Head of the State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit Suresh Shah says the public sector can be efficiently operated with a workforce as low as 200,000 through digitization, instead of the workforce of about 1.3 million currently: points out that even without digitization, the public sector workforce can be cut in half and public services run efficiently: Shah was previously the head of the country’s leading Beer manufacturing company, Lion Brewery.
UN Human Rights Office asks the Govt to consider amending the controversial Online Protection Act to ensure it complies with human rights obligations: also urges the Govt to address the concerns of civil society and industry groups.
Defence Ministry says the Ministry will continue to pay the full salaries & allowances of members of the armed forces who were killed or disabled in action prior to May 19, 2009, up to the date of their 55th birthday.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department over the substandard Human Immunoglobulin import issue.
Ten senior Attorneys-at-Law take oaths as President’s Counsel at a ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court before CJ Jayantha Jayasuriya: they are Chamantha Weerakoon, Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, Mohamed Adamaly, Harsha Fernando, Dr. Sivaji Felix, Faisza Markar, Kaushalya Nawaratne, Upul Kumarapperuma, Viran Corea and Eraj de Silva.
Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi says the Wildlife Dept will declare three new wetlands as “wetlands under the Ramsar Convention”: these are the Viduthalaithivu Nature Reserve, Adam’s Bridge National Park and Chundikulam National Park.
CB data shows that the “Import cover” of the official reserves has passed the level of 3 months for the first time in nearly 2 years: reserves have improved with weakened imports as a result of the severe demand destruction and economic contraction policies instituted by the CB & Govt since April’22: during this period, the Govt & CB have also defaulted on external loan repayments estimated at a staggering USD 8,000 mn.
Country’s book publishers, printers, book importers, authors, and academics call upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately cancel the prohibitive 18% VAT to avert long-term consequences of making books more expensive for the masses.
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, World Food Programme, National Food Promotion Board and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation collaborate on a project to deliver a “rice lunch” over an 8-month period to 7.5 million school children.
SL ends the first day in a strong position in the SL vs Afghanistan Cricket test match that commenced yesterday at the SSC grounds: AFG 198 all out: Vishwa Fernando 51/4, Asitha Fernando 24/3, Prabath Jayasuriya 67/3: SL 80/0: Dimuth Karunaratne 42, Nishan Madushka 36.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as part of the ongoing high-profile investigation related to the procurement of a consignment of counterfeit human immunoglobulin last year.
The arrest follows an order by Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema, who, on the previous day, confiscated Minister Rambukwella’s passport and directed him to present himself to the CID on the following day (02) for further inquiries.
The ongoing investigation, marked by its significance, has prompted legal actions against the Environment Minister, who at the time of the questionable procurement had served as the Health Minister, and the authorities are working diligently to unravel the details surrounding the procurement of the alleged fake human immunoglobulin.
February 02, Moscow, Russia (LNW): The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia proudly presented the rich arts and culture of Sri Lanka at the ‘Art Mir’ exhibition held in Nizhny Novgorod on January 27, 2024, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow said in a statement.
The ‘Art Mir’ Exhibition, a collective showcase of thousands of artworks by contemporary artists, featured various forms of artistic expression, including paintings, graphic arts, and sculptures. Sri Lanka, along with South Korea and Armenia, represented the cultural diversity of foreign countries in a special section of the exhibition.
The Sri Lankan Embassy’s display included traditional batik paintings, musical instruments, and other cultural artifacts, providing a glimpse into the island’s vibrant culture and history.
Each exhibit was accompanied by descriptive plates to enhance the audience’s understanding.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia, Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, graced the Opening Ceremony on January 26, 2024, as the guest of honour.
The event also saw the presence of Olga Guseva, Minister of International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Mikhail Pelchenkov, Deputy Minister of Culture, Curators of the Exhibition, and Coordinators of the International Zone.
Ambassador Liyanage actively participated in a roundtable discussion on Diplomacy and Art, where participants shared insights into the impact of art and humanitarian cooperation on fostering relationships between people.
The Art Project Through Artist’s Eyes was supported and organised by the coordinators Daria Karacheva, Cultural Advisor of the Russian Association of International Cooperation, Artur Mirzoyan, and Tatyana Dvoryadkina.
The ‘Art Mir’ Exhibition, hosted at the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, will remain open to the public from January 27 to February 4, 2024, offering a continued opportunity for the Russian public to explore and appreciate the cultural richness of Sri Lanka.
The present UN Human Rights Council – UNHRC has been functioning since March 2006, replacing the UN Commission on Human Rights – UNCHR, which had functioned since 1946. Now, the UNHRC is in its 18th cycle. Morocco’s UN Geneva representative, Mr Omar Zniber was elected as the President for the year 2024.
As every year, in 2024 there will be three regular sessions in UNHRC :
(1) 55th -26 February to 05 April (2) 56th -18 June to 12 July (3) 57th -09 September to 09 October.
The forty-seven member countries for 2024 are given below, by region and the year their membership expires:
African States (13) – Algeria (2025), Benin (2024), Burundi (2026), Cameroon(2024), Côte d’Ivoire (2026), Eritrea (2024), Gambia(2024), Ghana (2026), Malawi (2026), Morocco (2025), Somalia (2024), South Africa (2025)and Sudan (2025)
Asia-Pacific States (13) – Bangladesh (2025), China (2026), India (2024), Indonesia (2026), Japan (2026), Kazakhstan (2024), Kuwait (2026), Kyrgyzstan (2025), Malaysia (2024), Maldives (2025), Qatar (2024), United Arab Emirates (2024)and Viet Nam (2025)
Latin American & Caribbean States (8) – Argentina (2024), Brazil (2026), Chile (2025), Costa Rica (2025), Cuba (2026), Dominican Republic (2026), Honduras (2024) and Paraguay (2024)
Western Europe & Other States (7) – Belgium (2025), Finland (2024), France (2026), Germany (2025), Luxembourg (2024), Netherlands (Kingdom of the) (2026) and USA (2024)
Eastern European States (6) – Albania (2026), Bulgaria (2026), Georgia (2025), Lithuania (2024), Montenegro (2024) and Romania(2025)
As 2024 will be an important year for Sri Lanka internally and externally, let me analyse its future in the UNHRC. Operative paragraphs 2, 7 & 9 of the last resolution, of 12 October 2022 (A/HRC/RES/51/1), insist on the following:
2. (The UNHCR) … calls upon Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations made by the Office and to give due consideration to the recommendations made by the special procedures;
7. Notes the persistent lack of independent, impartial and transparent domestic mechanisms, and stresses the importance of ensuring investigations into, and accountability for, grave violations of human rights;
19. Requests the OHCHR to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, including on progress in reconciliation and accountability, …………… a comprehensive report that includes further options for advancing accountability at its fifty-seventh session… to be discussed in the context of an interactive dialogue. (Excerpts)
Resolution in the 57th session
Has Sri Lanka implemented any of these? No. Therefore, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights – OHCHR, relevant special procedure mandate holders, Sri Lanka Core Group (comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the UK and the USA), many International Organisations, the Elders and activists will conduct the toughest scrutiny and propose a resolution on Sri Lanka in the 57th session.
Well and good. Whoever does this, decisions are in the hands of the UNHRC. There is no doubt that in the UNHRC there are two groups. One is known as pro-human rights and the other is known as pro-human wrongs. For example, countries like China, Cuba, Pakistan, Iran and a few other countries are pro-human wrongs.
Does this mean European countries, US, Canada and Australia are always pro-human rights? With my three decades of experience with UN forums, I cannot agree. Why? Remember the proverb/expression: “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” – (Quid pro quo). Today what is happening in Gaza and Yemen are good examples.
In the present economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka, it is all about “Qui pro quo”. With an unelected President Ranil Wickremasinghe, Sri Lanka is not marching towards the West but towards USA.
US Ambassador
We understand that because of the growing influence of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna – JVP, the US Ambassador Julie Chung is trying to mediate between Ranil and the opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, motivating both of them to win over the JVP in the forthcoming Presidential election. Will it work in the right direction or will it bring another protest by Aragalaya?
In fact, Sajith Premadasa and Ranil are real opportunists. Hope Sajith has not forgotten that, during the talks between Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – LTTE and his father Premadasa, he was eager to take a photograph with LTTE leaders (photo). Then, he praised the LTTE for their bravery in fighting against the Indian forces. Later, Sajith turned against the LTTE. It’s the same with Ranil.
However, Julie Chung hasn’t considered the fact that in politics anything and everything is possible. What guarantees that the JVP will not join Sajith or even the Rajapaksa royal family?
In December 2013, I wrote an article, “Regime change is not a viable solution.”, I said: “Regime change in Sri Lanka will only pave the way for more excuses from the international community that a new regime needs time and space for its transitional period…….” (Excerpt)
If the USA is going to protect Sri Lanka in the 57th session because of Ranil, then what about the position of countries like China, Cuba, Iran, Pakistan and others who are totally against the USA and have been supporting Sri Lanka since the UNHRC was established? Does this mean that the USA will collaborate with these countries for the sake of Sri Lanka?
During the war, Sri Lanka cheated India and the international community. Can any reasonable person tell the world whether any promises made by then President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the international community and India have been implemented within the last fourteen years?
TNA
It’s the same with President Wickremasinge. The international community knows him well. As Prime Minister from 2015 to 2019, he smartly manipulated the Tamil National Alliance – TNA. With their help, he successfully completed his period. Once again the people in the North and East were cheated.
Also, Ranil cunningly co-sponsored the UNHRC resolution. Eventually, what happened to the resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka? When he became President, he criticised the Western governments, asking whether there were any international investigations in the UK or Germany. Why, what for? It would have made sense if he had asked whether there were any international investigations in the US.
As far as the UNHRC is concerned, the USA is playing musical chairs. Whenever there is a Republican President, they withdraw from the UNHRC and then the Democrats re-join. This is their recent history with UNHRC.
Since 2012, the Tamil diaspora has been attending the UNHRC in hundreds. Some of them work with a hidden agenda, and some pretend they alone are to be depended upon. As far as the people with hidden agendas are concerned, they brainwash victims to believe that a permanent badge to enter the UN premises, speak at a side event and make a two-minute intervention in broken English is human rights activism. Will any State consider these people seriously?
As I said before, the backbone of every resolution successfully passed in the UNHRC was the tireless work of the OHCHR, relevant special procedure mandate holders, the Sri Lanka Core Group, many International Human Rights Organisations, the Elders and activists.
Sri Lankan international lobby
Here I must show how smartly Sri Lanka managed their international lobby in the past. The European Union – EU ban on the LTTE, is an example. The then Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera said on 4 April 2012:
“……Then, seven countries in the 25-member EU did not agree with the LTTE ban and it became a difficulty to adopt the ban as a unanimous decision. Therefore, I met Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice several times and……got the consent of those seven nations to proscribe the LTTE on 29 May 2006…..” (Excerpt)
Major-General Ulf Henricsson, head of the Monitoring Mission of the Sri Lankan Ceasefire Agreement said the same “at a critical time the decision was made ‘’in the cafés of Brussels’’ and there was massive pressure from the UK and US governments”. (Experts, European Parliament, P-009345-2012, 15/10/2012)
The EU ban on the LTTE as a terrorist group was in May 2006, almost exactly the same period when the UNHRC was established. At the beginning, it was a difficult task for any activist to work on Sri Lanka in the UNHRC and in other forums, especially when India was supportive of Sri Lanka. However, we maintained momentum. But since May 2009 many things have changed gradually.
Ranil’s recent visit abroad and meetings with diaspora Tamils raise doubts whether once again, he is preparing to take the people of the North and East for a ride. Many diaspora members who committed their lives to supporting victims of the ethnic conflict are presently observing the situation. Some unknown diaspora members in Canada and the UK want ‘name and fame’ and ‘hold Ranil’s tail’, promising they will protect Sri Lanka at any cost. They did the same thing from 2015 to 2019.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates appreciation against the US Dollar today (02) in comparison to yesterday, as per the official exchange rates issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 307.17 from Rs. 310.54, and the selling price to Rs. 316.99 from Rs. 320.40.
The Sri Lankan Rupee indicates similar pattern against several other foreign currencies as well.
Three years after its coup, the Myanmar junta is stepping up its ruthless crackdown on journalists. The army has summarily killed four journalists, and more than 150 media professionals have been locked up. Reporters are facing increasingly harsh prison sentences. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the international community to step up the pressure on the military regime to secure their release.
1 February 2024 marks exactly three years since the military junta seized power in Myanmar in a ferocious military coup. Journalists and press freedom defenders were among the first targets of the regime’s unprecedented crackdown, with four executed in cold blood and at least 150 arrested and imprisoned. To date, 61 journalists are still being held.
“For the past three years, the Myanmar generals have been crushing the people under their boots and attacking witnesses to their crimes, particularly the journalists, who make it possible for the rest of the world to be aware of them. We call on the international community to step up its pressure on the junta to release all detained journalists and put an end to its policy of information blackout.”
Cédric Alviani RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director
Since the putsch, four journalists have been killed by the junta: the founder of the Khonumthung news agency Pu Tuidim; the editor of the Federal News JournalSai Win Aung; and the two freelance photojournalists Soe Naing and Aye Kaw.
Under its policy of terror, the junta has also set up courts within the prisons, which sentence journalists to heavy penalties on the mere suspicion of “terrorism“, “espionage“, or even simply “acts prejudicial to state security“.
As a result, the sentences handed down by the military courts have continued to lengthen, culminating in the grotesque life sentence imposed in January 2024 on documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe, on charges of “abetting” terrorism. A few months earlier, in September 2023, photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike had already been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for alleged charges of “disinformation” and “sedition“, which are regularly used to persecute journalists in Myanmar.
Myanmar, ranked 173th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index, is one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists with 61 detained, second only to China.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Plan, with funding from the US Embassy, on Wednesday launched a three-year program to enhance the technical expertise of Sri Lanka Ports Authority staff and advance “smart” port operations at the Port of Colombo.
The Colombo Plan and Sri Lanka Ports Authority signed a letter of intent at the launch and a memorandum of understanding will be extended in detail that contributes to the development and sustainability of maritime and port operations in Sri Lanka by introducing modern port systems, new technologies, and international best practices.
US funding supports Sri Lanka’s ports initiative to boost productivity and competitiveness, positioning its ports as crucial regional hubs in South Asia.
At the launch, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung reaffirmed US commitment to supporting the rapidly growing ports industry of Sri Lanka, noting: “In partnership with the Colombo Plan, the United States aims to enhance the knowledge, technical skills, and expertise of Sri Lanka Port Authority’s (SLPA) professionals through training on current trends, international best practices, and technological advancements in ports management.
The United States is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s ports sector to meet the growing demands of the global economy, fostering economic prosperity for all Sri Lankans.”
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, expressed gratitude for this supportive gesture and thanked the US Government for continuously helping Sri Lanka and the port sector.
The secretary to the Ministry mentioned that he has tabled the project to the cabinet of ministers as well.
The Colombo Plan capacity building program encompasses diverse training and development initiatives, such as visits to US ports, technical training exchanges, conferences, and workshops conducted by both local and international experts.
This collaborative effort aims to enhance the capabilities of ports, improving efficiencies and expanding the delivery of value-added services.
Launched in 1951, The Colombo Plan was created as a cooperative venture for the economic and social advancement of the people of South and Southeast Asia.
The Colombo Plan, based in Colombo, currently consisting of 28 member states, was instituted as a regional intergovernmental organisation for the furtherance of economic and social development of the region nations.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Telecom has seen its leadership change for the second time in about seven months with the entity affirming the appointment of a new Chairman.
The stressed state-owned telco, which has been making headlines this week for the changes in its Board, disclosed to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) that upon the review and recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee, A.K.D.D.D. Arandara has been appointed as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman with effect from 1 February.
The resignations by six Board members follows the President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 24 January directing the Treasury Secretary to reconstitute the SLT Board with immediate effect. The new Government members proposed are K.D.D.D. Arandara (Chairman), Dr. K.A.S. Keeragala, Dinesh Vidanapathirana, Prof. K.M. Liyanage, Dr. D.M.I.S. Dassanayake and Chathura Mohottigedara. Separately Rohan Fernando also resigned as Chairperson of eChanneling Plc, a subsidiary of SLT.
Global Telecommunications Holdings NV/Malaysia’s Maxis holds 45% stake and has four nominees on the SLT Board.
Analysts opined the resignations by some of the incumbent was interesting as previously it was anticipated they wouldn’t.
The reconstitution follows the Government not being happy with SLT-Mobitel challenging in Court the proposed merger between industry leader Dialog Axiata and Airtel especially with regard to spectrum issues with Telecommunications Regulatory Commission cited as a respondent.
Arandara, currently serves as the Additional Director General of the Department of Legal Affairs of the Treasury. He joined the public service in 2000 and has served as the Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Director General of the Consumer Affairs Authority.
He is a lawyer with 25-year experience in legal profession. He has also held the positions of board member of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka Independent Television Network, Prima Ceylon, Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Corporation and currently serving at SriLankan Airlines.
Arandara was originally recommended as the new Chairman along with new set of six nominees as Government representatives to SLT Board. He replaces Reyaz Mihular who resigned along with five others.
Earlier this week, Reyaz Mihular stepped down from his position as Chairman after the government said it would reconstitute the SLT Board. The decision was due to the latter refusing to withdraw the case against the proposed merger between industry leader Dialog Axiata and Airtel.
Mid-last year, Mobitel initiated legal action against Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) and Dialog, Airtel among others stating that proposed merger and action to combine spectrum allocations and/or permit the combination of spectrum of Dialog and Airtel without surrendering the spectrum enabling TRC to reallocate it among the existing operators according to law.
Mobitel is of the view that failure by TRC would be illegal, wrongful, unlawful, arbitrary, unreasonable and capricious etc.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): India’s billionaire business tycoon Gutam Adani’s 500 MW wind power deal in the island nation’s Northern Province should progress after a better negotiation process, Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Santosh Jha said
It is a commercial venture by Adani. They would be the right people to answer the question,” Santosh Jha told reporters in Colombo at a meeting with senior journalists on Thursday (01).“It should progress,” he said when asked about the delays in the project.
Sri Lankan officials have said the Adani wind power project has been facing some delays as a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee (CANC) has been raising concerns over the project components.
The US $442 million project was given to the Indian firm as an unsolicited deal after it was changed to a government-to-government deal with Adani Green Energy was issued provisional approval for two wind projects of 286 MW in Sri Lanka’s northwestern Mannar and 234 MW in the Northern Pooneryn.
The government has already explored the offshore wind power potential in the country especially in the North and East expediting two mega wind power projects of 286 MW in Mannar and 234 MW in Pooneryn under taken by Adani Green Energy Ltd for an investment of over US$ 500 million.
Adani Company has requested the government to include their claim for carbon credit in their project contract under Sri Lanka Carbon Crediting Scheme (SLCCS) established for supporting local clean projects to benefit from climate finance for the Greenhouse Gas emission (GHG) reduction, official sources said.
It has also demanded a government guarantee for their investment in the two projects or to keep shares of another state owned business enterprise as a surety for their money dumped in those projects.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera disclosed that Adani Green Energy has been given approval to implement the projects in August last year and it has expressed commitment to complete the projects by December 2024.
A cabinet paper on the same projects, dated the 14th of August 2023 noted that it should be considered as a government-to-government arrangement.
This was the strategy adopted by the government to award the wind power projects in Mannar and Poonaryn, to Adani Green without calling for competitive bids and selecting the most beneficial deal, considering it as a government-to-government proposal.
As the cabinet had already considered all aspects of the agreement between the SL government and Adani Green Energy Ltd and “authorised all the parties to enter into the MoU and to proceed with the required future action,
Sri Lanka’s cabinet has given greenlight to recruit a raft of technocrats to a committee that will assess the project.
However, sources who are privy of the ongoing negotiation have said the project approval is facing some delay in the negotiation process of the CANC.
The CANC has first raised concerns over pricing with the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had said the unit cost for wind power under the project was expensive under the project.
Later, CANC had raised concerns over a 15% risk assessment on the project, sources have said.
February 02, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of the power and and energy ministry’ eleticty tariff revision this month, the country’s electricity regulator Public Utilty Commission and Ceylon Electricity Board at loggerheads over the necessary data supporting the new tariff proposal.
In the proposal handed over to the PUCSL, the state-owned electricity supplier CEB stated it has analyzed all possible scenarios to approach the best estimate of expenditure and revenue based on a number of factors.
Those are existing tariffs, availability of coal/oil fuel stocks, future fuel prices, hydro inflow variations, scheduled plant outages, envisioned economic crisis resulting in the reduction of energy demand and sales, adjusted expenses of transmission and distribution, various policy instructions of government to derive the Bulk Supply Tariff (BST) and end-user tariff proposal.
Based on CEB’s analysis, a surplus of Rs. 23,730.9 million is estimated. The CEB says the surplus can be used for the reduction of average tariff by 3.34%.
But the PUSCL contradicts CEB claims pointing out that the state-owned electricity supplier has presented their energy cost details with excess expenditure of Rs 200 billion not the above Rs 23.7bilion. Therefore the electricity tariff could be reduced by 25-30 percent by removing the bogus expenditure figure.
CEB has completely dropped the profit of Rs 48 billion gained last year ints current tariff revision proposal data submission but it has inficated transmission cost as Rs 95 billion and it has added additional expenditure of Rs.200 billion to cover up the total net profit, PUCSL revealed.
However the CEB says the new tariff proposal has been prepared considering a relief to low-income vulnerable groups and the entities of economically important businesses based on policy instructions of MOPE (Ministry of Power & Energy).
Meanwhile the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans raised concerns regarding the indifferent approach of officials of the PUCSL to digitalize the system.
The Committee questioned why the PUCSL and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is falling behind in working towards digitalizing the system when the Parliament has requested for a dispatch audit and accurate data.
The Committee was of the view that human intervention should be minimized when and the inaction to carry out directives given by Parliament is a disrespect to the Parliament.
The Committee also expressed displeasure in the lack of action in digitalizing emphasizing that such inaction exists as it challenges the existing mafia within the system.
The Committee further stated that allowing such mafia only burdens the consumer and that the PUCSL officials should stand more firmly to rectify this situation.
