One-day passport issuance service will be expanded
The one-day passport issuance service is also operational in Vavuniya, Matara and Kandy districts from today. Previously, the one-day service operated only at the head office of the Immigration Department in Colombo. Meanwhile, the consular services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are open to the public on all days of the week from today, Monday to Friday. Regional consular offices in Jaffna, Matara, Kandy, Trincomalee and Kurunegala are also operating as usual.
Bus service is still disrupted today – Private Bus Owners Association
Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association says that due to the lack of fuel, buses will not be able to run today (04). Its chairman Mr. Gemunu Wijeratne said that a large number of buses have turned to fuel queues. Ceylon Transport Board Deputy General Manager Mr. Panduka Swarnahansa said that as holidays have been given for schools so far, steps have been taken to deploy Sisusaria buses for passenger transportation.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka-Many main cities are deserted, unofficial lockdown in Sri Lanka
The fuel crisis has also led to an unofficial lockdown this week, with transport halted, schools closed and public services curtailed. Roads have become deserted in areas across the country including Colombo this morning. Although there are long queues in front of the petrol stations, the availability of fuel is limited, only Indian Oil Company stations provide fuel. Meanwhile, it is reported that the government is considering taking some emergency measures to get enough fuel for essential services.
Economic crisis in Sri Lanka- Daily production of milk, eggs and poultry in Sri Lanka has decreased significantly
The Ministry of Agriculture has indicated that the daily production of milk, eggs and poultry in Sri Lanka has decreased significantly. The Ministry stated that this is due to the lack of maize, soybeans, sorghum and grass required for the production of animal feed. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture points out that the government factory has also closed down due to the shortage of maize, green beans and soybeans required for the production of triphosha for pregnant mothers and children. The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera recently emphasized that it is mandatory to release urea fertilizer for the farmers who planted maize this year. Accordingly, he had also instructed the officials to release part of the stock of urea fertilizer to be received from India for maize cultivation. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture said that Sri Lanka will receive the stock of urea fertilizer provided by the Indian government in the first week of this month.
A special gazette issued making electricity, fuel and hospital services essential
The government has issued a special gazette notification declaring several services as essential services. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has issued an extraordinary gazette announcement declaring electricity supply, fuel supply and distribution and all services related to hospitals as essential services.
Yupun Abeykon set a South Asian record- 100m in 9.95 seconds
Sri Lankan sprint champion Yupun Abeykon set a South Asian record by completing the 100m in 9.95 seconds at a tournament in Switzerland. It is the best time recorded by a South Asian player in the event. After the match, releasing a video on social media, he said that no one in Sri Lanka helped him with this. The note published at the same time is as follows The wait is over!!!!!! 9.96 sec 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️ I did it. I worked hard for many years, and I got the results of that hard work. Yes… I am the new member of the Sub 10 club! The first Sub 10 in South Asia where there are billions. I am the owner of the 10th sub-10 in Asian history. I am giving this tribute to those who were with me. I think I paid back to those who believed in me. love a lot The sent box of the e-mail sent asking for help from the Sri Lankan authorities is full. I can’t even find a single e-mail saying that I will help. 😂That’s why when talking to the media now, please remind me what kind of help you have given me. People are waiting to find out. 😉 Again, I did it. I love everyone who was with me. I did this for those of you who believed in me more than myself. ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thank you, my team! We did it ❤️
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue the consular section will be operating as usual
It has been decided to open the consular section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as usual from Monday. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the department will be kept open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. It is said that this decision has been taken due to the huge demand for consular services. Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that regional consular offices located in Jaffna, Matara, Kandy, Trincomalee and Kurunegala are open 5 days a week.
All the transportation will be stopped throughout the country from Monday
Mr. Gemunu Wijeratne, President of Ceylon Private Bus Owners’ Association, says that there is a risk that private bus services will be completely stopped throughout the island from Monday (04) due to a lack of fuel for bus services. He informs that last week he at least made up for the shortfalls due to the release of fuel from the SLTB depot for public transport, but by now it has reached an insufficient level. He said that only 05% of private buses were plying on Saturday. As reported, the SLTB buses will operate as normal. But it may not be enough for island-wide traffic. The transportation facilities needed by the employees coming to run the train have been hampered due to problems.
What is happening in Sri Lanka?- The Token system for fuel is no more valid- Electricity and Energy Minister
Electricity and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that the token system that was introduced in the provision of fuel was a temporary one related only to the 23rd and 24th of June and is no longer valid. Attending the special press conference held today (03), the minister said that the decision was taken on those days to prevent people from staying near filling stations without fuel. It is said that it will be abolished in the background because the token has become a business near the IOC petrol stations.
Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka- Some people in the North try to migrate illegally
51 people who tried to migrate illegally from the country in the sea area east of Trincomalee have been taken into custody by the Navy. Among them are 5 women and 5 children. They are residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Gampaha and Ratnapura. Meanwhile, 25 people who tried to go abroad illegally by boats were also arrested in the Marawila area. They are from the Batticaloa area.