Author: admin

Karaikal-KKS ferry service to commence on 29 April

admin

Karaikal-KKS ferry service to commence on 29 April Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva said the first ferry line, of the new ferry service, to be operated between Karaikal Port in Puducherry, India and Kankesanturai (KKS), is scheduled to call at the KKS Port on 29 April.  The Minister disclosed this information at a discussion, with the stakeholders of this new ferry service, held recently at the Ministry. A passenger terminal was built at the KKS Port as part of infrastructure development for the new ferry…

Read More

Sri Lanka is in an interval in hell: Dr. Shanuka Senarath

admin

Sri Lanka is in an interval in hell: Dr. Shanuka Senarath If SL does not strengthen its finances, it may default on IMF loan Govt. needs to control inflation as gateway to economic recovery After Premadasa’s time, SL has never had a proper economic policy Population of 20 million in this country, but only 500,000 pay tax Sri Lanka is currently in what he would term an ‘interval in hell,’ says Economist, Attorney-at-Law, and University of Colombo Department of Economics Senior Lecturer Dr. Shanuka Senarath. “This is just the tip…

Read More

Indo-Sri Lanka fisheries conflict: Restorative solutions the panacea

admin

Indo-Sri Lanka fisheries conflict: Restorative solutions the panacea CEA Environmental Impact Assessor recommends coral/mangrove restoration, fish population restoration via implantation of artificial reefs/structures, establishing mutually acceptable ‘no catch zone’ along the IMBL or maritime protected area, permitting licensed Indian fishermen with a levy, declaring cap values, only banning fishing during breeding, educating/sensitising fishermen on cross border issues through awareness creation In the context of the conflict over the overexploitation of fisheries resources beyond the Indo-Sri Lankan coastal borders, restorative solutions such as coral and mangrove restoration, the restoration of the…

Read More

Why Sri Lanka could be the IMF’s most spectacular failure

admin

Why Sri Lanka could be the IMF’s most spectacular failure (Following is the excerpts of Dyan Jeyathilake’s article in the Sri Lanka Finacial Times of 16th March 2023) Much of the discussion in and on Sri Lanka has either been a shrieking chorus of ‘Go to the IMF yesterday!’ coming mainly from the rightwing economists of the main Opposition, the SJB, or a no less shrill chorus of ‘beware the IMF!’ from the Oppositional left. My own ‘third position’ is different. It stands on two legs: ‘beware Ranil plus the…

Read More

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition

admin

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the failure and refusal of several government departments to take the necessary steps to hold the Local Government Elections. Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Gamini Amerasekera and Janak De Silva granted leave to proceed with the petition under Articles 10, 12(1) and 14(1)(a) of the constitution.  The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy…

Read More

President writes open letter to bilateral creditors with appeals and assurances

admin

President writes open letter to bilateral creditors with appeals and assurances Letter with clarifications aimed at providing comfort to all and enable SL to progress swiftly to next stage of the debt treatment negotiations Reiterates he is committed to stay the course, and says SL relies on creditors to do the right thing Woos all to maintain and even enlarge and strengthen official bilateral creditor coordination Says new era starts with full implementation of IMF-supported program and resolution of debt situation Commits to transparency and assures SL will not make any…

Read More

IMF urged Anti-Corruption Bill gets Cabinet approval

admin

IMF urged Anti-Corruption Bill gets Cabinet approval (FT 15-03-2023) After years of long pursuit, the Anti-Corruption Bill ‒ a landmark piece of legislation defining measures to reduce corruption and vulnerabilities by improving fiscal transparency and public financial management was finally approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Monday to proceed with the next steps. The move is a result of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package, amidst the ongoing economic crisis. Such a Bill was long overdue and should have ideally come as a result of…

Read More

Opposition unites to demand LG Polls

admin

Local Government Elections and the Government’s attempt to prevent it. (The Morning 12-03-2023) Treasury Secy.’s absence at EC meeting criticised, EC asked for fresh date Secy. Siriwardana outlines four issues regarding attending EC’s meeting EC informed by Treasury Secy. that letter on funds passed on to Minister Dolawatte raises privileges issue against SC, Speaker requested to inquire The Election Commission (EC) last week decided on 25 April as the new date to conduct the Local Government (LG) Polls, in keeping with the Supreme Court’s recent and related order following a…

Read More

RW Govt. gears up to finalise IMF deal

admin

RW Govt. gears up to finalise IMF deal (The Morning 12-03-2023) China’s latest assurance on SL debt restructuring brings IMF deal closer Govt.-India in agreement to extend $ 1 b credit line by a few months As Sri Lanka nears the one-year mark of last year’s Aragalaya people’s power protest campaign, the country’s economic revival seems to be finally on track with the appreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee and economic activities showing positive signs following news of the proposed International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal likely to be finalised this…

Read More

Trinco Oil Farm- and related issues

admin

Trinco Oil Farm- and related issues (From The Island 8-03-2023)  New move on Trinco oil tank farm Having participated at the China Bay parade, President Wickremesinghe, accompanied by National Security Advisor and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayake, and several others, including Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, toured the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, consisting originally of 100 tanks, situated in 827 acres of land. The tank No. 91, however, was destroyed in Japanese air attacks, launched by ship-borne bombers, and attack aircraft, during World War 11. President Wickremesinghe is…

Read More