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How come Bangladesh has $ 200 million, which Sri Lanka does not?
PM Rajapaksa meeting Bangladeshi PM Hasina
By Dr Tilak Siyambalapitiya
A few weeks ago, Bangladesh told the visiting Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, about how cautious they were in getting loans. Sri Lanka has been “generous” in borrowing and building expressways with little traffic, a port with a few ships and an airport with a few planes, and a conference centre with no events. Each possibly built at double the engineers’ estimate, with money borrowed at commercial rates.
And now, the $ 200 million currency swap with Bangladesh!
The highest savings for Bangladesh have been in the electricity sector. While Sri Lanka’s leaders (2015-2019) were falling over each other, trying to divert our gas terminal tender toward their friends, Bangladesh build two gas terminals by 2020. The result: minimum use of oil to produce electricity; use cheaper imported gas for electricity and industry.
It is with great “pride” that Sri Lanka’s President in 2015 cancelled the Sampur power plant. Sampur was to be a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India. At the same time, Bangladesh was negotiating a similar power plant in a joint venture with India. While the Sri Lankan leader cancelled Sampur and ran behind oil power plant vendors, Bangladesh forged ahead with theirs, beating all odds to get their power plant built.
The name of the Bangladesh power plant is Ramphal, 1320 megawatt; it is now ready to produce electricity. Its sister power plant in Sampur Sri Lanka was killed by Sri Lankan leaders. The annual loss to Sri Lanka is about $ 500 million, to import oil to produce the same electricity. So, you now know why Sri Lanka does not have any more dollars left to buy food or vaccine. Not only this year, but for years to come.
Perhaps next year, we can borrow $ 500 million from Bangladesh to buy more oil to produce electricity at Rs 24 and to pay for that solar panel on your roof at Rs 22 per unit, which is worth only Rs 11.
And another $ 1000 million in 2022.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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