WB releases USD 250 mn to Sri Lanka

The World Bank has released 250 million U.S. dollars as the second tranche of the Resilience, Stability and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO), the international lender said in a statement on Wednesday (20).

In June, the World Bank announced 500 million dollars for the RESET Development Policy Operation, which supports reforms that improve economic governance, enhance growth and competitiveness, and protect the poor and vulnerable.

USD 250 million were disbursed in the same month, the Bank said.

It said the second tranche is now being released after assessing that the government continues to make satisfactory progress in carrying out the broader reform programme, the macroeconomic policy framework remains adequate, and the Banking (Special Provisions) Act – aimed at strengthening the deposit insurance and problem bank resolution framework – has been enacted.

Continued momentum on economic and structural reforms is critical not only to stabilize the economy, but also to unleash its potential for private sector-led growth and transformation, Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka said in the press statement.

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Careem and Ijaz pile up runs as Zahira take major honours

Under 19 Cricket  

by Reemus Fernando 

Wicketkeeper batsman Roshan Careem and skipper Mohamed Ijaz piled up runs for Zahira to post 378 for six wickets declared as they took major honours against Maris Stella in the Under 19 traditional cricket encounter which ended in a draw at Negombo on Wednesday.

In reply to Zahira’s 378 for six wickets declared, the home team managed to post 172 runs thanks to Oshadha Gimhana’s 38 runs and 20s made by Yohan Aloka, Randeera de Silva and Gaveesha Induwara.

In their second essay Zahira were 131 for four wickets at close.

In another traditional encounter which commenced on Wednesday, Mahinda were 118 for eight wickets at stumps against St. Joseph’s at Darley Road.

Scores:

Zahira

311 for 4 overnight  378 for 6 decl. in 87.2 overs (Thabith Rizficar 50, Umar Imran 37, Roshan Careem 156, Mohamed Ijaz 99; Oshadha GImhana 2/84, Hasindu Perera 2/73, Ramith Bandara 2/65) and 131 for 4 in 32 overs (Thabith Rizficar 31, Umar Imran 37, Ismath Zayan 20, Roshan Careem 27; Hasith Nayanajith 2/38) 

Maris Stella

172 all out in 57.3 overs (Oshadha Gimhana 38, Yohan Aloka 28, Randeera de Silva 25, Gaveesha Induwara 29; Abdul Azeez 2/25, Yohan Saminda 3/27, Ismath Zayan 2/54) 

Mahinda 118 for 8 at Darley Road

Scores: 

Mahinda

118 for 8 in 59 overs (Ranindu Nimsara 31, Senuka Dangamuwa 29; Demion De Silva 2/37, Lahiru Amarasekara 2/09)

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Comments on future governments’ policy trajectories dampen bourse

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

CSE trading was dull yesterday following remarks by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe to the effect that any future government too has to align itself with the IMF agreement, if not it would amount to a breach of agreements with external and internal creditors, inclusive of the IMF.

Amid those developments both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 60.5 points while the S and P SL20 declined by 24.64 points. Turnover touched below the average level of Rs 566 million without any crossings.

In the retail market top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Expolanka Holdings Rs 43.9 million (317,000 shares traded), Kotagala Plantations Rs 41 million (6.8 million shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 36.8 million (157,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 29.8 million (157,000 shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 27.2 million (290,000 shares traded), Kelani Tyres Rs 23.2 million (387,000 shares traded) and Hayley’s Fabrics Rs 21.1 million (524,000 shares traded). During the day 36.8 million share volumes changed hands in 7500 transactions.

Yesterday the rupee opened at Rs 326.85/95 to the US dollar, from 326.80/327.00 the previous day, dealers said.

Bond yields were steady. A bond maturing on 01.08.2026 was quoted stable at 13.70/80 percent. A bond maturing on 15.01.2027 was quoted at 13.80/90 percent from 13.70/80 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2028 was quoted at 14.00/14.05 percent.

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Take measures to prevent infections – WHO

WHO MEDIA ADVISORY

Due to its rapidly increasing spread, WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86.  It was previously classified as VOI as part of BA.2.86 sublineages.

Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low. Despite this, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, JN.1 could increase the burden of respiratory infections in many countries.

WHO is continuously monitoring the evidence and will update the JN.1 risk evaluation as needed.

LINK: Read the risk evaluation: https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants

Current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 is not the only respiratory disease circulating.  Influenza, RSV and common childhood pneumonia are on the rise.

WHO advises people to take measures to prevent infections and severe disease using all available tools. These include:

-Wear a mask when in crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated areas, and keep a safe distance from others, as feasible

-Practice respiratory etiquette – covering coughs and sneezes

-Clean your hands regularly

-Stay up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza, especially if you are at high risk for severe disease

-Stay home if you are sick

-Get tested if you have symptoms, or if you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or influenza

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Celebrating with Mirage

Mirage is a big attraction at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, nestled on Silhouette Island, the third-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.

With 111 villas dotting the landscape, the resort unfolds a picturesque coastline for its guests, providing a breathtaking backdrop for an unforgettable stay.

Mirage is featured at the Lo Brizon Bar at the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.

They moved into action on December 6th and their evening performance will continue till December 29th.

Opening night was quite interesting, and the crowd enjoyed their music, says Benjy, adding that they are now working on some songs in the main language spoken in the Seychelles.

“We did one that has a slight baila beat and it went down well with the guests.”

According to the Resort’s F and B Manager, Tania Fernandus, Labriz Gastrolounge, on the main island of the Seychelles, Mahe, is set to celebrate the festive season with Mirage on Christmas Eve, 24th night, and New Year’s Eve, December 31st.

Mirage will be back in town mid-January, 2024, and, a couple of weeks later, will take wing to Australia.

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Expert skydiver's tragic final words seconds before he plummeted to his death

The heart-breaking incident was caught on film as expert Ivan McGuire plummeted towards the Earth without his most vital piece of equipment.

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Two arrested with 2,820 capsules of potent painkiller

The interrogation of a person arrested with 120 capsules of a potent painkiller without a prescription, near the Kallaru roadblock, at Silavathurai, on Friday (15), led to the recovery of 2,700 Pregabalin capsules from a house at Nanattan, Achchanakulam, on the same day. Another person was taken into custody there.

Navy headquarters said that troops and officers of the Division Crime Investigation Bureau Mannar had carried out the operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects were identified as residents of Silawathura and Nanattan areas, aged 22 and 23, respectively. They, together with medicinal drugs, were handed over to the Silawathura police for legal action.

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