The youth will be released from Indian custody- Mr. Douglas Devananda
Mr. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Fisheries, says that steps will be taken to release all the youths in Indian custody as soon as possible. It was during a discussion held with a group of relatives of 69 Tamil youths who were arrested by the Indian Navy while trying to go abroad illegally. In the meeting held at Mullaitivu District Secretariat, the relatives said that they tried to go abroad due to the inability to continue their fishing jobs due to the current economic crisis. The arrested youths are currently detained in the Bangalore jail. The minister said that he does not condone trying to go to another country illegally, and said that he will take steps to free the concerned youths by using their relations.
Economic crisis in Sri Lanka-Steps to present plans for debt restructuring and IMF loan program to international creditors
Reuters reports that Sri Lanka has taken steps to present plans to international creditors for debt restructuring and the International Monetary Fund’s loan program. Reuters reported that Sri Lanka has taken steps to submit the relevant plans to international creditors on the 23rd. Reuters has reported in this regard, quoting an announcement issued by the Ministry of Finance.
A ‘peacock’ sneer to Sri Lanka from the American ambassador
Mrs. Julie Chang, the US Ambassador to Colombo, posted a note on her Twitter account regarding a sign that was installed near the road during a visit to the Southern Province. The sign in Sinhala, which says ‘Peacock abounding area’, says ‘Danger Peacocks Ahead’ in English. She has mentioned on her Twitter account that she has never seen dangerous peacocks. “Good Monday morning! I’m on the road this week, my first official visit to Southern Province. First observation: I’d never imagined a dangerous peacock, but now I can’t stop looking for them!” Mrs. Julie Chang, the US Ambassador to Colombo Twitter But the netizens claim that it’s not her official account. Lanka C news
Royal tombs to be opened after 20 years,and Prince Philip’s body, which has been safely kept until the Queen’s death, will be buried with the body of Queen today
The funeral ceremony for the late Queen Elizabeth II is held today (19). Accordingly, the opportunity to pay the last respects to the Queen’s body, which is currently kept in Westminster Hall, was ended at 6.30 this morning local time. The funeral procession carrying the Queen’s body will then leave for Westminster Abbey at 10.44 am local time. Foreign media had reported that the royals are also going to march with the body. Accordingly, the service held at Westminster Church begins at 11:00 a.m. local time. The Queen’s body is taken to Wellington Arch and left for St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where the funeral service is held at 3.00 pm local time. Accordingly, the last service began at 4:00 PM local time or 9:00 PM Sri Lankan time. Foreign reports stated that after the last service, the remains of Queen Elizabeth II will be buried in the Royal Tombs in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, London. It is special that the royal tombs are opened like this after 20 years. The remains of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, and the Queen Mother are also buried in the same royal mausoleum. Accordingly, the body of Queen Elizabeth will also be buried nearby. Foreign media reports stated that Prince Philip’s body, which has been safely kept until the Queen’s death, will be buried with the body of Queen Elizabeth II. However, According to the reports that only the four children of Queen Elizabeth II are allowed to participate in the event. Meanwhile, foreign reports stated that many foreign leaders have already arrived in London to participate in the royal funeral ceremony.
The new reports about food inflation in Sri Lanka
From September 2021 to August 2022, the World Bank released a new report on food security in 53 countries. Accordingly, Sri Lanka ranks fourth among the 10 countries with the highest food inflation in the world. It shows the food inflation in this country as 91 %. The country with the highest food inflation in the world is Zimbabwe, which is 353 %. Lebanon and Venezuela are in second and third place respectively. Turkey, Iran, Argentina, Moldova, Ethiopia and Rwanda are the other countries in the top 10 of the list. Food inflation in Sri Lanka was at 9.9% in September 2021 and has increased tenfold to 90.9% in almost a year. Food inflation has increased rapidly since last April. Summarizing the report, the World Bank indicates that 205.1 million people worldwide will face a food crisis acute situation.
India surpasses China
In the first 04 months of this year,India has provided credit assistance of 968 million US dollars to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, it is reported that India has become the largest bilateral creditor of Sri Lanka surpassing China. From 2017 to 2021, China, the country’s largest bilateral creditor, has given Sri Lanka $947 million in loans during that period.
Photos of Sri Lankans who were forcibly detained in Ukraine to the media
The photos of the 7 Sri Lankan students who were allegedly forcibly detained by the Russian forces in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine have been released to the media. Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko posted the photos on her Twitter account. She also says that those Sri Lankans were tortured.