Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 30/09
1. Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans Mahindananda Aluthgamage says his Committee has identified the reasons for the shortfall of 15% of Govt Revenue this year amounting to Rs.500 bn: asserts a Committee of officials will be established to monitor the Inland Revenue Dept, SL Customs and Excise Dept, since the reduction in tax is due to the inefficiency & corruption of bureaucrats, and the absence of properly developed systems at the 3 institutions.
2. Bloomberg reports that some Committee members on the Committee of SL’s Official Creditors push for a deal to restructure SL’s debt without China: want the group of major creditors, including US, Japan & India, to sign a MOU with Sri Lanka.
3. Public Utilities Commission decides to call for public views and proposals on the proposed Electricity Tariff Hike, which is to be effective from October’23.
4. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera advises the Animal Production and Health Department to start research to introduce 2 species of cattle & goats suitable for SL in order to increase the production of milk & meat: says one of the main reasons affecting the increase in livestock production in SL is the lack of suitable animals for the respective products.
5. General Manager, Railways says there are “productive solutions” to prevent elephants being run over by trains: laments that the lack of funds has caused the delay of implementing these measures: meanwhile, 4 elephants killed on Wednesday (27) after being knocked down by the night mail train from Colombo to Kankesanthurai.
6. Govt expenditure for the year 2024 estimated at Rs.3,860 bn, as per the Appropriation Bill.
7. Govt Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ Assn Media Secretary Dr Indunil Jayasinghe says about 100 Ayurvedic doctors have already left the country with a significant fraction anticipating to migrate: the GAMOA also says the Govt has no sustainable solution at present, and that there is a demand for Ayurvedic doctors in New Zealand, Canada, Germany, UK and Australia.
8. SriLankan Airlines says several flights were cancelled due to “technical issues” over the last few days & every effort is being made to accommodate passengers on alternative flights: also says these are “routine issues”, and aircraft maintenance follows very strict procedures which necessitate repairs or replacement of parts before an aircraft is cleared for flying.
9. Prosecutors in Nagoya, Japan say they have decided not to charge officials at an Immigration Center in the city over the 2021 death of a Sri Lankan detainee, Wishma despite her family’s repeated calls for them to be indicted: the lawyer representing the family says the prosecutors “covered up & disregarded a crime committed by those in power”: vows to continue to fight.
10. Jaswar Umar elected President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation at the election for office bearers: polls 45 votes while his rival Thilanga Dakshitha polled 20.
