February 12, Colombo (LNW): Chanaka Dharmawickrama, Co-Convener of the Health Trade Union Alliance, disclosed that one of the two cardiac catheterization units at Kandy National Hospital is currently inactive, placing a significant burden on 8,000 heart patients awaiting treatment.
Dharmawickrama also highlighted a widespread issue of diagnostic machines being non-operational in hospitals across the island.
Responding to inquiries, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, assured that many of the malfunctioning machines have been repaired, with ongoing efforts to restore the remaining units.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will be launched on 12 February, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has told the Indian media.
“The UPI payment gateway will be signed. And I think both our leaders will connect online which will help increase tourism,” the Minister said speaking to WION diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Perth.
“The Minister is in Perth for the Indian Ocean conference. He also pointed to the establishment of Indian IIT in his country. He said, “A delegation from Sri Lanka has gone to IIT Madras and they are discussing this possibility of establishing an IIT campus in Sri Lanka,” the WION reported.
Sri Lanka currently continues operations of the payment and settlement systems to achieve significant growth in digital transactions in 2024, Central Bank policy statement divulged.
With the view of the development of the payment and settlement regulatory framework, the Central Bank aims at revising the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, No. 28 of 2005 (PSSA)and enacting the new PSSA in 2025, to facilitate the rapid expansion of payment innovations.
Further, the Central Bank is to revise regulations to support the expansion of digital payments and to revise the existing regulatory framework to facilitate more FinTechs entering in the coming years.
In terms of strengthening the retail payment infrastructure, LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd (LPPL), under the guidance of the Central Bank, will be developing the Government Digital Payment Platform (GDPP) via the LankaPay Online Payment Platform (LPOPP), to enable government institutions to receive payments digitally from the public, CB statement highlighted.
Under this set up, Sri Lanka and India joined hands to fast track an early roll-out of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system with the view of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation significantly, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.
He revealed this new development in digital payments at a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha recently.
The high-level discussions, held in Colombo, transpired India’s steadfast support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing debt restructuring process and its economic recovery efforts, state minister Semasinghe disclosed.
The implementation of UPI in Sri Lanka will be expedited soon while this digital payment system, is to extend enhanced accessibility and security for transactions between the two countries.he added.
Discussions between the state minister and the Indian high c0mmissioner focused on the increased use of the Indian rupee (INR) in bilateral trade, reducing currency conversion costs and streamlining financial transactions, finance ministry sources revealed.
The Indian High Commission stated via X (Twitter) that they discussed “early launch of UPI, promoting Indian Rupee trade settlement and investments-led economic partnership.”
In July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe signed an agreement on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Sri Lanka during his two-day visit to India.
Prime minister Modi noted that the governments of both India and Sri Lanka are working together on fintech sector connectivity by linking the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Lanka Pay with the aim of facilitating recurring payments digitally.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): Claiming that Sri Lanka can no longer function as an isolated country, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today their intention is to strengthen diplomatic ties to garner international support to achieve the desired transformation in the country.
Speaking to the media at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on his return from India, he said India is an emerging country in the region and country expertise in the IT sector and that Sri Lanka can obtain support from them.
“We must stop the destructive political culture of 76-years. People have high expectations and are awakening to make that transformation.
Our intention is to give leadership to this expectation and awakening to make a transformation in the country. We need international support for that transformation. We are not a developed country or a country with modern technology.
“We need capital and technology in some sectors. We also need to deal with some countries to expand our market. We can’t achieve our targets by being an isolated country in the world. Therefore, our target is to strengthen our ties,” he said.
Responding to a question, he said the NPP should not change its political or economic policies to visit a country or for diplomatic meetings. “India is an emerging country in the region. We can obtain more support in sectors such as IT from India. We hope we can get support according to our own agenda and in line with our national plan,” he said.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth will witness the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and also RuPay card services in Mauritius, on Monday 12 February, 2024 at 1 PM via video conferencing.
India has emerged as a leader in Fintech innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure. Prime Minister has placed a strong emphasis on sharing our development experiences and innovation with partner countries.
Given India’s robust cultural and people-to-people linkages with Sri Lanka and Mauritius, the launch will benefit a wide cross-section of people through a faster and seamless digital transaction experience and enhance digital connectivity between the countries.
The launch will enable availability of UPI settlement services for Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka and Mauritius as well as for Mauritian nationals travelling to India.
The extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius will enable Mauritian banks to issue cards based on RuPay mechanism in Mauritius and facilitate usage of RuPay Card for settlements both in India and Mauritius.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed legal action against seven persons, including five staff members of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) for the unlawful registration of hundreds of vehicles.
Accordingly, the CIABOC said it has filed said action against the seven persons over the registration of approximately 400 vehicles that had not been cleared by the Sri Lanka Customs, thereby incurring a significant loss of revenue to the state.
Issuing a statement in this regard, the CIABOC revealed that further information was gathered pertaining to 156 of the 400 vehicles, adding that several of them had been categorized as ‘luxury vehicles’.
According to a court order obtained by the CIABOC, seven of the 156 vehicles are to be handed over to the Sri Lanka Customs from their current owners. As such, five of the seven vehicles have already been handed over to Sri Lanka Customs.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya inspected illegally imported vehicles seized by the Customs, during a visit to the South Asia Logistics Terminal some times back
The Finance Ministry said that there were altogether 446 vehicles held since 2015. A statement issued by the Ministry quoted Siyambalapitiya as having said that action would be taken soon to sell these vehicles.
The Minister said that it would be a crime to allow the destruction of these vehicles at a time the country was in dire straits
Sri Lanka Customs, the Bribery Commission and the Department of Motor Traffic have uncovered a massive organized fraud that has incurred a loss of more than Rs. 5 billion in revenue to the government through illegal import of vehicles and their illegal registrations.
It has been revealed that this racket had been going on for a long time and more than 400 vehicles had been imported to Sri Lanka in this manner and have been registered illegally.
This was revealed following an investigation conducted into the “Mini Cooper” type vehicle, which was taken into custody by the Bribery Commission after being imported to Sri Lanka using forged documents.
The vehicle, bearing number KE-3845 was imported to Sri Lanka without the clearance of the Sri Lanka Customs and falsely entered into the computer system of the Motor Transport Department, causing a loss to the Government in excess of Rs.2.5 million.
When the facts were submitted to the Colombo Chief Magistrate, the Bribery Commission informed court that the said vehicle was brought to Sri Lanka using fake documents in 2007 and registered as a three-wheeler in 2015.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): Deputy Inspector General of the Child and Women Abuse, Investigation, and Prevention Division, Renuka Jayasundara, has expressed deep concern over a noticeable increase in both women abuse and teenage pregnancies. Additionally, she has brought attention to a disturbing rise in internet-based crimes targeting women and children.
DIG Jayasundara underscores the urgency of addressing these issues and emphasizes the need for responsible behavior among parents and elders. She particularly highlights the importance of making confidential and prompt complaints about threats to release private information, including nude photos, online. This call to action is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of women and children in the face of evolving challenges posed by technology and digital communication.
February 12, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur atseveral places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in the eastern slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-Central, Southern, North-western, Uva and Eastern provinces.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in New York celebrated the 76th anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, led by the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Ambassador Mohan Pieiris, and staff of the Mission, and joined by many Sri Lankans living in the tri-state area.
Multi-faith religious observances invoked blessings on those gathered and all Sri Lankans. Ven. Aluthgama Dhammajothi Thero, Chief incumbent of the New York Buddhist Vihara; Priest Gurukkal Sri Suresh Somasundaram of the Hindu Temple Society of North America; Reverend Father Jayashantha of the Catholic faith and Mr. Ash-Shiek Ahmed Yasir of the Islamic faith led the religious observances.
The Messages by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day were read out by the Permanent Representative Mohan Pieris and the Deputy Permanent Representative Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, respectively.
The Mission hosted a lively cultural event with performances by Sri Lankan youth from the tri-state area. Children in colourful traditional costumes performed dances to well-known tunes of patriotic pride, such as ‘Rathna Deep Janma Bhoomi’. A fusion of traditional drums performed by children of Sri Lankan origin was a highlight of the celebrations. The drums and dances were choreographed by Mr. Dilhan Pinnagoda of the Sri Lanka Dance Academy in New York. A special highlight of the show was a sitar performance drawing on the rich tapestry of Sinhala songs and Jana gee melodies, by Visharad Bhageshri Fonseka. The Ambassador thanked those who performed and distributed certificates to all who performed in appreciation of their contribution.
In his address to the Sri Lankans gathered, Ambassador Mohan Peiris quoted the poet Khalil Gibran, that, “life without liberty, is like a body without a spirit”. He requested Sri Lankans to embrace a freedom that is structured on the will to be responsible for themselves. He reminded us that freedom does not come easy, and never comes without labour.
The Ambassador recalled the salutary reminder by the President in his message that upon the advent of the 76th Independence Day, the country has effectively navigated through many challenges, and has steered its economy toward stability with the support of the global community. The Ambassador also observed that the President has graciously acknowledged that these achievements were realized progressively, owing to the steadfast support of the people of Sri Lanka who endured hardships in keeping with a comprehensive, long-term national rebuilding program and given the assurance that throughout this journey, challenges will gradually disappear, life’s burdens will lighten, the economy will fortify and Mother Sri Lanka will undergo a renaissance and therefore called upon the community to collectively respond to the President’s appeal as true patriots of mother Lanka so that we rise to new horizons of freedom and progress.
The festivities concluded with a spread of Sri Lanka’s traditional refreshments and sweetmeats served at the Mission.
February 11, Colombo (LNW): The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) apprehended an individual engaged in online defamation during an event aimed at educating members of the community police committee within the Panadura Division, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles revealed.
Alles noted that the arrested individual was found in possession of approximately Rs. 400,000 at the time of apprehension.
The suspect, allegedly supported by a politician, orchestrated malicious smear campaigns through social media platforms.
Addressing the gathering, Alles asserted that a person who habitually defames the government and others online was detained by the CID.
The Minister further noted that the suspect purportedly received financial support from a political figure, and that arrest occurred shortly after the suspect attempted to convert foreign currency to Sri Lankan rupees in Fort.
Highlighting the government’s response to such incidents, Alles underscored the significance of the Online Safety Act, designed to curb online misconduct.
He emphasised that the legislation primarily targets individuals misusing social media platforms for malicious purposes, including attempts to destabilise the government.
February 11, Colombo (LNW): Former President and Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Maithripala Sirisena, has expressed the party’s backing for a proposal aimed at abolishing the Executive Presidency.
Addressing an SLFP media briefing themed ‘We stand for freedom’ (‘Nidahasa Wenuwen Api’), Sirisena disclosed the party’s commitment to supporting the initiative, noting that steps are being taken to introduce such a proposal soon.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed reservations, stating that the current timing may not be conducive to abolishing the Executive Presidency.
