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Wednesday March 29th, 2023

Sri Lanka prominent clergy against proposed return of Ranil Wickremesinghe as PM

ECONOMYNEXT – Two prominent clergymen in Sri Lanka on Thursday (12) expressed opposition to the widely speculated appointment of United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister, claiming that it would be contrary to the wishes of the people.

Chief Sanghanayake in the Sri Lanka Amarapura Sec Omalpe Sobitha Thero and head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith expressed their opposition to the proposed appointment Thursday evening mere minutes before it was speculated to be due.

Both clergymen said the appointment would be unconstitutional and not in line with the demands of the protestors who have been campaigning for an end to Rajapaksa rule. The cardinal warned that appointing Wickremsinghe would lead to further unrest in the country. Analysts, however, say Wickremesinghe can be legally made PM if he can show support in parliament.

Wickremesinghe’s critics insist he is sympathetic to the Rajapaksa family.

Sobitha thero said the former prime minister’s return would not reflect the wishes of the people as he was rejected at the 2020 parliamentary polls. The UNP didn’t win a single seat at the election, with Wickremsinghe occupying the party’s sole national list seat.

The monk said the demand is for an all-party interim government.

However, he spoke favourably of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa’s bid for the premiership, despite the latter having softened his stance with regard to the president’s resignation, a demand his party had been insisting on.

Meanwhile, opposition Janatha Vimukth Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking to reporters after a meeting with Sobitha thero said Wickremesinghe serves the interests of the Rajapaksas and that they look out for each other.

His appointment would be an attempt to protect the Rajapaksa family who the people have completely rejected, he said.

“Gotabaya trusts Ranil. Ranil trusts Gotabaya. But the people of this country doesn’t trust these conspiracies, this palace intrigue,” he said. (Colombo/May12/2022)

Comments (5)

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  1. Nuwan says:

    Good. The person clergymen oppose can be the best person for a crisis
    After all how many dollars can O’Malpe and O’Malcolm bring? RW can at least ask the Japanese for a grant based on his Uncle connect……

  2. anon says:

    Cardinal nor Buddhit clergy does not give us anything to eat.

  3. Cholmondeley Pinto says:

    Get lost from politics both of you

  4. dickie bird says:

    Why don’t these Clergy mind their own busines close to their temples. Their business are in Temples & not in Politics.

  5. Noor Nizam says:

    Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (piyathumanee), you are just screaming in the political wilderness of Sri Lanka.
    Clergies should “NOT” dabble in politics. Your involvement and engagements with the JVP/NPP gang and “Anti-Sri Lanka” groups and your planned visits to certain capitols and engagements with interested groups who were craving for “Regime Change” in Sri Lanka since 2005 in recent months has revealed your vicious intentions, though you are a leading religious of a religious denomination in Sri Lanka. Your public statements and press conferences using your position as the Cardinal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is also partly the reason for this chaotic political and social disaster that has taken place in Sri Lanka history. You are vey much to be blamed for the present calamity that the humble people of our “Maathruboomiya” are facing.
    It is better for you now, like as you had connived with interested political groups to demand PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave the office of PM, which he had obliged, to “LEAVE” the political game field where you have been active/rather leave the Cardinalship and make room for a new face to lead the Catholic community in Sri Lanka.
    Noor Nizam – Peace and Political Activist, Political Communications Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart, Patriotic Sri Lanka Citizen.

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Comments (5)

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Nuwan says:

    Good. The person clergymen oppose can be the best person for a crisis
    After all how many dollars can O’Malpe and O’Malcolm bring? RW can at least ask the Japanese for a grant based on his Uncle connect……

  2. anon says:

    Cardinal nor Buddhit clergy does not give us anything to eat.

  3. Cholmondeley Pinto says:

    Get lost from politics both of you

  4. dickie bird says:

    Why don’t these Clergy mind their own busines close to their temples. Their business are in Temples & not in Politics.

  5. Noor Nizam says:

    Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (piyathumanee), you are just screaming in the political wilderness of Sri Lanka.
    Clergies should “NOT” dabble in politics. Your involvement and engagements with the JVP/NPP gang and “Anti-Sri Lanka” groups and your planned visits to certain capitols and engagements with interested groups who were craving for “Regime Change” in Sri Lanka since 2005 in recent months has revealed your vicious intentions, though you are a leading religious of a religious denomination in Sri Lanka. Your public statements and press conferences using your position as the Cardinal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is also partly the reason for this chaotic political and social disaster that has taken place in Sri Lanka history. You are vey much to be blamed for the present calamity that the humble people of our “Maathruboomiya” are facing.
    It is better for you now, like as you had connived with interested political groups to demand PM Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave the office of PM, which he had obliged, to “LEAVE” the political game field where you have been active/rather leave the Cardinalship and make room for a new face to lead the Catholic community in Sri Lanka.
    Noor Nizam – Peace and Political Activist, Political Communications Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart, Patriotic Sri Lanka Citizen.

Sri Lanka stocks recover with banking and finance sectors leading the way

Stock Market. Free public domain CC0 image.

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s stocks edged up on Wednesday recovering from the two-day loss, with banking and finance sectors pushing up the market as buying interest returned for the day, easing selling pressure, brokers said.

The main All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed up 0.42 percent or 39.03 points to 9,272.43.

The market was on a downward trend since last week as investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach until more clarity is given regarding local debt restructuring after the International Monetary Fund approved the extended loan facility.

“Buying interest has renewed and selling pressures are wearing off,” Ranjan Ranatunga of First Capital Holdings said.

Shares at Lanka IOC was gaining during the following week on the news that the Sri Lanka cabinet has granted approval for three oil companies from China, the United States, and Australia in collaboration with Shell Pl to lease 150 fuel stations for each company to operate in the local market.

However, sudden price revision of fuel by the Energy Ministry has hit the shares dragging it down, analysts said.

A crossing was seen by Horana Plantations, with a 51 percent stake change coming into play, the crossing had generated 700 million rupees from the total turnover, Ranatunga said.

The market saw a net foreign inflow of 32.8 million rupees, and the total offshore inflows recorded so far in 2023 are 3.3 billion rupees.

The most liquid index, S&P SL20, closed 0.64 percent or 16.95 points up at 2,673.25.

The market saw a turnover of 1.4 billion on Wednesday, below this year’s daily average of 1.8 billion rupees.

Top gainers were Sampath Bank, Vallibel One and DFCC Bank.(Colombo/March29/2023)

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Rupee closes weaker at 328.50/329.50 against the US dollar, Bond yields steady

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s treasury bond yields were down and the rupee closed weaker in the spot market on Wednesday following an undersubscribed treasury bill auction, dealers said.

A 01.07.2025 bond closed at 31.25/30 percent on Tuesday, steady from 31.20/60 percent on Tuesday.

A 15.09.2027 bond closed at 28.25/29.00 percent, unchanged from Tuesday.

A one-year bill closed at 24.00/30 percent, down from 24.25/25.00 percent.

Sri Lanka rupee closed at 328.50/329.50 rupees against the US dollar weakened, from 325/328 rupees from a day earlier. (Colombo/ March29/2023)

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Sri Lanka tuk tuk, bus fares to be cut on lower fuel prices

CROWDED: An overloaded bus in a suburb of Colombo, leaning sideways with passengers clinging to foot boards.

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s bus fares will be cut from 12.9 percent from midnight onwards, a public transport regulator said while tuk tuk drivers said they are cutting their free market fares with immediate effect.

“The minimum rate will be cut to 30 rupees from tonight,” Lasantha Alagiyawana acting Transport Minister told reporters Wednesday. 

The minimum bus fare was previously 35 rupees. 

Three wheeler association President, Lalith Dharamsena said the first kilometer is charged from 100 rupees and 80 rupees for the second kilometer.

The price of Petrol 92 Octane will be slashed by 15 percent or 60 rupees to 340, Petrol 95 Octane 95 will be reduced by 26.5 percent or 135 rupees to 375, Auto Diesel by 19.8 percent or 80 rupees to 325, and kerosene by 3.3 percent or 10 rupees to 295.

Wijesekera said on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s advice and in line with the price formula agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prices will be reduced from midnight today. (Colombo/Mar29/2023) 

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