1. President Director General (Community Affairs) Rajith Keerthi Thennakoon announces the initiation of an “Odapana” loan scheme: asserts the scheme, implemented in response to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directives, aims to address the financial challenges encountered by small and medium-scale rice mill owners, rice storekeepers and rice hoarders, particularly exacerbated by the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
2. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa declares an agreement to tackle infrastructure sector challenges, including economic, social, and political issues for upland and lowland estate communities: pledges to protect their rights, formalising the commitment by signing a social contract with various political parties and estate representatives.
   
3. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga refuted claims of endorsing any candidate ahead of the upcoming presidential election: asserts she has not made any endorsements thus far: dismisses rumours suggesting her acceptance of a leadership role within the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna council.
   
4. Prof. Jayantha Jayawardena who was previously ousted from the Sri Lanka Medical Council under ex Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s tenure has been reinstated as an SLMC member: The reinstatement was made by current Minister Ramesh Pathirana: The reappointment ensures Jayawardena’s tenure for five years as per the ordinance, unless voluntarily resigned or removed.
   
5. A fundamental rights petition reaches the Supreme Court requesting an order to direct the Constitutional Council to approve the President’s recommendation to appoint the current President of the Court of Appeal, Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, as a Supreme Court judge: Petitioner Sarith Maheeputhra Pathirathne argues that the Council’s rejection of the President’s recommendation is arbitrary and unreasonable: The Council cited inability to verify Justice Karunaratne’s suitability due to allegations against him: Faiszer Musthapha PC will support the petition.
   
6. The Committee on Public Finances questions the Director-General of Fiscal Policy about the delay in establishing a gaming regulator, crucial for attracting investment and recovering lost revenue: emphasises the urgency of creating this legislation due to significant revenue losses: grants a two-week extension to provide details on casinos and a plan to recover outstanding taxes, expecting legislation completion by March 31st.
   
7. The second phase of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits scheme commences today, aiming to select 400,000 more beneficiaries: Applications can be submitted online or through Divisional Secretariats within a month: The government plans to increase the beneficiary base to 2.4 million individuals, allocating Rs. 205 billion.
   
8. Education Minister Premajayantha confirmed that the 2025 school term will start in January as usual: asserts the Advanced Level exam, postponed to January 2024, is being adjusted to take place earlier: adds results for the 2023 A/L exam are expected between May and June, preceding the Ordinary Level exam later this year: The 2024 A/L exam is rescheduled for 2025, with the new school term of 2024 starting on February 19.
   
9. The weighted average yield rates (WAYR) of treasury bills with a maturity period of both, 91 days and 182 days, come down to single-digits at the treasury bill auction: CBSL asserts that this happened for the first time since 04 March 2022.
   
10. Sri Lanka completes a commanding 3-0 series win defeating Afghanistan by 7 wickets in the third and final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: Chasing a target of 266, SL comfortably reached the mark in 35.2 overs, with seven wickets in hand.

February 15, Colombo (LNW): A Fundamental Rights petition has been lodged in the Supreme Court, urging an order to direct the Constitutional Council to ratify the recommendation put forth by the President for the appointment of the incumbent President of the Court of Appeal, Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, as a Supreme Court judge.

Sarith Maheeputhra Pathirathne, an Attorney-at-Law, filed the petition, citing the members of the Constitutional Council, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Sagara Kariyawasam, among others, as respondents.

The petitioner contends that the decision of the Constitutional Council to reject the President’s recommendation, endorsed by the Chief Justice, to fill a Supreme Court vacancy with the most senior judge of the Court of Appeal, is arbitrary and unreasonable.

The petition highlights that during a meeting held on January 19, the Constitutional Council voted against the President’s recommendation. Consequently, as per Article 41 E (4) of the Constitution, the recommendation failed to garner majority approval.

The Council cited inability to verify Justice Karunaratne’s suitability for the appointment to the Supreme Court, citing allegations of bench-fixing tactics in a writ petition against his arrest by Pastor Jerome, as per the Attorney General.

The petitioner argues that the Council’s actions constitute a failure in its constitutional duty, characterised by arbitrary decision-making.

Casting doubt on the nominee and obstructing his career progression based solely on oral submissions and public allegations is deemed irrational and unjust.

President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha is set to support the petition.

February 15, Colombo (LNW): Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has addressed recent media speculation regarding her involvement in the upcoming presidential election, firmly refuting claims of endorsing any candidate.

In a statement released by her office, Kumaratunga emphasised that she has not made any endorsements thus far.

The former President also dismissed rumours suggesting her acceptance of a leadership role within the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna council.

These statements from Kumaratunga come at a time of increased political fervour as Sri Lanka prepares for the pivotal presidential election later this year.

February 15, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha affirmed that all necessary steps have been taken to commence the new school term of 2025 in January as customary, with plans in place to conduct the Advanced Level (A/L) examination earlier than 2025.

Speaking at a national event hosted at St. Anthony’s Balika Maha Vidyalaya, where textbooks and school uniform materials were distributed to students, the Minister disclosed that the A/L examination, originally slated for the preceding year, had been postponed by five weeks, resulting in its administration in January 2024.

Efforts are currently underway to publish the results of the 2023 Advanced Level (A/L) examination between May and June this year, ahead of the scheduled Ordinary Level (O/L) examination later in the year, the Minister noted.

Furthermore, plans are in place to update examination schedules, with the 2024 A/L examination set to take place in 2025.

Consequently, preparations have been arranged for the commencement of the new school term of 2024, scheduled to begin on Monday, February 19.

February 15, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, Professor Jayantha Jayawardana, previously ousted from the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) under former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s tenure, has been reinstated as an SLMC member.

The decision to reinstate him was made by the current Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana.

The reappointment ensures Prof. Jayawardana’s tenure for five years, as stipulated by the ordinance, unless voluntarily resigned or removed.

Expressing gratitude for his reinstatement, Jayawardana underscored the arbitrary nature of his prior termination.

He officially resumed his duties on February 14, 2024.

Last October, Prof. Jayawardana was abruptly removed from his position as the SLMC Vice President without justifiable cause, drawing criticism for the lack of transparency and adherence to principles of natural justice in the former Health Minister’s decision.

Previous report:

By: Isuru Parakrama

February 15, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambanthota districts, and showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (15).

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota district, the statement added.

The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama met with the Minister of State (Indo-Pacific) of UK Anne-Marie Trevelyan on 06 January 2024 at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom.

The High Commissioner discussed with the Minister of State regarding the matters related to Sri Lanka-United Kingdom bilateral relations with a special emphasis on economic engagement. High Commissioner Bogollagama thanked State Minister Trevelyan for furthering Sri Lanka-UK relations and briefed her on his priorities during his tenure to enhance bilateral relations.

The High Commissioner also briefed State Minister Trevelyan regarding the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and highlighted that State Minister’s expertise in this area would significantly contribute to Sri Lanka’s journey in reconciliation, recovery, and progressive development. The High Commissioner also briefed on the current developments in Sri Lanka including the debt restructuring with IMF assistance.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
London

13 January 2024