Category: Other
Plantation sector estimates 40-pct drop in tea production from 3-month drought
Apr 16, 2020 (LBO) – Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) estimates a 40 percent drop in estate tea production solely resulting from unprecedented drought for the past 3 months. PA Chairman, Sunil Poholiyadde releasing a statement said that the loss in crop had already created an increase in the cost of production. However, given the […]
Possibility of resuming day-to-day life at provincial levels explored
Apr 15, 2020 (LBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa chaired a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today (15) to explore the possibility of immediate resumption of day-to-day economic activities at provincial levels in order to safeguard the national economy. Statement from President’s Media Division Several representatives of the health sector including all the Provincial Directors of […]
Relief measures for tourist guides during COVID -19 outbreak
Apr 14, 2020 (LBO) – Due to the effect of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, the annual renewal of the guide license fee for the year 2021 will be waived for all tour guides. 1. As a relief measure, the annual fee for guide licenses of all four categories – National, Chauffeur, Area and Site […]
Work from home period extended till next Monday
Apr 13, 2020 (LBO) – The “Work from Home Period” for employees for both public and private sectors has now been extended till April 20th, 2020, the President’s Media Division said. The schools will re-open for the 2nd term on May 11th. Distance learning facilities will be provided to students to the extent possible, during […]
British High Commissioner advises British visitors to leave Sri Lanka
Apr 10, 2020 (LBO) – The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka encourages any British tourists to return to the UK now while flights are available. In a statement, the High Commissioner noted that some British passport holders are in Sri Lankan visiting family. She reiterated UK Government advice that all British nationals who normally […]
Rice mills declared an essential service
Apr 10, 2020 (LBO) – Since the provision of essential foods and rice production storage and distribution is imperative to ensure food security, services of the owners of all rice mills have been declared an essential service under the COVID – 19 quarantine process. Statement from President’s Media Division: Rice mills owners of the country […]
Saluting health care professionals – frontliners at Covid-19 global response
The year 2020 has forced all people living around the world with one of the biggest challenges since World War 2. This crisis of the Covid 19 pandemic, or more commonly known as the Corona Virus is a threat which is unprecedented and whilst the health impacts and casualty rates increase globally, the economic impacts […]
European Union provides EUR 22mn grant to Sri Lanka
The European Union (EU) and its Member States are working with partners around the world to tackle the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and mitigate the effects of the crisis. The EU’s response follows a ‘Team Europe’ approach, aimed at saving lives by providing quick and targeted support. This includes improving the preparedness for and […]
US donates USD1.3mn to protect Sri Lanka healthcare workers & improve testing
Apr 09, 2020 (LBO) – The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed 1.3 million US dollars to help protect healthcare workers and slow the spread of the virus with infection prevention and control support “Through even the most difficult times, Americans and Sri Lankans support one another […]
SL weak public finances will exacerbate economic shocks from COVID-19
By Fellows of the Advocata Institute Sri Lanka’s shaky public finances are about to receive another blow from the fallout of Covid-19. The most crucial aspect of a pandemic is always the human cost, but the spread of the virus has important repercussions for the economy. Studies indicate that pandemic impacts a country’s economy through […]
Sri Lanka : COVID -19 update
Apr 08, 2020 (LBO) – According to the World Health Organisation in Sri Lanka 180 people have tested positive with 38 people having recovered and 5 deaths reported. As cases start to climb in the South-East Asia Region, the Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh held a virtual meeting with Health Ministers of the Region […]
Coronavirus sinks global growth prospects for 1H 2020: The Economist Intelligence Unit
Apr 08, 2020 (LBO) – The coronavirus pandemic is a game-changer, and we now expect global output to contract by 2.5 percent this year—an even deeper contraction than during the global financial crisis, a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit said. The negative effect on growth will come via both demand and supply channels. On […]