News
Sajith identified as a second level contact of a Covid-19 patient Mahindananda asks him to take Plaquenil
By Saman Indrajith
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament yesterday that Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had been identified as a second level contact of a COVID-19 patient, and the government could take swift action to prevent him being infected.
The minister, responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Premadasa, said that the latter had visited a hotel in Yala where a COVID-19 infected person was found and when authorities did contact tracing they identified Premadasa as a second level contact.
“Within hours our authorities informed the Opposition Leader of the situation so that he could take necessary action. So the Opposition Leader has first-hand experience of the effectiveness of the government’s measures to prevent the pandemic spread. Therefore, he must refrain from spreading falsehoods and creating panic.”
Opposition Leader Premadasa said that many areas including Kuliyapitiya and Pannala had been shut down as the pandemic was spreading fast. “Now, we have passed the cluster level and are at the community transmission level. The government lies to people that we are still at cluster level.”
Minister Wanniarachchi said that the situation was under control, and assured that the pandemic had not yet reached the community transmission level in the country.
Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage:
The Minister should take the Opposition Leader’s prescription of Plaquenil seriously to treat COVID-19 patients.
Opposition Leader:
I raised an important question. Doctors say that the pandemic has reached the community transmission level. Is the Health Minister taking responsibility? Available PCR machines are not sufficient. Some of them are broken down. The Health Minister does not accept it.
Minister Wanniarachchi:
Sajith Premadasa is a person who found a medicine by browsing the Internet and went on telling people to use it during his presidential campaign. What would have happened to our people if he had become the President of this country? We should be proud as a country because in South Asia we are very much ahead of other countries in conducting PCR tests.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena:
MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has asked for a debate on the matter. You can take up these issues in that debate.
SJB Kalutatra District MP Kumara Welgama:
Three villages in Matugama have been locked down. I ask the government to give a Rs 5,000 allowance to people in those villages too.
The Speaker:
You can speak about it during the debate.
Business
Sri Lanka reaches in principle agreement for restructuring sovereign debt with external commercial creditors
On the 19th of September 2024, Sri Lanka announced that it has reached Agreements in Principle on the restructuring of approximately USD$ 17.5 billion of external commercial debt (as of end 2023).
These agreements have been reached with holders of its International Sovereign Bonds, following negotiations with the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders (“AHGB”), a representative group of international investors, and the Local Consortium of Sri Lanka (“LCSL”), a representative group of domestic financial institutions. Collectively, the two groups hold in excess of 50% of the Bonds.
Under the agreements, holders of the Bonds will be consenting to a present value concession of 40.3% in the baseline scenario, calculated with a discount factor of 11%. The agreements provide Sri Lanka with enhanced debt relief compared to the Joint Working Framework agreed in July 2024, including a further reduction in interest payments provided in the new agreement.
Sri Lanka also announced that it has finalized agreement in principle with China Development Bank (“CDB”) on the key financial terms of the restructuring of approximately US$ 3.3bn of sovereign debt.
As a result of the agreements already achieved with Eximbank of China and members of Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee (“OCC”) as well as CDB and bondholders, Sri Lanka will have obtained over USD 17bn of debt service relief during the IMF program period (around USD 2.4bn from Eximbank of China, USD 2.9bn from the OCC, USD 2.5bn from CDB and USD 9.5bn from the bondholders).
His Excellency the President expressed his deep appreciation for all of Sri Lanka’s creditors who engaged in good faith throughout this process, and also for the International Monetary Fund and the OCC Secretariat for the continuous and constructive support.
The official announcement is available at: https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Sri%20Lanka%20%20Announcement%20of%20Agreement%20in%20Principle%20-%2019_09_2024.ashx?App=Announcement&FileID=819175
The National Security Council convened this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to discuss security arrangements for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The council focused on ensuring the election is conducted independently and fairly, with full support pledged to the Election Commission to maintain law and order.
Key discussions included safeguarding candidates, securing polling centres, and upholding security at polling stations.
Additionally, President Wickremesinghe directed security agency heads to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and stability in the country during the post-election period, ensuring minimal disruption to the daily lives of citizens.
A fully equipped modern library funded by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka was officially handed over to D.B. Welagedara Central College Kurunegala by the President’s Secretary, Mr. Saman Ekanayake.yesterday (18),
Sri Lanka reaches in principle agreement for restructuring sovereign debt with external commercial creditors
National Security Council reviews security measures for 2024 presidential election
Latham, Williamson fifties extend New Zealand’s advantage
-
Features5 days agoTea trouble brews for Sri Lankan presidential hopefuls
-
News6 days ago
Anura criticises Ranil’s erratic behaviour
-
News6 days ago
Prez poll 2024: ITAK alleges bid to confuse Tamil electorate, reiterates backing for Sajith
-
Features5 days ago
Countdown Week in Sri Lanka and Debate Week in the US
-
News7 days ago
ITAK reaffirms support for Sajith Premadasa
-
Features5 days ago
Ranil talks to the Sunday papers, fields wide-ranging questions
-
Midweek Review2 days ago
Prez poll 2024: An unprecedented three-cornered contest amidst external interventions
-
News6 days ago
Immigration and Emigration Chief ordered to appear before SC for failing to comply with order
