News

The prices of bread and other bakery products are due to increase by Rs.30 and Rs.10, respectively, from midnight today (19).

The price hike comes following the increase in wheat flour.

Earlier today, Prima announced a price hike of Rs.40, making this the second such price hike for this year.

Prima announced a price hike, also of Rs.40, was announced on 19 April.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with the country representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding the current economic crisis in the country.

The discussions with the organizations focused on assistance for the issues facing the supply of medicine, food and fertiliser.

In a statement, the Prime Minister explained that along with meeting the two international financial organisations he has also held discussions with foreign envoys regarding the formation of an international consortium.

While explaining that discussions have been positive, the Prime Minister stated that the Government is facing the immediate challenge of securing funds to pay for the fuel requirement for this coming week. Due to the dollar shortages in the banks, the Government is now exploring other options of securing the necessary funding.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe further stated that the 21st Amendment would be taken up for discussion tomorrow. It will then be presented to Cabinet for approval.

The Prime Minister said that following his meetings over the past two days, he would provide a full explanation of the financial crisis in the country tomorrow (16).

The Education Ministry has declared the 20th of May as a holiday for all government and government-approved private schools.

Schools will re-open on the 6th of June 2022, following the conclusion of the G. C. E. Ordinary Level Examination.

Sri Lanka’s Consul General to Sydney Australia, Lakshman Hulugalle has passed away at the age of 66.

He was being treated at a hospital in Sydney for a medical condition, and his body is due to be brought to the island.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke who were arrested by the CID have been remanded until 25 May.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (18).

They were arrested by the CID yesterday (17) in connection with the attack on the anti-government protest sites in Colombo last Monday (9).

The ongoing islandwide curfew will be lifted for 12 hours tomorrow (14), the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Accordingly, curfew will be lifted at 06:00 am tomorrow, and will be reimposed at 06:00 pm, till 05:00 am on Sunday (15).

An islandwide curfew was imposed at 07:00 pm on Monday (09), after violent protests broke out near Temple Trees, Galle Face and in several other areas across the country.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special statement addressing the nation commenced, a short while ago.

He stated that last Thursday, he had accepted the Premiership of Sri Lanka.

“I did not ask for that position. In the face of the crisis situation in the country, the President invited me to accept this position,” he said.

At this moment, Sri Lanka’s economy is at a very dangerous position, the PM said.

He said that although the last Budget (2022) had forecasted government revenue of Rs. 2,300 billion for 2022, the actual revenue is now Rs. 1,600 billion.

He said government expenditure for the rest of the year is Rs. 3,300 billion, however due to several reasons and extra expenditure it has climbed to Rs. 4,000 billion.

The PM said that the budget deficit is Rs. 2,300 billion or 13% of the GDP.

He added that a decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday to table a proposal in parliament to increase the approved issuance limit of treasury bills from 3,000 billion to 4,000 billion.

He said Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves were USD 7.5 billion in November 2019, however today the treasury is unable to find even one million US dollars.

The Prime Minister said that a relief-based budget will be presented for this year again instead of the development budget already presented.

Wickremesinghe also stated that he proposes to privatize the loss-making national carrier, SriLankan Airlines in order to overcome its losses.

The PM further said that he is reluctantly compelled to print money to pay wages of the public sector.

He added that the government will look into purchasing foreign currency from the open market to pay for three fuel shipments.

lkThe Premier also called for the forming of a National Council or a Political Council with the participation of all parties in order to address and over the crisis situation in the country.

The 10 political parties that quit the previous government and became independent have decided to remain in the opposition and function as an independent group, says MP Wimal Weerawansa.

Speaking during a press briefing today (13), the former minister however stated that they have no intention of sabotaging any administration that is established under the new prime minister.

“We do not intend to sabotage the administration that will be established, or refrain from supporting any good this it does, or to engage in hate politics,” the leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) said.

“Therefore, all the members belonging to the 10-party alliance will remain in the opposition as an independent group and support the good steps of the government. But we will not allow the country to become anarchic,” he added.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that as long as PM Ranil Wickremesinghe works to “rescue the country from the abyss” they would extend their support while remaining in the opposition.

“This country needs a government. We will not make any attempt to topple the government,” the former minister said.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s Parliamentary Group has unanimously decided extend support to the Government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on decisions taken for the betterment of the country and to uplift the country.

The SJB said it would provide its support towards the Parliamentary process on the said matters, and would NOT obtain any position in government.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed duties this morning at The Prime Minister’s Office. Addressing the staff, the Prime Minister stated that his sole purpose as Premier was to ensure the recovery of the country’s economy.

The Prime Minister held preliminary talks with foreign envoys representing India (His Excellency Gopal Bagley) Japan (His Excellency Mizukoshi Hideaki), United States of America (Her Excellency Julie J. Chung) and China (His Excellency Yi Xianliang).

Discussions with the Indian High Commissioner focused on the measures being taken for economic recovery, while the High Commissioner promised to continue to assist Sri Lanka.

The Japanese envoy also pledged their continued support towards the stabilisation of Sri Lanka’s economy. The Japanese Ambassador to visit Tokyo tomorrow.

Both envoys discussed the measures being taken to gather support from other foreign nations to help the Sri Lanka’s economy.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe discussed the upcoming visit of the U.S’ treasury team with the U.S. Ambassador. The meeting also broached on the subject of the 19th Amendment and the strengthening of the oversight committees in Parliament.

The Chinese Ambassador, when meeting Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, expressed his country’s willingness to continue to support Sri Lanka while also pledging to review existing assistance provided to the country.

The Prime Minister also spoke to the British High Commissioner (Her Excellency Sarah Hulton) prior to her departure back to the U.K. She was scheduled to brief the British Government on the situation in Sri Lanka.

Separately an emergency meeting was held with the attendance of former Ministers Kanchana Wijesekara and Susil Premajayantha along with Sagala Ratnayake and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Discussions focused on the prevailing energy crisis in the country and the measures that can be taken to ease the burden on the public.

Nation-wide Curfew will be imposed from 11 PM on Monday (16) to 5 AM on Tuesday (17), said the President’s Media Division amending the previously imposed curfew period from 8 PM on Monday (16) to 5 AM on Tuesday (17).

The Ministry of Education said that all schools in the country will re-open on Tuesday (17)

Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that discussions are underway regarding the release of Ranjan Ramanayake who is currently imprisoned.

He was speaking at a media briefing at the Sirikotha party headquarters.

Kariyawasam said as those who have committed graver acts have been released, the request for Ramanayake’s release is very reasonable.