May 06, Colombo (LNW): The recent annulment of the Surgery Long and Short Cases components of the Examination to Register to Practice Medicine (ERPM) Part B Examination held at the Examinations Centre of Eastern University (Batticaloa) has triggered outrage and allegations of nepotism.

Allegations have surfaced against the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), suggesting his involvement in the decision-making process regarding the annulment, in what the allegations propose his desirability for nepotism.

In a letter dated May 1, 2024, addressed to the Registrar of the SLMC, approximately 40 candidates who underwent the examination in April 2024 expressed their discontent over the sudden cancellation of the examination and the subsequent announcement of a fresh examination in May.

The decision appears arbitrary and discriminatory, adversely affecting their hard-earned marks and future career opportunities, the candidates argued.

According to the letter, the controversy arose following a complaint from a candidate regarding the absence of a translator during the examination.

Allegedly, the candidate in question is the daughter of a consultant with close ties to the President.

Instead of addressing the issue impartially, the President purportedly instructed to inflate marks for all candidates, including the consultant’s daughter, to ensure her passing.

Reportedly, when the examination coordinator and council members refused to comply with the President’s directive, he leveraged his position to nullify the examination for all candidates and mandated a re-examination for everyone, despite suggestions for a re-examination solely for affected candidates.

Furthermore, the letter accuses the President of appointing his associates to the investigation committee, potentially influencing the outcome of the inquiry.

In light of these concerns, the candidates urged the SLMC to reconsider the annulment decision and release their results, highlighting the significant and irreversible consequences they would face due to the decision.

May 06, Colombo (LNW): In April, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector experienced a decline in momentum as the number of international visitors dropped below 200,000 for the first time this year, provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) revealed.

The total tourist arrivals for April amounted to 148,867, marking a 41 per cent increase compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.

However, this figure represents a significant decrease from the 209,181 tourist arrivals recorded in the previous month of March.

Since December 2023, Sri Lanka has consistently attracted over 200,000 tourists each month, marking the first time this milestone was achieved since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.

This positive momentum persisted for four consecutive months before experiencing a contraction in April.

Such declines are not uncommon as April typically marks the beginning of a quieter period before a resurgence in July.

While a decline was anticipated, tourism authorities have attributed the steep drop in April to various factors, including the implementation of a new visa system introduced on 17th April.

This new system, which is perceived as more expensive and less convenient compared to the previous Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), has generated considerable discussion since its rollout.

In the latest tourist arrivals update, the SLTDA noted that arrival numbers have been “updated” to reflect the new visa categories introduced by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

This update indicates an increase in arrival numbers. SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernado emphasised that he would provide further clarity after seeking clarification from immigration authorities, according to Daily Mirror.

Fernado highlighted that immigration serves as the primary source for obtaining arrival data and noted changes in categorisation, including visitors for Friends and Relatives, Business, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

India, the Russian Federation, and the UK emerged as the top three source markets for Sri Lanka tourism in April, contributing 18 per cent, 10 per cent, and 9 per cent of total tourist arrivals, respectively.

May 06, Colombo (LNW): The 2023 General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Ordinary Level examination is set to commence today (06), spanning 3,527 centres across the island.

With an anticipated 452,979 candidates scheduled to sit for the examination, the Commissioner General of Examinations urges candidates to arrive promptly at their designated examination centres, equipped with their admission cards and valid identification documents.

By: Isuru Parakrama

May 06, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m., with showers or thundershowers being expected to occur at a few places in North-western and North-central provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (06).

A few showers may occur over the coastal areas of Puttalam to Galle via Colombo during the morning to0, the statement added.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces during the morning.

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

Meanwhile, The swell waves (about 2.5 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) and wave period (about 12s-16s) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota.

There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota can be rough at times.

The naval and fishing communities who are engaged in fishing and naval activities in the above sea areas, therefore, are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

The adverse weather conditions are also attributed to by heat index, the temperature felt on human body, which is expected to increase up to ‘Extreme Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district and that values, expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and Matale district.

The public, therefore, is urged to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-coloured clothing.

By: Staff Writer

May 05, Colombo (LNW): The second meeting of the strategic dialogue between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 07 May 2024, at the senior officials’ level.

The meeting will review developments in foreign and security policies, as well as progress in the areas of bilateral engagement, including trade, investment, tourism, climate change, environment protection, migration, and maritime cooperation among others.

The meeting will also take stock of cooperation by the two countries at international fora, including at the United Nations and Commonwealth.

Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2023. The visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne this year to commemorate this occasion underscored the importance of our enduring friendship.

At the second Strategic Dialogue, the Sri Lanka delegation will be led by Director General Europe and North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shobini Gunasekera. It includes bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.

The UK side will be led by Director/India and Indian Ocean Directorate at Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ben Meller and will comprise High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Head of Sri Lanka team in the FCDO Humairaa Haita and the High Commission officials along with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government agencies.

Sri Lanka participated in the inaugural UK-Sri Lanka Strategic Dialogue at the Foreign Secretary level on April 18, 2023 at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane attended the Dialogue on behalf of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

UK Minister of State in the FCDO Anne Marie Trevelyan opened the dialogue, an dit was conducted with the participation of Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Undersecretary of the FCDO. 

The inaugural Strategic Dialogue has been convened at the invitation of the FCDO at the important juncture of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom this year.

The Strategic Dialogue has provided a forum for both sides to discuss the multifaceted relations between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane had a bilateral meeting with Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth Prof. Luis G. Franceschi and interacted  with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). 

By: Staff Writer

May 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s State owned Enterprises (SOE’s) including the Central Bank and state banks are to be brought under a legal framework for appointments, management, procurement and capital spending with the enactment of SOE Act in parliament soon, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe divulged.

It is aimed at improving governance of state-owned enterprise by May 2024 as part of anti-corruption efforts following an International Monetary Fund (IMF) governance diagnostic assessment

A legislation is now being drafted to boost governance providing provisions to cut down fiscal powers currently given to board of governors and directors of state owned entities he elaborated.    

Moreover the power of deciding salary structures and increments of the staff of SOEs including the Central Bank and state banks will be vested in the finance ministry and Parliament.

According to the draft SOE act, state owned enterprises will only be given administration powers and powers to take financial policy decisions on decisions. It will be not be  given any authority to increase salaries of employees.

“SOEs are susceptible to mismanagement and corruption as wells due to possible conflicts between ownership and policy making functions of the government, undue political interference on policies and business practices, “he claimed.

All commercial SOEs are required to publish quarterly accounts and an annual report similar to listed entities.

In addition, these enterprises should continue to appear before COPE as is done now. Extending the capacity of Public Enterprises Department (PED) to consolidate SOE data and its ability to analyse and report on SOE sector performance will contribute to more effective governance.

The Government maintains ownership and control over somewhere between 300 and 500 entities (527 to be exact) that it characterises as public corporations.

A Public Enterprises Department has been established within the Ministry of Finance which collates the budgets, business plans, and financial reports of 52 SOEs –those which it considers to be the most strategically important.

130 SOEs have been ear marked for conversion into public liability companies of which 17 were defunct and state intervention is not needed for 87 enterprises, the ministry report indicated.

May 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka samurdhi banking system is to be regularised making it difficult for corrupt officials and politicians to pilfer money from the compulsory savings of poorer recipients, finance ministry sources said. 

It will be upgraded to guarantee transparency and independence by implementing a credible and a practical empowerment plan to bring it under the purview of the Central Bank  

The samurdhi bank has assets worth Rs.400 billion including the deposits of samurdhi recipients (compulsory savings) which were invested in banks and government securities

There are currently 1,050 samurdhi “banks” (branches) in Sri Lanka but they are not formally recognised as banks as they do not fall under the preview of the Central Bank.

These informal banks were used exclusively as distribution points for the samurdhi monthly cash transfers.

Many incidents of stealing money from these banks with the connivance of its managers and samurdhi development officers under the guise of poor relief programs have been reported in the recent past.

Details of all these fraudulent activities including bank robberies recorded in public domain and some inquiries are still pending.

The lack of financial inclusion of poorest of the poor has deprived most of them even obtaining a loan or any other financial facility from a samurdhi bank.

Considering all these factors the Government has decided to regulate the samurdhi banking system as a microfinance banking system of the Central Bank to provide the “Aswesuma” welfare benefit for the people

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has also directed the officials to look into the possibility of developing the samurdhi bank further into a state rural bank as it cannot be continued as an informal bank.  

The Committee on Public Accounts has instructed the Samurdhi Development Department to provide details of the amount of money in the seven funds currently under the care of the Department and the services provided by those funds

Samurdhi Bank, which is under the purview of the Samurdhi Department, is not subject to state audit, and the COPA and the Office of the Auditor General have agreed that it should be audited although It has its internal auditing system.

Up to now, this banking system has no facility for cash transfer to the beneficiary accounts.

Therefore Government is not in a position to utilise the samurdhi banking system for cash transfers for the poor and the vulnerable, a senior official of the finance ministry said.

He said that action would be taken to make use of billions of rupees of samurdhi funds in a productive manner to provide immediate relief for vulnerable community.      

So the immediate priority is to be given to upgrade it to a link system where the money can be transferred to the beneficiary’s account without third party involvement.