Category: News

Prez says SL completed all 15 tasks required for bailout, now up to IMF

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Prez says SL completed all 15 tasks required for bailout, now up to IMF (Daily Mirror 22-02-2023) After months of struggle and challenges, Sri Lanka has been successful in fulfilling the 15 tasks set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and now awaits for the verdict if enough has been done to unlock the bailout, the government said. President Ranil Wickremesinghe confirmed that only last week the final requirement of the Fund was fulfilled and with that Sri Lanka has done its part to obtain the relief package. The fifteenth…

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Local Government Elections indefinitely postponed?

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Local Government Elections indefinitely postponed? (Ceylon Today 18th Feb 2023) The Ministry of Finance has failed to provide the National Election Commission with the funds needed for the Local Government (LG) election, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said last Sunday. He said the Minister of Finance and the Secretary to the Finance Ministry are constitutionally obligated to provide the funds and that if this does not happen, legal action will be instituted against the competent authority. Speaking to the media, Hettiarachchi said they…

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‘CBSL Chief disregards trade mis-invoicing; collaborates with corporate and political corruption’

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‘CBSL Chief disregards trade mis-invoicing; collaborates with corporate and political corruption’  Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union and United Federation of Labour make fresh charges Claims CBSL seems to function on the personal ‘belief’ of Governor CBSL continues to bury its head in the sand while the country is robbed by business elites in the export and import sector, saying corporate corruption is ‘their business’ CBSL ignores crucial findings and recommendations of IMF, World Bank, ADB, UNCTAD and OHCHR on illicit financial outflows affecting countries like Sri Lanka Trade unions demand…

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Seized Indian trawlers gifted to northern fishermen

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Seized Indian trawlers gifted to northern fishermen (Sunday Times 12-02-2023) Donation coincides with Indian fisheries minister’s visit to Jaffna High-powered Indian vessels to be used in sea patrols by fishermen By S. Rubatheesan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda donated fishing boats seized from Tamil Nadu fishermen who were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters to Sri Lankan fishermen moments after welcoming an Indian Union State Minister who arrived in Jaffna on Thursday for the opening of the Rs. 1.3 billion Cultural Centre, a gift by the Government of India. Five massive…

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NEWSConcerns raised over Adani Group’s engagement in wind power project

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NEWS Concerns raised over Adani Group’s engagement in wind power project (The Island 10-02-2023) By Ifham Nizam Environmental scientists and social activists are expressing concern about the engagement of Adani Green Energy in developing wind power in Sri Lanka. In answer to a question raised by The Island at a recent symposium, ‘Discussion on Setting the Policy Direction for South Asia in Energy Sustainability’ Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage said that the Mannar wind power project also known as Thambapawani wind project was the most-cost effective energy power plant in Sri Lanka though it adhered…

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‘Throne speech mania’ boycotted by Opposition, minority parties present

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‘Throne speech mania’ boycotted by Opposition, minority parties present (The Morning 9-02-2023) Freedom People’s Alliance in walkout protest, joins SJB, NPP as those outside P’ment SJB constituents TPA, SLMC, ACMC attend along with TNA Claiming that the prorogation of Parliament on two occasions within a short timeframe reflects a serious threat from the Executive Presidency to Parliamentary Legislative democracy and that the Government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to provide solutions to the people’s issues, over 30 MPs representing the Freedom People’s Alliance chanted “Rajaasana (throne) mania” and…

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Chinese credit conundrum for Sri Lanka

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Chinese credit conundrum for Sri Lanka Daily FT 8th Feb 2023 Analysts opine China’s latest debt relief offer and reiteration still falls short Biggest bilateral creditor with nearly $ 7 b exposure urged to go the full distance in support of Sri Lanka The debt relief reiterated by China to Sri Lanka last week still falls short of overall burden on the latter, according to analysts. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s during the regular briefing on Friday reiterated the announcement by Export-Import Bank of China on 19 January. As…

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ElemeIs SLPP-UNP Regime attempts to postpone the LG Electionsntor #1540

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  Is SLPP-UNP Regime attempts to postpone the LG elections Wednesday 8th February, 2023 The Island editorial The Rajapaksa-Wickremesinghe regime is all out to derail the local government (LG) elections scheduled for 09 March. The Election Commission (EC) is determined to ensure that the country goes to the polls as scheduled, and the Opposition is bragging that the government’s plan to delay the mini polls has gone pear-shaped, and the SLPP-UNP combine will have to bow to the inevitable, but nothing is so certain as the unexpected in politics, which…

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Mahanayakas oppose implementation of 13A

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Mahanayakas oppose implementation of 13A Claims implementing constitutional amendment would challenge unitary nature of SL Warns devolution of powers would pave way for separatism Says it would also lead to collapse of autonomy of central Govt. causing public displeasure The Mahanayaka Theras handing over a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday opposed the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution claiming it would challenge the unitary nature of Sri Lanka.  The letter signed by the four chief prelates of the main Buddhist sects said the President’s assurance to…

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Assist SL in securing IMF bailout, push for 13A

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Assist SL in securing IMF bailout, push for 13A (Ceylon Today 2-02-2023) Leader of Tamil Progressive Party (TPA), MP Mano Ganesan and many other Tamil speaking political party leaders such as Rauff Hakeem, M.A. Sumanthiran, D. Sithadthan, Gajan Ponnambalam and Rishad Bathiudeen, who held talks with visiting US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said they had a unanimous stand that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should demonstrate his credibility by matching his words with deeds and urged the US to assist Sri Lanka to secure the IMF bailout. MP Ganesan elaborated…

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