By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW):

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most provinces of the island after 01.00 p.m., and heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala and Mannar Districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (19).

Showers may occur at some places in Northern, Western and Southern provinces and in Puttalam district during the morning too, the statement added.

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

Marine Weather:

Colombo (LNW): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a statement on Friday (17) providing clarification on changes to its Governing Board and Monetary Policy Board.

The announcement indicated that President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena had resigned as a member of the Governing Board, effective from November 5, 2023. Simultaneously, Dr. Ranee Jayamaha had submitted her resignation as a Monetary Board member, effective since September 12, 2023.

On November 14, the Supreme Court held that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and other senior state officials are responsible for the economic crisis in the country.

The court stated that the Rajapaksa brothers, former CBSL governors Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Prof. W.D. Lakshman, former Finance Secretary S.R. Attygalle, former Presidential Secretary P.B. Jayasundara, and the Monetary Board members of the Central Bank had breached Article 12 (1) of the Constitution, violating public trust in their administration of the economy, leading to the economic crisis.

The CBSL’s statement emphasised that both Dr. Jayamaha and Mr. Jayawardena had submitted their resignations well before the Supreme Court’s final judgment on the fundamental rights petitions related to the economic crisis.

The Governing Body, established under the provisions of the CBSL Act, No.16 of 2023, oversees the administration and management of CBSL’s affairs, determining general policies. According to the law, members of the former Monetary Board continued to serve as members of the Governing Board.

As per this arrangement, Sanjeeva Jayawardena P.C. and A.N. Fonseka, appointed to the Monetary Board on June 29, 2021, and July 27, 2022, respectively, continued their roles in the Governing Board. However, Dr. Ranee Jayamaha, a member of the Monetary Board since July 29, 2020, resigned from the Monetary Board on September 12, 2023, and thus was not a member of the Governing Board. Jayawardena PC, an appointed member who continued on the Governing Board, tendered his resignation effective November 5, 2023.

Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has provided recommendations to the government concerning the National Women’s Commission Bill, the Gender Equality Bill, and the Women’s Empowerment Bill. The HRCSL suggests:

1. Consolidating the Gender Equality Bill and the Women’s Empowerment Bill into a single unified Bill.
2. Housing the Gender Equality Council within the upgraded department replacing the Women’s Bureau.
3. Considering the designation of the new department as the ‘Department for Gender Equality.’
4. Strengthening the appointment process for the National Women’s Commission.
5. Promptly publishing the three Bills to facilitate meaningful public consultation on their content.

These recommendations were conveyed in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (17).

Colombo (LNW): India’s Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (17) to discuss their multifaceted bilateral relationship, a priority under India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Press Trust of India reported.

Rijiju, in Malé for the inauguration of the Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, emphasised the significance of enhancing connectivity, trade, and investment, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

The Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy underscores India’s commitment to maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

In response to Sri Lanka’s financial crisis in 2022, India provided substantial assistance of approximately USD 4 billion in line with its Neighbourhood First policy, including credit lines and currency support.

In January, India became the first country to pledge support for Sri Lanka’s financing and debt restructuring through the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Colombo (LNW): Atmospheric conditions over the island are favourable for thunderstorms during the evening and night, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in an advisory statement today (18).

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely to occur at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces.

Colombo (LNW): Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has directed the Smallholder Tea Development Authority and the Tea Development Authority to encourage the adoption of high-density cultivation methods and new technology in tea cultivation to enhance tea leaf yields.

During an observation visit to a successful seven-and-a-half-acre high-density tea plantation in Welipanna Peragaswatta, the Minister emphasised the benefits of this approach, allowing for the planting of 13,000 tea plants per acre and yielding 1500 kg of tea leaves, five times more than traditional methods.

He urged the promotion of this technique to increase income and announced plans to expand such projects in 2024, aligning with the President’s vision for technology integration in agriculture and plantation sectors.

Financial assistance of Rs. 1 million per acre has been provided to growers for these model tea cultivation projects.

Amaraweera’s directive aims to optimise land use and maximise tea yield through innovative methods.

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended congratulations to the newly inaugurated President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The two leaders engaged in discussions during President Wickremesinghe’s visit to Malé on Friday (17).

President Muizzu expressed gratitude for the Sri Lankan President’s attendance at the inauguration, emphasising the strong bilateral ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The leaders delved into the longstanding relations between their countries, exploring avenues to enhance collaboration.

Topics of mutual interest, such as education, multiple visa entry for students under 18, and economic recovery efforts, were discussed during the meeting.

President Wickremesinghe extended an invitation for President Muizzu to make a state visit to Sri Lanka, which was graciously accepted.