News

The Presidential Secretariat states that the State of Emergency has been abolished with effect from May 20th, 2022.

Steps were taken to impose a state of emergency from midnight on 6th May.

The State of Emergency was declared in accordance with the powers vested in the President to safeguard the country’s situation, maintain essential supplies and services for public life, and for public safety.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s special statement addressing the nation commenced, a short while ago.

He stated that last Thursday, he had accepted the Premiership of Sri Lanka.

“I did not ask for that position. In the face of the crisis situation in the country, the President invited me to accept this position,” he said.

At this moment, Sri Lanka’s economy is at a very dangerous position, the PM said.

He said that although the last Budget (2022) had forecasted government revenue of Rs. 2,300 billion for 2022, the actual revenue is now Rs. 1,600 billion.

He said government expenditure for the rest of the year is Rs. 3,300 billion, however due to several reasons and extra expenditure it has climbed to Rs. 4,000 billion.

The PM said that the budget deficit is Rs. 2,300 billion or 13% of the GDP.

He added that a decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday to table a proposal in parliament to increase the approved issuance limit of treasury bills from 3,000 billion to 4,000 billion.

He said Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves were USD 7.5 billion in November 2019, however today the treasury is unable to find even one million US dollars.

The Prime Minister said that a relief-based budget will be presented for this year again instead of the development budget already presented.

Wickremesinghe also stated that he proposes to privatize the loss-making national carrier, SriLankan Airlines in order to overcome its losses.

The PM further said that he is reluctantly compelled to print money to pay wages of the public sector.

He added that the government will look into purchasing foreign currency from the open market to pay for three fuel shipments.

lkThe Premier also called for the forming of a National Council or a Political Council with the participation of all parties in order to address and over the crisis situation in the country.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarians have accepted Ministry Portfolios in contrary to the decision by the party, SLFP Chairman former President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

He told Parliament that the SLFP has decided to support the government only in its constructive proposals without accepting ministry portfolios.

He said even though the SLFP proposed to form an interim government or an all party governmenment, the government which is being formed has none of them and added that it was the same regime which was in power previously.

Mr. Sirisena said people would lose confidence in the new government too.

He said it was clear that disagreements and clashes had begun to appear bewteen the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SLPP.

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The Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s Parliamentary Group has unanimously decided extend support to the Government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on decisions taken for the betterment of the country and to uplift the country.

The SJB said it would provide its support towards the Parliamentary process on the said matters, and would NOT obtain any position in government.

The Samagi Jana Balawega (SJB) has decided to suspend the party memberships of MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara who have accepted posts within the Cabinet.

Accordingly, the relevant letters have been sent to both Ministers.

MP Harin Fernando was sworn in as the Minister of Tourism & Lands and Manusha Nanayakkara as the Minister of Labour & Foreign Employment earlier this morning.

Nation-wide Curfew will be imposed from 11 PM on Monday (16) to 5 AM on Tuesday (17), said the President’s Media Division amending the previously imposed curfew period from 8 PM on Monday (16) to 5 AM on Tuesday (17).

The Ministry of Education said that all schools in the country will re-open on Tuesday (17)

The prices of bread and other bakery products are due to increase by Rs.30 and Rs.10, respectively, from midnight today (19).

The price hike comes following the increase in wheat flour.

Earlier today, Prima announced a price hike of Rs.40, making this the second such price hike for this year.

Prima announced a price hike, also of Rs.40, was announced on 19 April.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with the country representatives of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank regarding the current economic crisis in the country.

The discussions with the organizations focused on assistance for the issues facing the supply of medicine, food and fertiliser.

In a statement, the Prime Minister explained that along with meeting the two international financial organisations he has also held discussions with foreign envoys regarding the formation of an international consortium.

While explaining that discussions have been positive, the Prime Minister stated that the Government is facing the immediate challenge of securing funds to pay for the fuel requirement for this coming week. Due to the dollar shortages in the banks, the Government is now exploring other options of securing the necessary funding.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe further stated that the 21st Amendment would be taken up for discussion tomorrow. It will then be presented to Cabinet for approval.

The Prime Minister said that following his meetings over the past two days, he would provide a full explanation of the financial crisis in the country tomorrow (16).

The Education Ministry has declared the 20th of May as a holiday for all government and government-approved private schools.

Schools will re-open on the 6th of June 2022, following the conclusion of the G. C. E. Ordinary Level Examination.

Sri Lanka’s Consul General to Sydney Australia, Lakshman Hulugalle has passed away at the age of 66.

He was being treated at a hospital in Sydney for a medical condition, and his body is due to be brought to the island.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs Sanath Nishantha and Milan Jayatilleke who were arrested by the CID have been remanded until 25 May.

The suspects were produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (18).

They were arrested by the CID yesterday (17) in connection with the attack on the anti-government protest sites in Colombo last Monday (9).

The ongoing islandwide curfew will be lifted for 12 hours tomorrow (14), the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.

Accordingly, curfew will be lifted at 06:00 am tomorrow, and will be reimposed at 06:00 pm, till 05:00 am on Sunday (15).

An islandwide curfew was imposed at 07:00 pm on Monday (09), after violent protests broke out near Temple Trees, Galle Face and in several other areas across the country.