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March 09 poll in the balance: Opp slams Govt. Printer, Treasury Secy. for not cooperating with EC

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Nidahas Janatha Sandhanaya spokesman Prof G. L. Peiris, MP, yesterday (15) urged the Election Commission (EC) to summon Government Printer Gangani Liyanage over her refusal to cooperate with the independent commission.

Alleging that the Government Printer had deliberately undermined the conduct of Local Government polls on March 09, the former External Affairs Minister stressed that Liyanage owed an explanation. Prof. Peiris said so addressing the media at Nawala.

Prof. Peiris said that the Government Printer’s sudden declaration that she wouldn’t undertake printing until her department received the full payment should be examined against the backdrop of the assurance given by the EC to the Supreme Court that Local Government poll would be held as scheduled.

The former minister lambasted Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana for depriving the EC of funds required to conduct the election. Stressing the responsibility on the part of relevant government officials to cooperate with the EC, Prof. Peiris questioned the rationale in Secretary to the Treasury refusing to release funds in spite of this year’s budget allocating Rs 10 bn for the EC.

Referring to earlier attempt made by Public Administration Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna to interfere with electoral process, Prof. Peiris pointed out that SJB Mayoral candidate for Colombo Municipal Council Mujibur Rahuman recently moved court against Hapuhinna.

Meanwhile, at the meeting convened by the EC on Tuesday (14 February) morning to inform secretaries of political parties contesting LG poll, EC Chairman Nimal Punchihewa expressed concerns relating to holding the election as expected due to financial constraints. Punchihewa has said that the Government Printer has informed him in writing she was unable to continue printing of the ballot papers due to the lack of funds. Most of the participants present expressed their displeasure over the attempts made by the government to disrupt the election.

It was pointed out by many party leaders that the Election Commission has the necessary powers to conduct the election even if the government tries to stop the election by influencing various agencies that come under it, namely, the Finance Ministry, Government Printing Department and Police. It was even suggested that the finance secretary and the government printer be summoned by the Commission and questioned as to their lackadaisical approach and even to take legal action against them.

When the possibility of utilising the deposits made by the political parties towards the conduct of election was raised, it was revealed that 186 million rupees was collected as deposits and that has been dispatched to the treasury.



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Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves up by USD 2billion over the past year – Acting Finance Minister

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Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya during a press conference held today (21) at the Presidential Media Center, focusing on the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ said that over the past year, the government successfully increased the country’s foreign reserves from 1.8 billion dollars to 3.8 billion dollars.

He added that in August 2022, the exchange rate stood at Rs. 361 per dollar, but by August 2023, one dollar could be acquired for Rs. 321. This shift is not the result of artificial control but rather a reflection of the rupee’s value adjusting in response to supply and demand for the dollar, which holds significant economic importance.

The interest rate for deposits, previously at 14% in 2022, has been lowered to 11%, while the loan interest rate, previously at 15.5%, has been reduced to 12% this year. Notably, last year, the primary account deficit was Rs. -247 billion, but this year it has turned into a surplus of Rs. 27 billion. This marks the first surplus in the primary account balance in over 40 years.

Tourist arrivals, which numbered 496,430 in 2022, have surged to 904,318 during the first two quarters of this year. Equally impressive is the growth in tourism earnings, which rose from 832.6 million US dollars in 2022 to 1,304.5 million US dollars in the first two quarters of this year, reflecting a remarkable 56.7% increase compared to the previous year.

In the past year, the amount of money remitted by Sri Lankans living abroad to Sri Lanka has surged from 2,214.8 million US dollars to 3,862.7 million US dollars this year, marking a remarkable 74.4% increase according to data from the Ministry of Finance.

On August 1, 2022, the QR code system was introduced as a measure to manage petroleum demand due to foreign exchange shortages. This led to a significant disparity between normal demand and supply, resulting in a notable increase in diesel consumption by 28% and petrol consumption by 83% in June 2023, when the QR system was partially relaxed. However, as of September 1, the QR code system, which directly impacts economic growth, has been completely lifted.

Upon assuming office, President Ranil Wickremesinghe faced a daunting challenge of addressing a 14-hour power outage, which had a direct impact on the economy. Presently, the government ensures a continuous and stable electricity supply to the population.

As of August 23, 2023, there were 1467 imported goods banned due to foreign exchange shortages. Currently, the ban applies to only 279 items. Furthermore, the import of vehicles, which had been halted in 2020, now includes buses and trucks for public transport.

In April 2022, the country faced difficulties in meeting its debt obligations. However, the government has since secured the first installment under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Scheme, contributing to stabilizing the country’s economy compared to the previous year.

(PMC)

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President Wickremesinghe meets US President Joe Biden in New York

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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted President Ranil Wickremesinghe and first lady Maithri Wickremesinghe for dinner on Thursday

President Joe Biden of the United States and President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a cordial meeting  in New York on Thursday (20).

The high-profile meeting took place amidst a lavish dinner hosted by President Biden, for all the heads of state who had participated in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

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Ministerial Consultative Committee unanimously consent to canceling the nominations submitted for the Local Government Elections

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The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils & Local Government chaired by  Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as well as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government  unanimously consented to cancel the nominations submitted for the Local Government Elections given that those who have submitted nominations have faced great difficulties due to the postponement of the elections.

 

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