February 25, Colombo (LNW): Coast guard personnel from India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka have commenced a four-day trilateral exercise aimed at bolstering maritime security and interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Known as ‘DOSTI-16,’ the exercise involves Indian Coast Guard ship Samarth, ICGS Abhinav, and Sri Lanka Naval Ship Samudura, with Bangladesh participating as an observer.
The trilateral exercise seeks to enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the Coast Guard personnel of the participating nations.
Welcoming ADG S Paramesh, Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) expressed warm greetings upon his arrival at the VIA.
Commanding Officers of the participating ICG ships held discussions with Commandant MNDF CG to explore avenues of cooperative engagement.
Activities throughout the exercise will include joint sea exercises involving the Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and Maldives National Defence Force.
The 16th edition of the India-Maldives-Sri Lanka trilateral exercise ‘Dosti’ underscores regional synergy to enhance maritime security and interoperability, as highlighted by the Indian Mission in Maldives.
Participating in such exercises enables the Sri Lanka Navy to augment cooperation and interoperability with other maritime stakeholders in the region, fostering knowledge exchange, strategy sharing, and collaborative problem-solving for emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Tensions rise over surging salaries at the Central Bank, sparking political speculation: Sources disclose that UNP leaders express public discontent to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, hinting it could influence the upcoming presidential polls: Wickremesinghe deflects responsibility, citing the Central Bank’s autonomy and suggests parliamentary intervention: Speculation mounts about the salary spike’s political impact.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and wife Jalani Premadasa announce parenthood to a baby girl: says as a father his ultimate hope is that his daughter grows up, receives a good education, and becomes a virtuous, civilised, educated and intelligent citizen of the country, just as any other parent.
NPP/JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Sri Lanka had always stuck in the process of moving forward due to its vanity towards centuries-old accomplishments, when other nations moved forward: laments politicians who came to power from time to time harboured this vanity instead of building the nation by measuring the country’s development in ancient establishments, thus losing major transformations.
The government is considering establishing a prison or rehabilitation centre on Mantheevu Island in Batticaloa, currently housing only two leprosy patients: Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha visited the island to explore this possibility due to prison overcrowding concerns: The 100-acre island was previously used as a quarantine facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Health Ministry is investigating suspected fatalities at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital’s dialysis unit: At least five deaths have occurred since January: A five-member committee, led by Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige, will investigate the matter: The incident may be linked to unidentified pathogens introduced into the unit: The Ministry is conducting a comprehensive inquiry, and as a precaution, the unit has been closed, with patients redirected to nearby facilities.
The Asian Development Bank plans to offer Sri Lanka up to $500 million in assistance for 2024, contingent on policy reform progress: This includes a $100 million power sector loan pending approval of an electricity reform bill, another $100 million for Small and Medium Enterprises pending establishment of a credit guarantee agency, and a $200 million credit line for the financial sector: Additionally, $100 million is under consideration for the water sector.
Several SriLankan Airlines flights at Bandaranaike International Airport faced delays due to ground staff temporarily ceasing duties around 4:30 AM: Operations resumed after about two and a half hours following discussions: The protest stemmed from airport workers’ concerns about perceived inefficiencies within the flag carrier.
Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has committed to establishing a SLBFE office in Kegalle District following a joint appeal from the Kegalle Migrant Workers Committee and the district’s political authority: The decision addresses concerns about the absence of an SLBFE office in the district, despite it having the highest number of migrant workers in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
Coast guard personnel from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka join for a four-day trilateral exercise called ‘DOSTI-16’ in the Indian Ocean Region, aimed at enhancing maritime security and interoperability: The exercise involves ships and helicopters from the participating countries, with activities including joint sea exercises and discussions on mutual cooperation: Bangladesh participates as an observer.
Sports Minister Harin Fernando, along with Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando Ph.D., and the National Sports Council led by Dr. Maiya Gunasekara, select 58 athletes to join the National High Performance Pool for the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympics 2024: The pool includes 33 athletes from 11 Olympic sports and 25 para-athletes across eight Paralympic sports.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): In the realm of political gossip, tensions are running high as the salaries of Central Bank of Sri Lanka employees skyrocket.
A recent rendezvous between a cadre of UNP heavyweights and President Ranil Wickramasinghe stirred the pot even further.
During the meeting, the UNP stalwarts laid bare the public’s simmering discontent over the salary surge, hinting that it could even sway the upcoming presidential election.
In response, President Wickremesinghe swiftly deflected responsibility, asserting the Central Bank’s autonomy and emphasising that parliamentary intervention is key to addressing such matters.
Were the manner by which the Central Bank operates to be changed, the Parliament itself should respond to amend the Central Bank Act, sources cited the President’s comments.
Yet, whispers within political circles suggest that the salary spike at the Central Bank has added fuel to the already fiery public sentiment, igniting widespread speculation about its potential impact on the political landscape.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Several SriLankan Airlines flights experienced delays at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this (25) morning due to a temporary cessation of duties by ground staff, local correspondents said.
The ground staff reportedly ceased their duties at 4:30 AM, leading to delays in at least four SriLankan flights.
However, operations resumed after approximately two and a half hours following discussions prompted by authorities.
The protest was reportedly initiated by airport workers seeking prompt resolutions to perceived inefficiencies within SriLankan Airlines.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Higher Education in Sri Lanka has announced plans to enlist foreign and expatriate volunteers to teach English to Sri Lankan students.
This initiative comes amidst a significant exodus of teachers migrating to other countries following the nation’s unprecedented economic crisis.
According to Education Ministry officials, over five thousand teachers have departed the country with official permission under the government’s circular allowing temporary leave from state positions.
Additionally, tens of thousands of teachers have left without informing the authorities, exacerbating the acute teacher shortage nationwide.
Suren Raghavan, the State Minister for Higher Education, highlighted that the shortage has been exacerbated by many graduates with English degrees opting for careers in writing or the private sector due to higher salaries, rather than joining government schools.
To address this challenge, Raghavan emphasised the need for an online system.
Raghavan also mentioned engaging with the Canadian and Australian High Commissions to enlist the assistance of English teachers experienced in teaching English as a second language in South Asia.
He noted the interest shown by teachers in the United Kingdom, who have experience teaching in Asian countries such as Burma and India, to offer their services free of charge.
This initiative coincides with concerns about a decline in the country’s English literacy rate, highlighted the Minister.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe introduced the “English-for-all” initiative three months ago with the aim of enhancing English literacy levels at both school and university levels.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Takafumi Kadono, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has indicated that Sri Lanka may receive $500 million in assistance from the ADB in 2024, contingent upon the progress of policy reforms.
The ADB is poised to present a $100 million power sector loan proposal to its Board around March or April, pending approval of a revised electricity reform bill by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Another $100 million loan to bolster Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) could be greenlit early in the year as Sri Lanka establishes a credit guarantee agency to facilitate credit for small businesses.
Additionally, a $200 million credit line is earmarked for the financial sector, with the ADB having disbursed the initial installment of this financial sector policy loan in the latter part of last year.
Further funding, amounting to $100 million, is under consideration for the water sector, with potential approval later in the year.
Sri Lanka may access $200 to $300 million annually at a concessional rate of 2 per cent under the ADB’s concessional ordinary capital resources (COL) framework, with the remaining balance linked to the SOFR-based ordinary capital resource rate.
Moreover, the ADB has commenced crafting a ‘Country Partnership Strategy’ for Sri Lanka spanning the period of 2024 to 2028, Kadono disclosed.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Health Ministry has initiated an investigation and formed a committee to examine the circumstances surrounding suspected fatalities at the dialysis unit of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.
Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Palitha Mahipala, confirmed at least five deaths since January in the dialysis unit.
A five-member committee, led by Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige, has been established to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Sources suggest that the incident may be linked to the introduction of unidentified pathogens into the blood dialysis unit.
However, the Health Ministry is conducting a comprehensive inquiry to determine the root cause of the fatalities.
As a precautionary measure, health authorities have promptly closed the unit and redirected kidney patients to nearby facilities.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has responded to a joint appeal from the Kegalle Migrant Workers Committee and the Kegalle District political authority by committing to establish a Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) office in Kegalle District.
The decision follows concerns raised regarding the absence of an SLBFE office in the district, despite it being home to the highest number of migrant workers in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
This announcement was made during the Jayagamu Sri Lanka programme, organised by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment in Kegalle, where the Committee presented their request, emphasising the urgent need for an SLBFE office to address the welfare and concerns of migrant workers from the region.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces in the evening or night, and a few showers may occur in Uva and Eastern provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (25).
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Badulla district during the morning, the statement added.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle in the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be North-easterly or Easterly and wind speed will be (20-25) kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara and from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara and from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar can be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be Slight. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
February 24, Colombo (LNW): The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has extended a warm invitation to Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, known for his advocacy for environmental conservation, to witness Sri Lanka’s mangrove restoration efforts and explore its vibrant marine ecosystem.
“Hey #JasonMomoa, your admiration and @UNEP support for Sri Lanka’s environmental efforts and using your voice to increase awareness of the urgency to #SaveOurOcean is inspiring!
As US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I invite you to come experience the beauty of Sri Lanka’s mangrove restoration firsthand and dive into the depths of our strong US-Sri Lanka partnership,” she noted via ‘X’ on thursday
The Ambassador’s invitation comes hot on the heels of the Aquaman star Momoa congratulating Sri Lanka for being declared a UN World Restoration Flagship, in recognition of the country’s efforts to rebuild and restore its mangrove ecosystems.
In a video statement of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Advocate for Life Below Water, he commended the endeavours of the country.
“As a native Hawaiian, I saw the impacts of climate change first hand this year, the devastating lines of fires.
We urgently need to revive the health of our lands, the coasts and oceans. After the tsunami, the island of Sri Lanka had to build back, and they did it using the power of nature as a solution versus fighting against it. I want to celebrate Sri Lanka for its recognition as the UN World Restoration Flagship.
In the country, citizens and partners are working together to naturally generate 10,000 hectares of mangrove forest by 2030 to fortify the coastline. Congratulations,
Sri Lanka. Mahalo for working together to create positive change. You are the example. All my Aloha,” Mamosa said.
Expressing admiration for Momoa’s commitment to UNEP causes, Ambassador Chung underscored the invitation for the Auqaman star to dive into the crystal-clear waters and explore mesmerising shipwrecks along the Sri Lankan coast.
“Ready to trade the depths of Atlantis for the crystal waters and mesmerising shipwrecks off the coast of Sri Lanka? #VisitSriLanka #YoullComeBackForMore (video credit: @UNSriLanka),” she added.
With the hashtags #VisitSriLanka and #YoullComeBackForMore, the Ambassador’s message underscored Sri Lanka Tourism taglines to explore the country firsthand.
On 14 February Sri Lanka has been declared as a UN World Restoration Flagship, in recognition of the nation’s vital efforts to rebuild and restore its mangrove ecosystems.
The UN Flagship Restoration Award is a timely recognition of Sri Lanka’s viable, lasting solutions towards the restoration of these essential ecosystems which support countless lives and livelihoods across the island.
Sri Lanka is slated to receive the award at the United Nations Environmental Assembly which will be held in Nairobi on 27 February 2024.
The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) said the award signifies the nation’s effective use of the UN’s Principles for ecosystem restoration, while highlighting globally significant best practices and methodologies that can potentially serve as a framework for future success across the world.
