February 21, Colombo (LNW): In a parliamentary session on the 20th, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera declared his commitment to achieving a more significant reduction in electricity bills than initially stated. The minister informed the Parliament that proposals from various parties had been considered for reducing electricity bills, and the Electricity Board’s formulated proposal would be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission in the coming days for further assessment.

Minister Wijesekera emphasized that the revision of electricity prices would be made in alignment with the accepted proposal. He aims to bring about a substantial reduction in electricity costs for consumers.

Addressing recent claims made by Ranjan Jayalal of the Ceylon Electricity Public Employees’ Union during a press conference, Minister Wijesekera refuted the statement that the electricity bill for the parliament had not been settled. He clarified that the Parliament had duly paid its electricity bill on schedule.

Expressing concern over the potentially damaging impact of false information, the Minister called upon the Speaker to summon him to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. He argued that the dissemination of inaccurate news, such as the non-payment of the parliament’s electricity bill, has contributed to the creation of unwarranted animosity among the public towards the entire parliamentary body and its members.

February 21, Colombo (LNW): Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, expressed his frustration yesterday over the prolonged delay in implementing a low-cost signal system for rail crossings aimed at ensuring safety. During a media briefing at the Government Information Department to announce Cabinet decisions, the Minister revealed that despite presenting the proposal, the project has come to a standstill due to delays caused by the Treasury’s requests for reports.

Responding to a question from a journalist regarding a recent tragic accident at an unprotected rail crossing in Arachchikattuwa Anavilundawa, where a mother and her two children lost their lives in a collision with a train, Minister Gunawardhana emphasized the urgency of addressing rail crossing safety.

The Minister clarified, “I presented a Cabinet proposal to solve the problem of signals at rail crossings at a low cost to protect human and animal lives. This signal gate system, costing less than Rs.1.5 million, involves collaboration with the private sector and state-owned corporations. Despite obtaining support from the Opposition Leader and submitting a Cabinet paper, the Treasury’s delays in releasing funds and requesting numerous reports have hindered progress.”

Expressing his discontent, Minister Gunawardhana stated that if the Treasury continues to act in this manner, he will inform the Cabinet and consider handing over the responsibility of governing the Railways and SLTB to the Treasury. He underscored the potential loss of more lives if crucial projects for public benefit continue to be delayed by bureaucratic procedures.

Highlighting another issue, the Minister mentioned the lack of a recruitment and promotion procedure for the SLTB for the past 66 years. He lamented that the Treasury’s persistent delays, committee formations, and report requests hinder the implementation of essential measures for the benefit of the public.

February 21, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, a dedicated medical team from the World Health Organization (WHO), specializing in leprosy, is set to visit Sri Lanka in March. The Anti-Leprosy Campaign (ALC) revealed that the WHO will collaborate with local health authorities to devise a strategic roadmap for the elimination of leprosy from Sri Lanka within the next decade.

Dr. Prasan Ranaweera, Director of the Anti-Leprosy Campaign, highlighted the noticeable increase in the number of leprosy patients in Sri Lanka. In response to this concern, the ALC has already launched a comprehensive program to eradicate leprosy from the country. Dr. Ranaweera further disclosed that the WHO, recognizing the urgency of the situation, will dispatch a team of specialist doctors in March to contribute to the initiative. Their primary objective will be to formulate a detailed plan outlining the steps necessary to eliminate leprosy within the next 10 years.

February 21, Colombo (LNW): Dr. Shanti Geetika Ratnawardena has been named the inaugural Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo City Council. Previously serving as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Public Health (CMOH), established in 1902 within the Colombo Municipal Council, Dr. Ratnawardena assumed her new role on the 19th of this month.

With this appointment, she becomes the 13th Chief Medical Officer in the history of the Colombo Municipality. Dr. Ratnawardena, an alumna of Musius College, Colombo, has a long-standing association with the Colombo Municipal Council, joining in 1991. Over her thirty-three years of service, she progressed from a Medical Officer of Health in 2000 to Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health in 2014.

The appointment is a testament to Dr. Ratnawardena’s extensive experience and dedication to public health. Her role as the Chief Medical Officer underscores her commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives within the Colombo City Council. Dr. Ratnawardena is married to Mr. Jayantha Guruge, a Project Consultant at Helis Company, Colombo.

February 21, Colombo (LNW): A united front is set to stage a joint protest in Colombo on Wednesday (21) opposing the sale of state resources. Organized by the National Resources Protection Movement, the demonstration brings together various trade unions, including those from the telecommunications, postal, banking, electricity, and insurance sectors.

Chinthaka Bandara, Co-convener of the National Resources Protection Movement, highlighted the imminent threat of selling nearly 40 state-owned businesses. The protest aims to voice collective opposition to the proposed sale and draw attention to the concerns raised by the involved trade unions.

The demonstration reflects a shared commitment among diverse sectors to protect and preserve state resources, signaling a unified stand against privatization efforts. As plans unfold for the protest, the organizers anticipate a strong representation from workers advocating for the safeguarding of public assets and resources.

February 21, Colombo (LNW): In a significant diplomatic move, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced on Tuesday that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has received an official invitation to visit Sri Lanka. Amir-Abdollahian, who is currently in Colombo for talks with senior Sri Lankan officials, expressed that despite President Raisi’s busy schedule, the visit to the capital, Colombo, would be a priority for Iran.

The Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka underscores Iran’s strategic efforts to strengthen ties with the Indian Ocean island nation. The invitation extended to President Raisi signals a commitment to fostering diplomatic relations and collaboration between the two countries. The specifics of the visit, including dates and agenda, are expected to be further discussed in the upcoming diplomatic engagements between the two nations.

1. During the 37th APRC session, President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared Sri Lanka’s chairmanship until 2026 and expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s status as a leading exporter of agricultural products through rapid sector transformation. He underscored the crucial role of agriculture in steering Sri Lanka through past economic challenges and identified agriculture and tourism as key sectors for the nation’s prompt recovery.
2. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Iranian counterpart Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during his official visit to Colombo. The talks addressed various concerns, with a focus on bolstering cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Minister Sabry expressed their commitment to working closely and strengthening their partnership.
3. The Cabinet gives approval to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal for the formulation of a comprehensive draft bill on child rights. The President, acting as the Minister of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment, has directed the Legal Draftsman to prepare the composite act, incorporating the rights outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child alongside existing legal provisions for child rights protection.
4. Janaka Wakkumbura has been sworn in as the State Minister of Provincial Councils, Local Government and Environment before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
5. The 14th round of negotiations between Sri Lanka and India on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) are scheduled to be held in New Delhi, in the first week of March 2024.
6. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is expected to hand over the proposals pertaining to the revision of electricity tariffs to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) within the next two days, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said.
7. The Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara urges the management of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies to submit proposals and plans to completely stop sending Sri Lankan women overseas to work as housemaids.
8. The Cabinet grants approval to take the necessary measures for the English language to be considered for conducting legal proceedings and maintaining records in certain courts in Sri Lanka.
9. The Cabinet endorses a proposal to enhance maritime passenger transport between Sri Lanka and India. The approved measures include a reduction in deviation tax for passengers departing Sri Lanka on passenger vessels and ships to USD 5 and USD 20, respectively.
10. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announces the schedule for Sri Lanka’s Tour of Bangladesh 2024. The all-format tour will comprise of two test matches, three T20 matches and three ODI matches.

February 21, Colombo (LNW):Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts in the evening or night.

Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere.

Fairly strong winds about 30 kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills and in North-central, North-western, Uva, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Matale and Kandy districts.

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

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

By: Staff Writer

February 20, Colombo (LNW): The United States expressed concerns raised by critics of Sri Lanka’s controversial Online Safety Act (OSA) on its potential for repression of free speech and impact on the country’s digital economy but is encouraged by the ongoing amendments process, a top US official said, calling for a consultative dialogue.

US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Elizabeth M Allen said on Monday February 19 that her government has been engaged in discussions on the recently passed legislation both publicly and privately.

“The United States shares the concerns of journalists, influencers, and content creators, as well as people everywhere on the potential for repression of freedom of expression and the stifling of dissent that the online safety bill [unclear], and we are encouraged by the amendments process,” said Allen.

She made this remark in response to a question raised by a journalist at a discussion with media professionals in Colombo on ‘Global media space and its impact on democracy’, organised by the Sri Lanka Press Institute.

“We also share the concerns raised by technology companies in terms of their ability to operate freely in Sri Lanka,” Allen said, adding that the issue has as much to do with said companies’ terms of service as it does with Sri Lanka’s own digital economy and its ability to thrive.

“The digital economy is seen by everybody as a means to continue building Sri Lanka’s economic future, attracting investment, and preserving freedom of expression,” she said.

However, said Allen, the US remains concerned over the legislation as it currently stands and believes it is crucial that conversations around its amendment and also around the proposed anti-terrorism bill be consultative.

Much like the OSA, Sri Lanka’s proposed new Anti Terrorism Act which, which seeks to replace existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has  the target of much criticism both locally and internationally. Allen said the US fully supports inclusive consultations involving civil society, journalists, technology companies, and academics. Effective legislation can only be achieved by taking into account the perspectives of various stakeholders, an approach her government will continue to advocate for this approach, she added.