January 09, Colombo (LNW): Japan has stressed the urgency of finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on debt restructuring between the Official Creditor Committee and the Sri Lankan Government. In a recent statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, transparency and comparability in agreements with creditors beyond the Official Creditor Committee were also highlighted.

Kazuya Endo, Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau at Japan’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized these points during the Japan–Sri Lanka Economic Cooperation Policy Dialogue held in Colombo. This dialogue, conducted with Finance Secretary K.M.M. Siriwardana, aimed to comprehensively discuss bilateral economic cooperation following up on last year’s Japan–Sri Lanka Summit Meeting.

Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s reform efforts under the IMF programme, DG Endo expressed Japan’s support for continued necessary reforms. Secretary Siriwardana, in turn, detailed ongoing reform implementations and debt restructuring while appreciating Japan’s contributions to the debt discussions.

The dialogue also encompassed discussions on Japan’s future economic collaborations with Sri Lanka, focusing on stabilizing and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s economy while addressing socio-economic challenges through existing Yen loan projects.

DG Endo assured Japan’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s recovery from the economic crisis, emphasizing the importance of steady development. Secretary Siriwardana expressed gratitude for Japan’s support toward this goal.

Notably, a preliminary agreement on debt restructuring involving approximately US$ 5.9 billion of Sri Lanka’s outstanding public debt was reached in November last year among a group of creditor nations and Colombo. Japan, co-chairing this group alongside France and India, played a pivotal role in this agreement. Additionally, Sri Lanka has forged a debt restructuring deal with China alongside these efforts.

January 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan Rupee is holding its ground against the US Dollar at various commercial banks in Sri Lanka today, maintaining stability compared to the rates observed on Monday, January 9th.

At Peoples Bank, the rates for buying and selling the US Dollar have remained consistent at Rs. 316.77 and Rs. 327.81, respectively.

Commercial Bank reports a slight decrease in the buying rate of the US Dollar, which has shifted from Rs. 316.41 to Rs. 315.54. However, the selling rate remains steady at Rs. 326.50.

Similarly, Sampath Bank’s rates for buying and selling the US Dollar have not changed, remaining at Rs. 318 and Rs. 327, respectively.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has refuted recent assertions made by State Minister of Power and Energy, Indika Anuruddha Herath, regarding a purported proposal for the reduction of electricity tariffs.

State Minister Herath had conveyed to the media that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had submitted a proposal to the PUCSL for the reduction of electricity tariffs. He suggested the likelihood of a potential decrease in electricity charges before February 2024 following PUCSL approval.

However, the PUCSL has categorically denied receiving any such proposal from the CEB. Jayanath Herath, the Corporate Communications Director at PUCSL, clarified through an official statement that the commission had not been presented with any request for electricity tariff reduction.

Emphasizing the absence of such a request from the CEB, Jayanath Herath assured that as of January 8, 2024, no such proposal had been received by the PUCSL. This statement from the PUCSL directly contradicts the claims made by the State Minister regarding the submission of a tariff reduction proposal to the commission.

1. Leader of Mawbima Janata Party Dilith Jayaweera says the main parties UNP, SJB, NPP & SLPP have come together: asserts that is why every bill is passed in Parliament at any time with price & tax increases: points out “red parades” do not come to the Galle Face now: challenges NPP & JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a live TV debate.
2. Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader & MP Udaya Gammanpila asserts the Presidential election will be held any day between 18 Sept and 18 Oct’24.
3. Urban Development & Housing Ministry announces plans to raise Rs.21bn by “leasing” state lands over a period of 3 years, commencing 2024: such lands are to be leased for long term projects undertaken jointly by the public & private sectors.
4. National Medicines Regulatory Authority says legal action will be taken against private health institutions, despite their status, where medicines and other medical items are sold at high prices, thereby violating the Govt’s regulations regarding the Maximum Retail Prices.
5. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera meets French Ambassador to Colombo Jean-Francois Pactet: tweets that French Power Utility, “Electricity De France” has made a proposal to SL on nuclear energy: also says he discussed “possible partnerships” in the future.
6. Public Utilities Commission says there is no truth to reports in the media that the CEB has submitted a report on a proposed electricity tariff reduction.
7. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa files a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court requesting an order that the current power tariffs be reduced: PUCSL, CEB, Minister of Power & Energy, Secretary of Ministry of Power & Energy and Attorney General, named as respondents: asserts the CEB has made Rs.52bn by selling electricity at exorbitant prices.
8. Tourist Hotels Assn President M Shanthikumar hails the strong rebound in tourism in 2023: thanks Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and the SL Tourism Board for the effort: in 2023, earnings from tourism amounted to USD 2bn with 1.48 mn arrivals, the highest since 2019: analysts point out that tourism was affected in 2019 by the Easter attack, 2020 & 2021 by Covid, and 2022 by the “Aragalaya”.
9. International Chess Master Susal de Silva from Nalanda College, wins the Under-18 Open event at the Asian Youth Chess Championships 2023 held in UAE: in the Under-12 Girls’ category, Oshini Devindya Gunawardhana of Wycherley International School secures the 1st runner-up position.
10. SL wins the 2nd Cricket ODI against Zimbabwe by 2 wickets: Zimbabwe – 208 all out (44.4 overs): Mahesh Theekshana – 31/4: SL – 211/8 (49 overs): Janith Liyanage – 95.

January 09, Colombo (LNW): Upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directive, the Sri Lanka Navy is gearing up to dispatch ships to the Red Sea and adjoining waters. This move aligns with Operation Prosperity Guardian, spearheaded by the US, targeting the containment of Houthi rebel activities in Yemen.

Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Navy, affirmed the preparations for this deployment in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Although the specific deployment date remains undisclosed, Captain Wickramasuriya confirmed ongoing arrangements for the naval vessels’ readiness in the Red Sea.

Operation Prosperity Guardian extends beyond the Red Sea, encompassing the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. India has already contributed six warships to this multinational initiative.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking in Colombo on January 3rd, publicly disclosed Sri Lanka’s commitment to join global endeavors against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. He announced the imminent deployment of a Sri Lanka Navy ship to the Red Sea, prompting the Navy to initiate preparations for this mission.

The Houthi rebels, advocating for an end to Israeli attacks on Palestine, have conducted drone and missile strikes on ships navigating the Red Sea. This aggressive activity has compelled vessels to seek alternative routes, circumnavigating Africa and resulting in a crisis within the commercial shipping sector.

To counter these disruptions and uphold maritime security, international collaboration has become imperative, prompting nations like Sri Lanka to contribute to efforts aimed at restoring stability in these crucial waterways.

January 09, Colombo (LNW): The Minister of Finance of Japan, Shunichi Suzuki, is set to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka spanning from January 11 to January 12, 2024.

During this visit, Minister Suzuki has scheduled official discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry.

As part of the itinerary, Minister Suzuki and the accompanying delegation will visit key locations including Parliament, the Jayawardene Centre, Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital, Colombo Dockyard, and the Lanka Nippon Biztec Institute situated in Maharagama, as outlined by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is relieved by the release of Myanmar photojournalist Kaung Sett Lin, but insists that he should never have been arrested. The organisation urges the military junta to free all the 64 other journalists still detained in the country.

On 4 January 2024, Myanmar photographer Kaung Sett Lin was released one year before the completion of his term under an amnesty decreed by the military junta.

The media professional was sentenced in March 2022 to three years in prison with hard labour on trumped-up charges of “inciting rebellion”, under Section 505 (a) of Myanmar’s penal code. Outside the jail, he expressed to a Radio Free Asia journalist his sadness at being unable to reunite with his mother, who died while he was imprisoned, and his wish to see his “remaining detained journalists brothers released“.

A photojournalist for the Myanmar Press Photo Agency, he was detained in the notorious Insein prison, located in a northern suburb of Yangon, the country’s largest city, for more than two years.

“We welcome the release of Kaung Sett Lin, but we insist that he should never have been arrested, let alone sentenced to a prison term on trumped-up charges. We now call on the Myanmar junta for the immediate release of the 64 other journalists and press freedom defenders who are still detained.”

Cédric Alviani
RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director

Kaung Sett Lin was arrested on 5 December 2021 along with his colleague, video reporter Hmu Yadanar, while covering an anti-regime “flash mob” in Yangon. Both were badly injured, while the junta forces crashed a car into the protest using, and opened fire.

Hmu Yadanar, who’s suffering from sustaining serious head and leg injuries, is still being held in Insein prison. She has also been sentenced to a three-year jail term on charges of “inciting rebellion” and later received an additional 10-year sentence on charges of “financing terrorism”. In May 2023, RSF called on the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar to take up her case to seek international sanctions against the military junta.

The upheaval of the Myanmar media landscape began just a few days after the putsch on 1 February 2021. The junta quickly published a blacklist of banned media. Since then, four journalists have been killed by the army: the founder of the Khonumthung news agency Pu Tuidim; the editor of the Federal News Journal Sai Win Aung; and the two freelance photojournalists Soe Naing and Aye Kaw.

Myanmar, ranked 173th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index, is one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists, second only to China.

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REPORTERS SANS FRONTIÈRES / REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS (RSF)
Aleksandra Bielakowska
Chargée de plaidoyer du Bureau Asie-Pacifique  / Advocacy officer, Asia-Pacific Bureau
CS 90247 75083 Paris Cedex 02
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January 09, Colombo (LNW): Rainy conditions are expected to be enhanced in the Northern, Eastern, Uva, Central, and Southern provinces today and tomorrow, and cloudy skies can be expected in most parts of the island.

Showers will occur at times in Northern, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district. Several spells of showers will occur in Anuradhapura district.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere after 1.00 p.m.

Showers are likely in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces during the morning too.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Eastern and Uva Provinces and in Hambantota district.

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

January 08, Colombo (LNW): For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, a grand Pongal festival was held this Monday (08) in Trincomalee under the guidance of Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman to welcome the Pongal festival with 1008 Pongal pots, 1500 Bharatanatya dancers and 500 kolams.

On this special Pongal festival, the Eastern Province Governor held the jallikattu competition yesterday for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka.

For restoring the traditional heroic sport of Tamil people in Sri Lanka, many wishes were gained from all over the world for this “Pongal festival” which welcomes Pongal, and this festival attracted the attention of the Tamil people.

Editor (LGBTIQ)

January 08, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has written to Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, questioning his lack of support for SLPP MP Premnath Dolawatte’s Private Members Bill aimed at amending sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code.

The Commission’s communication advocates for the repeal or amendment of these sections, which have historically been employed to criminalise consensual relationships, including same-sex relationships.

The Commission’s in a formal communication in 2023 called for the repeal or amendment of sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, which have long been utilised to criminalise consensual same-sex sexual relationships.

The Bill proposing amendments to the Penal Code was presented in Parliament in April 2023. Despite facing criticism and constitutional challenges, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in May 2023, ruling in favour of the Bill and asserting that consensual same-sex sexual relations between adults are in fact constitutional and any move for decriminalisation can be passed into law with a simple majority in Parliament.

It is noteworthy that the MP’s bill was challenged by a group of concerned parties advocating for the very political stream in which Dolawatta serves as a member.

The Court dismissed arguments related to sexual exploitation of children, erosion of the rule of law, potential increase in HIV/AIDS cases, and perceived conflicts with religious principles, deeming them as “absurd.” The Court emphasised that penalising consensual relations between adults based on outdated morals undermines human dignity and the rights conferred under Article 12(1) of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

In its letter to the Justice Minister, the HRCSL underscored Sri Lanka’s obligation as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the government’s commitment to safeguard the rights of citizens of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

The Commission urged the Minister to actively support and expedite the enactment of the Bill, which underwent its Second Reading on December 13th of the previous year.

This intervention by the Human Rights Commission is a pivotal step toward ensuring equal rights and protections for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, aligning with Sri Lanka’s commitment to its citizens.

The response from the Ministry of Justice to these recommendations will determine the direction of comprehensive and much-needed legislative change, activists pointed out.

Rajapakshe faced criticism for previous anti-human rights stances, including derogatory comments about lesbians being “sadistic” (Sri Lanka Press Council, Judgment to Complaint no S2/99/2096, 2000) during his tenure as head of the Press Complaints Commission in 2000, and hateful comments about gay people being “mentally ill” in response to a similar resolution pivoted in 2017 in line with the then GSP+ concession offered by the European Union.

His recent amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, allowing for the marriage of Muslim girls below 18, have also drawn scrutiny.

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