The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue the consular section will be operating as usual
It has been decided to open the consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as usual from Monday. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the department will be kept open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. It is said that this decision has been taken due to the huge demand for consular services. Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that regional consular offices located in Jaffna, Matara, Kandy, Trincomalee and Kurunegala are open 5 days a week.
All the transportation will be stopped throughout the country from Monday
Mr. Gemunu Wijeratne, President of Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association, says that there is a risk that private bus services will be completely stopped throughout the island from Monday (04) due to a lack of fuel for bus services. He informs that last week he at least made up for the shortfalls due to the release of fuel from the SLTB depot for public transport, but by now it has reached an insufficient level. He said that only 05% of private buses were plying on Saturday. As reported, the SLTB buses will operate as normal. But it may not be enough for island-wide traffic. The transportation facilities needed by the employees coming to run the train have been hampered due to problems.
What is happening in Sri Lanka?- The Token system for fuel is no more valid- Electricity and Energy Minister
Electricity and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that the token system that was introduced in the provision of fuel was a temporary one related only to the 23rd and 24th of June and is no longer valid. Attending the special press conference held today (03), the minister said that the decision was taken on those days to prevent people from staying near filling stations without fuel. It is said that it will be abolished in the background because the token has become a business near the IOC petrol stations.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka- Some people in the North try to migrate illegally
51 people who tried to migrate illegally from the country in the sea area east of Trincomalee have been taken into custody by the Navy. Among them are 5 women and 5 children. They are residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Gampaha and Ratnapura. Meanwhile, 25 people who tried to go abroad illegally by boats were also arrested in the Marawila area. They are from the Batticaloa area.
The railway ticket fee will be increased this month
Railway General Manager Mr. Dhamimka Jayasundara said that the railway ticket fee will increase up to 40% of the bus fare this month as the Cabinet has approved it. The General Manager mentioned that it is expected that by increasing the ticket fee, the loss of the Railway Department will be reduced by 6 billion rupees. He said that currently the train ticket fare is increased by around 20% compared to the bus fare. The General Manager said that due to the existing ticket charges, the Railway Department is making a loss of 30 million rupees per day. The daily expenditure of the railway department on fuel is 45 million rupees.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka -The water supply stopped in a few urban areas including kolonnawa and Rajagiriya
The water supply to many areas including Kolonnawa and Rajagiriya has suddenly broken since morning today (03). The National Water Supply and Drainage Board stated that it was caused by a sudden collapse of the main pipeline supplying water to Colonna. Due to this, the water supply to Kolonnawa Municipal Council area, Nawala Road, related side roads, Nawala Open University and surrounding areas had broken down. The Water Supply Board expressed confidence that the water supply will be restored today.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka-Doller shortage is not the main reason behind medicine shortage in the country- Auditor General
The latest report issued by the Auditor General has revealed that the main reason for the shortage of medicines in the country is not the lack of exchange. In his report, the Auditor General points out that the lack of exchange is only the proximate cause of the lack of supply of medicines. The Auditor General points out in his report that there has been a shortage of medicines due to;Failure to properly update and improperly use the computer system installed to manage medical supplies Lack of proper coordination and linkage between the Ministry of Health Ministry of State, Department of Medical Supplies, Drug Regulatory Corporation and State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation Also, the Auditor General observed that the lack of a process to constantly monitor the progress and performance of the drugs ordered has led to the shortage of drugs in the legalized drug corporation. It is said that the shortage of medicines has also been caused by not placing orders according to a procurement schedule for many years These facts have been revealed by the Auditor General’s special audit report on the measures taken to avoid the shortage of drugs and shortages in government hospitals by May 13, 2022. In his report, the Auditor General points out that the lack of proper coordination between the institutions entrusted with the responsibility of providing essential medicines and the inefficiency of those institutions have led to this situation.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-Minister of Power and Energy resign from his post?
Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera of the Minister of Power and Energy states that he is ready to hand over his ministry to someone who can do it better. He said this while addressing a press conference at his ministry. He said that since Sri Lanka has been declared as a debt-free state, the supply of fuel has become very problematic He also mentions that many suppliers ask for a certificate from a foreign bank when going to buy fuel from Sri Lanka. He further mentioned that there is a situation where no supplier is coming forward for the tenders to supply fuel for Sri Lanka.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-The government will have to increase the electricity bills of low-income earners
The Public Utilities Commission has informed the government that an amount of 65 billion rupees is needed per year to subsidize the electricity bills of low-income earners. The commission has also mentioned that if this amount is not received, the electricity bills of low-income earners will have to be permanently increased. Currently, the number of low-income families using less than 30 units of electricity in Sri Lanka is about 35 lakhs.
The government decided to close all the schools
The government has decided to close all government schools and government-approved schools till July 8 in the coming week. The Ministry of Education said that this step was taken after taking into consideration the progress of students’ arrival in the past weeks and the announcement regarding the fuel supply by the Ministry of Energy. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education announces that a holiday week will be announced for schools during this week as well.