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Sri Lanka shuts schools, government offices as fuel crisis worsens

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Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and has been unable to finance the import of necessities such as food, medicines and fuel since late last year.

Sri Lankan authorities have announced a two-week shutdown of government offices and schools, as public transport ground almost entirely to a halt due to a lack of dollars to pay for imported fuel.

The Public Administration ministry on Friday ordered all departments, public institutions and local councils to maintain skeleton services from Monday in response to the acute shortage of petrol and diesel.

“Due to scarce public transport as well as the inability to arrange private vehicles, it is decided to drastically curtail the number of employees reporting to work,” the ministry’s order said.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, and has been unable to finance the import of necessities such as food, medicines and fuel since late last year.

The country is also facing record-high inflation and lengthy power blackouts, all of which have contributed to months of protests – sometimes violent – calling on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.

Earlier this week, authorities declared Friday a holiday, also in a bid to conserve fuel.

Despite that move, long queues were seen outside pumping stations on Friday, with many motorists saying they had waited for days to top up their tanks.

The education ministry said all schools have been asked to remain closed for two weeks from Monday and to ensure online teaching if students and teachers had access to electricity.

READ MORE: Sri Lanka increases fuel prices as it battles economic crisis

UN emergency response 

The shutdown order came a day after the United Nations launched its emergency response to the island’s unprecedented economic crisis by feeding thousands of pregnant women who were facing food shortages.

Four out of five people in Sri Lanka have started skipping meals as they cannot afford to eat, the UN has said, warning of a looming “dire humanitarian crisis” with millions in need of aid.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said it began distributing food vouchers to about 2,000 pregnant women in Colombo’s “underserved” areas as part of “life-saving assistance” on Thursday.

The WFP is trying to raise 60 million dollars for a food relief effort between June and December.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its 51 billion dollar foreign debt in April, and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.

READ MORE: Sri Lanka open to buy more Russian oil: PM Wickremesinghe

Source: TRT World

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Freedom of journalism must be practiced within the responsibilities

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04/05/2024

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Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Khaleel has underscored the importance of exercising the freedom of press within the responsibilities. He made the remarks while speaking at a programme aired on PSM News.

Commemorating the 7th anniversary of PSM News, Minister Khaleel was invited to the programme, as he played a pivotal role in founding the PSM News Channel during his tenure as the Former Managing Director of the Public Service Media (PSM). The minister worked in the field of journalism and broadcasting for several years, actively engaging in various media positions, including reading and writing news articles.

Highlighted the convenience within the field following the advancements of technology, Minister Khaleel revealed articulated his vision for PSM News to serve as the primary national channel, delivering reliable and timely news coverage across the entirety of the country. In observance of World Press Freedom Day, the minister noted the continuous expansion of press freedom over the years. On this stance, he stressed the significance of media outlets to execute obligations in disseminating news, urging the spread of credible information.

Furthermore, Minister Khaleel revealed the government’s plan to expand and promote journalism. As such, efforts are underway to provide educational opportunities and to strengthen the financial stability of media organisations.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Fourth meeting of High-Level Core Group on withdrawal of Indian troops held in Delhi

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04/05/2024

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The fourth meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India took place in Indian capital New Delhi on Friday.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry said both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation between nations during Friday’s meeting while discussions were also held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development and defense cooperation.

Additionally, the Foreign Ministry said it was reiterated that the Indian government will replace military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10th, adding both sides expressed satisfaction with the fact that all the logistical arrangements are going ahead as per schedule.

Both sides also agreed that the fifth meeting of the High-Level core Group will be held in Male’ on a mutually agreeable date in June or July.

The High-Level Core Group was formed following a meeting between Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Minister of Islamic Affairs to attend the OIC Summit as the President’s Special Envoy

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03/05/2024

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The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, will attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which begins tomorrow, as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Special Envoy.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs is scheduled to address the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the President’s Special Envoy, which begins tomorrow, at Banjul, The Gambia. His address will be broadcast on television.

The Islamic Summit of the OIC, held once every three years, brings the leaders of the Islamic nations together to deliberate, take policy decisions, and provide guidance on issues pertaining to the Ummah as outlined in the OIC Charter.

The 15th Session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will take place in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 4–5, 2024, under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.”

Source(s): Presidents Office

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