Minister MONDAY Who Increased 14 june 2021 Fuel Prices Must Resign E-PAPER – SLPP General Secretary BY FAADHILA THASSIM The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Sagara on Saturday (12) demanded that Minister of Energy, Udaya Gammanpila take full responsibility for the recent fuel price hike and step down. In a statement issued by SLPP General Committed a Secretary, MP Sagara Kariyawasam, it was stated that the Party is utterly displeased over the increase in the price of fuel, which CoL Committee has heaped an additional burden on the public, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Grave Error He said the failure on the part of the Minister of Energy has left the Government with no alternative but take such decisions, Who Imperative to adding that the Party is of the opinion that Determined Fuel decisions that would be of any inconvenience to the public should not be should unveil hidden taken. He added that as the Minister in Charge, resign; me forces behind Gammanpila has failed to take appropriate decisions to avoid circumstances arising Price Hike or him? this attack from the increase in fuel prices. Kariyawasam added that it appears that this is an attempt to arouse displeasure Move taken to strengthen BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK amongst the public against the ruling While dismissing the call for him party and its to resign over the fuel price hike, leaders, in a local economy Energy Minister Udaya backdrop where the Gammanpila challenged SLPP Government is General Secretary Sagara facing several The Cost of Living main reasons cited was the Kariyawasam to an open debate, challenges. Committee, chaired by continuous rise in global following a statement issued under An increase in the President Gotabaya crude oil prices over the the latter’s signature on price of fuel was Rajapaksa convened with past few months. At Saturday (12). announced with the participation of present, the price of a barrel He also urged effect from Friday Prime Minister of crude oil is over US$ 70, Kariyawasam to divulge (11). Mahinda and market trends indicate the names of those who Rajapaksa and that it will continue to rise, forced him to issue the subject Presidential Media Division statement under the SLPP Ministers and in a press release stated. letterhead, without first focused on a The release read: Sri seeking input from number of Lanka has become a senior SLPP members. reasons for country that not only If Kariyawasam the need to spends a large amount of wrote those words on increase foreign exchange on fuel his own, he has fuel imports, transport services, shamed and prices. power generation and some questioned the decision One of factories depend on these of the SLPP's the imports. founder and... Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Marking International Day Against Child Labour Prices of bakery Sangakkara inducted products might increase into ICC Hall of Fame NCPA raises legal Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, India’s Vinoo Mankad and BY NABIYA VAffOOR prices," ACBOA president N.K. Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower were among 10 cricket icons to be working age to 16 Jayawardene said. inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on Sunday, as the governing The All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Speaking to Ceylon Today, body announced a ‘special edition intake’ to coincide with the Association (ACBOA) stated the prices of Jayawardana noted that many bakeries first ever ICC World Test Championship Final. The ICC Hall of BY NABIYA VAffOOR bakery products might increase due to use fuel, such as Kerosene and Diesel Fame now has 103 cricketers. the fuel price hike. for their ovens and the recent fuel price Aubrey Faulkner (South Africa), Monty Noble (Australia), Sir Marking International Day against Child "Wheat flour companies have made hike affects them directly. Learie Constantine (West Indies), Stan McCabe (Australia), Ted Labour on 12 June, the National Child several requests on several occasions to Jayawardene added the association Dexter (England), Desmond Haynes (West Indies) and Bob Willis Protection Authority (NCPA) raised the age of increase prices. It is too early to predict has yet to take a decision on a price (England) are the other seven players to have been inducted on employment for children from 14 to 16 years. whether they would get that permission. increase as an entity but there might be Sunday. "The legal process of increasing the age limit There can be a hike if the Government price hikes in several bakeries due to “Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka played 134 Tests, scored was based on the Education Act of 2016, which grants permission to the prime flour the sudden price hike of the fuel since 12,400 runs at 57.40, took 182 catches and 20 stumpings and extended the age of compulsory education to importing companies to increase their they can't afford to lose their profit. was grace personified at the crease. Sangakkara ended his 16 years under the Ministry's Education career as the most prolific run-scorer his country had ever Regulations," NCPA Chairman Prof. Muditha known, with double-hundreds flowing from his bat with Vidanapathirana stated. consummate ease. In 2014, he struck 319 and 105 in the same Vidanapathirana added that children Test match against Bangladesh, and in 2017 fell just 16 runs between the ages of 16 and 18 can only be Violating COVID-19 health guidelines short of striking six successive centuries in first-class cricket." hired for jobs that do not endanger their lives, Mankad had played 44 Tests for 2,109 runs at an average of health, education or growth, and they cannot 31.47. He also took 162 wickets at 32.32, being an opening be employed in hazardous conditions or at Police arrest 1,353 in 24 hours batsman and left-arm spinner. One of India’s greatest all- night. rounders, he scored 72 and 184 against England at Lord’s in "Parents and brokers who engage children in BY TRESHAN FERNANDO Rohana said was to identify and 1952. begging are liable to face an imprisonment up apprehend those who were violating Mankad also bagged 12 wickets against England in Madras in to five years under Section 288 of the Penal Police arrested 1,353 people within 24 guidelines in the Western Province and 1952 to give India their first ever Test win. Mankad coached Code. It is an offence under criminal law to hours, on 12 June, for violating COVID- in Colombo City. India legend Sunil Gavaskar. Mankad was the first bowler to engage children in begging; to make money 19 health guidelines, Police Spokesman The Police Spokesman revealed that run out a non-striker at the bowler’s end before delivering the from circuses or other entertainment acts, to DIG Ajith Rohana said. He added that 11,723 individuals were checked by ball, a dismissal that has since been informally named after him. sell drugs and alcohol to children nor use this was the highest number of persons Police and 354 were arrested for serious Andy Flower meanwhile became the first Zimbabwe player to children in prostitution,” he added. arrested within 24 hours since Police violations of COVID-19 regulations. be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Vidanapathirana also first began these operations. From the total arrested, 75 were from “He played 63 Tests, scoring 4,794 runs at 51.54, took 151 mentioned that it is also an offence under The total number of individuals Keleniya, 68 were from Gampha and 54 catches with nine stumpings as a left-handed wicket-keeper criminal law to use children for commercial arrested for violating COVID-19 health from Colombo Central. batsmen. His grit, determination and will to succeed where at purposes through cyber technology. guidelines since 30 October 2020 has Police have also taken 218 vehicles into one point he was ranked number 1 batsman in the world. Andy "In such case, the NCPA will take legal action now reached 31,395, DIG Rohana added. custody for violating COVID-19 carried his country’s batting for long periods, setting the record against those who employ children and Nine suspects were arrested by Police regulations, DIG Rohana noted. A total of for the highest Test score by a wicketkeeper with an innings of regulate such activities, by referring to the following drone operations conducted in 41 vehicles were from Mount Lavinia, 40 232 not out against India at Nagpur in 2000. Later, he became a Labour Department to take legal action," he Rajagiriya, he said. Police also conducted were from Keleniya and 39 were from hugely successful coach, leading England to the number 1 spot added. special operations in the Western Negombo. He added that in the operation in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings for Men," the ICC said in a Vidanapathirana expressed these views, Province on 12 June, between 10 a.m. Police had also issued warnings to 2,037 release. issuing a special statement on 12 June regarding and 12 noon and between 3 p.m. and 5 people and that Police would continue the International Day against Child Labour. p.m. The aim of this operation DIG these operations in the future. More showers Navy seizes 219kg heroin in Weligama expected – Met Dept A special search operation about 219.8 kg of heroin which arrested in connection with this The operation was conducted conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy was attempted to be smuggled racket. adhering to COVID-19 protocols The Meteorology Department yesterday (13) forecast that (SLN) in the coastal area of into the country in a dinghy The multi-day fishing trawler in place to prevent the spread of showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Central and Polwathumodara, Weligama, through Polwathumodara area in seized by the SLN on suspicion of the virus.