January 24, Colombo (LNW): As of today (January 24), the Sri Lankan Rupee maintains its stability against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka, with rates holding steady compared to Tuesday.

At Peoples Bank, there has been a slight decrease in both buying and selling rates of the US Dollar. The buying rate dropped from Rs. 314.56 to Rs. 314.07, while the selling rate decreased from Rs. 325.52 to Rs. 325.01.

According to Commercial Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 313.93, and the selling rate also remains steady at Rs. 324.

Sampath Bank reports no changes in the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar, with both rates holding steady at Rs. 315 and Rs. 324, respectively.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has taken steps against employees who participated in recent protests against the restructuring of the board. According to Deputy General Manager Noel Priyantha, the CEB has sent letters seeking explanations to nearly 10,000 employees who reported sick leave and took part in the protests. Further actions will be determined based on the responses received from the employees.

In response to the protests, the services of 66 employees have already been suspended by the CEB. The protests were organized in opposition to the restructuring measures being implemented within the Electricity Board.

Ranjan Jayalal, Convenor of the United Trade Union Front of the C.E.B, has expressed strong opposition to the actions taken by the CEB. He warned of strict measures against what he perceives as the repression of employees who participated in the protests.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed a petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism Bill introduced by the government to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). In the petition submitted to the Supreme Court, Cardinal Ranjith requests an order declaring that several provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The respondent named in the petition is the Attorney General, and it alleges that the proposed legislation, if enacted in its current form, would confer unlimited powers to the Tri-Forces, Police, and Coast Guard, allowing unwarranted arrests without reasonable suspicion. The Cardinal argues that this would violate fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

To address these concerns, Cardinal Ranjith seeks a Supreme Court order mandating a parliamentary vote with a two-thirds majority and a referendum to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which was tabled in parliament on January 10.

This legal challenge comes in the wake of growing opposition to the bill, with last week seeing a petition by Wasantha Samarasinghe, the president of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union, also seeking a Supreme Court order declaring certain provisions unconstitutional.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on September 05, 2023, underwent revisions based on suggestions and opinions from various parties before being presented in parliament. Despite these revisions, the bill has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally. Human rights organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), have urged the government to align the proposed legislation fully with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations.

1. TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran stresses that the on-going debate on the Online Safety Bill was illegal and in violation of the Standing Orders of Parliament: Parliament nevertheless proceeds with the debate following a majority vote in favour of considering the contentious Bill for discussion.
2. Ceylon Motor Traders’ Assn warn the new 18% VAT on used vehicles creates a black market in the industry & increases the market prices of used vehicles: stresses this is hurting the common man: laments it places a hurdle on legitimate companies as vehicle prices surge by an additional 18% due to the new VAT.
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe returns to the island after a 11-day overseas visit: he first participated at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland: thereafter, he participated at the 19th Summit of Heads of State of the Non-Aligned Nations and the 3rd Summit of the G77 & China, in Uganda.
4. Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera, MP from the “Apey Janabala Party” whose Leader/President Saman Perera was murdered in Beliatte, says he will refrain from commenting on the murder.
5. Government Medical Officers Association says the doctors will commence an indefinite strike from 8.00 am today as the Govt has temporarily suspended the payment of the “Disturbance, Availability & Transport” allowance: latest reports however indicate that the strike has been called off.
6. CB Monetary Policy Board maintains the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate of the Central Bank at the current levels of 9.0% & 10.0%.
7. Supreme Court sets 30th October’24 as the date to consider the Fundamental Rights Petitions which have claimed that the rights of members of EPF & ETF have been violated as a result of the Govt’s Domestic Debt Re-structuring: the 3-member Judge Bench comprises of Justices S Thurairaja, Shiran Gooneratne & Mahinda Samayawardhena.
8. Likely Presidential Candidate from the Mawbima Janatha Party Dilith Jayaweera says the current economic pressure and the country’s situation is nothing like what was faced 20 years ago when there was a JVP insurrection & LTTE terror: reminisces that during such period, he was selected to the university but had to wait 3 years since the universities were closed.
9. A 45-year-old Buddhist monk, Ven Kalapaluwawe Dhammarathana Thera shot dead inside a temple in the Malwathuhiripitiya area of Gampaha: Police say the shooting carried out with a T-56 assault rifle: 4 unidentified individuals had arrived in a car, carried out the shooting and fled the scene.
10. Siblings Matheesha Marambe from Royal College and Kithmi Marambe from Bishop’s College lead the 9-member SL Diving team at the upcoming BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Meet in New Delhi: SL diving team to consist of 5 boys and 4 girls: notably, all 5 male divers hail from Royal College.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): The Asian Internet Coalition (AIC), representing major global Internet and technology companies, has strongly disputed statements made by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, regarding the Online Safety Bill. In a statement released on Tuesday (23rd), the AIC cautioned that the current form of the bill is deemed unworkable and could hinder the potential growth and foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka’s digital economy.

Jeff Paine, Managing Director of the Asia Internet Coalition, addressed the Minister’s statements, asserting that they do not accurately portray the substantial contributions the AIC has made throughout the legislative process. Paine highlighted the AIC’s efforts, including comprehensive submissions and engagements such as hosting representatives from the Ministry of Public Security at the AIC’s annual Online Safety Forum in Singapore.

Despite their commitment to constructive collaboration, the AIC expressed concern about not being informed about proposed amendments to the bill. The coalition unequivocally maintained its position that the current version of the Online Safety Bill is impractical and has the potential to undermine the growth and foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka’s digital economy. The AIC emphasized the need for extensive revisions to align the bill with global best practices.

The AIC, comprised of influential companies like Apple, Pinterest, Google, Amazon, and Meta, plays a crucial role in promoting understanding and resolution of Internet policy issues in the Asia Pacific region. The coalition’s statement reflects its dedication to fostering a regulatory environment that supports innovation and sustainable development in the digital landscape.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): There is a possibility of ground frost at some places in Nuwara-Eliya district during the early hours of the morning.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Western and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

By: Staff Writer

January 23, Colombo (LNW): A group of senior IT professionals has warned that the Online Safety Bill may be used to cripple opposition election campaigns, suppress journalists reporting on corruption and even severely impact the IT industry.

IT Professionals for the People (IT4P) has also launched an SMS “e-referendum”, which allows Sri Lankans to use an SMS message to voice their concerns on the Online Safety Bill and other key policies.

IT Professionals for the People (IT4P) has warned that the Online Safety Bill may cripple election campaigns, suppress journalists and negatively impact the IT industry.

They have therefore launched an SMS “e-referendum”, allowing Sri Lankans to use an SMS message to voice their concerns on key policies such as the Online Safety Bill.

The group pointed out that Sri Lanka already has seven laws that place restrictions on free speech and therefore the Online Safety Bill is not necessary.

Thus, citizens can participate in the SMS e-referendum by sending an SMS message to 0767 001 001 as OSB YES, if the bill should be passed in parliament, or as OSB NO, if the bill should not be.

The project is part of a broader Direct Democracy Initiative, which can one day lead to citizens being able to directly vote on government policies. This system is particularly useful when citizens believe that political representatives are no longer in alignment with their interests

“Under this law, any person aggrieved by something a citizen says online, may go to the police or magistrate court against them. Such a person may become a suspect in a criminal case, subject to investigations, have material/devices seized and may be liable to imprisonment or a fine.

In addition to this, many online services the IT industry relies on (e.g. Google Apps, Office 365, AWS), if interpreted as “internet intermediaries” according to this bill, may face potential legal liabilities and compliance costs that may force them to consider partially or fully exiting Sri Lanka,” the IT$P said in a statement yesterday.

“Finally, this bill criminalises defamation. Around the world, defamation is a civil matter between two parties (i.e. no imprisonment/fines, only compensation may be asked for).

Sri Lanka already has 7 other acts that place restrictions on free speech. Law enforcement is already ill-equipped to enforce these laws. Adding a new law creates opportunity for misuse, potentially floods the court system with frivolous petitions, not to mention the expense of establishing a new commission.”

Further elaborating the e-referendum, the IT4P stated that, ‘implemented through a leading telecom provider, the solution allows any Sri Lankan mobile subscriber to send an SMS to the number 0767 001 001 with a poll code followed by “yes” or “no”.

 Ongoing polls will be published on social media and the organisation’s website, it4psrilanka.org.

SMS was chosen over a web/mobile solution mainly to curtail bots that is a common problem in online polling.