Category: Economy

Ranil: Not the man to lead Sri Lanka out of the crisis

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Sri Lanka’s Ranil Wickremesinghe is a schemer and the West’s stooge. Not the man to lead it out of crisis Asian Angle by Kalinga Seneviratne (South China Post) Ranil Wickremesinghe, a five-time PM who has never completed a full term in office, only gained the presidency via horse-trading and with Western help He claims he can schmooze the IMF, but Sri Lanka would be better served if India and China stepped up and worked with Russia to craft a BRICS bailout Sri Lanka’s newly elected president Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses the media in…

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Burning Questions of the Sri Lankan People’s Movement: What is to be Done?

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(This article is based on a talk delivered at the online session organised by International Solidarity with the People’s Movement in Sri Lanka on a 23.07.2022) The people’s movement in Sri Lanka has entered into a deadlock with the ‘(s)election’ of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President. Within hours of him assuming office, a mid-night crackdown on the Galle Face protest camp was unleashed. Only cowards attack in the dead of the night as they have much to hide during the day. Despite brutal state repression, the people’s movement shows a resilient commitment to…

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SL will have to bite the bullet or go down abyss: Dr. Coomaraswamy

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Former Central Bank Chief forecasts crisis to force contraction of economy by 8-10% Reveals around 750,000 people have slipped into poverty Data suggests half the population could fall below poverty line by end-2022 Suggests Govt. to strengthen safety net by enhancing cash transfers going to poor and vulnerable Opines given toxic populist politics and entitlement culture, economic recovery will require painful treatment Predicts IMF conditions will be ‘onerous’ Opines Sri Lankans now recognise that sacrifice is necessary and inevitable Lists SOE reforms, divestment of State assets, independence of Central Bank…

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India’s geopolitical concerns over Port City Colombo

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India’s geopolitical concerns over Port City Colombo By Sunimalee Dias View(s): 611 India’s concerns over the Colombo Port City Project discouraging its business community from investing here is likely due to geopolitical issues and a lack of awareness of the regulations that are still being finalised, Sri Lankan authorities state. A recent report in the Indian media said there are concerns expressed over the Colombo Port City Project citing it’s a possible “hub for money laundering and extra- legal activities,” extended tax holidays, the Chinese involvement and as a result of…

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Some observations on Budget 2022

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Some observations on Budget 2022 Dissecting the mixed opinions on Budget 2022 By Sumudu Chamara – The Morning On 12 November, the Government presented what, in economic terms, can be referred to as a recovery Budget, in a context where the country has just started paying attention to and supporting the revival of sectors that did not receive adequate attention last year.  In other words, unlike in the pre-Covid-19 pandemic era, this Budget is expected to ease the economic burden on almost all segments of the society, not only a…

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Notes to the People: Should Sri Lanka Seek IMF Support?

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Notes to the People: Should Sri Lanka Seek IMF Support? By Sumanasiri Liyanage (Ceylon today 13-11-2021) The triple crises in Sri Lanka -the economic, the epidemiological, and the political- appear to be aggravating day by day. Although many countries suffered from a COVID-19 outbreak are slowly but gradually coming out of the economic crisis created by the pandemic, there are no signs of such a development in Sri Lanka.  The prices of all essential goods have rocketed. Farmers are still indecisive as to whether they cultivate or not for the…

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Shedding some light on the Yugadanavi deal

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Shedding some light on the Yugadanavi deal The good, the bad, and the ugly of the agreement between the Government and the US BY Sumudu Chamara (The Morning 11/11/2021) Sri Lanka is going through one of its toughest times in recent memory, and the ongoing pandemic has worsened the economic hardships that the country was dealing with before the pandemic. While the people are clearly sacrificing their comfort to face this difficult time, the Government is also seeking new ways to save and make money. According to the Government, the…

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Harsha faults Govt. for maligning Moody’s;warnings

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Harsha faults Govt. for maligning Moody’s;warnings Harsha faults Govt. for maligning Moody’s; warnings hardships piling on people Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha de Silva over the weekend faulted the Government for maligning an independent and world reputed institution such as Moody’s whilst warning hardships are piling on people due to the current regime’s sheer mismanagement of the economy.  “Government is on a foolish stance that what it says is right and what others such as Moody’s are all lies,” the SJB MP said in reference to…

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Teachers, principals vow to continue TU action

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Teachers, principals vow to continue TU action Even though the Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance has temporarily withdrawn from trade union action, trade unions yesterday (25) staged islandwide protests from 2:00 p.m. after school hours. Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said they will stage protests, awareness campaigns, etc., on 25, 26 and 27 October at 300 different locations islandwide.  Meanwhile, protesters who attempted to get into the North Western Province Governor’s Office and meet Governor Raja Collure were turned away. “We want to show our objections…

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Primary Grades resume classes today

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Primary Grades resume classes today Primary sections of Government and Government-approved private schools will commence academic activities today (25). As part of the first phase, primary section of schools with fewer than 200 students began on 21 October. Under the second phase, health recommendations have been obtained to begin primary sections in schools with more than 200 children. As a result, the Ministry of Education is collaborating with Provincial Governors, Provincial Principal Secretaries, Provincial Secretaries of Education, Provincial Directors of Education, Zonal Directors of Education, Principals, and other education authorities…

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