SRI LANKA NEWS
(SEPTEMBER 2022)
Compiled by Victor Melder.
The Lotus Tower, built at a cost of USD 113 mn will be opened to the public on 15 Sept. Former President Maithripala Sirisena declared open the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia on 16 Sept 2019, though it was not opened to the public. The Presidential Media Division (PMD) yesterday said that a Chinese company had provided US$ 88.65 mn. “The loan installments are due to be completed by 2024. Already, USD 66.3936 mn of the loan has been paid. The work on the Lotus Tower commenced in 2012. Although its construction was planned to be completed in 2015, the planned date of completion could not be met. The Chinese company completed the construction work and handed over the Lotus Tower to the Government of Sri Lanka on February 28, 2022. The Chief Administrative Officer of Colombo Lotus Tower Pvt. Ltd, said that the Lotus Tower is planned to avail new technological experiences along with entertainment similar to those found in wealthy countries around the world. Among the attractions offered at Lotus Tower are adventure sports such as sky diving and bungee jumping. So far 80 percent of local investors and 20 percent of foreign investors have joined the investment opportunities at the Lotus Tower. Dialog Telecom Company and Sri Lanka Telecom Company have already reached agreements for investments of Rs. 200 million each.” (Island Online, 1.9.2022)
Sri Lanka’s inflation, as measured by the change in the Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI) increased to 64.3 percent in August 2022 from 60.8 percent in July 2022, the Department of Census and Statistics reported Wednesday. The CCPI for all items for the month of August 2022 increased to 235.8 from 230.1 in July 2022. The Year on Year inflation of Food Group increased to 93.7 percent in August from 90.9 percent in July 2022 and the Year on Year inflation of Non Food Group increased to 50.2 percent in August 2022 from 46.5 percent in the previous month. For the month of August 2022, on year‐to‐year basis, contribution to inflation by food commodities was 30.49 percent and the contribution of Non Food items was 33.86 percent. The moving average inflation rate for the month of August 2022 is 28.0 percent. The corresponding rate for the month of July 2022 was 23.1 percent. (Colombo Page, 1.9.2022)
SLPP Chairman Prof GL Peiris told Parliament yesterday that he and 12 other MPs of the SLPP reform group would join the opposition ranks. The former minister said that the 13 MPs would sit on the opposition side and function as an independent group. The group comprises Prof Peiris, Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Prof. Charitha Herath, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, K.P.S. Kumarasiri, Dr. Gunapala Ratnasekera, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Tilak Rajapaksa, Lalith Ellawela, Udayana Kirindigoda and Upul Galappatti. Prof. Peiris said: “Sri Lanka is facing a series of crises. This is nothing new to Sri Lanka. We have managed to face them all including the civil conflict, the tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic.” He said during all those periods Sri Lanka had a strong parliament that represented the mandate of the people. “Unfortunately, today we do not have that strength,” Prof Peiris said. Prof Peiris said that public opinion no longer was represented in the House.. (Island Online, 1.9.2022)
The President has issued a Gazette notification effective from September 3, 2022, specifying again that the supply of power and all related services, petroleum production and fuel supply or distribution and health services as essential services to maintain normal public life. This Gazette notification has been published in accordance with the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act No. 61 of 1979, in accordance with the request made with the recommendations of the Ministers of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Power and Energy to make health services, petroleum and electricity essential services. Previously, an announcement was issued in August too in accordance with the powers assigned to the President stating that these services are essential. The Prime Minister’s Secretary was instructed to take steps to table a resolution in Parliament regarding the Gazette notification, and after the adoption of the Resolution, the order remained valid for one month. The validity period of that notification ended on September 2. A request was again presented to the President with the recommendations of the Subject Ministers, steps have been taken to announce these services as essential services from September 3 through a new Gazette announcement. The Government has also taken several steps to streamline these services to afford relief to the public. The power cut duration has been reduced with the restarting of the Norochcholai Number One plant, while the QR code system has been introduced for fuel distribution. The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery is back in operation, which should ensure an uninterrupted supply of locally refined petroleum products in addition to regular imports of finished products such as petrol and diesel. The Government is also addressing the shortage of certain medicines at State and private hospitals with the help of donor countries and has also issued a Gazette notification specifying the Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of 43 essential medicines and equipment such as Pulse Oxymeters and heart stents. (Sunday Observer, 4.9.2022)
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI, 2013=100)1 increased to 64.3% in August 2022 from 60.8% in July 2022. This increase in YoY inflation was mainly driven by the monthly increases of both Food and Non-Food categories. Food inflation (YoY) increased to 93.7% in August 2022 from 90.9% in July 2022, while Non-Food inflation (YoY) increased to 50.2% in August 2022 from 46.5% in July 2022. Monthly change of CCPI recorded at 2.45% in August 2022 due to price increases observed in items of both Food and Non-Food categories which were 0.83% and 1.62%, respectively. Within the Food category, increases were observed in prices of fresh fish, fruits, bread, biscuits, eggs and chicken. However, prices of rice and dhal decreased during the month. Further, within the Non-Food category, increases were observed in prices of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (Electricity bill and maintenance/reconstruction), Transport (Transport fare for schooling and air fare), Clothing and Footwear and Miscellaneous Goods and Services sub-categories during the month. Annual average inflation rose to 28.0% in August 2022 from 23.1% in July 2022. The core inflation (YoY), which reflects underlying inflation in the economy increased to 46.6% in August 2022 from 44.3% in July 2022, while annual average core inflation increased to 20.3% in August 2022 from 16.7% in July 2022.(Sunday Times, 4.9.2022)
Independent parties in Parliament formed a new political alliance titled ‘Uttara Lanka Sabhagaya’ or the Supreme Lanka Coalition yesterday. National Freedom Front Leader Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa was appointed as its Chairman while Communist Party of Sri Lanka General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe was appointed as its Secretary. The alliance consists of 11 political parties that are independent of the Government. At the event, Weerawansa said larger political parties should make note of 4 September as it marks a new political beginning. “They have always thought of us as smaller parties that do not matter. But by the end of this, the larger parties will be made insignificant, while we the parties they thought as small will be made the victors by the country’s people,” he said. “The seeds that will one day defeat all major parties have been sown today,” he added. Weerawansa also said the era of nepotism and familial political dynasties has now ended in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Democratic Left Front Leader former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara was announced as its National Organiser. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila and Sri Lanka Sama Samaja Party General Secretary Prof. Tissa Vitharana will function as the new alliance’s Deputy Chairpersons while Yuthukama Organisation President MP Gevindu Kumarasinghe was appointed as its Deputy Secretary. MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera will take up an advisory role in the alliance. In addition to this, an Executive Council has been appointed to represent all parties of the independent party alliance. Its members include among others; National Freedom Front National Organiser Jayantha Samaraweera, NFF MP Mohamed Muzammil and Weerasumana Weerasinghe of the Sri Lanka Communist Party. Following the unveiling of the new alliance, the leaders of the collective of independent parties also signed the policy statement of the coalition. (Daily Financial Review, 5.9.2022)
Earnings from exports increased in July 2022, while import expenditure declined for the fifth consecutive month, on a year-on-year basis. The notable decline in import expenditure in July 2022 reflected the impact of overall moderation of activity amidst forex liquidity strains in the banking system, while the policy measures to curtail non-urgent import expenditure also helped to contain import demand pressures. As a result, the trade deficit recorded a notable contraction in July 2022 over the year, thereby easing stresses in the domestic foreign exchange market. Workers’ remittances increased marginally in July 2022, compared to June 2022, and remained in excess of the trade deficit, thereby supporting the forex liquidity conditions under severe balance of payments pressures. Earnings from tourism recorded an increase in July 2022 (year-on-year) on the low base. Foreign investment in the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a marginal net inflow during July 2022. The Central Bank continued to provide forex liquidity to finance essential imports, exhausting the usable level of gross official reserves. Meanwhile, the weighted average spot exchange rate in the interbank market remained around Rs. 361 per US dollar during the month. The balance in the merchandise trade account recorded a deficit of US dollars 123 million in July 2022, compared to the deficit of US dollars 606 million recorded in July 2021. Meanwhile, the cumulative deficit in the trade account during January-July 2022 narrowed to US dollars 3,637 million from US dollars 4,922 million recorded over the same period in 2021. (Daily Island Online, 7.9.2022)
Eight elephants have been killed in the month of August in the Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, according to the District Assistant Wildlife Director’s Office. Wildlife officials say that the deaths of the wild elephants occurred in the Galenbindunuwewa, Medawachchiya, Mihintale, Mahavilachchiya, Tirappane and Horovpatana Regional Secretariat areas. The number of wild elephants killed by entanglement in unauthorised power lines is four. A wild elephant has died in the Medawachchiya village from poisoning while another elephant died in Mahawilachchiya when a trap-gun placed by a hunter went off. Two elephants died in Horovpatana and Tirappane due to Hakkapatas explosives placed by either hunters or farmers. A Wildlife Officer said there had been two tuskers among the eight elephants killed.(Daily News, 12.9.2022)
The Central Bank said yesterday that workers’ remittances increased marginally in July and remained in excess of the trade deficit, thereby supporting the forex liquidity conditions under the severe balance of payments pressures. In July, remittances amounted to $ 279 million, against $ 274 million in June and $ 453 million in July last year. The first seven months haul was down by 50% to $ 1.88 billion. The trade deficit in July was $ 123 million, and in the first seven months, it was $ 3.6 billion, against $ 4.9 billion in the corresponding period of last year. Total departures for foreign employment were recorded at 22,821 in July and comprised unskilled (8,232), skilled (7,091) and domestic aid (4,479) categories. Total departures for foreign employment during January-July were recorded at 163,522, compared to 37,041 in the corresponding period of the previous year, and a total of 117,952 in 2021. CBSL also said that earnings from tourism recorded an increase in July (YoY) to $ 85 million on the low base. Foreign investment in the Government securities market recorded a marginal net inflow ($ 4 million) in July, resulting in a cumulative net inflow of $ 7 million to the Government securities market during January-July. Net inflow to the Colombo Stock Exchange amounted to $ 2 million in July and, on a cumulative basis, including primary and secondary market transactions, recorded a net inflow of foreign investments amounting to $ 95 million. CBSL also said Gross official reserves stood at $ 1.8 billion as of the end of July. This included the swap facility from the People’s Bank of China, equivalent to around $ 1.5 billion, which is subject to conditionality on usability. The Central Bank continued to supply forex liquidity to finance essential imports by utilising inflows to gross official reserves. Consequently, the level of usable reserves remains at a significantly low-level by the end of July. Total foreign assets, which consist of gross official reserves and gross foreign assets of the banking sector, amounted to $ 5.9 billion at the end of July. (Daily Financial Times, 8.9.2022)
More than 4,000 persons have so far been arrested by the police and most are suspects in the May 9 violence. Among them, nearly 1,500 are in remand custody. Nearly 3,800 were arrested following the violent attack on May 9, while about 200 were arrested and nearly 80 remanded after July 22, 2022. The most recent arrest was on Wednesday, September 7, when actress Damitha Abeyartne was taken in after a protesting against Government suppression. The police said she had been charged with forcibly entering the presidential secretariat during anti-government protests. Nuwan Bopage who appears for some of those detained said the police are making sure that suspects are remanded at least for a day. When suspects are produced before magistrates, the police request an identification parade. As a result, magistrates need to remand the suspects at least for a week to allow preparations for an identification parade, he said. “People are mostly charged with trespass. Apart from that, charges are filed under the Public Property Act, and it is difficult to get bail,” he said. He said about two million people had entered the state buildings, but that those who protested at the Galle Face green are being arrested. Key figures in the aragalaya, such as Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) convener, Wasantha Mudalige, Hasantha Jeewa Gunathilake, and Ven Galwewa Siridhamma Thera were arrested and detained for 90 days Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Three fundamental refights applications have been filed in court against the arrests and the cases are to be taken up on September 19. The police media spokesman, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said protests caused a public disturbance. While there is a right to protest, these should be peaceful and should not hinder day to day activities of people, he said.(Sunday Times, 11.9.2022)
Suspects are arrested according to the individual offences that they had committed; some of the arrests are made under the charges such as trespassing, theft, unlawful gathering and damaging state property. Suspects involved in vandalism and illegal activities would be charged along with people who came to visit important state offices after the protest. Many arrests were made following tipoffs by people who had seen the photos released by the police. Mr Thalduwa said people have the right and the freedom to protest under the constitution but not the freedom to be violent. “The protesters assaulted our officers, broke gates and damaged property. They cannot blame us for taking action. The police officer who was involved in Rambukkana (shooting death) is still remanded. If police officers have broken the law, the law would be implemented against them as well,” he said. IUSF acting convener Terans Rodrigo said that the protesters as well as the people are being suppressed as the Government which is trying to show that there are no more economic or social hardships. “They are trying to show that the economic problems are being solved by reducing the use and need of (various) items. Because there is no political or economic stability they don’t want people to rise up against them. The economic situation is worsening but they don’t want the real picture to be revealed. So they suppress people under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He said protests will continue. Our convener (Wasantha Mudalige) and other IUSF leaders who were directing the protest were arrested under the PTA. We have planned more protests to get our student leaders released. (Sunday Times, 11.9.2022)
The Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry said expatriate remittances are up 16 per cent to USD 325 million and the number of overseas job departures exceeded 200,000 in 2022. The foreign exchange sent by expatriate workers to Sri Lanka has increased by 16.4 per cent in August compared to July 2022, and the number of workers who have registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to leave for foreign jobs this year has exceeded 200,000. The amount of foreign labour remittances, which was USD 279 million in July 2022, had increased by USD 46 million to USD 325 million by August 2022. This year, the target was to send 300,000 workers for foreign jobs and the target has been increased to 330,000 due to high demand, both on the part of job seekers and the labour receiving countries. (Ceylon Today, 12.9.2022)
Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said this week tea prices have shot up to an all-time high of Rs. 420 per kilo. “Amidst low volumes, Sri Lanka’s tea has been able to secure high value for our tea once again. In 2019 Sri Lanka got Rs. 80 per kilo of tea leaves, this year it increased sharply to Rs. 250 and now to Rs. 420 per kilo. It is a great achievement for the industry which has encountered multiple challenges during the past two years,” he said recently at the opening of the newly built Tea Small Holders Association (TSHA) office in Walahanduwa Estate in Galle. Dr. Pathirana also acknowledged that the tea industry took a huge toll due to the sudden fertiliser policy change, adding that the tea leaf yield decreased by 15% in 2021. However, he said the favourable rainfall last year helped reach 300 Mn/Kg despite the fertiliser crisis that the industry encountered. “Quick measures are underway to reverse the adverse impacts of the fertiliser crisis for tea plantations. These include; soil conservation, enhancing soil texture, plant nurseries, water management, and plant maintenance activities. To make these initiatives successful, we expect the support of all the tea growers,” he added. The Minister pledged to restructure the Walahanduwa Estate with a 200,000 tea plant nursery, a 25-acre cinnamon plantation, a 20-acre new tea plantation, a 25-acre hybrid coconut plantation, and a 25-acre fruit plantation. Dr. Pathirana insisted that the overall investments in manufacturing should be enhanced and diversified into exports. “Products that are in this country should be exported as much as possible. As far as the tea industry is concerned, there are a multitude of value additions the stakeholders can explore and export,” he stressed. (Daily Financial Times, 12.9.2022)
An estimated 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka are facing moderate to severe acute food insecurity and their situation is expected to worsen if adequate life-saving assistance and livelihood support are not provided, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) warned yesterday in a new report. Two consecutive seasons of poor harvests led to a nearly 50% drop in production coupled with reduced imports of food grains due to foreign exchange constraints, according to the joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) report. The report notes that immediate food assistance and livelihood programs –including through existing social assistance mechanisms – are critical to enabling households to access nutritious food – particularly moderately and severely acute food insecure ones. Without assistance, the food security situation is expected to deteriorate further, particularly during October to February 2023 lean season, driven by poor harvests of staple foods, in particular paddy rice, and the ongoing economic crisis. “In order to avert a further deterioration of food security conditions and to support restoration of agricultural production, livelihood assistance targeting smallholder farmers should remain a priority,” said FAO Representative in Sri Lanka Vimlendra Sharan. “With around 30% of the population depending on agriculture, improving the production capacity of farmers will ultimately boost the resilience of the agricultural sector, reduce import requirements amid shortages of foreign currency reserves and avert the rise in hunger.” “Months into this crippling economic crisis, families are running out of options – they are exhausted. More than 60% of families are eating less, and eating cheaper, less nutritious food. “WFP’s top priority is to provide immediate food and nutrition assistance to the most at-risk communities to prevent a further deterioration of their nutrition,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Sri Lanka Abdur Rahim Siddiqui. At the request of the Government, the joint Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission visited all 25 districts in the country between June and July to analyse agricultural production levels in 2022, particularly of main staple cereals, as well as to assess household food security conditions Significant decline in harvests A severe macroeconomic crisis in Sri Lanka has caused acute shortages and spikes in the prices of essential products, including food, agricultural inputs, fuel and medicine, severely compromising the economic activity, with major disruptions to agricultural production. Production of paddy rice, the main food staple, is forecast at 3 million MT in 2022, the lowest level since the 2017 drought-affected harvest, mostly due to low yields following reduced application of fertilisers, the report finds. Production of maize, mostly used as animal feed, is about 40% below the past five-year average, with negative effects on poultry and livestock production. Likewise, the production of vegetables, fruits and export-oriented crops, such as tea, rubber, coconut and spices, is well below average, causing a significant decline in households’ income and export revenues. Prices of most food items have been on a steady rise since the last quarter of 2021 and reached a new record high in August, with the year-on-year food inflation rate at nearly 94%. The total cereal import requirement in 2022 is estimated at 2.2 million MT. In the first six months, over 930,000 MT of cereals were imported, leaving an outstanding import requirement of 1.27 million MT. Given the persisting macroeconomic challenges, there is a high risk that the remaining import requirement will not be met. The key recommendations by the joint FAO/WFP Mission are the immediate provision of food or cash-based assistance to vulnerable and marginalised communities, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, women-headed households and persons with disabilities, to help them meet their immediate food and nutrition needs. The report also recommends the immediate provision of agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, focusing on smallholder farmers. The report outlines the need to support households to establish home gardens and backyard gardening to enhance their nutritional status while providing adequate amounts of fuel to ensure effective planting, harvesting, transportation and processing of food crops. The report suggests providing high-nutrient animal feed, vaccines and veterinary health kits at a subsidised price to livestock owners, especially dairy and poultry to mitigate the impacts of the feed shortages. Support for the resumption and continuation of national nutrition programs such as school meals, which faced disruptions due to funding constraints, were also highlighted as a priority. (Daily Financial Times, 13.9.2022)
The wild elephant population in the country has exceeded 7,000, the Wildlife Department said. The details were revealed following discussions held at the ministry yesterday and said, so far the number of wild elephants in the country is said to be around 5,600. “A decrease in the number of tusked elephants in Sri Lanka was also reported. The Wildlife Department also stated that the number of tuskers in Sri Lanka’s forests is currently 142,” the Minister said. However, recent media reports said that about 350 wild elephants roaming around Minneriya, Girithale, and Parakrama Samudraya are missing. Wildlife officials emphasised that because Giritale, Minneriya, and Parakrama Samudra have been full of water this year, the area where wild elephants come to get food in the surrounding lakesides has been full of water, and a large number of wild elephants have moved to other areas in search of food. It was also revealed that due to the changing of habitats by the wild elephants, the damage caused by wild elephants to the people in those areas too have increased. (daily Mirror, 15.9.2022)
Over one million Lankans have left the country, for good, during the past 20 months, Media Spokesperson of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Deputy Controller, Piyumi Bandara, said.She said from Jan 1, 2021 up to Aug 30, this year 1,013,992 had obtained new passports, and 1,050,024 Lankans had left the country during the same period. Bandara said that 4,497,122 citizens are possessors of valid passports. (Daily Island, 15.9.2022)
Tea exports for the month of August 2022 totalled 23.01 M/Kgs, showing a decrease of 2.47 M/Kgs vis-à-vis 25.48 M/Kgs of August 2021. All categories have shown a negative variance compared to August 2021 according to Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers. January-August 2022 cumulative exports totalled 171.06 M/Kgs, showing a decrease of 16.51 M/Kgs (8.80%) vis-à-vis 187.57 M/Kgs of January-August 2021. All categories have witnessed a decline in comparison with the corresponding period of 2021. Iraq has remained the No. 1 major importer of Ceylon Tea with an increase of 31% in imports YoY for January-August 2022. Russia has secured second position with a total of 14.98 M/Kgs, which is a 19% decrease against total imports recorded for January-August 2021. UAE sits in third place with a total of 14.78 M/Kgs followed by Türkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and Libya respectively during the period January-August 2022. A significant decrease in imports is reported from Türkiye (58%), China (20%), Syria (23%), Japan (12%) and Jordon (21%) YoY. A notable increase in imports is recorded from Azerbaijan (7%), Germany (8%), USA (7%), Saudi Arabia (4%) and Poland (15%) YoY as expanding markets for ‘Ceylon Tea.’ FOB value of Rs. 1,951.82 in August 2022 records the highest ever in a calendar month surpassing the previous best of Rs. 1,863.74 recorded in July 2022. The FOB value has seen an increase of Rs. 1,034.62 compared to Rs. 917.20 of August 2021 and in USD terms a gain of 0.82.(Daily News, 16.9.2022)
At least 1,349 Sri Lankans, including women and children have been taken in for questioning by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Australian Coastguard while attempting to leave Sri Lanka or enter Australian territory illegally from the beginning of this year, a senior Navy official said yesterday. The Navy along with the Police had taken in for questioning 1,239 people including 112 women and 130 children from the North-Eastern, North-Western, Western and Eastern coastlines during this period, Naval spokesperson Captain Indika de Silva told the Sunday Observer. The Australian authorities had rounded up some 200 illegal Sri Lankan immigrants in that country’s territorial waters, Captain de Silva said. In the single largest detection by the Australian authorities, 44 Sri Lankans were taken in for questioning while illegally attempting to reach that country’s shores. The group was later brought to Colombo on an Australian vessel in the first week of last month. “Earlier the Australian authorities used aircraft to send back the illegal migrants, but this time, however, they used a ship for this purpose,” Captain de Silva said. He said that local human traffickers have begun to cleverly shift their coastline bases to avoid detection. Currently they are known to operate from the North-Eastern coast of Batticaloa, he said.
Since its opening to the public last week, the Lotus Tower, the tallest tower in South Asia, has managed to earn more than Rs. 7 million in the first three days, the CEO of the Colombo Lotus Tower (Private) Company, Major General (Retd.) Prasad Samarasinghe said. Mr. Samarasinghe said from its opening for public on the 15th of until Saturday, more than 7 million rupees have been earned from the visitors to the Tower. On Saturday (17) alone, more than 3 million rupees had been received and more than 7,200 people had come to see the attraction. He also mentioned that over 6800 tickets have been sold by 8:00 pm last night (18). With the arrival of a large number of people, there was a heavy traffic jam around the Lotus Tower area. Due to the huge increase in the number of visitors last night, the tower administration had to temporarily stop issuing tickets on several occasions. Tickets are priced at Rs. 500 and Rs. 2,000 while the tickets for foreigners is priced at UD$ 20. For a 2000 rupees ticket visitors can enter the premises without queuing and can go up the tower a few times. For a 500 rupee ticket a visitor can go up the tower only once. Currently only Rs.500-tickets are issued and the Lotus Tower is open for public viewing from 2.00 pm to 11.00 pm on weekdays and from 12.00 noon to 12.00 midnight on weekends. For children under 10 years old, tickets are Rs. 200. In addition, Built on an area of 30,600 square meters, the lotus tower is 350 meters tall. Anyone who comes with a ticket gets the opportunity to stay on the 7th floor for 30 minutes and from there one can see many places including Sigiriya, Sri Pada, and Knuckles Range. Colombo Lotus Tower Pvt Ltd expects to open the second phase of Nelum Kuluna within the next two months and the third phase by March next year. (Colombo Page, 19.9.2022)
Inflation in August 2022 determined under the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) rose to 70.2% from 66.7% recorded in July 2022 on a year-on-year basis whilst food inflation spiked to 85%, the Department of Census and Statistics reported yesterday. The NCPI for all items for the month of August 2022 increased to 250.4 from 244.4 in the previous month. With respect to August 2021, the reported inflation for the month of August 2022 was mainly due to the higher price levels prevailed in both food and non-food groups The Year-on-Year inflation of the food group increased to 84.6% in August 2022 from 82.5% in July 2022 and the Year-on-Year inflation of the non-food group increased to 57.1% in August 2022 from 52.4% in previous month. Contributions to the inflation rate of August 2022 from food group and non-food group are 40.41% and 29.79% respectively. The moving average inflation for the month of August 2022 is 31.3%. The corresponding rate for the month of July 2022 was 25.9%. (Daily Financial Times, 22.9.2022)
The first consignment from an Australian donation totaling AUD 22 million (approximately $ 15 million) has arrived in Sri Lanka and will soon be distributed to those most affected by the ongoing economic crisis. The consignment, consisting of 600 metric tonnes of rice, forms part of a larger consignment of rice, pulses and cooking oil, due to arrive in the country soon “Australia and Sri Lanka share many decades of friendship, and this latest contribution is an extension of our goodwill during this unprecedented crisis,” said Australia High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Paul Stephens. “We are supporting WFP to provide life-saving food to people who are struggling with price increases, job losses and reduced incomes.” “Australia was the first to contribute to WFP’s emergency response, enabling us to kick-off much needed assistance to those hard-hit by the ongoing crisis,” said WFP Sri Lanka Representative and Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui. “Through Australia’s generous donation, we are providing cash and in-kind food to the most vulnerable, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and school children,” he added. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has increased the level of food insecurity and recent WFP surveys show the situation could deteriorate further in the coming months without urgent assistance. Launched in June, WFP’s emergency response aims to help 3.4 million of those most at risk. (Daily Financial Times, 22.9.2022)
Sri Lanka witnessed the lowest tea production in 28 years for the month of August, with the total output totalling 18.27 MnKgs. When compared with the corresponding month of the previous year, the August 2022 output is 5.60 MnKgs lower. According to the data released by the Sri Lanka Tea Board, all elevations have shown a decline over the corresponding month of 2021. When compared with the 22.45 MnKgs of August 2020, August 2022 shows a decrease of 4.18 MnKgs. The analysis by Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers highlighted that the output is the lowest recorded for the month of August in a calendar year since 1994, where it recorded 16.20 MnKgs. The cumulative analysis of the January to August 2022 period shows that production totalled 171.37 MnKgs, recording a significant decrease of 40.60 MnKgs “This would be the lowest recorded for the period under review since 1996, where it recorded 169.70 M/Kgs for the corresponding period. On a cumulative basis too, all elevations have shown a decline over the corresponding period of 2021,” Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers said. When compared to 179.40 MnKgs of COVID-19-impacted January-August 2020, the cumulative production of 2022 shows a decrease of 8.03 MnKgs. On a cumulative basis as well, all elevations show a decline over the corresponding period of 2020. (Daily Mirror, 24.9.2022).
Sri Lanka’s military strength at 247,000 is too expensive to maintain and reserve force should be considered, ruling party legislator Mahindanda Aluthgamage has said. “Our tri-forces amount to 247,000,” “In other countries of the world, when the war is over they voluntarily leave. Or they leave and are kept in reserve. “We spend 100 billion rupees for food alone.” According to Globalfirepower.com, an online defence information portal, Australia which had a population similar to Sri Lanka had 59,000 regular servicemen and 20,000 in reserve, the Netherlands which had a population of 17 million had a 35,000 regular servicemen and 5,000 in reserve. Canada which had a population of 37 million maintained 70,000 regular servicemen and had 19,000 in reserve. Sri Lanka expanded its military during its civil war which ended in 2009.. (Sunday Island, 25.9.2022)
Claiming that a recent report indicated that at least 32 Sri Lankan citizens go abroad every hour, Chairman of the National Movement for a Just Society Karu Jayasuriya said it was a sign of a country’s rapid decline. He said at an event held in Chilaw recently that more than 500 doctors have left the country in the last eight months. “Hundreds of intellectuals including engineers are going abroad. Facing severe disillusionment and disappointment, they are now leaving the country hoping to at least provide their children with the best education possible. With Sri Lanka lacking the necessary facilities for university education, parents are now being forced to sell their properties to go abroad along with their children. We are losing our future national resources. All these are individuals created through Sri Lanka’s free education system. These are signs of a country’s rapid decline. A country cannot develop or prosper in this manner. Every citizen must have a deep understanding of these issues,” he said. Mr. Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka is blessed with natural resources and an ideal geographical location. “To date, we still believe that this country can be rebuilt. To this end, national unity and consensus are very important. This must first come through Parliament. Next, a consensus must take place among the citizens,” he said. (Sunday Mirror Online, 25.9.2022)
