News
USD 3.76mn contracts for empty LPG cylinders:
Not a political decision says co-cabinet spokesman
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Co-cabinet spokesperson, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday (10) at the Information Department that contract for the supply of four types of empty metal cylinder containers to the Litro Gas Lanka had been awarded in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Finance.
Lawmaker Gammanpila, who is also the leader of Pivuthu Hela Urumaya, said that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed the awarding of the contracts to the cabinet on the recommendation of the Cabinet-appointed Standing Procurement Committee.
Having explained the decision making process, the lawmaker emphasized that it was not a political decision. The minister said that the English note as regards the awarding of contracts had differed from the Sinhala statement, hence the confusion.
Minister Gammanpila said so when The Island sought an explanation as regards the contradictory nature of notes in Sinhala and English made available to journalists at the commencement of the press conference.
According to a cabinet decision taken on September 9, a contract worth USD 2.18 mn had been awarded to M/S Metal Mate Company Limited for the supply of 22,000 (2.3 kg), 105,056 (12.5 kg) and 1,260 (37.5 kg) whereas Sahamitr Containers Public Company Limited won USD 1.58 mn worth contract for the supply of 117,040 cylinders (5kg).
During the question and answer session, Minister Gammanpila as well as Minister Keheliya Rambukwella explained the circumstances under which the government was seeking to re-schedule foreign debt. The media was told of continuing difficulties experienced due to major economies, too, being affected by the corona pandemic. Minister Gammanpila said that the country was in dire straits for want of sufficient dollars. The minister pointed out that the imports had to be drastically restricted due to the crisis situation. The minister said that the current policy had to be continued until the problem could be settled. If the status of the Rupee deteriorated further the situation would be far worse.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that children studying for their Advanced Level should be investigated for their absence from school and emphasized that no child should miss out on educational opportunities for any reason.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during an observation tour of the Maharagama National Institute of Education recently.
Speaking further, Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted the concerning trend of declining attendance in Advanced Level classrooms, particularly among boys, and noted that increasing numbers of students are withdrawing from the education system. She stressed that education should be accessible to every child, free from social or economic barriers, ensuring opportunities for higher education from early childhood development through thirteen years of schooling. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of making personal and social transformation a key objective of education.
“Our government is dedicated to implementing transformative educational changes that will create opportunities for children to connect with the modern world and drive the social transformation sought by the people. We regard every allocation for education as an investment in the nation’s future, with the goal of shaping responsible citizens. The National Institute of Education plays a crucial role in this complex and long-term process,” she stated.
The event was attended by the Director General of the National Institute of Education, Professor Manjula Widanapathirana, along with Deputy Director Generals, Directors, and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media]
News
“Everyone should commit themselves to fulfilling the services that the government is responsible for providing to the people”. – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said tha she appreciated the support extended by public servants in recent months and emphasized added that it is important for everyone to dedicate themselves with greater effort and enthusiasm in fulfilling the services that the government is responsible to provide to the people in the new year.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while launching the Clean Sri Lanka initiative at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday [01].
Addressing the event, the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, remarked: “We have been entrusted with a significant responsibility to deliver the change that the people of this country expect. Let us approach our duties with heightened responsibility and attention to ensure that these expectations are met. The public demands a transformation in our behavior, work ethic, and overall approach. Public servants must unite to achieve this.”
The event was attended by all officers of the Prime Minister’s Office, including Additional Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and other staff members.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
One prison inmate has been reported dead, and at least 11 others have been injured and hospitalized when a branch of a ‘Bo tree’ fell on to Wards G and F of the Matara Prison at approximately 10:14 p.m last night (January 1).
The deceased, a 34-year-old inmate, was a resident of Turkish Village in Midigama and died after being admitted to the Matara hospital.
Prison officials have since relocated the remaining inmates to a safer building and the Matara Police are currently conducting further investigations into the incident.
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