Special Schedule for Schools next week
The Ministry of Education issued a special notice regarding the conduct of schools next week. Rural schools where there is no fuel required for transportation are advised to continue the weekly activities from June 20 to 24 in the coming week as well. Government schools, which did not conduct schools last week, have been instructed to hold only three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Students are also advised to conduct their studies online according to the methodology on non-attendance days. The relevant announcement is as follows.
Fuel Crisis in Sri Lanka – One died Five people were injured due to clashes at Fuel Stations
One of the two young men who were injured in an attack by the employees of a petrol station in the Uduvil area in Jaffna died while receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital on the 23rd. The two men were assaulted by the employees of the petrol station who were angry over the videographing of a petrol station employee giving them fuel under an irregularity while a large number of people were queuing at the petrol station. Selvarathinam Prarasan (23), a resident of Uduvil, Chepamalai Koviladi area in Jaffna, has died after being hospitalized. Jaffna Police have arrested three employees of the petrol station in connection with the murder and are questioning them. Meanwhile, a stabbing incident has taken place at a petrol station in Wellawaya last night (24). Four persons were injured in the stabbing and were admitted to the Wellawaya Base Hospital. A man who was seriously injured in a stabbing incident has been transferred to the Moneragala Hospital. The assailant has fled and Wellawaya Police are conducting further investigations.
A digital identity card for everyone under the age of 15 in Sri Lanka
The government decided to distribute digital IDs for all citizens under the age of 15 in Sri Lanka. The Commissioner-General of the Department of Registration of Public Viani Gunetileke stated that an identity card will be issued as soon as possible. He said the digital identity card would be designed to include biological information, including fingerprints and blood type, in addition to general biographical data.
Dhammika Perera sworn in as Minister of Investment Promotion
Dhammika Perera has been sworn in as the new Minister of Investment Promotion. The swearing in ceremony was held before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House, Fort yesterday afternoon (24). Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath was also present at the moment.
Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final ODI
Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the fifth and final ODI yesterday (24) at the Arpramadasa Cricket Ground. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka scored only 160 runs in the first innings. Chamika Karunaratne (75) and Kusal Mendis (26) were all out for less than 15 runs. The easy target was surpassed by Australia in 39.3 overs. Australia won by 164 runs for 6 wickets with Alex Carey (45) and Marmus (31) leading the way. Dunith Vellalage took 3 wickets and Mahesh Thikshan took 2 wickets to prevent the victory. The ODI series between Sri Lanka and Australia ended 3-2. Sri Lanka has won the tournament because of previous victories.
The detention of the Russian plane is a political conspiracy to prevent the purchase of oil for cheap
The Frontline Socialist Party states that the detention of a Russian plane at the Katunayake airport is a political conspiracy. Education Secretary of the party Pubudu Jayagoda points out that the Minister in charge of the airport is still controlled by a group working under Namal Rajapaksa. He added that there were serious suspicions about the conspiracy while talks were underway to obtain cheaper fuel from Russia. He said this while he was addressing the media in Colombo.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka – Credit card interest increased to 30%
Several commercial banks in Sri Lanka have increased the interest rates charged on credit cards. Accordingly, several banks have announced a 30% interest rate on credit cards. The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decided on April 08 to remove the maximum interest rate caps imposed on credit cards. Following that decision, credit card interest rates have risen from 18% to 24% and have since risen to 30%. Meanwhile, according to the latest reports from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the number of active credit cards in the country stood at 1,973,481 at the end of April this year. The total amount due for these credit cards by the end of April 2022 is Rs. 138,192 million. During the first four months of 2022, the number of active credit cards in the country increased by 46,286 and the total amount of credit cards outstanding was Rs. 4,907 million.
In accordance with the policies of the International Monetary Fund look forward to assisting Sri Lanka – IMF
Representatives appointed by the International Monetary Fund for Sri Lanka met President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. The meeting took place at the President’s House, Fort, Colombo. The representatives will stay in Sri Lanka for a week to study at length the policy and issues relevant to reaching a diplomatic level agreement. They briefed the President on the discussions held with the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank and other economic authorities and experts on the current situation. The representatives stated that they look forward to assisting Sri Lanka in this difficult time in line with the policies of the International Monetary Fund. The President elaborated on the current economic situation and thanked the delegation for their support to Sri Lanka during difficult times. Peter Breuer, Senior Operations Head, International Monetary Fund Chief of Operations Masahiro Nozaki, Resident Agent Dr. Tubagus Feridhanu setyawan, Anne Marie Gulde, Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Department; Alternative Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, Dr. C. Amarasekera participated at the event Also the Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Secretary K.M. Siriwardena, Deputy Finance Secretary MSS Saman Fernando, Deputy Governor TMJYP Fernando ,Director of Department of Economic Research Dr Harischandra were present at this occasion.