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How come Bangladesh has $ 200 million, which Sri Lanka does not?

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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.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.

Accordingly,

LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district,  Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

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INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit

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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.

On departure  the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.

The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A

dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.

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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

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A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday  (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.

Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.

It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.

The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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