May 19, Colombo (LNW): The renowned Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (18) afternoon for a three-day official visit.
Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon welcomed the Spiritual Leader at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake upon his arrival.
Shankar was accompanied by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman.
During his stay from 18 to 20 May, Shankar is scheduled to attend an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation, and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on 19 May.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an Indian yoga guru and spiritual leader, is widely recognised as a global humanitarian and peace envoy.
He is also the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) issued early landslide warnings on Saturday (18), for several localities across four districts, effective until 4:00 p.m. on 19 May.
A Level 02 (Amber) alert has been issued for the following areas:
Badulla: Ella Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas.
Additionally, Level 01 (Yellow) alerts have been issued for the following areas:
Badulla: Hali Ela, Badulla, Haputale, and Haldummulla DSDs and surrounding areas.
Kandy: Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, and Yatinuwara DSDs and surrounding areas.
Kegalle: Bulathkohupitiya, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Yatiyanthota, Mawanella, and Galigamuwa DSDs and surrounding areas.
Ratnapura: Imbulpe, Balangoda, Elapatha, Kalawana, Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Ayagama, Ratnapura, and Kuruwita DSDs and surrounding areas.
May 19, Colombo (LNW): Due to pre-monsoonal conditions over the country and surrounding sea areas, prevailing showery and windy conditions are expected to enhance further during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said in its weather forecast today (19).
Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the statement added.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 01.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Southern province.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle,heavy showersare likely at some places. Showers or thundershowers will occur atseveral places in the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly in the sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota. Wind speed may increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Beruwala via Colombo. Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph in the other sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas extending from Beruwala to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota will be very rough at times and the sea areas extending fromKalpitiya to Beruwala via Colombo will be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 18, 2024 (LNW): Opposition leader and presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa made a bold statement today on the 15th anniversary of the end of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Premadasa criticised the 1956 “Sinhala Only” policy implemented by former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, asserting it paved the way for deep societal divisions culminating in the 26-year civil war.
Premadasa’s statement comes at a crucial time, with the presidential election just four months away. As one of the leading candidates, his remarks are expected to resonate deeply across the political spectrum. The 1956 policy, which made Sinhala the sole official language, remains a contentious issue in Sri Lankan politics, with debates continuing about its long-term impacts on national unity.
Notably, Bandaranaike’s daughters, Sunethra Bandaranaike and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, have both disagreed with the “Sinhala Only” policy. Kumaratunga, who became executive president in 1994, sought to reverse many policies, advocating for peace and national reconciliation. Despite being severely wounded in a 1999 suicide attack, she persisted in her efforts to unify the nation throughout her presidency.
Premadasa’s connection to the country’s violent history adds weight to his statement. His father, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was assassinated by a suicide bomber during a May Day rally in 1993, an event that underscored the deep divisions and ongoing strife within the nation.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to unite the country by providing solutions to the national issue of power devolution, advocating for the full enactment of the 13th Amendment. This amendment aims to devolve power to provincial councils, a critical aspect of the ongoing peace process.
Another critical presidential contender, Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has traditionally supported power devolution. However, recently, Dissanayake and the JVP have not clearly articulated their stance on this issue or the enforcement of the 13th Amendment.
Independent political and social analysts have broadly welcomed Premadasa’s statement, viewing it as a significant and necessary step towards acknowledging and addressing the historical roots of Sri Lanka’s prolonged conflict. As the presidential race intensifies, these discussions will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the political discourse and the country’s future direction.
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Global Peace Ambassador at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today (May 18).
Governor of Eastern Province Hon. Senthil Thondaman also joined State Minister on this occasion.
Gurudev will stay in Sri Lanka from May 18 to 20 and he will attend ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on May 19.
Here below is the Mullaivaikal message from the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon Lord Cameron PC.
15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict: Foreign Secretary Statement
“As we mark the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, my thoughts are with all those killed and disappeared, and with their loved ones who continue to search for answers.
“I heard first-hand about the devastating consequences of the war when I visited Northern Sri Lanka in 2013. There I made a commitment that the UK would support truth, justice, and accountability for all.
“The UK continues to lead international efforts on human rights and transitional justice in Sri Lanka, working with our partners to support meaningful progress that will allow the Sri Lankan people to engage on these issues and remember their loved ones freely.
“Sri Lanka is an important Commonwealth partner, and we will continue to work with all communities to make the most of the country’s extraordinary potential.”
Colombo, May 18: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has departed for Bali, Indonesia, to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, scheduled from May 18 to 20. The forum, themed “Water for Shared Prosperity,” underscores Sri Lanka’s proactive role in global water sustainability.
Invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, President Wickremesinghe will deliver a keynote address on May 20. His speech will highlight Sri Lanka’s commitment to equitable water access and sustainable water management practices. In addition to his address, President Wickremesinghe will engage in bilateral discussions with President Widodo, focusing on collaborative water management initiatives.
The forum’s agenda aligns with Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to address water scarcity and promote sustainable practices, reflecting the nation’s active participation in global environmental forums.
President Wickremesinghe’s departure coincides with growing political tensions back home. Rumours are circulating about a possible dissolution of parliament, which could pave the way for a general election ahead of the presidential election. According to sources close to President Wickremesinghe, he is not inclined toward a general election first, preferring to launch his presidential campaign in mid-June.
In contrast, Basil Rajapaksa, a key strategist for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), has advised the President to hold a general election first to counter the rising influence of opposition leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD). Meanwhile, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa is also aiming for a presidential election.
Upon his return, President Wickremesinghe is expected to present the Economic Transformation Act in Parliament. The act, which has already circulated among Colombo’s political circles via WhatsApp, has sparked considerable debate. Sources from both the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National People’s Power (JVP/NPP) reveal that they are prepared to debate the proposed legislation to expose President Wickremesinghe’s true intentions.
Independent analysts have cautioned that the premature circulation of such a significant act could lead to misinterpretations and unnecessary controversy. Nevertheless, the upcoming debates are pivotal in shaping the country’s economic future.
LNW (Colombo) Sri Lanka – General (Retd) Mahesh Senanayake, former Army Commander of Sri Lanka, has officially joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and will lead its newly established affiliate, the ‘Samagi Ranawiru Balawegaya.’
Senanayake, who served as the 22nd Army Commander and Chief of Staff before retiring in 2019 with a promotion to General, is no stranger to the political arena. He previously contested the 2019 presidential election, where he finished fourth.
The move marks a significant shift within the SJB amidst ongoing legal disputes involving the party chairman, former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.
Previously, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa faced similar scrutiny when he brought former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake into the party. Now, with Senanayake’s entry, Premadasa aims to bolster his position ahead of the next presidential election. Sources close to Premadasa indicate that Senanayake’s military background and leadership experience will strengthen Premadasa’s presidential campaign.
Including former military personnel in political campaigns is a trend across the political spectrum. Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) has similarly enlisted several ex-military and retired police officers to support his campaign efforts. Meanwhile, presidential aspirant Dilith Jayaweera has actively engaged with veterans, presenting his vision for the country.
In contrast, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has notably refrained from courting former service members in his re-election campaign strategy, setting a distinct approach from his rivals.
As Sri Lanka heads toward its next presidential election, the involvement of military figures in political campaigns continues to shape the landscape, promising a competitive and dynamic election season.
May 18, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Government must take decisive action to determine and disclose the fates and whereabouts of tens of thousands of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances over the decades and hold those responsible accountable, according to a UN Human Rights Office report released on May 17.
The report calls for the Government to acknowledge the involvement of state security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups and issue a public apology. “This report is yet another reminder that all Sri Lankans who have been subjected to enforced disappearance must never be forgotten,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. “Their families and those who care about them have been waiting for so long. They are entitled to know the truth.”
The report emphasizes that the Government owes it to those who have been forcibly disappeared to fully investigate these crimes, which continue to haunt not only their loved ones but also entire communities and Sri Lankan society.
Despite some positive formal steps by successive governments, such as ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and establishing the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations, tangible progress towards resolving individual cases has remained limited.
The report highlights that from the 1970s to 2009, enforced disappearances were primarily carried out by Sri Lankan security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam also engaged in abductions described by the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances as “tantamount to enforced disappearances.”
Based on individual and group interviews, the report details the enduring psychological, social, and economic impacts of enforced disappearances on families, particularly women, who often become the sole income earners in challenging labor environments prone to sexual harassment and exploitation.
Many women at the forefront of efforts to find the disappeared have faced harassment, intimidation, surveillance, arbitrary detention, beatings, and torture by army and police forces. One woman reported threats to harm her family if she continued her search.
Under international law, the State is obligated to resolve cases of enforced disappearances, which remain continuing violations until the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared are clarified, said the High Commissioner. However, most victim families still lack such clarification. One man described waiting 32 years for news about his disappeared son.
The report notes that successive commissions of inquiry have been created by the Government, but few reports have been made public, and most recommendations, especially regarding criminal accountability, have not been implemented. Alleged perpetrators, including current and former senior officials and diplomats, continue to evade justice.
Nearly 15 years after the end of the armed conflict and many decades since the earliest waves of enforced disappearances, Sri Lankan authorities are still failing to ensure accountability for these violations, the report concludes.
May 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tea exports in April in volumes have increased, whilst values have dipped, industry sources said.
Forbes and Walker Research said tea exports in April reached a total of 16.38 million kilos, marking a steady increase of 0.21 million kilos compared to the same period a year earlier.
In April 2023, volume of tea exports was 16.16 million kilos, down by 2.13 million kilos compared to same period in 2022.
Interestingly, tea in bulk, instant tea and green tea stood as exceptions, demonstrating growth, while tea packets and tea bags suffered declines in comparison to the corresponding month in 2023.
The FOB (Free on Board) value for April 2024 was at Rs. 1,745.45, marking a decline of Rs. 111.17 year-on-year (YoY) compared to April 2023, which recorded Rs. 1,856.62. In terms of US Dollar value, tea in bulk, tea bags and instant tea saw marginal increases, while other categories witnessed negative variances.
In April 2023, recorded the highest ever FOB of $ 5.78 per kg, pushing the cumulative FOB figure to a record $ 5.80 per kg.
The cumulative exports for the period spanning January to April 2024 amounted to 78.70 million kilos, reflecting a notable increase of 8.45 million kilos compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
January-April 2023 cumulative exports totalled to 70.25 million kilos, down by 11.74 million kilos from the corresponding period in 2022.
Instant Tea was the only category that did not exhibit steady growth during this period, while the other product categories exhibit negative variations.
During the first four months the FOB value was reported at Rs. 1,772.36, reflecting a decrease of Rs. 223.93 compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded Rs. 1,996.29.
Although most categories showed negative variances in LKR value, there was only a marginal decrease in USD terms for tea packets and instant tea, with other categories experiencing positive variances compared to 2023.
Among major importers of Ceylon Tea, Iraq secured the top position, importing a total of 10.24 million kilos during the first four months of 2024, marking a significant increase of 37% YoY.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia maintained their positions at second and third place respectively, with Türkiye experiencing a notable decline.
Iran saw a remarkable 198% YoY increase, moving up to the fifth position from the 15th position in 2023. Other notable importing countries include China, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Germany and Chile.
