February 12, Colombo (LNW): In response to objections raised by various factions, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has announced plans to submit several amendments to the Online Safety Act to the Cabinet of Ministers.

Acknowledging concerns from multiple parties, including the opposition, Minister Alles stated that the proposed amendments will be presented either on Monday (12) or during the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the ailing former Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera at his home in Katugampala, checking on his well-being and engaging in a brief conversation. During the visit, the President also spoke with Jayawickrama Perera’s family to gather information about his health and offering support.
2. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has said that the opposition will not allow to postpone the Presidential Election schedule to be held this year, under the guise of abolishing the Executive Presidency. Added that SJB will not get caught to the mischievous motives of the President to extend his term, in the name of abolishing the Executive Presidency.
3. The Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services and RuPay card services will be rolled out in Sri Lanka and Mauritius at a virtual ceremony on February 12. The event will be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth and Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
4. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas says that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a person who spread slander on social media. The concerned suspect had maliciously carried out these smear campaigns with the support of a politician.
5. President Ranil Wickremesinghe directs financial assistance from the President’s Fund for liver transplant surgeries for young children at the Ragama Teaching Hospital and cochlear implant surgeries at the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital.
6. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) takes legal action against seven individuals, including five staff members of Motor traffic department for allegedly registered nearly 400 vehicles evading customs, causing significant financial losses.
7. The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) warns that the quality of air in parts of the island has dropped further to unhealthy levels.
8. Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena has assured the party’s support towards a proposal to abolish the Executive Presidency speaking at an SLFP media conference themed ‘We stand for freedom’ (‘Nidahasa Wenuwen Api’)
9. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles said several amendments to the Online Safety Act will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, after taking into consideration objections by various factions, at the next Cabinet meeting.
10. Australia secured their fourth ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup title with a dominant all-round performance against India, posting the highest total in a U19 Men’s CWC final and successfully defending it by dismantling India’s chase to win by 79 runs at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in collaboration with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, will witness the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, along with the introduction of RuPay card services in Mauritius. The event will take place via video conferencing.

India, a frontrunner in Fintech innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure, seeks to share its developmental experiences and innovations with partner countries. The launch is expected to strengthen digital connectivity between India, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius, leveraging the cultural and people-to-people linkages.

The implementation of UPI settlement services will streamline digital transactions for Indian nationals traveling to Sri Lanka and Mauritius, as well as for Mauritian nationals visiting India. Additionally, the extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius will empower Mauritian banks to issue cards based on the RuPay mechanism, facilitating the usage of RuPay cards for settlements in both India and Mauritius.

This initiative aims to enhance financial accessibility and connectivity, providing a faster and seamless digital transaction experience for a diverse range of individuals across the three countries.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): Another nationwide strike action has been declared by trade unions responding to the health sector, following the Finance Ministry’s failure to provide solution to the dispute involving the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance.

The strike action, accordingly, is set to be held from 6.30 am tomorrow (13), Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Federation of Health Professionals told media.

The aforementioned decision has been taken in the backdrop where a crucial discussion between the representatives of the trade unions and the Finance Ministry officials met a deadend.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): Leader of the ‘Eksath Janaraja Peramuna’ and Member of Parliament, Patali Champika Ranawaka, took aim at Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, accusing him of wasting time in Parliament and depriving other Opposition MPs of their speaking time.

Ranawaka expressed dissatisfaction, revealing that he was allotted only four or five minutes per week to address Parliament. He raised the issue with Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella MP, who informed him that his speech during the debate on the President’s recent policy statement had been excluded on the orders of the Opposition Leader, citing his failure to walk out during the President’s speech.

Speaking at an event in Bandaragama, Ranawaka asserted his independence in Parliament, emphasizing that he has no affiliations with the main opposition. He declared himself a trendsetter rather than a follower, rejecting the notion of following leaders who stage walkouts.

Ranawaka also claimed that the opposition was responsible for him not being appointed as the chair of the Ways and Means committee again. In a final note, he highlighted his commitment to being a seasoned and independent figure in politics.

COLOMBO; In response to growing concerns over the adequacy of existing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between foreign and local institutes, Sri Lanka has appointed a high-profile committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive review. The primary goal is to ensure that these agreements align with the best interests of the nation.

Chaired by the the committee comprises representatives from key government bodies, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant departments. This esteemed group, led by the Chief of National Intelligence, will bring their diverse expertise to scrutinize and enhance the existing MOUs.

The committee’s core responsibilities include a thorough examination of all existing MOUs, followed by the formulation of recommendations aimed at improving these agreements. The specific tasks assigned to the committee encompass various aspects related to bilateral cooperation and legal frameworks.
Memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between local and foreign institutes aim to foster mutually beneficial relationships through collaboration. However, a critical review is needed to ensure these agreements are optimized. Key areas to evaluate include bilateral mutual benefits, legal and functional obligations, exchange conditions, and unique issues specific to the involved institutes. The MOUs should deliver reciprocal advantages economically, technologically, and strategically for both parties.

Compliance with laws, clarity of provisions, and completeness of outlined obligations require examination. Fairness, efficiency and enforceability of resource and knowledge exchange mechanisms need assessment. Additionally, factors indigenous to each institute – cultural, environmental, operational – must be considered to ensure MOU adaptability and effective implementation. Overall, while MOUs establish valuable collaborative frameworks, comprehensive evaluations are essential to maximize bilateral benefits, fulfill legal duties, enable equitable exchanges, and address distinctive institutional characteristics. Regular critical reviews will optimize these partnerships.

This meticulous and thorough review by the committee reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its interests and ensuring that its agreements with foreign entities serve the nation’s best interests. The outcomes of this review are expected to contribute to stronger and more mutually beneficial collaborations between local and international institutes.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera emphasized that Sri Lanka stands as the only country globally maintaining the same electricity tariff for nine consecutive years. In response to criticism suggesting the nation has the highest electricity tariff in South Asia, the Minister argued that such claims are unfair given the prolonged consistency in rates.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo on Saturday, Minister Wijesekera highlighted that despite invitations, no Opposition members have presented proposals for reducing the electricity tariff, despite raising the issue in Parliament.

The Minister disclosed that a proposal outlining the minimum possible tariff adjustments has already been submitted. He clarified that the ultimate decision on tariff revisions lies with the Public Utilities Commission. After gathering public opinions and receiving recommendations from the Commission, the Electricity Board will rework proposals on the tariff system.

Minister Wijesekera underscored that the Cabinet of Ministers and the Finance Ministry will be duly informed once the process concludes and decisions are made regarding the tariff revision.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has recently filed legal proceedings in the High Court against seven individuals, including five employees from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). The charges allege their involvement in the illegal registration of hundreds of vehicles, including luxury cars, which had not undergone Customs clearance.

Earlier reports indicated that approximately 400 vehicles had been illicitly imported and registered with the DMT over the past few years before Customs clearance. CIABOC’s investigations into the matter have uncovered details for 156 vehicles out of the total, leading to the initiation of legal prosecution.

The Commission highlights a significant loss of tax revenue for the Sri Lankan government as a result of this fraudulent scheme.

Among the 156 identified vehicles, six are now under the custody of CIABOC, and five have been transferred to the Sri Lanka Customs for further investigations, following the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court’s order. Simultaneously, the Commissioner General of DMT revealed that three out of the five implicated employees, including an Investigation Officer, an IT officer, and a Clerk, have been immediately interdicted at the request of the Bribery Commission. This measure will remain in effect until the investigations are concluded.

In response to the scandal, the DMT is also conducting an internal investigation into the incident, as confirmed by the Commissioner General.

February 12, Colombo (LNW): In today’s financial updates, the Sri Lankan Rupee has shown a marginal appreciation against the US Dollar in commercial banks across the country, compared to last Friday. According to information provided by Peoples Bank, both the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar have seen a slight decrease. The buying rate has dropped from Rs. 307.69 to Rs. 307.44, while the selling rate has decreased from Rs. 318.41 to Rs. 318.16.

Similarly, at Commercial Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar has decreased from Rs. 307.24 to Rs. 306.50, and the selling rate has also experienced a decline from Rs. 317.25 to Rs. 316.50.

Meanwhile, at Sampath Bank, there is no change in the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar, remaining stable at Rs. 308 and Rs. 317, respectively.