By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) has called a new tender for the procurement of 5 million Pre-printed Poly-carbonate National Identity Cards (NIC) on Wednesday November 1 until new bio metric NICs applicable to the whole population is ready for the issuance, department sources confirmed.

The DRP has officially informed the cancellation of the last tender for 1 million cards on October 30 called on April 2023 after four prospective suppliers submitted their bids at that time.

The closing date of the new tender for 5 million cards will be on November 22 and this action of cancelling the bids of four suppliers, around five months after receiving bids for the previous tender has bewildered the prospective bidders.

They told the Business Times the time period given for them was inadequate for companies to submit comprehensive offers.

According to DRP sources there are over 1.5 million cards pending issuance due to lack of cards at the department.

The Department of Registrar of Persons (DRP) called for 7 tenders within the last 8 years to purchase National ID Cards.

Out of 7 only 3 times, the department has placed the orders and balance 4 times citing various dubious reasons they cancelled the tender and extend the previous contract by two years.

In most cases the department has increased the tendered price with the connivance of the previous selected bidder.

According to the tender results, the department has never placed the order with lowest price but given preference to higher prices.

The DRP has given the contract to their preferred local supplier on two occasions one in 2016 and the other in 2O21, disgruntled bidders complained.

In 2018 and 2021 same local supplier and different foreign principals were given the NIC tender without considering the lowest bidder, they alleged.

According to the official report of NIC tender awardees, JIT was the preferred selected supplier of national identity cards for the DRP since 2018 up to October 2022.

DRP officials and technical evaluation committee members jointly issue the specs that others cannot qualify  due to technical reasons as they set the specs for the Gemalto (presently known as Thales also represent by JIT local company), they alleged.   

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): High motor traffic accident fatality and injury rates on Sri Lanka’s roads are undermining the economic growth causing a massive economic loss of around Rs 300 -400 billion a year to the country, a finance ministry cost assessment report relating to the health sector revealed.

This massive sum of money is spent on treating the injured, providing medical facilities at state hospitals, and importing spare parts to repair the damaged vehicles and insurance expenses.

Available data shows an average of 40,000 motor traffic accidents reported annually in Sri Lanka resulting in around 3,000 deaths and 8,000 serious injuries. But along with unreported accidents and as per insurance company reports, it could be as high as 400,000.

When considering this high number of 400, 000 motor traffic accidents, the actual economic loss could be around Rs. 700 billion, Sri Lanka Medical Association’s Prevention of Road Traffic Crashes (PRTC) expert committee convener Dr. Thushara Matiwalage claimed.

The estimated annual road crash deaths per capita is the highest among its immediate neighbors in South Asia and five times that of the best performing countries in the world, a World Bank report highlighted.

The impact of road accidents on economic performance is immense as over two thirds of road crash victims are productive, working age adults between 15-64 years of age, This situation is worsened by the rapid growth in vehicle ownership and the diversity of motorised and non-motorised traffic of varying sizes and speeds.

This leaves vulnerable road users without adequate protection – more than 90% of crash victims are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

If this trend continues, as expected, crash fatalities and injuries will steadily climb— unless urgently required measures are implemented.

This is an issue vital to the country’s health, well-being, human capital, and economic growth.

The World Bank estimates that road crash fatalities and injuries could cost countries like Sri Lanka between 3-5% of GDP annually.

One-fourth of the deaths reported in Sri Lanka are due to road accidents, the Traffic Administration and Road Safety Division of Sri Lanka Police reveals.

Director of the Traffic Administration and Road Safety Division, DIG Indika Hapugoda disclosed that most of the road accidents involve motorcycles.

“About 12,000 people die a year in Sri Lanka. A quarter of these deaths, numbering around 3,000, are caused due to accidents involving reckless motorists and motorcyclists who violated traffic regulations, he pointed out.

According to the statistics of the Traffic Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Police, 1,500 people have lost their lives in 1,427 fatal road accidents between January 01 and August 31, 2023.“ 630 motorcyclists have died in 612 accidents.

Colombo (LNW): Seven newly appointed Heads of Mission and Ambassador designates from Sri Lanka recently received a comprehensive orientation on port operations and activities from the Hambantota International Port (HIP).

Tissa Wickramasinghe, the Chief Operating Officer of the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), took the opportunity to brief the diplomats on the port’s significant advancements over the past five years.

Wickramasinghe expressed the importance of this interaction, emphasising that it provided a platform to showcase HIP’s achievements and future plans. The aim was to highlight the positive impact on the region’s development and the national economy, thereby presenting the port positively on the international stage.

He noted that such sessions are essential to dispel any potential misinformation about the port circulating internationally.

During the session, the diplomats actively participated, posing insightful questions that were addressed by the relevant port officials present. The briefing covered various aspects of HIP’s services, including port services, Integrated Logistics, Marine Services, Port-related Industries development, Bunkering, and the role of Hambantota International Port Services.

The diplomats were provided with an overview of integrated logistics, industrial parks, port-based industries, marine services, the energy hub, and the port’s key business areas. Additionally, the presentation highlighted the Standards, awards, and accolades that the port has achieved.

The corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by the port over the past five years were also discussed. These projects included the Hope Village Development project, a fully-fledged PCR Testing Laboratory, Tissapura Junior School Development project, a fact-finding project on Human-Elephant Conflict, the Human-Elephant Peace Fund, the Electric Fence project under the Human-Elephant Peace Fund, Beach clean-up programs, and the installation of Garbage Collection Bins. The port has invested over USD 1.1 Million in these projects.

The Heads of Mission and Ambassador designates assigned to embassies and high commissions in various countries, including Italy, Egypt, Singapore, Bangladesh, Belgium, the European Union, Cuba, and Nepal, were accompanied by Ms. E. A. S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Director General of HRD, Research & Training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The session proved to be a proactive exchange, fostering a deeper understanding of Hambantota International Port and its strategic role in regional and national development.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces in Parliament that both Presidential and Parliamentary Elections will be held next year.
   
2. Foreign Minister M U M Ali Sabry says no one would come into politics if those who had been found fault for lapses on their part in respect of “policy decisions” were dealt with in terms of criminal liability: reiterates the fallout should be solely political: adds that in the FR case involving the former Presidents and others, the ruling doesn’t say there had been any fraud or money robbed or that funds had been sent overseas and consequently measures should put in place to recover such money: also says the SC has only faulted the Respondents for a “failure to take timely action to avert the crisis”.
   
3. Supreme Court, in 7-Judge ruling holds that properties mortgaged to a bank not only by an actual borrower but also by a third-party for a loan granted to the actual borrower, can be sold at an auction to recover the unpaid loan & interest thereon: overturns a previous 4-judge Bench ruling.
   
4. Shippers Council Chairman Sean Van Dort says corruption & bribes facilitation in the local shipping industry is rampant and urgent steps are needed to stop it: also says this was almost zero during the Covid pandemic because there were no “face to face” transactions at that time.
   
5. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requests the Wildlife and Forestry Director General to grant permission to those engaged in the Kitul tapping industry to tap trees in the wildlife and forest conservation areas.
   
6. SJB “Economic Guru” Harsha de Silva dismisses Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s claim that over USD 56bn had been “parked” overseas by exporters: also contradicts claims by rebel SLPP MPs Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa & Gevindu Cumaratunga on the matter: the controversial Foreign Exchange Management Act which enabled the retention of such Forex abroad by exporters, was passed by the Yahapalanaya Govt in which Silva was a Minister, in 2016.
   
7. Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda says the issue of poaching by Indian fishermen in the SL waters off the Northern Coast has become a significant concern for which a diplomatic approach must be taken to find a lasting solution.
8. SL Athletic team achieves remarkable success at the Asian Masters’ Athletic Championships in New Clark City, Philippines: secure a total of 84 medals (25 gold, 34 silver, & 25 bronze).
   
9. SL Women’s Cricket Captain Chamari Athapaththu signs up with “Northern Brave” for the 2023-24 Women’s Super Smash competition: presently, Athapaththu is playing in the WBBL for “Sydney Thunder” & is the 2nd-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 451 runs from 12 innings at an average of 45.10 & a strike rate of 134.62.
   
10. ICC shifts the Under-19 World Cricket Cup which was to be staged in Colombo, to South Africa: cricket analysts say the 16-Nation tournament would have boosted cricketing infrastructure, allowed fans to have a first-hand experience of seeing the sport’s future stars, and enabled the SL players to play in home conditions.

Colombo (LNW): The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on International Relations convened in Parliament on the 21st, chaired by MP Akila Ellawala in lieu of MP Namal Rajapaksa, to discuss the roles and future plans of various departments within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Officials from the Consular Affairs Division, the United Nations and Human Rights Division, and the National Oceanic Affairs Committee Secretariat, all operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were summoned to provide insights into their current activities and roles.

During the session, the Committee delved into the functions of these departments, with a particular focus on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Middle East.

Additionally, MP S. M. M. Muszhaaraff sought information on the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, and officials confirmed the existing ties between the two nations.

A notable concern raised by the Committee was the comparatively high prices of tourist accommodations, especially in hotels around Colombo. The Committee emphasised the need to address this issue to enhance Sri Lanka’s competitiveness in the tourism sector.

Youth representatives participating in the Sectoral Oversight Committee also brought attention to the unsanitary condition of Negombo beach, expressing concerns about the negative impact on tourism due to its current state.

Among the attendees at the Committee meeting were Members S. M. M. Muszhaaraff and Madhura Withanage. Officials representing various entities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Immigration, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Investment Promotion Board, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, were also present to contribute to the discussions.