July 30, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo District Court has prolonged the interim order preventing Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from serving as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Sarathi Dushmantha from acting as its General Secretary.
This extension lasts until 24 September 2024.
The court’s decision follows a complaint filed by SLFP members Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Duminda Dissanayake, which was heard yesterday (29).
The respondents have been directed to submit their objections by 24 September.
Among the defendants is Acting Chairman of the SLFP, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
In a related development, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe resigned from his role as Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries has announced an increase in the tea fertiliser subsidy to Rs. 4,000, aiming to boost tea production.
Current annual production has dropped to 260 million metric tons, with a new target of 300 million metric tons.
Previously, a Rs. 2,000 subsidy was provided, but it proved insufficient to meet production goals.
As a result, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Ministry Secretary, Janaka Dharmakeerthi, to double the subsidy to Rs. 4,000.
This enhanced subsidy will take effect from the upcoming Maha season, with the State Fertiliser Company reducing the price of tea fertiliser accordingly.
The initiative, funded by the Ceylon Tea Board, will allocate Rs. 2 billion towards this effort. Minister Amaraweera presented the related Cabinet paper yesterday.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): In recognition of its commendable efforts, the Ministry of Health lauded the Sri Lanka Navy for its support to people living with thalassaemia patients at a ceremony held on 29 July 2024.
The Navy has been instrumental in developing affordable thalassaemia infusion systems, a crucial tool for administering chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body.
The event, attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, celebrated the Navy’s innovative approach.
Since the inception of this project in 2011, the Navy’s Research and Development Unit has produced and supplied 3,166 infusion systems to hospitals and people living with thalassaemia nationwide.
During the ceremony, 375 newly produced infusion systems were handed over to the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Pathirana and Vice Admiral Perera symbolically presented these systems to five people living with thalassaemia, highlighting the Navy’s ongoing commitment to healthcare.
The event also saw the attendance of other notable figures, including Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena and Secretary of Health Dr. P.G. Maheepala, along with senior Navy officials.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): The National Peace Council has urged the government to reconsider its stance on the Supreme Court’s interim order restraining Deshabandu Tennakoon and to respect the Court’s decision to uphold the integrity of the country’s democracy and rule of law.
In a statement, the Council criticised the government’s refusal to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment as reckless and irresponsible, warning that it poses a direct threat to the rule of law.
The statement highlighted the government’s announcement to disregard the Supreme Court’s order preventing Tennakoon from continuing as the Inspector General of Police.
Despite this ruling, the government has maintained that Tennakoon will remain in his position.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena asserted in Parliament that the Supreme Court cannot overturn the approval granted by the Constitutional Council for Tennakoon’s appointment, while President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has stated he will not appoint an acting IGP to avoid potential election petitions.
The Council expressed concern that the government’s position undermines the fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy, which depends on the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
They emphasised that ignoring judicial decisions sets a dangerous precedent, potentially eroding public trust in the legal system and encouraging similar actions by other elected officials.
Citing the philosophies of John Locke and Montesquieu on the necessity of separating governmental powers to prevent tyranny and despotism, the Council lamented that the government’s actions contradict these principles and threaten the balance crucial to Sri Lanka’s democratic system.
They called on the government to seek legal channels for their appeals rather than disregarding court orders and condemned political efforts to bypass Supreme Court rulings as unacceptable.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has awarded the National Women’s Cricket Team US$ 500,000 in recognition of their recent triumph in the Asia Cup T20 tournament.
SLC announced the reward on social media, stating, “In honour of our Women’s Cricket Team’s outstanding victory in the Asia Cup 2024, we are delighted to present a reward of $500,000! Your dedication, teamwork, and relentless spirit on the pitch have brought immense pride to our nation.”
This historic win saw Sri Lanka Women secure their first Asia Cup title by defeating the defending champions, India, by 8 wickets in an exhilarating final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
This victory not only secured the championship for Sri Lanka but also marked a significant milestone in the nation’s women’s cricket.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): Separate search operations conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard in the waters near Koneshwaram and Chapel Point, Trincomalee on 27 July resulted in the apprehension of 27 individuals involved in illegal fishing.
Five dinghies and unauthorised fishing gear were also confiscated.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard are steadfast in their efforts to combat illegal fishing along the coast, promoting lawful fishing practices.
As part of these initiatives, the Eastern Naval Command’s Sri Lanka Naval Dockyard detained 17 individuals, along with three dinghies and unauthorised equipment, in the Koneshwaram area on the same day.
Additionally, the SLNS Mahaweli, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, apprehended 10 more individuals engaged in illegal fishing near Chapel Point.
Two dinghies and unauthorised fishing gear were seized during this operation.
The arrested individuals, aged between 17 and 71, are residents of Kinniya, Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Muthur, and Sampoor.
They, along with the confiscated dinghies and gear, were handed over to the Acting Fisheries Inspector of Cod Bay for further legal action.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya has urged for robust measures against cybercrime centres and employment scams in certain ASEAN regions.
During the 31st Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos on 27 July, Balasuriya highlighted the need for collective efforts in the Asia-Pacific to tackle emerging challenges, including security issues related to new technologies like artificial intelligence, aiming to prevent their misuse.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed these points in a recent statement.
Balasuriya emphasised that, while promoting peace, security, and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific remains crucial, the Forum must also address cyber and network security and combat transnational organised crime.
This year’s ARF Ministerial meeting, chaired by Lao PDR’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, saw participation from 27 ARF members.
In his address, Balasuriya also noted Sri Lanka’s historical ties with ASEAN countries and its active role within the organisation, particularly as Co-Chair of several inter-sessional processes related to disaster relief, non-proliferation, and disarmament.
He proposed the initiation of climate justice programmes, stronger regional mechanisms for disaster response, and intensified collaboration to tackle climate and environmental challenges.
Expressing concerns over the humanitarian impacts of conflicts in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, Balasuriya highlighted the adverse effects on the region and global economy. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the ARF’s objectives.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the State Minister engaged with delegations from the Philippines, China, the European Union, Russia, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, and Laos.
Sri Lanka has been a member of the ARF since signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 2007.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Naval, and Aviation Services, announced that Colombo Port has been recognised by Alphaliner as the world’s fastest-growing port in the first quarter of 2024, thanks to its outstanding operational performance and a 23.6 per cent growth rate.
The port generated USD 50 million in revenue during this period, unaffected by past trade union actions.
Speaking at the “Two Years of Progress and Way Forward” briefing at the Presidential Media Centre, Ruwanchandra highlighted the significant strides made by Colombo Port. In 2023, the Sri Lanka Port Authority reported a profit of USD 100 million, with half that amount already earned in the first quarter of 2024.
Enhancements at all four terminals and ongoing construction at the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) and the Western Terminal, which is set to commence operations in February 2025, are pivotal to this success.
Further development is in progress at the Eastern Terminal and Northern Port, alongside projects at Trincomalee, Galle, and Kankasanthurai ports.
A new passenger ferry service from India now operates every Friday from the recently constructed terminal at Kankasanthurai Port.
Airline operations have also seen a 25% improvement compared to 2023, with significant increases in both passenger and cargo services.
The number of air service arrivals rose from 36 in 2023 to 46 by July 2024.
Eng. Athula Galketiya, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), reported that by July 2024, international passenger movements reached 4.3 million, with an expected total of 9 million by year’s end, reflecting a 26.10% increase from July 2023.
International air traffic and cargo movement grew by 24.50% and 28.96% respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Plans are underway to enhance facilities at Bandaranaike International Airport, including the addition of departure counters and e-gates.
Construction on a proposed second terminal is expected to resume soon, with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project aims to accommodate an additional 9 million passengers by 2028.
The government has also addressed the resignation of Air Traffic Controllers due to salary issues by recruiting and training new personnel, ensuring smooth air traffic operations.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has announced that it will not endorse President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming Presidential Election, according to SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam. Instead, the party’s Politburo has decided to field its own candidate.
Kariyawasam mentioned that the party is currently evaluating potential candidates and will announce their official nominee shortly. The individual with the highest chances of winning will be selected as the SLPP candidate.
Additionally, the SLPP Politburo has resolved to take strict disciplinary measures against any member who decides to run for the presidency without the party’s approval. When questioned about the timing of their nomination, Kariyawasam stated that they would reveal their “winning candidate” at the most strategic moment.
He also noted that, after considerable debate, the majority supported the decision to field a candidate under the party’s flower bud symbol.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has officially submitted his election deposit and will contest the 2024 Presidential Election as an independent candidate. The election is scheduled for 21 September, with nominations opening on 15 August 2024.
July 29, Colombo (LNW): On Friday (26), Japan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki, held a reception to bid farewell to 15 new recipients of the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS).
The Ambassador congratulated the scholars who are set to travel to Japan next month to pursue their studies.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry also attended the event, having signed the Exchange of Notes for this JDS Programme during his recent visit to Japan.
The JDS Programme is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of promising public sector officials through two-year Master’s courses at Japanese universities.
The programme covers fields such as Public Policy, Macroeconomics, Public Finance, Investment Management, Industry Development, and Urban Planning.
Since its inception in 2010, the JDS Programme has supported 222 Sri Lankan public sector officials, contributing to both individual and institutional development within Sri Lanka.
The scholars are expected to strengthen bilateral ties with Japan, acting as cultural and professional ambassadors.
Ambassador Mizukoshi expressed his hope that the new scholars will play crucial roles in advancing Sri Lanka’s economic growth and development, following the Sri Lankan Government’s recent debt management and reform initiatives.
He encouraged them to engage actively with Japan and its people, fostering long-term, fruitful relations between the two nations.
