Final decision on privatizing SLT, at next Cabinet meeting
The Government has focussed its attention to the Sectoral Oversight Committee report, which was presented to Parliament today (09), emphasizing the concerns surrounding the potential risk to national security resulting from the privatization of Sri Lanka Telecom.
While acknowledging the factual content of the report, the Government believes that it lacks a logical or scientific data analysis pertaining to the subject matter. To address this deficiency, it is necessary to examine the operation and regulation of information and communication technology service providers in Sri Lanka, analyse financial data related to the sector, understand Sri Lanka’s national ambitions in this field, assess the available capital capacity, and conduct a comprehensive study of global trends.
Furthermore, the Government has reassured that the policy decision taken will not compromise national security, contrary to what is indicated in the report.
Hence, the Government will take a final decision during an upcoming cabinet meeting, considering this report along with recommendations from the information and communication sector.Additionally, the President emphasizes that the current government’s policy is focused on providing opportunities to the private sector, distancing it from direct government involvement.
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(previous news: 09th June 2023, 12:32pm)
Parliament SOC recommends not to privatise SLT
The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Security has said that it does not recommend the privatisation of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT).
This was stated in a report issued by the SOC on National Security headed by MP Sarath Weerasekera.
The report said that matters sensitive to national security can be exposed through the privatisation of SLT.
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Ante LECO, a subsidiary of the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), has decided to expand the range of electricity meters being manufactured.
Accordingly, the Ante LECO Metering Company has decided to manufacture three-phase meters and smart meters, in addition to the single-phase meters they currently produce, in a bid to fulfill the entire domestic requirement for these three meters.
Taking to Twitter, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera revealed that with the expansion, the metering company also expects to target the export market in the future.
Ante LECO, a joint venture between the LECO and Ante Meter Company Ltd. of China, currently produces 250,000 single-phase meters per year, supplying the quantity required by both LECO and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
The prices of 10 essential items will be reduced with effect from today (9), Lanka Sathosa announced.
The revised prices are as follows:
Red Kekulu Rice – Rs.139 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.6)
Mung Beans – Rs.1,225 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.325)
Dried Chili – Rs.1,290 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.60)
Thai Sprats – Rs.1,140 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.10)
Dhal – Rs.229 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.15)
Red Nadu Rice – Rs.200 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.15)
Imported Wheat Flour – Rs.200 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.10)
Soya Meat (Bulk) – Rs.650 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.10)
Chickpea – Rs.540 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.5)
White Sugar – Rs.225 per 1kg (reduced by Rs.4)
The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to establish a mandarin orange cultivation zone in the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla.
Although oranges are already cultivated in these areas, there is a high demand among locals for imported mandarins which leads to the loss of significantly high cost.
With tests proving to be successful, it has now been decided to take measures to provide funding to locally cultivate mandarins.
Minister of Agriculture – Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed ministry officials to take measures to establish mandarin cultivations within this year itself.
