News
Banks cannot provide US dollars even at Rs.345
by Sanath Nanayakkare
All licensed commercial banks in the country are still facing a huge crunch in foreign exchange inflow, although inward remittances can be converted to Sri Lanka rupees at a much higher rate since the Central Bank of Sri Lanka floated the Sri Lanka rupee.
This was revealed in a report released by the Lanka IOC.
It says that exporters are not coming forward for conversion of foreign currency, even at the rates higher than official ones.
Lanka IOC, a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation that operates retail petrol/diesel stations in Sri Lanka, says that the local currency has depreciated further and while the Central Bank’s TT selling rate is Rs.330 as of now, the licensed commercial banks are not able to provide US dollars even at the rate of Rs.345.
“Since the Central Bank floated the rupee on 7 March 2022, the local currency has been constantly devaluing against the dollar and currently hovering around Rs. 330 per US$, having shot up from the level of Rs. 203. This has made fuel import much costlier,” Lanka IOC notes.
The company says that rupee devaluation by more than 60% during the last one-month since 7th March 2022, compelled them to again increase its retail selling prices of gasoline by Rs 35/ltr and gasoil price by Rs 75/ltr.
“Even though international prices are stable since last one week amid the surge in COVID cases in China and preparation of the International Energy Agency for releases of oil reserves, the local currency depreciation is significantly increasing the cost of fuel imports”, Lanka IOC says.
LIOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta says, “Unstable currency rates and steep rupee depreciation has directly impacted the landed cost of gasoil and gasoline making them expensive by an equivalent amount per litre. Our current losses are exorbitantly high considering at current exchange rate and international prices leaving no other option but to increase the prices of gasoil and gasoline. In view of uncertainty in the global market coupled with Sri Lanka country risk, most of the suppliers are not participating in the tenders or quoting high premium for supply of gasoil and gasoline. Despite this price increase, there would still be heavy losses being suffered by the company. Lanka IOC has always remained committed towards the economic and social upliftment of Sri Lanka. We are very much disturbed and find it painful to pass on the impact of currency devaluation to our customers, but absolutely left with no option to ensure our sustenance and maintain an uninterrupted fuel supply.”
“We will review the selling prices on a periodic basis and would be more than happy to give some relief to our customers by reducing the prices as and when the situation improves and the currency appreciates and stabilises,” Gupta says.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
