Sri Lanka

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.

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.

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.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a circular on Friday urging all government institutions to limit the number of employees and arrange for a two-week WFH programme starting next Monday. However, ministry secretaries, heads of state departments and institutions have been empowered to decide on the minimum number of staff to ensure that public services continue uninterrupted.

In a letter to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he acknowledged India's help to Colombo and wrote: "The Quad can lead the way in working to avoid an economic implosion in Sri Lanka that could spark a humanitarian crises with wider, destabilising, regional impacts". "New Delhi has already taken a proactive role in providing loans and humanitarian assistance to the Sri Lankan government to avoid a meltdown."

Wickremesinghe conveyed this information via the Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, while the Justice Minister has directed to expedite the case. In a statement, the Ministry said "this matter is under consultation through normal diplomatic channels", adding that it was still pending final determination of the court.

This pledge was made when the World Bank's Country Manager in Colombo, Chiyo Kanda spoke to Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. During the meeting, the Minister sought assistance from the World Bank until long-term assistance materialises through the International Monetary Fund, other international institutions and donor countries.

Making a special statement, Wickremesinghe proposed that a system similar to that of pre-independence state council should be introduced to monitor public finances and create powerful and stronger laws to enable the Parliament to exercise monetary powers.

Acting Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Vinod K. Jacob handed over the consignment and other medical supplies donated by the Indian government to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in Colombo. "Indian Naval Ship (INS) Gharial, a 5600 tons Landing Ship was deployed for the delivery of humanitarian assistance materials expeditiously as part of Mission SAGAR IX," the High Commission said in a statement.

According to the President's Media Division, the eight ministers took oath at the President's House in Colombo and later assumed duties in their respective ministries, reports Xinhua news agency. Douglas Devananda was sworn in as the minister of fisheries, Keheliya Rambukwella as the minister of water supply, Mahinda Amaraweera as the minister of agriculture, wildlife and forest conservation and Ramesh Pathirana as the industries minister.