Apr 30 (DM) Plans have been drawn to utilize alternative arrangements in the event the private sector bowsers withdraw from fuel distribution, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. He said fuel transportation is currently done by three parties, namely the bowsers registered under the govt, those belong to filling station owners and bowsers owned by private sector. Charges have been revised five times for bowsers owned by the private sector since July last year. more..

Apr 30 (EN) SL plans to remove a forced conversion rule of services exports as part of plans to gradually relax controls imposed in recent months, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. The central bank imposed a series of controls on forcing exporters of goods and services to convert dollars by force and also imposed outward exchange controls as money was printed to keep rates down over the past two years driving up credit and more..

Apr 30 (AD) A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued, specifying the subjects, functions and special priorities of the recently-appointed ministers and state ministers. Signed by Prez Rajapaksa, the communiqu� was published on the 28th of April. The gazette notification also details the institutional & legal framework of the relevant ministries, including defence, education, technology, urban development & housing, finance, justice, foreign affairs, health, agriculture, power and energy, more..

Apr 30 (ST) Private hospitals have put forward two urgent plans to bring in the critically needed life-saving drugs to treat their patients. Cautioning that this is an emergency and disaster situation, Association of Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes (APHNH) has held discussions with the Health Ministry about the possibility of securing donations from people abroad or using two private hospital groups which have foreign exchange reserves abroad to import the drugs, more..

Apr 30 (AD) Minister of Health Prof. Channa Jayasumana has issued a Gazette Extraordinary, allowing a price increase on a total of 60 varieties of medicinal drugs. As per the communiqu�, dated April 28, the traders, distributors, pharmacists, medical practitioners, dentists, veterinary surgeons, medical institutions including private medical institutions, and pharmacies are permitted to raise more..

Apr 30 (DM) SJB MP and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told a press conference that his party will show a majority in Parliament next week. �Everyone will be able to see that we command a majority next week and I will not reveal how we are going to do it as of now,� he added. �President should resign from his post and then constitutional reforms should follow to ensure checks and balances among the pillars of the govt,� he added. Asked why SJB MP Kumara Welgama more..

Apr 30 (DM) LITRO gas company is contemplating to buy LP gas from Thailand, a senior official of the company said. He said the company is to purchase 300,000 MT of gas per year from Thailand. "The purchasing cost of gas from Thailand will cost US$ 95 per MT. The company previously purchased gas from Oman at a cost of US $105 per MT," he said. With the purchase of gas from Thailand, there will be a gain of US$ 10 per MT, the official said. Accordingly, the first gas consignment more..

Apr 30 (FT) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is urging the Govt to ensure prudent fiscal policy amidst the current economic and political crises as well as simplifying export regulations to increase the flow of dollars to the country. In a statement NCE said SL is in a complete socio-economic turmoil with the embattled ruling party being accused of mismanagement and high cost of living hurting its people. The political corruption that prevailed over a prolonged period has crippled the economy. more..

Apr 30 (DN) Devapathiraja Vidyalaya Ratgama will meet Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda at the Surrey grounds Maggona while Wadduwa Central will clash with Ratnavali BMV Gampaha at Nalanda grounds Campbell Place in their semi-finals of the under 19 Inter-School cricket tournament today (30). The defending Champions Devapathiraja led by Imesha Dulani have a well balanced side while Anula Vidyalaya captained by Hashini Liyanage also have an equally balanced side and a keen tussle more..

Apr 30 (ST) The country�s annual electricity demand could be met by oil-fired power plants and a similar amount comes from coal and hydro power. However, because of the lack of sufficient rain hydro power generation has been impacted and this has resulted in the ongoing power crisis. However, independent social analysts say a lack of facilities such as mega power plants mixed with small-scale renewable energy projects more..

Apr 30 (ST) The national flag which is being widely used in protests is being misused by some. Protest participants have been seen wearing the flag as a cap, a shawl and a cape. Others drape it on vehicles. Some groups at the protest area at Galle Face in Colombo have been seen using flags as blankets. Ministry of Home Affairs has published a code on the use of the national flag for display, processions, and for hoisting. A senior official at the ministry said that wearing the flag as a cape more..

Apr 30 (FT) John De Silva Memorial Theatre, a Colombo landmark built in 1974 as a tribute to the playwright credited with the rise of Sinhala historical drama at the turn of the 20th century, is to be given a new lease of life via a comprehensive refurbishment entrusted to Sierra Construction Ltd., a pioneer in its own right. Dept of Cultural Affairs has awarded the Design and Build contract for Stage II of the refurbishment project to Sierra Construction Ltd, a leading general engineering and more..

Apr 30 (CT) Appeals have been made to WFP and UNICEF to assist SL in ensuring a continuous daily supply of Thriposha for children below five years, pregnant women and breast feeding mothers. When contacted on Friday, Health Ministry sources said however that they were yet to receive a response from the two UN organisations. The shortage of corn to produce the dietary supplement for babies and mothers had more..

Apr 30 (CT) Finance Ministry�s inability is the major reason for the current situation in the country & Govt is unable to set the prices of goods according to the actual value of the US dollar, said TELO Youth Wing Leader and Former Member of the Northern Provincial Council, Saba Kugadas. He said the country is facing a severe economic crisis and has lost its income in every way including exports. �The prices of essentials in the country are being increased far more than actual US dollar rate. more..

Apr 30 (EN) SL�s rupee has started to slow the pace of its fall and will stabilize and start to appreciate in the year future based on policy action being taken, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. �When we float the currency, there is an overshoot. But now the pace of the fall is less,� Governor Weerasinghe said. �At some level it will stabilize. I agree that it has not completely stabilized.� The rupee fell from 203 to the Us dollar to around 360 to the US dollar over the past month after more..