Jun 18 (CT) The prevailing fuel crisis in the country could lead to the collapse of services at the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama for patients suffering from cancer, Dr. Kanishka de Silva lamented. Long hours that the surgeons and other theatre and hospital staff have to spend in queues, due to the fuel crisis, could result in these services shutting down. Surgeons, especially those who have to use their private transport to reach the hospital have to stay for 13-14 hours in fuel queues to obtain fuel. more..

Jun 18 (CT) Govt of SL at least theoretical money printing borrowing costs (MPBCs) fell under Rs 100 million for the first time after 66 days to Thursday (16), led by sustained uncertainty, where investors continued to seek comfort in low returns, but riskless, Treasury (T) Bonds and T-Bills, rather than invest in the high returns private sector, engine of growth. Consequently, GoSL’s MPBCs fell for the eighth consecutive market day to Thursday, once more steeply by 2.25% (Rs 2,286.28 m) more..

Jun 18 (CT) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said SriLankan Airlines will be privatised as a joint venture. However, the total management of the company would not be handed over to a foreign country and SL would play a part in the management, he said. Govt is reportedly looking for a joint venture with China’s Hainan Airlines, Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA), or Air India. Immediately after the appointment, PM said more..

Jun 18 (DM) India’s largest private thermal power operator, Adani Group has secured permission to explore floating solar and off-shore wind power generation potential in SL’s territorial waters bordering the Northern Province. According to the MOU signed between Adani Green Energy Ltd, unit of Adani Group, and the SL State entities last year, Adani is expected to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study into the possibility of generating floating solar, off-shore wind power more..

Jun 18 (Island) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that half of the food budget at the Colombo Port is spent on cashew. Minister has thus instructed officials to find an alternative to cashew, given how expensive it is. Minister said that he was notified of this when he inspected the Colombo Port’s kitchen. Cost of an average meal at the Port costs about Rs. 450. Minister also said companies which had not been registered with Colombo Port as suppliers had been providing substantial amounts of food. more..

Jun 18 (DM) Russia-based carrier Aeroflot is willing to resume flight operations to SL if the govt assures that its aircrafts will not be detained again. SL Ambassador in Russia Janita Liyanage said that the airline authorities had informed her of their willingness to restart flights between Colombo and Moscow upon assurance from the SL side. Russian flag carrier suspended commercial flights to Colombo after a leased aircraft operated by the airline was grounded in C'mbo on court order. more..

Jun 18 (Island) Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that they are willing to join an all-party govt, established for a specific period and objectives.The JVP leader said that the 21st Amendment gave more power to the PM. Thus, the term of the current administration must end within a short time after 21A is passed, he said. “After a short period, an election must be held to appoint a new govt and a PM,” Dissanayake said. He said so during a meeting with Collective for Reform. more..

Jun 18 (CT) The operation of State Institutions, schools and certain other entities will be limited for two weeks applicable from Monday (20) owing to the raging fuel and economic crisis. A circular has issued on Friday (17) to limit the number of State Sector employees reporting to work for two weeks from Monday (20). Circular directed Secretaries to Ministries, Provincial Heads and Heads of Depts, to decide on the number of employees required more..

Jun 18 (FT) Most individuals make the error of judgement, thinking that a politician is a magic formula for a leader. What do I mean? Leaders listen for what people need and show them the way; they are problem solvers. Unfortunately, the democratic institution that we have around the world is flawed, because the system that we have produces politicians not leaders. It doesn’t produce genuine leaders and so you can have a politician who knows nothing about leadership and he’s leading you more..

Jun 18 (FT) There are truly crazy people around and they abound! And too many occupy seats of power which leaves one confounded, perplexed and vexed, in equal order. This is partially because they are endowed with any legitimacy by us. And in retrospect, our collective judgment has clearly been enfeebled. Crazy people create crazy policies. The US has just removed all COVID related restrictions for travel, but still insists only vaccinated travellers can enter the US! more..

Jun 18 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that it is his policy not to leave anyone hungry in the face of the food crisis. Speaking at a meeting of the Committee on Food Security at the PM’s Office the PM said that although the food crisis could directly affect 4 million to 5 million Sri Lankans in the future, steps would be taken to control it. PM instructed the officials to pay more attention to the children and the elderly in particular. PM also directed the appointment of a committee more..

Jun 18 (AD) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today addressed the speculations in circulation on social media with regard to the sale of fuel from within its premises at the R. Premadasa Int'l Cricket Stadium. The cricket body dismissed the rumour as completely baseless and untrue stressing that it is in no way engaged in storing and selling fuel to the public. The statement issued by the SLC read: “Sri Lanka Cricket maintains a stock of fuel at the RPICS, Colombo, purchased from a LIOC more..

Jun 18 (EN) Sri Lanka’s overheated vehicle market has begun cooling after the Central Bank doubled its benchmark lending rates fuelling leasing rentals sharply, dealers said. Vehicles advertised on-line were quoted at about a million rupees less than a month ago. The asking price of a popular Wagon R 2014 model has come down to around 4 million rupees from five million. Bigger cars are seeing a bigger decline. more..

Jun 18 (DM) The cardiac surgeons and cardiac anesthesiologists at national hospitals have claimed that they have decided to curtail several operations from Monday due to the shortage of drugs and consumables and the fuel crisis. A letter in this regard was issued recently and mentioned that the crisis has continued to escalate. Most petrol and diesel service stations are refusing to give priority to doctors and healthcare staff due to public anger. Therefore, they restricted cardio-thoracic more..

Jun 18 (Island) SJB MP, S.M Marikkarhas called for an investigation on the former CEB Chairman MMC Ferdinando who recently claimed that Prez Rajapaksa had told him that the Indian PM asked him to grant the contract for an energy project to India’s Adani Group. Marikkar said that Sri Lanka would be in deep trouble if India stopped providing fuel. Ferdinando’s claim had already created a diplomatic issue, the SJB MP said. “Now, Ferdinando has resigned but he can’t be more..

Jun 18 (EN) An IMF team will visit crisis-hit SL to discuss on an economic programme and the global lender has reaffirmed its commitment to support the island nation during the ongoing economic crisis in line with the IMF’s policies, a spokesman for the global financial institution said. SL has to re-structure its foreign debt, or make substantial progress before the IMF lends money. The island nation has already hired financial and legal advisors to help SL with debt re-structuring. more..

Jun 18 (DM) All rice varieties should be sold under the govt approved controlled price from tonight, the President of Rice Millers Association Dudley Sirisena said today. Mr Sirisena is also the Chairman of the world renowned Araliya Group of Companies. In a press conference today, he said that all rice millers should release their stocks to the market at the control price. He requested the rice retailers not to accept any stock less than the controlled price with immediate effect. more..

Jun 18 (AD) All govt and govt-approved private schools within the limits of Colombo city will be closed from Monday (20), says the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, M.N. Ranasinghe. The decision was taken in view of the issues that emerged in transportation due to the shortages of fuel. However, all rural schools, which do not face such challenges, are allowed to continue to deliver in-class lessons at the discretion of more..

Jun 18 (NR) Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said the licence of three fuel trucks have been suspended with immediate effect. He said the suspension was enforced by CEYPETCO and Lanka IOC pending further investigations into 3 Incidents reported on social media pertaining to illegally unloading fuel. Meanwhile, LIOC revealed that strict measures will be taken against unethical fuel distribution. A vehicle was seen obtaining jerry cans of fuel directly from a LIOC fuel bowser along Marine Drive. more..

Jun 18 (EN) Stocks posted its worst weekly loss in seven weeks during the week ended on Friday and suffered its third weekly slip as political and economic worries dented investor sentiment, brokers said. The week ended on June 17 saw growing fuel queues forcing the govt to declare restricted public service for two weeks starting from June 20. Analysts said the move will slow the businesses because govt approvals for private sector businesses could face delays due to. more..

Jun 18 (ST) Providing daily healthy meals to patients is becoming a challenge for state hospitals due to cost-cutting measures and supplier issues, leaving patients with no option but to eat whatever is given. Many patients have less visitors and less home cooked meals coming their way due to the prevailing economic crisis. “I have an elderly wife and a sick grownup child at home. Both are unable to come visit me with prepared meals. more..

Jun 18 (ST) Pregnant women are among those badly affected by an acute shortage of vitamins and supplements. Wattala resident I.S. Perera, who is six months pregnant, said that she had not been given iron tablets. A midwife in her area has only been able to issue a few vitamin and calcium pills in May claiming that the batch of pills will expire at the end of the month, she said. Doctors and midwives complain of shortages of nutrition packs given to pregnant women. more..

Jun 18 (AD) All academic programmes including examinations at the Uni of Peradeniya have been temporarily discontinued due to the current crisis situation. Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya Uni, Prof. M.D. Lamawansa announced this in a special notice issued on Friday (17). Accordingly, the academic activities will be carried out online for the time being. The students have been informed to leave the university premises with immediate effect and all hostels will remain closed until further notice. more..

Jun 18 (CI) Sri Lanka produced a stirring victory in game two to level the series thanks to an excellent bowling and fielding display. Australia collapsed under the pressure of a chase to lose 5 for 19 and be bowled out for just 189. It was Sri Lanka's spinners, in the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, who sparked the collapse with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage taking two wickets each before Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera tore through the lower order. more..

Jun 18 (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday chaired a parliamentary consultative committee meeting on the situation in SL and said that there was unanimous support on the need to stand with the neighbouring country in this hour of crisis. Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Minister said, "Chaired a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on the situation in Sri Lanka. A good discussion held in a positive atmosphere on various issues and India's role. more..

Jun 18 (G&M) I recently saw a picture of people lined up for cooking gas in SL. My eyes lingered: The canisters were blue and one of the women was wearing yellow. Was this a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine? Ask me about dysentery in Mariupol or Polish missile orders, about Emmanuel Macron’s neo-Gaullist flexing or the Russian Orthodox Church’s relationship to a jingoistic Kremlin, or about the influence of more..

Jun 18 (CT) Vinuda Gunathilake of Royal College (U-14 open), Desandi Gamage of Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya (U-16 Girls) and young Hasadi Sethumsa of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara (U-8 Girls) won Silver medals at the Western Asian Youth Chess Championships 2022 concluded on Friday in the Maldives. Desandhi scored 5 points out of 7 games, while Vinuda tied for the top spot and claimed the Silver on tie breaking points. Hasadi scored 5 ˝ points out of 7 games in U-8 Girls category. more..

Jun 18 (JS) Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) secretary-general Yohan Lawrence tells Just Style in terms of the value, this is nearly a loss of $125m per month for the next 3 months. A loss of buyers’ confidence in the industry because of the political instability is a real risk, he says. With apparel accounting for on average 40% of SL’s total export revenue, there is an urgent need to maintain buyers’ confidence in the industry adding the perceived threat to the sector has been very damaging. more..

Jun 18 (ST) CEB’s engineers have warned that the passage of the amendment to SL Electricity Act No 20 of 2009 will have serious repercussions on the country’s energy sector. They said the amendment passed by Parliament on Thursday abolishing the purchase of electricity at the lowest price through competitive tenders would increase the unit price of electricity purchased from renewable energy projects. more..

Jun 18 (ST) Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had misused the powers and privileges of his chief ministerial office in the case filed against him over threatening a businessman, Colombo HC Judge Manjula Thilakaratne has noted in his judgement on the case. Attorney General had filed indictments on 15 counts against Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maureen Ranatunga and Naresh Fareek over threatening a businessman – Christian Gerad Mendis and demanding Rs 64 million from more..

Jun 18 (AD) Seven of the suspects arrested over the tense situation at a filling station in Athurugiriya have been remanded until the 20th of June. A total of nine people including a woman were placed under arrest for unruly behaviour amidst a protest at a filling station last night (17). They were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court earlier today. However, the woman in question and her husband were released by the court after ruling that they were not involved in the incident. more..

Jun 18 (CT) Ministry of Commerce has identified 16 essential food items, according to data from SL Customs and Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research & Training Institute, COPA was informed. They are Samba rice, Nadu rice, raw rice, sugar, red lentils, wheat flour, big onions, potatoes and canned fish, milk powder, dried sprats, dried chillies, chickpeas, chicken, fish, and eggs. COPA was also informed that the quantity of rice more..

Jun 18 (DM) President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekera and businessman A.M. Weerasinghe have been chosen to fill the shoes of business magnate Dhammika Perera in several listed entities. Perera last week resigned from all the director boards of the companies controlled by him, in a bid to enter Parliament. Accordingly, with effect from June 16, Amarasekera will serve as Chairman of Royal Ceramics, Vallibel One, Vallibel Power Erathna and Haycarb, whereas. more..

Jun 18 (NR) Trade unionist Ananda Palitha says uncertainty prevails over when the next fuel shipment is due to arrive in the country. Palitha said the duration of power cuts could increase from Monday. He said the clash at the filling station in Athurugiriya last night was a result of fuel bowsers being dispatched outside of what was indicated on the mobile app introduced by the CPC that issues updates on fuel availability. However, Palitha charged that fuel is being distributed outside more..

Jun 18 (ENS) SL is reeling through its worst financial crisis, since 1948, at present total foreign debt stands at $51billion. Amongst the countries who have stood by them in their hour of crisis is India as they have extended humanitarian aid which included food and medicines and also supported them with a $3.5 billion line of credit (LoC) that has enabled them to buy fuel amongst other things. The final shipment from India’s LoC reached Colombo on Thur more..

Jun 18 (DM) Fort Magistrate yesterday ordered police to arrest nine suspects, including Rathindu Senaratne alias Ratta, Wasantha Mudalige and Lahiru Weerasekara for being part of the violent incidents at Fort and Talangama on June 6 and 9 and produce them before courts. Police said B report has been filed in Court against the suspects who were found to have been involved in the violent acts in front of the Police Headquarters and Isurupaya Education Ministry on June 9 & 10. more..