News

The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO), on Saturday (Dec.30) issued early landslide warnings for several localities in 5 districts, to be in effect until 02.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Accordingly, a Level 02 (Amber) alert was issued for the following areas:

Badulla – Saranathota and Passara Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) and surrounding areas

Kandy – Ududumbara DSD and surrounding areas

Monaragala – Medagama DSD and surrounding areas Nuwara-Eliya – Hanguranketha and Walapane DSDs and surrounding areas

Meanwhile, Level 01 (Yellow) alerts have been issued for the following areas:

Badulla – Bandarawela, Hali-Ela and Badulla DSDs and surrounding areas

Matale – Laggala Pallegama, Rattota and Naula DSDs and surrounding areas

A Gazette notification has been issued by the Ministry of Sports announcing the temporary suspension of the registration of five National Associations/Federations of Sports.

The Gazette has been issued by Sports Minister Harin Fernando dated December 22, 2023.

The five National Associations/Federations of Sports are;

Sri Lanka Archery Association Sri Lanka Kabbadi Association Sri Lanka Wrestling Federation Sri Lanka Bridge Federation Sri Lanka Roller Skating Association

Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandala Weerasinghe has emphasised the importance of the continuity of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Speaking at a special briefing held this afternoon (29 Dec.), Dr. Weerasinghe explained that the EFF programme should continue for the next four years, under any government, in order to get the debt relief and international financial support required.

He warned that unilateral withdrawal from the IMF-EFF agreement will result in severe implications.

Dr. Weerasinghe was addressing a press briefing convened at the Central Bank premises on the Financial Stability Review (FSR) of 2023.

The CBSL recently released its report on FSR for 2023 which highlighted that although it is expected that the existing macro-financial vulnerabilities would dissipate in the period ahead, with the envisaged improvements in the macroeconomic front, continued advancement along the policy reforms agenda envisaged in the IMF-EFF agreement is essential to direct the economy and the financial system into stable grounds.

In this vein, the report read:

“Any deviation from this path would bring detrimental and irreversible consequences to the financial system and the economy, though moving along this arduous and narrow path is challenging. The instigation and operationalisation of strong and appropriate frameworks that proactively address vulnerabilities and implementation of timely, well sequenced, and consistent policies is also crucial to ensure the stability of the Sri Lankan financial system.

As the economy undergoes a monetary policy easing cycle, the credit cycle is expected to enter an expansionary phase, in which macroprudential concerns could build-up. The Central Bank commits to monitoring these developments closely and implementing necessary policy actions to mitigate systemic risks and ensure financial stability through macroprudential interventions”

The Japanese Finance Ministry has announced that Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki will embark on a visit to Sri Lanka in January 2024, it was reported.

According to foreign media, the Japanese Finance Minister will visit Sri Lanka alongside his tour to Cambodia from 09-12 January.

During these visits, Suzuki aims to address economic challenges and strengthen financial cooperation between Tokyo and the two nations.

The Japanese Finance Minister is set to emphasize the critical need to advance debt restructuring efforts in Sri Lanka.

Suzuki is also reportedly expected to hold talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to Sri Lanka.

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL), announced that it will increase the prices of its alcoholic beverages starting January 1, 2024, citing the recent revision of VAT.

The price hikes will vary based on bottle size:

750ml bottles: Increase of Rs. 90

375ml bottles: Increase of Rs. 50

180ml bottles: Increase of Rs. 20

Cash offerings by devotees to Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devale has dropped by around half after a revelation that its custodians were claiming the gold and cash collections.

Instead, they are now donating to the Apeksha Hospital development fund at the main office of the Devale.

Also, they are not visiting the Maha Devale, but patronizing the Devale behind Kiri Vehera and at Abhinavaramaya.

This follows the order by the attorney general to arrest the chief custodian and his assistant over the disappearance of a gold plate.

Chief custodian Somipala Ratnayake has reportedly gone missing since.

The collection from a till in the past 11 months alone is Rs. 345 million, and the cash offerings could have been a few times higher than that.

theleader.lk

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala as the Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in Sri Lanka.

The announcement, made by the Prime Minister's Office, also introduced Chethiya Goonesekera and K. Bernard Rajapakse as the other esteemed members of the commission.

The newly appointed Chairman, Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served with distinction in the legal field. His expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in steering the commission towards effective and unbiased investigations.

The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that, according to current data, the spread of the new Covid-19 sub-strain JN-1 is minimal in Sri Lanka.

The statement highlighted a consistently low number of reported Covid-19 cases based on tests conducted over the past couple of months.

Veteran advertising professional Harith Gunawardena passed away this morning (28), aged 55.

He was the chairman of state-owned Selacine Television Institute.

In a Christmas message to the nation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged Sri Lankans to embrace the season's true meaning of hope, responsibility, and spiritual transformation.

While acknowledging the festive atmosphere, the President emphasized the importance of remembering the "authentic significance" of Jesus Christ's birth and the theme of "Sharing a meal with the less fortunate."

FULL MESSAGE:

Christmas represents the celebration of hope. “The individuals who traversed in obscurity, burdened with tears and sighs, have witnessed a profound light.” In the pursuit of revitalizing that hope, I extend my wishes for all of us to conscientiously fulfil our responsibilities and duties, fostering a Christmas that instils fresh hopes in our nation.

Amid our celebratory mood, it is crucial to maintain focus on the authentic significance of Jesus Christ’s birth in a manger, encapsulated by the theme “Sharing a meal with the less fortunate.”

Christmas serves as a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ, who, in self-sacrifice on the cross, redeemed humanity from sin. Guided by Christian teachings, we are urged to forgive those who oppose us, those who have wronged us and to relinquish all feelings of animosity and resentment.

While the external festivities of Christmas may be apparent, I posit that its true significance remains elusive unless accompanied by a profound spiritual transformation within us. This year, as we commemorate Christmas amidst a backdrop of numerous challenges burdening our society, I extend an invitation to everyone to unite in shouldering their responsibilities, recognizing the genuine adversities confronting our nation.

I wish you all a blessed and meaningful Christmas!

Ranil Wickremesinghe President Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has issued a special notice to the public looking to purchase mobile phones.

TRCSL’s Deputy Director / Compliance (Consumer Complaints & Consumer/ Public Awareness) Menaka Pathirana has requested the public to check the registration of their mobile phones during purchase.

Pathirane said consumers can verify if the mobile phone is registered with the TRCSL by sending an SMS to 1909 by typing IMEI (The 15-digit IMEI number of the new phone).

She further said that an immediate response SMS will be sent verifying whether or not the mobile phone is authorized by the TRCSL.

Stating that it is essential for new mobile phones to be authorized with the TRCSL, Pathirane added that the verification process will help avoid future issues that could be faced by the consumer.

A meeting was convened recently at the Presidential Secretariat, Chaired by Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff.

The focus of the discussion was on the on-going responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force on the country’s highways, addressing issues related to accidents, fires and crimes.

The conversation delved into the possibility of reassigning these tasks formally, withdrawing the Police Special Task Force from its current duties. The participants explored the creation of an alternative system to handle these responsibilities. Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka emphasized the need for a specific program, urging Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva to spearhead its prompt preparation.

The goal is to ensure a more responsible and formal execution of these tasks, with proper oversight from the Road Development Authority (RDA). During the meeting, Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka instructed officials to develop and submit the program swiftly. In attendance were Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, along with a group of senior officers from the Road Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force. (PMD)