Sri Lanka devalues Rupee to Rs. 230/- per USD

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power cuts for Friday (10).Groups PQRSTUVW:1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups ABCDEFGHIJKL:2 1/2 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM1 hour & 15 min from 6 PM to 11 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Tensions erupted at the Sri Lankan Parliament on Thursday (10) over the absence of the country’s Finance Minister to address the crises affecting the island nation.Lakshman Kiriella, the Chief Opposition Whip representing the Samagi Jana Balavegaya stressed that it is the Parliament that decides on the finances, and yet, the Finance Minister has not made any comment to the house since the 10th of December 2021.He said almost all the sectors in Sri Lanka have been financially affected, and the absence of the Finance Minister to address these concerns can only mean that the country is bankrupt.Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Leader of the House demanded the MP withdraw these comments noting that the Finance Minister had in fact visited Parliament after the 2021 Budget debate.Responding to requests to summon the Finance Minister, the Speaker said he as the Chair of Parliament has no right to summon an MP or Ministers, adding that if an MP is absent from Parliament for more than three months, disciplinary action will be taken.Dr. Harsha De Silva, from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, pointed out that the country’s foreign obligations are far greater than the foreign reserves maintained by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and this in fact means the country is bankrupt.“We warned you to restructure the debt before servicing 500 Million Dollars.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka will again impose power cuts on Thursday (10), and the schedule announced by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka is as follows:Groups P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W:1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L:2 1/2 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM1 hour & 15 min from 6 PM to 11 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda on Thursday (10) recused himself considering the application filed by Ex-Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, Shani Abeysekera.Former director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Shani Abeysekera had filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka requesting an interim injunction preventing his arrest or detention again by the CID.Abeysekera, the Former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department, in his application sought an interim order preventing any attempt to arrest him based on the content of the B report produced to the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court on charges that include the failure to properly investigate Zaharan Hashim, who led the suicide bomb attacks on 21st April 2019.This application was called up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices S.

The rules around visiting loved ones in long-term care have changed many times throughout the pandemic. The provincial government made the most recent change in February and announced every resident would be allowed two approved visitors.

homelessness.Luke Thiessen, communications manager at Siloam Mission, says as COVID-19 restrictions lift, they’re getting a clearer picture of the impact the pandemic has had on the homeless population.“For a while, the challenges around social distancing and some of those health measures made it hard to tell exactly where things were going,” Thiessen told Global News.“As we’re lifting (restrictions), we’re seeing very tangibly the difficulties in more people needing services, mental health challenges that have come out of this, and overall health challenges. There’s just lots of ways we’re seeing that come together.” Winnipeg’s Siloam Mission takes next step in relationship with Indigenous community Siloam Mission expanded its bed capacity just a few months into the pandemic, and Thiessen says this winter brought about the most demand they’ve seen yet.“For awhile we had extra space, and this winter is when that headroom – we lost that completely,” he said.“We filled right up this winter in a way that we didn’t last winter.

Linsey Godfrey is so relieved to finally have a grasp on her mental health.

New York (News 1st); New Fortress Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NFE) issued a statement following a favorable ruling on Friday, March 4, by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.Having considered the merits of all the fundamental rights petitions filed seeking to halt NFE’s development of natural gas power solutions in Sri Lanka, the Court fully dismissed the petitions without further hearing.NFE and The Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (“GOSL”) executed a definitive agreement in September 2021 whereby NFE will invest in energy infrastructure in Sri Lanka and develop a new LNG Terminal off the coast of Colombo.NFE will have gas supply rights to the Kerawalapitya Power Complex and will initially provide GOSL an estimated 1.2 million gallons per day of LNG (~ 35,000 MMBtu) to supply both the currently operational 310 MW Yugadanavi Power Plant and an additional 350 MW (the Sobadanavi Power Plant) which is expected to commence operations in 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry says that the government will pay an extra premium of Rs. 20/- for US dollar converted into rupees by expatriate workers.The Finance Ministry said this decision was made to further encourage remittances by migrant workers during the Sinhala Tamil New Year Season.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Government has decided to restrict imports in the short term under three separate methods.The Department of Government Information said that the Sri Lankan Government decided to restrict imports for a short period to manage the present economic situation.In the first method, taxes will be imposed on selected imports.In the second method, it would be made mandatory to obtain permits for selected imports.In the third method, it would be made mandatory to obtain permits for selected imports, and such products will be subject to taxes.The import restriction gazette will be published by the government on Wednesday (9).

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Government has issued an extraordinary gazette notification restricting the imports of a series of non-essentials.The Department of Government Information said that the Sri Lankan Government decided to restrict imports for a short period to manage the present economic situation.In the first method, taxes will be imposed on selected imports.In the second method, it would be made mandatory to obtain permits for selected imports.In the third method, it would be made mandatory to obtain permits for selected imports, and such products will be subject to taxes.The import restriction gazette will be published by the government on Wednesday (9). 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils, and Local Government has issued a circular with regard to electricity consumption as state premises.

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

COLOMBO (News 1st); 27 Sri Lankans continue to remain in Ukraine and have expressed their unwillingness to leave, revealed Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Professor G. L.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Civil Air Transport Wing of Sri Lanka Air Force, Helitours was certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to provide domestic civil passenger & cargo transport facilities after full filling the necessary requirements recently.The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was handed over by Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer to the Air Vice Marshal Prasanna Payoe, the Chief Executive Officer of Helitours.The entry of Helitours to the Sri Lanka air transport industry will be a catalyst to the national economy through the tourism industry.The Application submitted by Helitous was scrutinized by the Civil Aviation Inspectors of CAASL by considering the organizational structure, availability of qualified & well-trained staff, instruments/ equipment, and other required facilities & documents for the certification under the guidance of Capt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several Parliamentarians from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Sri Lanka’s main opposition faction, visited the Central Bank on Wednesday (9) to meet with Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.“Our meeting was strictly professional and not political,” said Dr. Harsha De Silva who attended the meeting, adding that the main focus was highlighting the suffering of the people in the present day.The Central Bank officials believe that the issue is short-term, and had no intention of moving towards the International Monetary Fund or other agencies to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, said the MP.“The Central Bank officials are of the view that the issues will be short-lived and can be solved by obtaining more loans from China and other lending countries,” he added.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power cuts for Tuesday (8).Groups PQRSTUVW:2 hours from 8 AM to 5 PM1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups E & F: 5 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM2 1/2 hours from 6 PM to 11 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has delivered its determination to the Parliament on the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill.The determination read out by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is as follows:Clause 2 of the Bill is NOT inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 3 of the Bill cannot be enacted into law unless the number of votes cast in favor amounts not less than 2/3 of the whole number of members, including those not present, as per the constitution.The Supreme Court is however of the view that if the provisions of Clause 3 of the bill are amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court, it would ease to be inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 4 of the Bill, the Supreme Court states that be that as it may, the learned Additional Solicitor General had informed the court that the Attorney General would be advising the Minister to insert article 141 into the body of the proposed section 10 in Clause 4 of the Bill and the Minister would move that amendment at the Parliament Committee stage to address the concerns of the petitioners.Clause 5 of the Bill, for the reason mentioned in the determination of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court holds that Clause 5 is NOT inconsistent with any provision of the constitution.Clause 6 of the Bill, the Supreme Court holds that it cannot inquire into pronounce upon or in any manner called into question, the validity of section 11 of the PTA on any grounds whatsoever, in terms of article 83 of the constitution.Clause 10 of the Bill, the Supreme Court holds that if amended as set out in the determination of the Supreme Court would cease to be inconsistent with any provision of the

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued an extraordinary gazette amending the Duties and Functions of the State Minister of Defence, State Minister of Disaster Management, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities have announced that power cuts will be imposed on Wednesday (9).Groups ABCDEFGHIJ:2 1/2 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM 1 hr & 15 min from 6 PM to 11 PMGroups PQRSTUVW:2 hours from 9 PM to 5 PM1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to convene the Economic Council on a weekly basis with the objective of accelerating the economic growth in the country through the management of the entire economy by thoroughly discussing the local economic policies including macroeconomic policies, the behavior of the national economy after Covid – 19 pandemic situation, economic restructuring as well as the major development projects that directly affect the economic policies and financial policies of the government.The Cabinet of Ministers decided to grant their concurrence to the measures to be taken by the President to let implement the decisions taken by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Statutory institutions when necessary subject to the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers followed by the instructions and guidance of that Board as well as to invite intellects with esteem/standard in the respective fields as required for the meetings of the Economy board.Accordingly, the composition of the Economic Council is comprised as follows.• His Excellency the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksha (Chairman)• Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa• Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardhana• Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando• Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksha• Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage• Minister of Plantation Ramesh Pathirana• Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal• Secretary to the President Gamini Senerath• Secretary to the Treasury S. R.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to increase the incentive allowance of migrant workers from Rs. 10/- per USD to Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S.

Covid-19 can damage the brain and addle thinking, scientists found in a study that highlights the illness’s alarming impact on mental function.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Rajith has called on the support of the UHNRC to intervene to uncover the truth behind the Easter Sunday Attacks of 2019 and mete out justice to the victims.“The Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on the 21st of April 2019 claimed the lives of 269 people including 82 children, and 47 foreign nationals belonging to 14 nations and injured more than 500 others,” said His Eminence to the 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.He said the first impression of the massacre was that it was purely the work of a few Islamist extremists. However, subsequent investigations indicate that this massacre was part of a grand political plot, he added.The Head of the Catholic Church said that despite repeated requests the incumbent government of Sri Lanka has failed to mete out justice to the victims.“Instead of uncovering the truth behind the attack and prosecuting those responsible, there are attempts to harass and intimate those who call for justice,” he said.His Eminence also noted that “as a result nearly three years after the horrendous crime were are still in the dark as to what really happened on that Easter Sunday.”“As this is a serious violation of the fundamental rights of the aggrieved victims, we earnestly call upon the UNHRC and its member countries to support the continuation of evidence gathering initiated by the council last year and to devise the means to ensure an impartial investigation to unravel the truth behind the Easter Sunday massacre,” he noted.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The state-of-the-art cement manufacturing facility of Lanwa Sanstha Cement Corporation (Pvt) Ltd., was inaugurated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (7).A BOI venture, the Lanwa Sanstha facility spread across 63 acres is located in Hambantota’s Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone, and saw an investment of US $ 100 Mn.The total capacity of the plant would be 4mn MT per annum and is one of the largest such facilities in the whole of South Asia.The President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also placed the foundation stone for the proposed steel factory at the premises which will cover 250 acres, with an investment of US $ 400 Mn.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Madura Vithanage had led a protest opposite the Samagi Jana Balavegaya office premises on Monday (7).News 1st correspondents said that the MP led a group demanding to know what the former government did for the people when they were in power.It was reported that eggs were also hurled at the SJB office premises while placards were posted on the vehicles parked there as well.News 1st correspondents said that following the tense situation, the group dispersed from the premises.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A tense situation was reported at the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located at the Ceylinco House premises in Colombo.According to reports, a power cut had disrupted the functions of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (7) morning.A large number of people who visited the premises for various services have been inconvenienced due to the power cut.Commander Chameera Ranaweera, the coordinating officer to the Foreign Secretary speaking to News 1st that the tense situation was NOT caused by the Foreign Ministry, adding that Ceylinco House is owned by several parties, following a dispute between two parties one party had suspended the supply of power to the premises.Sri Lanka Police was called into the premises to control the situation and bring about a solution, he added.Commander Chameera Ranaweera said that he expects the power supply to be restored within an hour, following discussions with those concerned.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Nadungamuwa Raja, the majestic tusker that carried the sacred tooth relic during the annual Kandy Esala perahera, has died.This was confirmed to News 1st by the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.Nadungamuwa Raja was one of the most protected tuskers in Sri Lanka, having his own security details when traveling to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.Nadungamuwa Raja, was a celebrated elephant towering around 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) in height, the tallest tamed tusker in Sri Lanka.There are two regular handlers with Raja in addition to the military unit deployed to clear a path for the animal when it navigates crowded country roads.Raja is a national treasure because he is one of the few tuskers chosen to carry a casket of Lord Buddha’s relics in an annual pageant at the most sacred Buddhist shrine on the island, the Temple of the Tooth.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved the Ceylon Electricity Board’s request for power cuts on Monday (7).Groups PQRSTUVW:2 hours from 9 AM to 5 PM1 hour from 5 PM to 9 PMGroups E & F:5 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM2 1/2 hours from 6 PM to 11 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board has announced a Power Cut Management schedule, in event the CEB in unable to meet the demand of electricity for Monday (7).

COLOMBO (News 1st); When a Sri Lankan Minister who is a US citizen, negotiates with the United States on behalf of Sri Lanka, it goes beyond reasonable doubt that he will stand for the United States than Sri Lanka, as his property and family are in America, and he can easily return back without consequences after his tenure ends, says former Minister Udaya Gammanpila.Participating in the News 1st ’10 questions’ program, the former Minister alleged that although he did not protest against the 20th amendment when it was introduced, he stated that he fought for the East Terminal of the Colombo Port not to be handed over to foreign investors in the Cabinet.He said that the solutions presented by him to address the crises in Sri Lanka were disregarded as well.He further alleged that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who he dubbed as ‘The Ugly American’ was behind the New Fortress LNG deal, as well as the investments behind the East Container Terminal.The former Minister also said that the Finance Minister wants to take the country to a point where the economy is collapsed, food shortage is imminent alonfg wiith medicine and fuel.He warned that due to these actions at a certain point national assets must be sold to the United States to feed Sri Lankans.Watch the Full Program Here ;

COLOMBO (News 1st); Misleading statements lead to public panic, warned Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday (5).President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has made it clear that he has taken the necessary steps to drive the country towards development, said the prime ministers while noting that all public servants, not only himself and the ministers & mps, must work towards realizing these goals.“The topic discussed in recent days was the fuel crisis. In fact, there was NO fuel crisis,” he said, adding that misleading statements claiming that fuel reserves would only last for four days led to mass panic.He said that during his administration, at time fuel reserves would last only a day, however, shipments were ordered and what only remained to do at the time was to unload the shipments and deliver.The Prime Minister said that statements made with less experience in politics led to mass panic among the people, leading to long queues for fuel across the country.“We are changing that situation.

It wasn’t unexpected, but Metro Vancouver drivers are still shocked to see gas prices over $2.00 per litre in some places.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with members of the Ukrainian community in Toronto on Friday as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. “Canada stands with Ukraine.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The resolution which was adapted at the United Nations Human Rights Council is in direct contradiction to the council’s founding principals, including impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, which goes beyond the mandate of the council, says the Foreign Minister Prof. G.L.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada will continue to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” as Russia’s invasion of the country enters its second week.

Tim Hortons Brier have yet to make the trip to Lethbridge, Alta., after testing positive for COVID-19 on their pre-departure PCR tests, Curling Canada said Friday in a statement.Each competitor plays on a different team, the federation said, without identifying any of the athletes. The players remain in isolation in their respective hometowns.Round-robin play was scheduled to begin Friday night at the Enmax Centre.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Michelle Bachelet, the UN Human Rights Commissioner has said that the current Sri Lankan Government has not only demonstrated its unwillingness to pursue accountability, but it has also incorporated military officials implicated in alleged war crimes into the highest levels of government, reinforcing a narrative of impunity.“There have been some recent signs of increased engagement by the government with OHCRH and certain steps to initiate reform,” she told the 11th meeting of the 49th session of the Human Rights Council.The proposal to amend some provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and release some detainees under the act are welcome initial steps, she said adding that she encourages the government to take further steps to address the fundamental problems with the PTA, as well as undertake legal, institutional, and security sector reforms that are critically needed to put an end to impunity and prevent any recurrence of past violations.“Regrettably, the past year has also seen further obstruction and setbacks to accountability.

A recent study by U.S. Government Accountability Office has elaborated on the syndrome and here is what we know about it: 

Impact Wrestling star Heath takes to the ring on Saturday night at the company's Sacrifice PPV, it will be the end of a long, long journey for the 38-year-old.Just two years ago, at the start of the pandemic, he was released from WWE, having spent more than a decade with the company.Once his no-compete clause with the company ended, he joined Impact Wrestling.But as much as his signing was heralded, he quickly found himself on the sidelines with an injury which would keep him out for almost a year.And it happened just hours after officially signing a long-term contract with the company.He exclusively told the Daily Star this week: “I'm looking good, I'm jacked and I'm feeling good. “And then next thing you know, I got hurt injured – out for a whole damn year.“I'm on my ass, you know, depressed, sad, mad, but you can't let it consume you, because once it does, you know, it's like life, life will beat you up and keep you on the ground if you let it.“You got to get up, you got to fight that.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said power cuts will be imposed for Saturday (5) and Sunday (6).Saturday (5) :Groups P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W:3 hours from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM1 hour from 6 PM to 10 PMGroups E & F :4 hours from 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM3 hours from 4.30 PM to 10.30 PM.Sunday (6)2 hours and 30 minutes from 9 AM to 4.30 PM ONLY for areas A,B,C.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerawansa on Friday (4) revealed that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa wanted to become President even before Gotabaya Rajapaksa was nominated as the candidate for the President of the country.“Basil Rajapaksa wanted to use the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as his personal property to realize his intentions of becoming president,” Weerawansa told reporters in Colombo, in his first-ever briefing after he and Udaya Gammanpila were stripped of their ministerial portfolios on Thursday (3) evening.He said that as the group that created the call for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s return, it was opined that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was most suitable to be the candidate if Mahinda Rajapaksa did not wish to contest.“We worked on that premise and that itself posed challenges to Basil Rajapaksa’s dreams of becoming President,” revealed Weerawansa, adding that Basil Rajapaksa eventually had to accept in a disgruntled manner that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Presidential Candidate.Wimal Weerawansa also said that after Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated on the 8th of January 2015, Basil Rajapaksa had met with then-President Rajapaksa and requested for the post of Opposition Leader.“However, Mahinda Rajapaksa did not want to do that.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The FR application by former JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti noting that the fundamental rights of the people were violated as they did not receive benefits after the state decided to slash the taxes imposed on imported sugar, will be taken up on the 27th of June 2022 at the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka also granted the petitioner permission to amend the petition to include Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa as a respondent in the application.The FR application was called up in the presence of Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, Murdhu Fernando, and Yasantha Kodagoda on Friday (4).Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Finance Secretary, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Secretary to the President, the Sugar Importers, the Attorney General among others were named as respondents.Sunil Handunneththi filed a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court claiming that the state incurred an Rs.15.9 Bn loss due to the reduction of taxes on imported sugar.Further, the petitioner requests the Supreme Court to order Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the respondents to take necessary measures to recover the losses and to recover Rs. 500 million as compensation.The petitioner stated that the government has incurred a loss of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court decided to dismiss all the petitions filed seeking to quash the Cabinet’s decision to transfer 40% of the government-owned shares of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant to U.S. Company New Fortress Energy.The Supreme Court had made the decision to dismiss all the petitions without taking them up for examination as well.The petitions were dismissed by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Vijith Malalgoda, LTB Dehideniya.Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya had noted that the five-judge bench had no intention to examine these applications, and the decision to dismiss them was made after considering all the facts that were presented in favor and against the applications.Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thero, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, General-Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sunil Handunnetti and Wasantha Samarasinghe from the JPV, Trade Unions, and multiple other groups filed the five petitions with the Supreme Court.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers, West Coast Power Pvt.