SRI LANKA NEWS (OCTOBER  2023) Compiled by Victor Melder. The ban on single-use and short-term use plastics is scheduled to come into effect from tomorrow, 1st October, said the Central Environment Authority (CEA). A gazette notification issued on 19 July 2023 by the Minister of Environment has banned any use of nine plastic products. It prohibits the use of the single-use drinking. Accordingly, the use of those items in any process including manufacturing, and importation for local use, sale, offering for sale, displaying for sale, offering free of charge or exhibiting them will be prohibited with effect from October 01, 2023. CEA chairman Supun S. Pathirage said legal action will be taken against the violators in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Act and measures will be taken to carry out related raids from tomorrow. (Colombo Page, 1.10.2023) Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in ...

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SRI LANKA NEWS  (SEPTEMBER  2023) Compiled by Victor Melder. Merchandise trade deficit widened in July 2023 compared to July 2022, due to the combined impact of relatively low export earnings and high import expenditure, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported, releasing the External Sector Performance Review for July 2023. The deficit in the merchandise trade account increased in July 2023 to US$ 367 million, compared to US$ 122 million recorded in July 2022. However, the cumulative deficit in the trade account during January to July 2023 narrowed to US$ 2.657 billion from US$ 3.628 billion recorded over the same period in 2022, driven by lower imports. Earnings from merchandise exports declined by 12.4 percent in July 2023, over the corresponding month in 2022, to US$ 1.020 billion. The decline in earnings from industrial exports, including garments, associated with slowing external demand mainly contributed to this contraction in export earnings ...

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SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (SEPTEMBER  2023) Compiled by Victor Melder Asia Cup, 2nd Match, Group B, Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh, played at Pallekelle International Stadium. Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets. Scores: Bangladesh – 164 in 42.4 Overs (Shanto 89, Hriday 20, Pathirana 4/32, Theekshana 2/19) Sri Lanka – 165.5 in 39 Overs (Asalanka 62no, Samararawickrama 54, Al Hasan 2.29) Player of the Match: Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka) ODI Debut: Tanzid Hasan (Bangladesh) Points: Sri Lanka 2, Bangladesh 0.     Asia Cup, 6th Match, Group B, Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan, played at Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. Sri Lanka won by 2 runs. Scores: Sri Lanka – 291/8 in 50 Overs (Mendis 92, Asalanka 36, Wellalage 36no, Karunaratne 32, Naib 4/60, Khan 2/63) Afghanistan – 289 in 37.4 Overs (Nabi 65, Shahid 59, Shah 45, Rajitha 4/79, de Silva, 2/12, Wellalage 2/36) Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) Points: Sri ...

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SRI LANKA NEWS (AUGUST  2023) Compiled by Victor Melder. Inflation has decreased to 6.3 percent in July compared to 12 percent in June, said State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe. Semasinghe in a tweet added that Food Inflation decreased to -1.4 percent in July from 4.1 percent in June. “Non Food Inflation came down to 10.5 percent in July from 16.2 percent in June. We are regaining stability,” he added. The Department of Census and Statistics yesterday added that Sri Lanka’s Headline Inflation, as measured by the change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), has further decreased to 6.3 percent in July, compared to the previous month. The CCPI-based Inflation was calculated as 12.0 percent for the month of June 2023. “The inflation of Food Group dropped to -1.4 percent in July from 4.1 percent in June 2023, the Department added. (Daily News, 1.8.2023) The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry ...

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SRI LANKA NEWS (JULY  2023)  Compiled by Victor Melder. Sri Lanka›s tourism industry continues to thrive as arrivals have exceeded 600,000, showcasing the resilience and appeal of the country as a travel destination.  Despite being the off-peak season, the daily average of tourist arrivals has shown remarkable improvement, exceeding 3,200 visitors. This upward trend in tourist footfall further underscores the growing interest in Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among global travelers. During the first 26 days of the month, 84,003 visitors have arrived in the country, with only 3,518 arrivals required to achieve the monthly target of 87,521. “The surpassing of the 600,000 tourist arrival milestone signifies the resilience of Sri Lanka›s tourism sector and its ability to bounce back from the challenges faced in recent years. It is a testament to the concerted efforts made to revitalize the industry, showcasing Sri Lanka›s immense potential as a top travel ...

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eLanka Newsletter – 5th July 2023 – 2nd Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter https://www.elanka.com.au/jack-in-the-box-sri-lanka-storm-into-world-cup-contention-by-trevine-rodrigo-in-melbourne-elanka-sports-editor/ Sri Lankan Cricketers beat Zimbabwe with Surprising Ease-by Michael Roberts Due to Chamari’s exceptional skills, the Sri Lankan women’s team won the series against the New Zealand women’s team.- By eLanka Chamari Athapaththu smashes New Zealand to a memorable series win in the one-dayers – by TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor) SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS – By Victor Melder Cricket Pitch Invasions: Contrasting Reactions in Different Times – By Michael Roberts Can you turn around diabetes? – By Dr harold Gunatillake SONGS OF PRAISE – ABIDE WITH ME – by Charles Schokman “Lake Beauty”: A Murder Mystery in the Aussie Outback-by Michael Roberts Let’s try to made sri lankan milk toffee – By Malsha – eLanka Fire walking at Kataragama-by Nisal ...

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SRI LANKA NEWS (JUNE 2023) – by Victor Melder. The deficit in the merchandise trade account narrowed to US dollars 583 million in April 2023, from US dollars 728 million recorded in April 2022 due to a larger decline in imports, compared to the decline in exports. However, the trade deficit showed an increasing trend on a monthly basis since February 2023. The cumulative deficit in the trade account during January to April 2023 was USD 1,444 million, a sizable decline from US dollars 3,125 million recorded over the same period in 2022. Earnings from merchandise exports declined by 12.6 % in April 2023, over April 2022, to US dollars 849 million, recording the lowest earnings since April 2021. The decline in earnings from industrial exports, including garments, associated with slowing external demand mainly contributed to this contraction in export earnings in April 2023, compared to a year earlier. Meanwhile, ...

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eLanka Newsletter – 14th May 2023 – 4th Edition Sri Lankans in Australia Click here or on the image below to read this week’s elanka Newsletter Vale Mr Desmond Kelly – Condolences sent to eLanka A Mother’s “Never Ending” Daily Routine. – By Noor Rahim Mother’s Day Remembrance Poems – by Charmaine Candappa Mother ( අම්මා ) – By Gamini Kariyawasam SUNDAY CHOICE A Tribute to Mothers – By Charles Schokman Western Sydney Hills Community fundraiser for transitional housing for older women – By Padmi Pathinather Diabetes Awareness Forum at the Glenwood Community Centre – 11th June 2023 – 9.30 AM To 1.00 PM What should you know about ‘Autoimmune Disorders? – By Dr harold Gunatillake Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo 157 11 05 2023 Shanthipura – highest viewpoint with spectacular vistas – By Arundathie Abeysinghe The Brad and Kiara Show Podcast – 2023-5-13 Seeds – dying to live. – By ...

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VICTOR  MELDER  SRI  LANKA LIBRARY 7, Benambra Street, Broadmeadows, Vic 3047, Australia. Telephone + 61 3 9309 4040 E-mail < melder.rjvm1935@bigpond.com > Web Site < www.vmsl-library.com >   THOSE WISHING TO DONATE BOOKS & OTHER PUBLICATIONS TO THIS LIBRARY, THEY ARE MOST WELCOME. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ABOVE ADDRESS, BY EMAIL OR TELEPHONE. Thank You. ACQUISITIONS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2023 BOOKS. 1. The Community, A Historical Record of the Mudaliyar Class Goyigama Family Combine by Mevan Pieris, 2023 (Donated by the Author, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka) 2. Yarlpana Vaipava Malai, The Ancient History of Jaffna by Mylvaganam, English Translation 2019 (Donated by S. Sundaramoorthy, Mt Waverley, Vic) ...

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victor melder lecture Sunday 30 April, 3pm-4pm – Clayton Hall, 264 Clayton Road Lecture Topic: Collecting Antiquarian Ceylon Books Sri Lankan-born Hugh Karunanyake is a collector of unique antiquarian books about Sri Lanka, and has established an extensive personal library that extends to maps, prints and old postcards. For Hugh, the collecting of knowledge and ephemera has never been purely about acquisition, but also about the sharing of knowledge. With a B.A. in Sociology from Peradeniya University in Sri Lanka, Hugh has worked across both public and private sectors. He was the founding president of the Ceylon Society of Australia and is a prolific writer about all things Ceylon and Sri Lanka. The Victor Melder Lecture honours the work of Victor Melder and the extensive library of books, journals and magazines relating to Sri Lanka that he established in 1968. Hugh’s lecture will explore his experience and purpose of collecting ...

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