

He said there have been occasions where red-tagged containers have been released after being scanned and during some occasions, containers had been released through the green channel even without being scanned.

“We never know whether there have been investigations into those incidents,” he said.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

News

Suspect arrested over alleged online train tickets racket

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

The Kandy Divisional Crimes Unit has arrested a 37-year-old suspect involved in an alleged major racket involving ‘e-Tickets’ sold for up-country trains including to Ella.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested yesterday (Jan. 22) in the Suduhumpola area of the Kandy Police Division.

The suspect, a resident of the same area, was found in possession of 21 ‘Odyssey’ train tickets purchased online, Rs. 130,670 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal sales, 130 notepads documenting previous transactions, and a mobile phone.

Police suspect the individual profited from reselling train tickets, targeting foreign tourists. The suspect has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiries.

On January 20, the CID had informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that they have launched an investigation into the ticket scalping, which was raising serious concerns.

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