Political Crisis in Sri Lanka-The Tamil Diaspora requested to speed up the devolution of power in Sri Lanka?
The Tamil National Alliance states that the diaspora is ready to help Sri Lanka recover from the economic crisis, and for that, the process of devolution of power in Sri Lanka will be expedited. Mr. Rasamanikam Shanakhyan, Member of Parliament of that party, states that if the President presents a program acceptable to all parties, his party will support an all-party government. LankaC News
Visit Sri Lanka-Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are on the rise again
Tourism Development Authority says that the arrival of tourists is increasing again. Its Director General Mrs. Dhammika Wijesinghe mentioned that more than 17,000 tourists have come in the first two weeks of this month. She stated that tourists from European countries including Britain, India and Canada have come to the island. The Tourism Development Authority also stated that more than 1,600 tourists visit the island daily. Ms. Dhammika Wijesinghe said that the number of daily tourists in May was 650. She also stated that a special program is being implemented to attract tourists to Sri Lanka.
Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-All the expenses of foreign trips are covered by my money – former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
The Government Information Department has issued a statement stating that former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will not spend government money on any of his expenses abroad. The Department announces that all expenses of the former President will be stay abroad by his personal money. Former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has emphasized that the reports about his overseas expenses are false.
1500 dengue cases were reported in Sri Lanka in a week
According to the Ministry of Health, 1590 dengue cases have been reported in the last week. The National Dengue Control Unit stated that 50.8% of them were reported from the Western Province. The unit mentioned that 56 Health Medical Officer Divisions have been designated as Dengue High-Risk Zones. The newly joined medical officer divisions are Akurana, Matale Municipal Council jurisdiction, Ambalangoda, Wariapola, Aheliyagoda, Ambilipitiya and Galigamuwa. The Ministry of Health also said that nearly 50,000 dengue cases have been reported so far this year.
Another concession instead of GSP+: Sri Lanka to be included in Britain’s trade scheme 2023 – British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton
British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton said in a tweet that Sri Lanka has been included in the trading scheme for developing countries operated by Britain. Through this program, more than 80% of Sri Lanka’s export products will have the opportunity to enter the British market duty-free. Ms Sara Hulton says, in addition, more than 150 other products will be exempted from tariffs. This trading scheme for developing countries has simplified certain seasonal tariffs and aims to facilitate the entry of Sri Lankan products into the British market. This tax relief system, which will come into effect in 2023, has been introduced by Britain, replacing the GSP+ tax relief system. With the departure of Britain from the European Union, the countries lost the preferential tariff relief related to the goods exported under the GSP+ tax relief. The Trade Scheme for Developing Countries has been introduced to restore that relief. “The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) is one of the most generous sets of trading preferences of any country in the world, and will benefit Sri Lanka by boosting the economy and supporting jobs. — Sarah Hulton OBE (@SarahHultonFCDO) August 16, 2022
Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-Attendance of school students up to 80%
Under the program of running schools five days a week, nearly 80% of school students attended school yesterday (15th). The Teacher-Principal Trade Union Alliance states that necessary measures should be taken to improve this situation. Mr Joseph Stalin, the convenor of the union, said that school students as well as teachers and principals are facing difficulties due to the increase in transportation costs, and the increase in transportation costs has resulted in reduced attendance of students in schools. He said that some teachers have to spend about 1/3 of their monthly salary on transportation expenses, and some parents have to spend more than 600 rupees daily to send their children to school. Mr. Joseph Stalin mentioned that the educational authorities and the government have been requested on several occasions to reduce the fee charged to school children by giving concessions to school vans and to prepare a program to transport school children at a low cost by using Langama buses. He said that although the authorities have announced that they will prepare programs for the transportation of school children at a low cost, such a program has not been permanently implemented so far.
Sri Lanka Cricket demands 2 billion compensation from Arjuna Ranathunga
The Sri Lanka Cricket Institute has sent letters of demand to the newly appointed chairman of the National Sports Council, Mr Arjuna Ranatunga, asking for compensation of 02 billion rupees. Alleging damage to the reputation of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association and its executive committee members. (In this regard, Sri Lanka Cricket issued an official press release yesterday (15th), and they took this decision at the Sri Lanka Cricket Emergency Executive Committee meeting held yesterday morning.
Political and Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-Compared to the last 4 months, the reports of corona patients have increased by 10 times – Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health indicates that the number of people infected with Corona has increased tenfold compared to the last 4 months. Deputy Health Services Director General Specialist Dr Hemantcorona-infectedthat in this situation health advice should be strictly followed. With the detection of 129 corona infected people yesterday, the total number of infected people in Sri Lanka has increased to 668,141. 3 Corona deaths were reported yesterday (15) and the total number is 16,624. The Ministry of Health stated that the number of people who have recovered from the corona virus has increased to 650,166.
Political Crisis in Sri Lanka- An unidentified dead body found on the beach
A dead body of a male person has been dumped on the beach in Gnanedra Road, Alvis Watta area, Ratmalana. The identity of the deceased has not yet been identified. The age of the deceased is about 50 years. The police suspect that he may have died in some accident.
Economic Cisis in Sri Lanka-Water charges will be increased .. Charge per liter will be up 5-6 times
According to sources in the Water Supply and Drainage Board, the water tariff will be increased by an average percentage of 40-50 percent. A spokesperson of the board also said that they intend to release the gazette announcement for that tomorrow. He said that the relevant gazette announcement has already been prepared and the approval of the Cabinet has also been received for the same. It is said that the current charge for a litre of water is about one cent and the amount charged per litre will be increased to five or six percents.