America-China clash over Sri Lanka
China has responded to the statement made by Mrs Samantha Power, head of the American Agency for International Development in New Delhi, that China’s non-transparent lending for Sri Lanka’s infrastructure is a major factor behind the current crisis engulfing Sri Lanka. Mr Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in a press conference that due to Chinese investments, Sri Lanka’s economic development has reached a fast and advanced level. China-Sri Lanka practical cooperation has always been conducted by Sri Lanka in a scientific and planned manner, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry points out. He emphasized that there will be no political interference in these investments. Mr Zhao Lijian points out that China’s foreign loans are much lower than international capital markets and multilateral development banks. The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry points out that the loans were given according to the need for the upliftment of the living standards of Sri Lankans and the development of infrastructure, at low interest and on the basis of long-term maturity. However, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mr. Zhao Lijian has said that many developed countries such as Sri Lanka were affected through things such as the raising of interest rates by America. Mr. Zhao Lijian, who says that the developing countries have come under severe economic pressure, has pointed out that the sanctions imposed by America from time to time have a negative effect on third world countries. News First
Inflation in Sri Lanka hits records.. Food inflation is over 90%
Surface inflation, measured by the annual point change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CPI, 2013=100), increased from 54.6% in June 2022 to 60.8 % in July 2022. This increase in annual point inflation was due to monthly increases in the prices of items in both food and non-food categories. Accordingly, the annual point inflation in the food category rose to 90.9 % in July 2022 from 80.1 % in June 2022. Also, Annual point inflation in the non-food category rose to 46.5 % in July 2022 from 42.4 % in June 2022.
A protester was arrested with two televisions stolen from Temple Tree palace
A person who stole two television sets from Temple Tree palace after the protests took over it has been arrested. The Kirulapana police say that this person who stole two 54-inch television sets is a chef. One television was found in the suspect’s boarding house and the other television was found after being sold for 10,000 rupees. The police say that the value of these two television channels is around six lakh rupees. Information has also revealed that this person is heavily addicted to the ice drug.
We cant give the financial support to Sri Lanka at the moment.- World Bank
The World Bank states that it is deeply concerned about the impact on the people of Sri Lanka in view of the dire economic situation. In a statement, the World Bank says that it does not plan to provide new financial facilities to Sri Lanka until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place. It is stated in the announcement that deep structural reforms are needed with a focus on creating economic stability in Sri Lanka and the structural causes of the current economic crisis must also be addressed.
The Sri Lankan government cancel the usual August school vacation
The government has decided not to give holidays this August to government and approved private schools. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha says that schools will continue until the end of November. The minister also said that the current system of holding schools only 3 days a week will be removed soon.
The headquarters of the Frontline Socialist Party has been searched by the police
The police carried out a search of the Nugegoda office of the Front line Socialist party this morning. A spokesman said that the police visited the party’s headquarters in Nugegoda this morning. He also said that this group, who came without any search warrant, searched the party office in search of a terrorist. The office was raided by the police several times in recent days.
The dream of IMF loan may be ruined. So Sri Lanka will have to Look for an alternative immediately
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Mr Champika Ranawaka says that the only option to escape the economic crisis that Sri Lanka is facing is to get a loan from the International Monetary Fund. Posting a note on his Twitter account, he points out that if loans are granted from the International Monetary Fund, they have announced that all parties that have given loans to Sri Lanka must agree to restructure the debt. He says that the financial fund has also informed that the purpose of the talks is to restructure the debt to China, one of the main creditors of Sri Lanka, but it is doubtful whether they will allow restructuring their debt. He further stated that getting a loan from the International Monetary Fund can be a dream, so attention should be paid to alternatives.
An explanation from the Air Force about the soldier who was kidnapped and found tied to a tree
A corporal attached to the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Batticaloa was found tied to a tree in Valachichena, Ridhithenna area yesterday morning (28). He was later taken to the hospital after residents informed the Valachiwena police. The police also found a board written in Tamil at that place and it said, “This is how people who help brutal politics are put to death.” Later, an investigation was started by Valachichena police. There, he said that while he was returning from vacation, he was abducted from a van, tied his hands and feet to a tree and tried to beat him to death. Here, due to the contradictions in the information revealed by him and the information revealed during the investigation, and due to the suspicion about the board written in Tamil near him, the police officers who conducted the investigation realized that it was written by a person who had no experience with the Tamil language. While continuing the investigation, he has admitted that he has done this act himself. This air force corporal was so addicted to online computer gaming that he took money from fellow airmen in his base to indulge in it. It is stated in the statement that he had given that he had intended to commit suicide first due to failure to return the money. But it has been revealed that he has planned this act because if he commits suicide there, his wife will not receive the benefits from the Air Force. At present, this corporal has been arrested by the Valachichena police and is scheduled to be produced in the Valachichena Magistrate’s Court tomorrow. There is no association Sri Lanka Air Force or any other party for this action and this entire process has been done by this Corporal at his discretion. Air Force Media Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe stated that for the damage caused to the image of the Sri Lanka Air Force, this corporal is to be dealt with legally according to Air Force law at the end of the police investigation. Newswire
More than 60 lakh people over the age of 20 have not received the booster vaccine
According to the Ministry of Health, more than 60 lakh people over the age of 20 have not received the booster vaccine. The director of the epidemiology department, expert Dr. Samitha Ginige said that this is a very dangerous situation given the increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus. Therefore, Dr Samitha Ginige informs that the anti-coronavirus vaccination should be resorted to immediately. He further mentioned that the necessary Pfizer vaccines are available in government warehouses. He also commented that facilities have been provided to get anti-coronavirus vaccines from the offices of the medical officer of health and hospitals. Dr. Samitha Ginige, an expert, mentioned that the immunity to the virus is decreasing in people who received only two doses of anti-coronavirus vaccine.
A special notice from energy minister
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has stated that businesses with multiple vehicles can now register all their vehicles with their business registration number on the fuel license. Also, the minister stated that the machinery can be registered in the respective divisional secretaries offices and the fuel requirements for that will be issued weekly. Meanwhile, the Minister says that the total number of consumers who have registered for the National Fuel License as of 8.30 last night is 4.25 million. Meanwhile, the minister mentioned that 481 petrol stations have been registered as of yesterday. There are 409 Cipetco filling stations and 72 IOC filling stations registered. Yesterday, the minister posted on Twitter that 158,208 vehicles have obtained fuel through the QR system of the National Fuel License.