News

Former parliamentarian Niroshan Premaratne has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Independent Television Network (ITN).

The former Matara District UPFA MP has been appointed to the position with effect from today (03).

A former TV presenter with the state-owned ITN, Mr. Premaratne had contested and won the 2015 parliamentary election from the Matara District. However he had failed to get re-elected in 2020.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 21 new coronavirus-related deaths for December 28, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,944.

According to the figures released by the Government Information Department, the deaths reported today include 14 males and 07 females.

Seven of the patients are aged between 30-59 years. The remaining 14 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

The implementation of making vaccine cards mandatory for the general public when entering public places has been delayed due to concerns raised by several parties.

The decision was to be enforced with effect from January 1, 2022.

According to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, it will take at least another couple of weeks to finalise everything with regards to the implementation.

“Though legal concerns have been sorted out with the Attorney General’s approval, other factors such as whether it is necessary to carry the vaccine card or the introduction of QR code, still need to be finalised,” he explained.

“We are of the opinion that introducing a QR code would be convenient for the people rather carrying a vaccine card. Therefore, necessary arrangements are being made in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology to introduce the QR code,” the Minister added.

However, he stressed that the necessary formalities would definitely be finalised before end of this month.

DM

A currency swap agreement with China has assisted Sri Lanka to raise its foreign exchange reserves to around $3.1 billion, Reuters reports.

According to the agency, the reserves had been topped up after a $1.5 billion currency swap with the People’s Bank of China was finalized on Wednesday (29).

Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, said in a tweet on Wednesday (29) reserves has risen to around $3.1 billion and would remain at that level until year-end.

Subsequently, the CBSL confirmed the foreign support but did not specifically reference the Chinese swap arrangement. Cabraal has previously spoken about the swap with the PBOC.

“Foreign currency inflows in connection with several other facilities that are under negotiation at present, are expected to be realised in the early part of January 2022,” CBSL also said in a statement.

“The government and the central bank are confident that the reserve position will remain at comfortable levels throughout the year 2022,” it added.

Reuters, citing a source said that the swap was denominated in yuan but could be converted into dollars if needed.

Sri Lanka has to repay about $4.5 billion in debt in 2022 starting with a $500 million international sovereign bond maturing on January 18th.

The country has been looking to add to its reserves through various means including bilateral swaps and loans from other Governments and central banks, increasing remittances, curbing imports among other measures.

China is Sri Lanka’s largest source of import income and a key financier having lent over $5 billion for various infrastructure projects including ports, highways and a coal power plant over the past decade.

Fitch Ratings on December 18th downgraded Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating to ‘CC’ from ‘CCC’, citing a growing risk of debt default in 2022, despite central bank assurances that steps would be taken to meet all repayments.

Sri Lanka, in response said the “unwarranted and questionable rating actions” by certain rating agencies have caused “unnecessary” secondary market losses and undue delays in expected foreign currency inflows.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 16 more coronavirus-related deaths for December 31, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,995.

According to the figures released by the Government Information Department, the deaths reported today include 11 males and 05 females.

Two of the patients are between the ages of 30-59 years. The remaining 14 are in the age group of 60 years.

The confidential report on bus fare revisions will be handed over to the Transport Ministry Secretary today, a senior official said.

He told the Daily Mirror that the new bus fare structure would be announced by the Transport Minister tomorrow.

Local cement companies have decided to increase the price of cement with effect from today (January 01).

Thereby, the price of local cement will go up by Rs. 100.00 per 50kg bag.

Following the price revision, a 50kg bag of will be sold at Rs.1,375.00.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 22 more coronavirus-related deaths for December 27, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,923.

According to the figures released by the Government Information Department, the deaths reported today include 12 males and 10 females.

Six of the patients are between the ages of 30-59 years. Fifteen others are in the age group of 60 years and above and the remaining victim is aged below 30 years.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 18 new coronavirus-related deaths for December 29, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,962.

According to the figures released by the Government Information Department, the deaths reported today include 09 males and 09 females.

Six of the patients are aged between 30-59 years. The remaining 12 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 17 coronavirus related deaths for December 26, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 14,901.

The deaths confirmed today include 11 males and 06 females while one of the deceased is below the age of 30 years.

Six are between the ages 30-59 years while the remaining 10 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has decided to increase the prices of imported powdered milk.

The price revision will come into effect from midnight today (December 30).

Thereby, 1kg packet of milk powder will rise by Rs. 150.00. Meanwhile, the price of 400g is expected to go up by Rs. 60.00.

Following the revision in prices, 1kg of milk powder will be sold at Rs. 1,345.00 and the price of 400g of the product will be at Rs. 540.00.

Railway stationmasters continue with their strike action after talks with their general manager failed today (27).

Citing several grievances, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union resorted to union action four days ago.

As they stay away from issuing tickets, commuters are traveling without paying, losing income to the Railway Department.

The Department estimates the losses at Rs. five million a day.