Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-Sri Lanka Stoped importing fuel from Russia and decided to buy Russian oil from a third party?
Sources reveal that Sri Lanka has lost the opportunity to import fuel directly from Russia with discounts after the two Russian oil company representatives who visited the country refused to enter into agreements with the Petroleum Corporation last week. It is said that the Ministry of Energy has taken all possible steps to convince the two Russian company representatives who recently visited the country to enter into these petroleum procurement deals on favourable terms, but those efforts have failed. These two Russian companies have pointed out to Sri Lanka the inability to supply oil on long-term loans as well as the financial transaction problems of local banks due to Sri Lanka’s declaration of default on its foreign debt. Another reason for not getting direct support from Russia for fuel is the refusal of foreign banks to open letters of credit (LoC) for purchases from the Russian Federation, the reports added. Thus, Sri Lanka has no other option but to order from third parties who get oil from Russia. Accordingly, the Petroleum Statutory Corporation has decided that the only way to meet the shortage of crude oil is to import Russian crude oil and other fuels from a third-party company in Dubai. At present, the corporation has taken steps to import crude oil from a company located in Dubai, which is the supplier of Russian fuel to the country. However, the government has not yet made public how Sri Lanka will pay for the fuel stocks ordered. Lanka C News
Fertiliser shortage in Sri Lanka-A gazette notification is issued lifting the ban on glyphosate in Sri Lanka
A special gazette announcement has been issued removing the ban on the import of pesticides containing glyphosate. President Ranil Wickramasinghe has issued this gazette notification effective from August 5th. According to the gazette announcement, the import of glyphosate is permitted subject to a license from the Pesticides Registrar. The importation of glyphosate was banned in 2015 during the administration of former President Maithripala Sirisena.
The fuel Shortage in Sri Lanka-More buses to transport school children from today
Ceylon Transport Board says that starting from today, buses will run according to the scheduled timetables, including all the ‘Sisu Sariya’ buses. The board mentioned that 741 student buses are used for services. The Ceylon Transport Board said that the buses needed to travel to schools will cover all areas without any hindrance. Meanwhile, between 90% and 95% number of buses will be put into operation from tomorrow, says Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association. Its chairman Mr Gemunu Wijeratne mentioned that a sufficient number of buses are also used for the transportation of school children. However, the Chairman of the All Ceylon School Van Association Mr Malshree Silva stated that there is not enough fuel to run school services.
The Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka- 2500 types of nonessential items are notified to strictly restrict imports due to the dollar issue
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has informed the Ministry of Finance to further limit the import of non-essential goods as the country’s dollar deficit may worsen. The Central Bank has pointed out that the import restriction should be done immediately because the impact of the country’s foreign reserves will continue to be oppressive in the future. It has been told to strictly limit the import of all non-essential goods as dollars should be retained for the import of fuel, medicine and essential food. Accordingly, the central banks have sent three lists of non-essential goods to the Ministry of Finance. It is also known that the list includes more than 2500 types of non-essential goods.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka-Minimize the use of paper..- A circular from the President’s Secretary
The President’s Secretary has issued a circular to all the secretaries of the ministries imposing strict restrictions on limiting government expenditure. Accordingly, the Treasury circular has been notified to strictly adhere to the restriction of expenditure. Due to the economic challenges the government is facing, it has informed them to cut public expenditure to the maximum extent. It has also been notified to impose strict controls on the use of services including fuel, electricity and communication facilities. Arrangements have also been made to suspend the renting of new buildings or entering into new leases or leases until further notice. It has also been informed to obtain the approval of the Treasury before extending the existing contracts for vehicles. All institutes have been advised to reduce the use of paper as much as possible and instead shift to electronic communication platforms.
The Fuel Shortage in Sri Lanka- The government is paying attention to the rapid increase in prices of chicken meat and eggs in the market
Minister Nalin Fernando says that special attention has been paid to the rising prices of chicken meat and eggs in the market. The minister said that he has given the Consumer Authority to look into the matter and submit a report. He also said that financial facilities are going to be provided to the poultry producers for the import of animal feed.
A change in the power cut schedule in Today and Tomorrow in Sri Lanka
The Public Utilities Commission says that an electricity cut for 1 hour and 20 minutes was allowed today (15) and tomorrow (16). In a statement, the commission stated that, accordingly, electricity will be cut for 1 hour and 20 minutes between 5.00 pm and 9.00 pm to ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW categories. Meanwhile, the Ceylon Petroleum Statutory Corporation says that Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will resume operations from the middle of next week. The company stated that after the inspection of the crude oil in the crude oil ship that reached Sri Lanka, the unloading will be done. According to that, the work of the refinery will be able to be restarted by Tuesday or Wednesday next week, said the corporation.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka- There is no medicine in the country Hospitals will stop surgeries soon
The Association of Government Medical Officers states that many surgeries have been stopped due to the shortage of essential drugs in many hospitals across the country. The secretary of the association Mr Haritha Aluthge mentions that all the hospitals have called for a report regarding the available drugs. The secretary also mentioned that there is a shortage of general medicines, life-saving medicines and anaesthetics required for surgery and antibiotics from the outpatient departments. He further said that if this situation is not rectified soon, the health system and the country will fall into a severe crisis in the future. Lanka C News
The Ministry of Defense has taken steps to remove the ban on 06 international Tamil organizations in Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Defense has taken steps to remove the ban on 06 international Tamil organizations which were banned in the last period. The Ministry of Defense stated that the ban on six organizations currently blacklisted under UN Security Council Convention 1373 has been lifted. Accordingly,01. Australian Tamil Congress 02. Global Tamil Forum 03. World Dravidian Coordination Committee 04. Dravida Eelam People’s Congress 05. Canadian Tamil Congress 06. British Tamil Forum The ban on these organizations has been lifted.
International Political interference in Sri Lanka-The controversial Chinese Ship got permission to enter Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the Chinese Yuan Wang 5 ship was allowed to visit the Hambantota port from August 16 to 22. The ship was scheduled to arrive at Hambantota port from August 11 to 17, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously informed the Chinese Embassy in Colombo to delay it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Chinese Embassy in Colombo informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday that the Yuan Wang 5 ship will arrive at Hambantota Port on August 16. Between August 16 and 22, the Chinese Embassy again requested permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to allow the ship to receive supplies.