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  • No fuel: Only essential services in Lanka till July 10

    No fuel: Only essential services in Lanka till July 10

    All schools in capital and other main cities are to be closed until July 10 while long distances bus services are also to be cancelled from midnight…writes Susitha Fernando

    With no fuel to run the crisis-stricken country, Sri Lanka’s government announced it had decided to operate only essential services from Monday midnight to July 10.

    Minister and Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters that the government decided to limit fuel distribution to essential services like ports, airports, health, food distribution, and agriculture.

    “This decision was taken to protect the limited reserves of fuel in the country and that they be used only for the essential services,” he said.

    Requesting all others to work from home, the minister urged people to support attempts to limit the consumption of fuel in the country

    All schools in capital and other main cities are to be closed until July 10 while long distances bus services are also to be cancelled from midnight.

    Meanwhile, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda met India’s
    Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss urgent issues relating to bilateral energy cooperation.

    Moragoda had detailed the current crisis Sri Lanka and its people are facing due to lack of fuel and had urged for a possibility of securing petrol and diesel supplies that are
    required by Sri Lanka at present on an urgent basis.

    Meanwhile, opposition parties had demanded the government resign forthwith in light of the worsening fuel crisis.

    Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa demanded that the government that had failed to provide basic needs of the people should resign while Marxist party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake claimed that country’s governing system “had exploded with careless and
    negligence”.

    The bankrupted south Asian island nation, with hardly any dollar reserves, was depending on India’s $500 million line of credit to purchase petroleum products since February and the final shipment with 40,000 MT of diesel arrived in Colombo on June 16.

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  • Indo-Lankan lesbian lovers detained in Colombo

    Indo-Lankan lesbian lovers detained in Colombo

    According to Sri Lanka’s laws – which dates from the time of colonial British Ceylon, homosexuality is illegal and homosexual acts are punishable by a jail term of up to ten years…reports Asian Lite News

    As Sri Lanka’s LGBTQ+ community held a ‘pride march’ in Colombo this week to win rights for one of the country’s most marginalised sections, in the eastern city of Akkaraipattue, a pair of Indian and Sri Lankan women, who had developed a lesbian relationship, threatened to commit suicide after being arrested for having an “abnormal relationship”.

    The couple had met on social media two years ago and the 24-year-old from Tamil Nadu had invited the Sri Lanka woman to India but due to the overwork in the Immigration Department with current economic crisis, she was not able to get her passport prepared.

    On Monday, the Indian woman, arriving in Sri Lanka on tourist visa, had gone to Akkaraipattu, 220 km from Colombo, and had stayed overnight at her friend’s house. The father of 33-year-old local woman, who is married with one child, had objected to the relationship and complained to the local police station in Akkaraipattu.

    The police had arrested the two women and upon questioning, the Sri Lankan woman had said that she wanted to go to India with her friend and had threatened that both would commit suicide if they were not allowed to leave the country.

    The police had produced them before Akkaraipattu Magistrate who, in turn, had ordered that the two women be examined by a psychiatrist and a report of psychiatric evaluation be prepared on them. They had been admitted to near Kalmunai hospital under the protection of prison officials and were ordered to be produced before the court on Monday with examination reports.

    According to Sri Lanka’s laws – which dates from the time of colonial British Ceylon, homosexuality is illegal and homosexual acts are punishable by a jail term of up to ten years.

    Rights groups have regularly complained that misusing the archaic law, police, government workers and others severely harass, intimidate, extort money and even carried out physical and sexual assault on members of the LGBTQ community. They had been demanding the immediate change of laws.

    ALSO READ: Fuel rationing in Lanka from Monday

  • Fuel rationing in Lanka from Monday

    Fuel rationing in Lanka from Monday

    Wijesekera said public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive….reports Asian Lite News

    Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera on Sunday said that fuel stations across the country will issue tokens for consumers from Monday as only limited stocks were available.

    Speaking to journalists in Colombo, Wijesekera said that the assistance of the Sri Lankan Army and police was sought and token numbers would be given to the public to fill petrol and diesel as only limited quantities were available, reports Xinhua news agency.

    The public was requested to register their mobile numbers at their nearest filling stations and once their numbers were issued, they would be notified.

    Wijesekera said that the date of the arrival of the next fuel shipments in the county was unsure, but added that two Ministers would leave for Russia on Monday to discuss fuel imports.

    A day earlier, the Minister had announced that the island nation will not receive shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week.

    He said that suppliers have informed state-owned fuel importer and distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) that they will not make the scheduled deliveries due to banking and logistic reasons.

    Wijesekera said public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive.

    Sri Lankans have been queueing up outside fuel stations for weeks as the country faces its worst-ever economic crisis leading to a shortage in essentials.

    Sri Lanka’s two fuel distributors, the CPC and Lanka IOC, announced on Sunday that they have increased fuel prices, the fourth time the country has spiked the rates this year.

    Earlier this month, the CPC said that it only had 5,000 metric tonnes of petrol and thus only 500 metric tonnes will be released to fuel stations each day.

    The country currently needs at least $5 billion over the next six months to pay for basic essential items such as food, fuel and fertiliser.

    ALSO READ: India unlikely to offer more LOCs to Lanka

  • India unlikely to offer more LOCs to Lanka

    India unlikely to offer more LOCs to Lanka

    It was unlikely that more credit lines are to be secured from India for fuel, even though there could be a $1 billion swap but not for oil…reports Asian Lite News

    Instead of offering more credit lines, India is pushing for quicker implementation of its projects in Sri Lanka, a media report said on Sunday.

    This had been stressed by the four-member Indian delegation led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra during its discussion with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other senior officials in Colombo on June 23.

    In its report, the Sunday Times said that the Mannar-Pooneryn wind power plants granted to Adani Green Energy Limited, the West Container Terminal in which Adani Ports has a controlling stake; and the proposed joint venture solar power plant in Sampur with India’s National Thermal Power Corporation are among the projects New Delhi was keen to fast-track.

    According to the newspaper, it was unlikely that more credit lines are to be secured from India for fuel, even though there could be a $1 billion swap but not for oil.

    India was also facing difficulties in procuring oil supplies, it added.

    Following the meeting on June 23, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement: “Both sides had a productive exchange of views on the current economic situation in Sri Lanka as well as India’s ongoing support. In the meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the two sides had an in-depth discussion on the Sri Lankan economy and efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka towards achieving economic recovery.

    “In this context, both sides highlighted the importance of promoting India-Sri Lanka investment partnership including in the fields of infrastructure, connectivity, renewable energy and deepening economic linkages between the two countries.”

    While speaking to President Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary Kwatra had assured that India, as a close friend, would extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in overcoming the difficult situation, the statement added.

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  • Indefinite delay in fuel shipments makes situation worse in Lanka

    Indefinite delay in fuel shipments makes situation worse in Lanka

    Wijesekera said public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive….reports Asian Lite News

    Amid the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the island nation will not receive shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week.

    The Minister said that suppliers have informed state-owned fuel importer and distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) that they will not make the scheduled deliveries due to banking and logistic reasons, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Wijesekera said public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive.

    Therefore, limited stocks of diesel and petrol will be distributed to a few fuel stations throughout next week.

    The Minister urged the general public not to queue up for fuel.

    He also said that refinery operations will also be halted until the next crude shipment arrives.

    “We are working with all new and existing suppliers. I apologize for the delay and inconvenience,” Wijesekera added.

    Sri Lanka has suffered crippling fuel shortages since February as a foreign exchange crisis worsened in the South Asian country leading to the worst ever economic crisis.

    Earlier this month, the CPC said that it only had 5,000 metric tonnes of petrol and thus only 500 metric tonnes will be released to fuel stations each day.

    The country currently needs at least $5 billion over the next six months to pay for basic essential items such as food, fuel and fertiliser.

    ALSO READ: Lanka limits fuel for private vehicles

  • Lanka limits fuel for private vehicles

    Lanka limits fuel for private vehicles

    Sri Lanka will not receive the shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week due to banking and logistic reasons….reports Asian Lite News

    Sri Lanka has decided to limit fuel for private vehicles as the fuel shortage continues to worsen in the Island nation.

    Sri Lanka will not receive the shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week due to banking and logistic reasons.

    “Sri Lanka will not receive shipments of petrol, diesel and crude oil, scheduled for this week and next week,” Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Saturday.

    The minister said that suppliers have informed state-owned fuel importer and distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) that they will not make the scheduled deliveries due to banking and logistic reasons.

    In a further statement, Wijesekera said that public transportation, power generation and industries would be given priority until the next shipments arrive. Therefore, limited stocks of diesel and petrol will be distributed to a few gas stations throughout next week.

    The minister urged the general public not to queue up for fuel., adding that the refinery operations will also be halted until the next crude shipment arrives.

    “We are working with all new and existing suppliers. I apologize for the delay and inconvenience,” he said.

    Sri Lanka has been facing the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, leading to an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and fuel across the island nation.

    The nearly-bankrupt country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, had announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka’s total foreign debt.

    The economic crisis has particularly impacted food security, agriculture, livelihoods, and access to health services. Food production in the last harvest season was 40 – 50 per cent lower than last year, and the current agricultural season is at risk, with seeds, fertilizers, fuel and credit shortages.

    Sri Lanka is one of the few nations named by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which is expected to go without food due to the global food shortage expected this year.

    A total of 22 per cent of the Sri Lankan population or 4.9 million people live in need of food assistance at the moment and as per the latest surveys, 86 per cent of households are using at least one coping mechanism such as reducing food intake, including skipping meals. (ANI)

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  • Australia donates $15 mn to World Food Programme for Sri Lanka

    Australia donates $15 mn to World Food Programme for Sri Lanka

    The Australian funding will help WFP provide critical assistance to the most at-risk Sri Lankans, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and school children….reports Asian Lite News

    A week after the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a $60 million emergency food and nutrition assistance for three million of the most at-risk Sri Lankan nationals, Australia came forward with 22 million Australian dollar aid (equivalent to $15 million) on Wednesday.

    The Australian funding will help WFP provide critical assistance to the most at-risk Sri Lankans, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and school children.

    “To boost existing social safety net programmes, WFP is working to assist one million children through the national school meal programme, while one million people are participating in the Thriposha programme, which provides fortified food to mothers and children,” WFP said in a statement.

    The WFP had on June 16 launched its $60 million emergency food and nutrition assistance for three million of the most at-risk Sri Lankans who are facing food insecurity in the face of a record high food inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices and widespread shortage of key commodities.

    Monthly food vouchers are being distributed to pregnant women from some of the poorest neighbourhoods, delivered alongside antenatal care provided by the local government in Sri Lanka.

    Welcoming the aid by Australia, WFP said, “At a time when millions of people are struggling to meet their most basic food needs, and while families’ coping capacities are being stretched to the limit, we can avert a worsening humanitarian crisis by stepping up our response now.”

    John Aylieff, WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, said that nearly five million people — or 22 per cent of the Sri Lankan population — are food insecure and in need of assistance.

    Nutritious foods, such as vegetables, fruits and protein-rich products, are now out of the reach of many low-income families.

    WFP’s recent surveys indicated that 86 per cent of the families are resorting to at least one coping mechanism, including eating less, eating less nutritious food and even skipping meals altogether.

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  • Australia supports Sri Lanka with $50 million development assistance

    Australia supports Sri Lanka with $50 million development assistance

    The island nation’s worst economic crisis in seven decades led to a shortage of foreign exchange that stalled imports of essential items such as fuel and medicine and fertiliser….reports Asian Lite News

    Australia will provide USD 50 million in Official Development Assistance to support Sri Lanka meet urgent food and healthcare needs, the Australian foreign ministry announced on Monday.

    Sri Lanka currently faces its worst economic crisis in seventy years, leading to shortages of food, medicine and fuel. The island nation’s worst economic crisis in seven decades led to a shortage of foreign exchange that stalled imports of essential items such as fuel and medicine and fertiliser.

    “We will contribute an immediate USD 22 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance to help three million people in Sri Lanka meet their daily nutritional needs. Australia will also provide USD 23 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23,” the ministry said in a statement.

    The Australian foreign ministry said it has a close and long-standing relationship with Sri Lanka. “Not only do we want to help the people of Sri Lanka in its time of need, there are also deeper consequences for the region if this crisis continues,” the statement said.

    This will support health services, and economic recovery, with a strong emphasis on protecting those at risk, especially women and girls.

    This assistance was announced as Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil visited the country on Monday. This visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    The Daily Mirror reported that the trip also follows the interception of multiple asylum seeker boats travelling to Australia from the nation in recent weeks.

    The Australian Border Force has reportedly intercepted three asylum seeker boats since the election on 21 May, prompting renewed concerns over the issue.

    O’Neil met with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss how Australia can assist Sri Lanka through its economic struggles and engagement in combating people smuggling.

    The newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government wanted to use the trip to send a message that “people who arrive by boat” would not be settled in Australia.

    “We understand that there are issues in Sri Lanka and that the wrong messages are being given by people smugglers – our message will be very clear,” he said. (ANI)

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  • Lanka PM asks China to restructure debts

    Lanka PM asks China to restructure debts

    Facing crisis with no dollars to import food, fuel, medicine and cooking gas, Sri Lanka had in April suspended its debt payment of around $7 billion for 2022….writes SUSITHA FERNANDO

    Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday that the crisis-ridden nation is looking forward to discussions on debt restructuring with China.

    Wickremesinghe said this after a discussion with China’s Deputy Ambassador Hu Wei in Colombo.

    In January, President Gotabaya Rajapasa had urged Beijing to restructure its debt repayments as the country was going through its worst economic crisis. Rajapaksa made this request when he met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

    Over the last 10 years, China has given over $5 billion loans for projects including building highways, ports and airports, but political analysts have claimed that most of the projects were white elephants with no returns to the island nation.

    China accounts for 10 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total loans and it is the third biggest lender after Japan and the Asian Development Bank.

    Facing crisis with no dollars to import food, fuel, medicine and cooking gas, Sri Lanka had in April suspended its debt payment of around $7 billion for 2022.

    During the discussion, Wickremesinghe also reiterated Sri Lanka’s adherence to the ‘One China Policy’.

    “The Chinese Deputy Ambassador inquired about Sri Lanka’s food security programmes and re-assured the Prime Minister that China would be donating rice to Sri Lanka to help ease the food crisis,” the PM office stated.

    Amid the oncoming food crisis in Sri Lanka, China has offered a grant of 10,000 metric tonnes of rice amounting to around $74 million and the two out of six shipments are to reach Colombo between June 25 and 30.

    Last week, Wickremesinghe had announced plans to import 50,000 metric tonnes of rice under the Indian credit line to curb the food crisis in Sri Lanka. India has offered over $3.5 billion financial assistance Sri Lanka to get food, fuel, medicine and other essentials.

    ALSO READ: Lanka pins hopes on Russian crude oil

  • Lanka pins hopes on Russian crude oil

    Lanka pins hopes on Russian crude oil

    Wijesekera said that they are trying to obtain Russian crude oil on credit to keep the country’s only oil refinery running…reports Asian Lite News

     Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Sunday that they have reached out to several Russian crude oil suppliers in an effort to solve the island nation’s energy crisis.

    Wijesekera said that they are trying to obtain Russian crude oil on credit to keep the country’s only oil refinery running, reports Xinhua news agency.

    The Minister said that Sri Lanka’s oil bill has risen to $550 million a month by June 2022.

    He added that Sri Lanka now owes oil firms $730 million for oil imported on credit, and these companies will now only supply fuel after upfront payments or deposits.

    Sri Lanka has suffered crippling fuel shortages since February as a foreign exchange crisis worsened in the South Asian country.

    The country’s state-owned fuel distributor Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said it only has 5,000 metric tonnes of petrol and thus only 500 metric tonnes will be released to gas stations each day.

    The country currently needs at least $5 billion over the next six months to pay for basic essential items such as food, fuel and fertiliser.

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