The Philippines has extended its travel ban for Sri Lanka
The Philippines has extended its travel ban on individuals from several countries, including Sri Lanka in effect until June 30. In addition to Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have imposed travel bans. The Philippine President has said that this step has been taken due to the spread of covid in the relevant countries.
What’s wrong with using an imported SUV?
State Minister Nalaka Godahewa while taking part in a relief distribution program urged the public to refrain from looking at politicians with hatred. Godahewa made this observation when question by the media personnel regarding the importation of luxury SUVs for MPS. The state minister in response said that there was nothing wrong in obtaining a vehicle imported by the state. He further said that some MPs were compelled to travel in bus, while adding that the vehicle provided to him by the state was in a garage due to its condition. Godahewa also said that he was using his private vehicle to owing to this.
Luxury SUVs for MPs coming, after all!
In spite of the Finance Ministry decision to withdraw an earlier Cabinet paper for the import of 399 vehicles at a cost of Rs 3.7 bn, the cash-strapped government was not in a position to unilaterally cancel what Media Minister and co-Cabinet spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella called a tripartite transaction. Minister Rambukwella said so in response to Hiru presenter Chamuditha Samarawickrema’s last query on the live ‘Salakuna’ TV programme around midnight on Monday (7) Minister Rambukwella admitted that as Letters of Credit had been opened through a State Banks the cancellation would be an issue that couldn’t be addressed unilaterally. Samarawickrema-led ‘Salakuna’ panel asked why luxury vehicles were being brought amidst an extremely difficult situation. Of the 399 vehicles, 225 were for members of Parliament, made up of SLPP 145, SJB 54, TNA 19, JJB 3, AITC 2, EPDP 2, UNP 1, SLFP 1 and OPPP, TMVP, MNA, TMTK, ACMC, NC and SLMC one each. Among the beneficiaries is the sole UNP National List member though yet to take oaths as an MP. Former Minister and UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena recently told The Island that party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would fill the National List slot. The Island learns that the original cabinet paper for the leasing of 227 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers, 17 brand new Toyota Hilux 4WD double cabs, 1 brand new Toyota Land Cruiser V8, 52 brand new Hino cab Intercooler Turbo, 51 brand new Toyota Hilux 4 WD double cabs with intercooler, one brand new Toyota Hilux 4 WD with intercooler and 50 brand new Toyota high-roof ambulances. Payments were to be made in both USD and Japanese Yen. The Prime Minister’s Office in a statement issued in the last week of May stated that the previous cabinet paper had been withdrawn as the financial situation was not conducive to import vehicles. Asked by ‘Salakuna’ panel why 227 brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado had been imported for 225 members, Minister Rambukwella denied any knowledge of the recipients. The minister also said that he was not aware for whom the V8 had been ordered. In spite of the government directive issued in the wake of rapid deterioration of foreign reserves amidst the first Covid-19 outbreak, over 300 expensive vehicles were imported by permit holders, the Customs told The Island. Inquiries revealed that Letters of Credit had been opened by banks regardless of the government directive and vehicles subsequently released. The Island yesterday (8) sought an explanation from Minister Rambukwella regarding the status of the high profile leasing arrangement pertaining to 399 vehicles. Minister Rambukwella said that he was not aware of how the state bank that had opened the Letters of Credit handled the issue at hand. However, as the opening of Letters of Credit meant guaranteed payment, Sri Lanka faced the prospect of being blacklisted if a unilateral decision was taken on the matter. The minister explained the difficulty in reversing the original decision. None of the Opposition political parties have criticized the government move on vehicles made at a time the country was struggling to cope with Covid-19 fallout. SLPP’s 2019 presidential election manifesto, too, assured that vehicles wouldn’t be imported for members of parliament for a period of three years After the change of government in 2019, the SLPP put in place a much touted project to expedite repairs to state-owned vehicles as part of the overall measures to meet what co-cabinet spokesmen Ministers Rambukwella, Udaya Gammanpila and Dr. Ramesh Pathirana called immediate shortfall. Colombo District SJB lawmaker Dr. Harsha de Silva recently said that the move to order vehicles for lawmakers hadn’t been discussed with his party. The former non-cabinet minister was responding to The Island query whether he was aware of leasing arrangements being made for the vehicles. During ‘Salakuna’ it transpired that vehicles had been ordered from Singapore based enterprise not the mother company in Japan. By Shamindra Ferdinando
Prices of all bakery products except bread will be increased, Prima Company has also increased the price of wheat flour
The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association says that the prices of all bakery products except bread will be increased. Its chairman, N.K. Mr. Jayawardena said that the bakery owners had increased the price In addition, the prices of flours and other ingredients used for bakery products have also been increased, he added. Accordingly, the price of fish bread, buns and other bakery products has increased by between Rs. 5 and 10. Meanwhile, Prima company has informed wheat flour agents that it has increased the price of a kilo of milk brand milk powder by Rs. 3.50 (June 15) from today. Prima sold a 50 kg bag of Milk brand flour for Rs. 4,000. Prima wheat flour and with the new price increase, 50 kilos of flour will increase to Rs. 4175. Prima Wheat Flour Company recently increased the price of bread flour by Rs. 4 per kilo.
Kotikawatta PS Opposition gets water thrown
A protest against the government’s decision to increase the price of fuel was held at the Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha yesterday (14). The protest was organized by opposition members of the PS. As the opposition members of the PS engaged took to the protest a truck was seen fumigating the area which resulted in the protest being called of momentarily. However, as members representing the governing party and opposition gathered at the chamber of the Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha subsequently, water was thrown at members of the opposition.
Air Force offers an online course on Aviation Fundamentals for beginners
The Sri Lanka Air Force has opened applications for a 02-day online course on Aviation Fundamentals for beginners. The Air Force said the course is being offered to students between the Grades of 07-11. Aviation Fundamentals for Beginners (2 Day Online Course) Download Application – https://t.co/WOHWxZXMRu Applications can also be downloaded via www.airforce.lk or www.airforcemuseum.lk
parliamentarians should be ashamed of submitting a proposal to the Cabinet to import these luxury vehicles under this condition in the country – Indika Sampath Merenchige
Indika Sampath Merenchige, President of the Ceylon Automobile Importers’ Association says that the price of a Prado Jeep ordered for a group of parliamentarians is around Rs. 45 million and that of a luxury V8 is around Rs. 60 million. He says that at a time when the country is facing a foreign exchange crisis, parliamentarians should be ashamed of submitting a proposal to the Cabinet to import these luxury vehicles and that Sri Lankan politicians and officials do not feel the grief of the people. Although even some politicians have said thcancelled difficult to cancel letters of credit for vehicles, he says that letters of credit can be easily canceled. He made these comments while participating in a discussion on a youtube channel.
Head of “world’s largest family” dies- Ziona Chana
Ziona Chana 76-year-old Indian man who was believed to be the head of the world’s largest family has died in India’s Mizoram state on Sunday. He had 38 wives, 89 children and 36 grandchildren and he was the head of a religious sect that practised polygamy. According to the foreign media, he had suffered from diabetes and hypertension. Chana and his family are a local sensation of sorts, attracting tourists to their village in India’s north-east but even various local news reports have referred to him as holding the “world record” for such a large family, it’s unclear which global record it is. The family lives together in a four-storied building called “Chuuar Than Run” or New Generation House, with 100 rooms. His wives share a dormitory near Chana’s private bedroom, according to local media.
This is the end of Rajapaksha Family politics- Murutthettuwe Ananda Thero
Narahenpita Abhayaramadhipathi Venerable Murutthettuwe Ananda Thero says that he believes that the politics of the Rajapaksa family will end here. He says that the anger of the people is increasing day by day and the day when people will take these issues to the streets is very near. He also requested the people to accept the country’s situation without paving the way for such a move. He told these while he was addressing a media briefing at his temple.
Monk protested in the middle of the road
A monk named Matale Sasanaratana who resides in a temple in the Dimbulagala areawas protesting in the middle of the A-9 road near the economic centre in Dambulla. The monks sat in the middle of the road and shouted for the country to open. Even the Attempts of the Dambulla Police OICto remove the monk from the road were unsuccessful. Then the Mayor of the Dambulla Municipal Council came and inquired and the monk was taken to the Municipal Council to contact a person from the Presidential Secretariat. He then said that he had the opportunity to speak to a secretary on the phone at the Municipal Council and later took him to the police to obtain a statement. However, the monk said that he would not be arrested by the police and that a statement had been recorded. His request was, ‘If the country closes, if shops are opened, if money is traded, there is no point in closing the country like this and because it’s better to open it. Or the country should close well. Or open the whole country without lying. ‘