News

USD 500 mn credit line to procure petroleum products: Govt. wants India to double facility

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/11

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Protests will ruin efforts to attract tourists’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka is trying to have the USD 500 mn Indian Credit Line for fuel increased to USD 1 bn. Janaka Ratnayaka, Chairman of the five-member Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday told The Island that Sri Lanka was seeking to have the Indian credit line doubled in line with overall efforts to tackle the worsening crises.

Emphasising the importance of doubling the Indian credit line, Ratnayake revealed that another combination of 200 MT of fuel would be delivered within a short period, also under USD 500 million credit line.

Declaring that funds had been made available for what he called anchored diesel shipment, Ratnayake said that sufficient stocks were now available to provide uninterrupted electricity supply for Sinhala and Tamil New Year on 13, 14 and Good Friday (April 15) as well.

Since the finalisation of the USD 500 mn credit line on Feb 02, 2022, for the purchase of petroleum products, India has delivered four shipments on 16, 20, and 23 March, and 02 April.

Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Head – Press, Information and Development Cooperation – since the operation began, 200,000 mt of fuel had been delivered, including a consignment of 40,000 MT by Indian Oil Corporation, outside the line of credit facility, in February 2022.

Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle, who signed for the USD 500 mn credit line on behalf of Sri Lanka, recently resigned after Basil Rajapaksa had lost the finance portfolio. Sri Lanka reached agreement with the Export and Import Bank of India in this regard.

Punnoose said in addition to the USD 500 mn credit line in response to a separate and urgent request from Sri Lanka, New Delhi had swiftly finalised a credit facility of USD 1 billion for the supply of essential items, including food and medicines. The first shipments of rice, under this facility, would be here soon, the official said.

Earlier in January this year, India provided financial assistance to Sri Lanka that included a credit swap of US$ 400 million and deferment of an Asian Clearing Union payment of over USD 515 million. In cumulative terms, Indian support to the people of Sri Lanka, in the first quarter of 2022, is in excess of US$ 2.5 billion, the Indian spokesperson here said.

Referring to travel advisories issued by several countries, PUCSL Chairman Ratnayake emphasised that large scale protests would have a catastrophic impact on efforts to attract tourists. Pointing out those violent incidents outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at Pangiriwatte Road, Mirihana, on March 31, and continuing countrywide protests, including the ongoing campaign opposite the Presidential Secretariat, would undermine efforts to stabilise the situation.

Ratnayake said that the delay on the part of all those concerned at every level to take tangible measures to address issues at hand could increase pressure on the national economy. Responding to queries, Ratnayake said that early stabilisation of the national economy couldn’t be achieved if protests undermined political stability.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)