News

India has surpassed China to become the world’s most populous country with 142.86 crore people, said the United Nation.

China’s population dipped in the last year for the first time since 1960, when millions starved to death under the disastrous agricultural policies of former leader Mao Zedong.

According to the United Nations Population Funds’ (UNPF) report, India’s population is at 1,428.6 million or 1.4286 billion against 1.4257 billion for China.

The United States is a distant third, with an estimated population of 340 million, the data showed.

China is witnessing a decline in the birthrate and its workforce is also ageing. Several regions in China have announced plans to boost birth rates — but official efforts have so far failed to reverse the decline.

On the other hand, India has no recent data on its population as the last census was conducted in 2011. In India, the census is done every 10 years. It was due to be held in 2021 but had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

India Becomes World’s Most Populous Country: Top Points

Nearly 1/4th of India’s population is under the age of 14.

68 per cent of the population is in the 15 to 64 age group.

While 7 per cent is above the age of 65.

India’s population is expected to keep rising for nearly three decades before it peaks at 165 crore and then would start declining.

The new UN report also estimated that the global population will have hit 8.045 billion by mid-2023.

Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganesan has admitted having initiated an effort to bring the UNP and the SJB under one umbrella.

Together with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, he has spoken to both president Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

“We suspended the initiative when SJB failed to respond,” Ganesan tweeted.

“But the subject of ‘premiership’ never popped-up in our discussion,” the TPA leader added.

Meanwhile, in a statement on the same subject, he dismissed claims by certain media that the president had offered, through him, the premiership to Premadasa.

Ganesan added that he was not a messenger, but will play the role of a mediator in talks with honest intentions.

The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera is to submit a Cabinet paper for the appointment of a committee to look into the request made by China for toque monkeys from Sri Lanka for their zoos.

Amaraweera noted that although a request has been made from China for toque monkeys from Sri Lanka, no final decision has been made in this regard.

He said a Chinese company that handles several private zoological gardens made a request to provide monkeys from Sri Lanka for their zoos, adding however that a committee comprising representatives from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoological Gardens, Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture will be appointed to inspect into the relevant request. “Toque monkeys will only be exported to China based on the recommendation of the sub committee appointed by the Cabinet. If the committee decides otherwise, then this matter will be put to an end,” he said.

State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya involved in an accident April 16, 2023 at 8:00 PM

An accident had occurred on the Kegalle-Avissawella main road in the Vandala area of Ruwanwella, involving the luxury jeep carrying State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

The incident occurred in close proximity to the state minister’s residence, with five individuals, including the state minister, inside the vehicle at the time of the collision.

The security officer of the state minister was reportedly injured during the accident and subsequently admitted to a nearby hospital.

Meanwhile, it is understood that the state minister is too is presently being treated at the Karavanella Base Hospital for minor injuries sustained in the crash. The jeep is said to have veered off the road and collided with a wall.

The Galle Face Green will only be allowed to be utilised for religious activities from Thursday (20) onwards.

This has been decided by the Cabinet of Ministers who met last evening (17).

Accordingly, musical shows, political meetings and mass gatherings except for religious events at the Galle Face Green will not be allowed.

The Ministry of Education announced today (17) that all Government schools will reopen as planned.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has stated that it will not issue letters for admission to intermediate classes because a new circular regarding admission to intermediate classes in national schools will be issued on 20 April 2023.

Former Sri Lankan Attorney General Dappula De Livera has been summoned to the Terrorist Investigations Division on Wednesday (19) morning to record a statement.

Earlier on Tuesday (18), Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Attorney General was informed to record a statement from Former Attorney General Dappula De Livera over a statement he made over the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks days ahead of his retirement.

He said there was a certain degree of scepticism surrounding the investigations following a statement made by Former AG Dappula De Livera, where the latter said “There is a Grand Conspiracy with regard to the 2019 April Attacks.”

The Justice Minister said the Former Attorney General made the comment days ahead of his retirement, and noted that Dappula De Livera as the Attorney General at the time should have summoned the Police and ordered them to conduct further investigations if the level of inquiry was insufficient.

He also said that the Former Attorney General was empowered to go to the Magistrate's Court and make submissions claiming that certain personnel are connected to it, and secure the necessary orders from the Magistrate's Court.

The Justice Minister said the present Attorney General was informed to record a statement from the Former Attorney General to determine on what information did the latter make the comments, why he made such a statement.

In early May 2021, Former Attorney General Dappula De Livera said “There is a Grand Conspiracy with regard to the 2019 April Attacks.”

He noted that evidence and Intelligence material and relevant pieces of information must be carefully evaluated in order to reach a conclusion on the leadership with regard to the 2019 April 21st Attacks.

The Former Attorney General added that the information by the State Intelligence Service with times, targets, places, method of attacks and other information is clear evidence there was a Grand Conspiracy in place.

Air Seychelles has announced that it will commence twice-weekly flights from Mahe to Colombo, starting in June.

The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart on June 20, 2023, at 22.05 and arrive in Colombo four hours later.

The airline’s Airbus A320 Neo aircraft will serve the route with 12 business class and 156 economy class seats.

Charles Johnson, Air Seychelles’ chief commercial officer said the new route will link Seychelles with Sri Lanka, providing excellent opportunities for tourism, medical treatment, and trade.

The airline’s partnership with SriLankan Airlines will also allow travelers to purchase a single ticket for travel beyond Colombo to various destinations in Asia, which will considerably reduce travel times and offer competitive prices.

The service will provide more than 20 connections through a future partnership with SriLankan Airlines, allowing for convenient one-stop connections to several destinations in India, Bangladesh, and popular tourist spots such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Sandy Benoiton, acting chief executive officer, believes that the new destination will enhance the airline’s regional service and improve connectivity to Southeast Asia and beyond.

To mark the launch of the new flights, Air Seychelles is offering a special web promotion from SCR 6,800 until April 25, 2023, for travel between June 20 and September 30, 2023, subject to seat availability.

Carmi Karunanayake, the beloved mother of former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake, passed away today (17), aged 82.

Her remains will lie at the A.F. Raymond funeral parlour, 115, D.S.Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 08 from 1 pm to 10 pm on April 18, and from 10 am on April 19.

She is the wife of Tissa Karunanayake (deceased), mother of Ravi and Saliya, mother-in-law of Mela and Muddi, sister of T.D.S. Dissanayake, Rani and Indrani and grandmother of Onella, Shenella, Minella and Thiyaan.

Mrs. Karunanayake also served as a coordinator for parliamentary affairs to former president J.R. Jayawardena.

Cortege will leave the funeral parlour at 4 pm on Wednesday (19) for cremation at 4.30 pm at the Borella Kanatte (New Gas Crematorium).

New Year Message : President Ranil Wickremesinghe

The dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year subsequent to the transition of the Sun from the house of Pisces to Aries, is considered as an extremely momentous occasion by the Sinhala and Tamil communities in the country.

On this propitious celebration, people traditionally engage in observing New Year customs at stipulated auspicious times, with the wish of securing abundant prosperity.

Last year, amidst the unprecedented economic crisis which disrupted our daily lives, we partook in the New Year rituals with untold hardship and was confined to a struggle in alleviating from this adversity.

However, I am gratified that the commencement of this year has presented a salubrious environment for us all, and therefore we should strive to be more affluent and prosperous, than today. We can undoubtedly achieve this aspiration by unitedly moving forward as one Sri Lankan nation. Accordingly, despite differences in political affiliation, ethnicity and religion, a fresh beginning is imperative to create a brighter future for us and our nation, in this New Year.

I wish all Sri Lankans here and abroad a happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Ranil Wickremesinghe

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Power and Energy says that it will arrive at a decision today (April 17), on whether to maintain the increased fuel quota in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season or not.

The government had taken measures to increase the existed fuel quota under the QR code system with effect from midnight on April 04.

Earlier, it had reportedly been decided to revise the fuel quotas back to the previous quantities from tomorrow (April 18).

The government had taken steps to increase three-wheel quotas from 5 litres to 8 litres, motorcycles from 4 litres to 7 litres, buses from 40 litres to 60 litres, cars from 20 litres to 30 litres, land vehicles from 15 litres to 25 litres, lorries from 50 litres to 75 litres, quadric cycle from 4 litres to 6 litres, special purpose vehicles from 20 litres to 30 litres and vans from 20 litres to 30 litres.

However, the Ministry of Power and Energy stated that a decision had not been arrived so far on whether the fuel quotas are to be revised back or not.

The Sri Lanka Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs officially confirmed the cancellation of the gazette notification dated April 1st, 2022. Considering this, Asia Rugby has made the prudent decision to reinstate Sri Lanka Rugby as a full member of Asia Rugby.

During its meeting on April 9th, 2022, in Phuket, Thailand, the Asia Rugby Executive Committee (EXCO) temporarily suspended Sri Lanka Rugby’s membership. On May 1st, 2022 EXCO unanimously ratified the decision and imposed a full membership suspension.

Asia Rugby President Qais al Dhalai stated, “The EXCO’s decision to suspend Sri Lanka Rugby’s membership was made in accordance with Asia Rugby’s Articles and Regulations to maintain our principles of equality, transparency and accountability. I am pleased to hear about the withdrawal of the gazette notification, making it possible for Asia Rugby to lift the suspension.”

Qais further added, “We look forward to welcoming Sri Lanka teams back to Asia Rugby competitions.”