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Myanmar white rice controversy: House probe on, Trade Ministry claims agreement rescinded

Published

3 years ago

2022/04/28

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chairman of the Committee of Public Finance (COPF) Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP yesterday (27) said that for want of proper Finance Ministry supervision, cash-strapped Sri Lanka suffered staggering losses in both local and foreign transactions. Rebel SLPP MP Yapa said that an agreement with Myanmar for the importation of rice this year to meet the shortfall in the supply attracted their attention as Sri Lanka was reported to have paid USD 450 per metric tonne of rice without even bothering to check the quality whereas other countries bought the same variety for USD 350 per tonne. If not for the Myanmar media revelation the matter might have escaped their attention, the former SLFP Minister said.

Lawmaker Yapa said that the issue at hand should be examined against the backdrop of the deepening forex crisis. Responding to another query, lawmaker Yapa said that COPF recently raised the issue with the Finance Ministry. Unfortunately, the Finance Ministry representative, who had appeared at the COPF meeting, responded that the Trade Ministry handled the transaction though they provided the required funds. Lawmaker Yapa said that COPF expected the Finance Ministry to inquire into this matter without delay.

The then Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena in early Feb this year announced plans to import 100,00 metric tons of white rice through Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation. Lawmaker Yapa said that the Trade Ministry would have to be summoned before the COPF to inquire into the Myanmar deal. However, the Trade Ministry claimed that though the government entered into an agreement with Myanmar for the import of 100,000 metric tonnes of rice, it was rescinded. The ministry official said that they, too, inquired into Myanmar media reports regarding Sri Lanka paying USD 100 more than for a tonne of white rice. According to him, the trade ministry had sought an explanation from the Myanmar diplomatic mission here as regards the discrepancy in prices offered to Sri Lanka and other countries. Asked to explain how the country bridged the shortfall in the local supply of rice, the ministry official said that rice stocks were only imported from India. The official acknowledged that the Finance Ministry might have been unaware of the cancellation of the agreement with Myanmar.

COPF Chairman Yapa emphasized that the country was in such a desperate situation whoever wielded political power now as well as those in authority years before should be held accountable. Responding to another query, lawmaker Yapa said that proceedings of parliamentary watchdog committees showed a bleak picture. Waste, corruption, mismanagement and irregularities seemed to be the order of the day, lawmaker Yapa said, calling for remedial measures without further delay.

The former minister said that the current political crisis could make matters worse. The MP pointed out how the forex issue quickly developed into an unprecedented political crisis now threatening the country. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Trade Ministry Badrani Jayawardena has been replaced by Neil Bandara Hapuwinna. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has made the new appointment in the wake of Shehan Semasinghe succeeding the trade minister Bandula Gunawardena. Bandula Gunawardena’s tenure as the trade minister was marred by the exposure of the garlic racket.

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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

Published

23 mins ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

Color: -Red Warning (Take action) Color: -Amber Advisory (Be prepared) Color: -Green Threat is over

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.

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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

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.

Business

Central Bank Presents Annual Economic Review 2024 to President

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.

The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.

According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.

Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.

The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.

[PMD]