Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has appreciated against the US Dollar today (22) in comparison to yesterday as per leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 320.25 from Rs. 320.94, and the selling price to Rs. 331.41 from Rs. 332.12
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 320.12 from Rs. 320.37, and the selling price to Rs. 330.25 from Rs. 330.50.
At Sampath Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 321 from Rs. 322, and the selling price to Rs. 330 from Rs. 331.
SLPP leader & former President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleges that USD 10,000mn in new International Sovereign Bonds were issued between 2015 and 2019 by the Yahapalana administration, comprising the UNP & SLFP which debilitated the economy: asserts when he was voted out in Jan’15, the outstanding ISB debt was only USD 5,000mn.
SJB MP & Economic Guru Harsha de Silva cautions Govt against counting loans received from IMF, World Bank & ADB as “external buffers” as they have to be paid back: asserts that loans from whatever sources are not earned reserves: analysts point out that at end-2019, when the Yahapalanaya Govt relinquished office, the External Reserves were USD 7.6bn, while the ISBs outstanding were USD 15.0bn, which meant that ISB loans were USD 7.4bn higher than the Reserves.
Anti-Parate Activist & National Construction Association Chairman Susantha Liyanaarachchi says businesses can’t get any support from the banking sector as all banks have tightened up after SL announced bankruptcy: laments SMEs which had previously contributed to around 51% of GDP, have now started to collapse.
Trade Unions of various sectors gear up for comprehensive joint discussions to address Govt’s attempts to privatise electricity, banking, insurance, telecom & postal services: initial discussions to commence next week.
Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles says orders issued to arrest 4,664 persons, who are allegedly involved in drug trafficking & underworld activities: explains ongoing islandwide Police operation “Yukthiya” at a media briefing: receives a threatening phone call after the briefing, which is now being investigated by Police.
Customs Dept fails to collect over Rs.61bn in tax arrears last year: able to collect only 9% of the outstanding taxes.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says a 4-member family requires at least Rs.120,000 per month to have 3 meals per day, but a common man receives a wage of about Rs70,000 to 80,000 only: asserts people have been pushed into borrowing & a “debt economy” is now emerging: also asserts professionals leave the country as the income they receive is inadequate to pay income taxes.
Benchmark 1-year T-Bill weekly auction fails for the 13th consecutive week: Central Bank able to sell only 14.2% (Rs 7,797 million) of its original offer of Rs 55,000mn: even after such a low sale, the weighted average yield increases by 10 bps to 12.93%: Central Bank also fails to sell the total T-Bills offered for the 2nd consecutive market week: analysts warn a Govt liquidity crisis of unprecedented magnitude is brewing.
State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe says “Aswesuma” payments for Dec’23 for 1,410,064 families, amounting to Rs.8,793mn has been transferred to Banks: also says the Govt has so far paid Rs.51,967mn from July to Dec’23 to 303,199 extremely poor families, 606,496 poor families, 290,624 vulnerable families and 209,745 transitional families.
Dept of Census & Statistics says Overall Rate of Inflation, as measured by National Consumer Price Index was 2.8% in Nov’23, compared to 1.0% in Oct’23: Food-Inflation in Nov’23 increased to -2.2% from -5.2% in Oct’23; Non-Food Inflation increased to 7.1% in Nov’23 from 6.3% in Oct’23.
Colombo (LNW): MP Dhammika Perera would be a commendable candidate from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) should he decide to run for the presidential election, Party Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said Wednesday (20), in response to reporters.
Rajapaksa, however, clarified that the official presidential candidate for the SLPP is yet to be decided.
The former President made this remark during his participation in an event at the Foundation Institute in Colombo.
Colombo (LNW): The initial segment of the third term for the academic year 2023 concludes on Friday, the 22nd, for both government and government-approved private schools.
Following this, the second phase of the third school term is scheduled to commence on February 1, 2024, granting students a substantial 39-day-long school holiday.
During this period, plans are underway to conduct the GCE Advanced Level Examination, with the Ministry of Education specifying the exam dates as January 4 to January 31, 2024.
Additionally, the Education Ministry has outlined that the inaugural school term of 2024 is set to commence on February 19.
Colombo (LNW): The Lawyers’ Collective has urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promptly terminate the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), considering the recent Supreme Court judgment.
In the case of Sumangala v Bandara and Others, a unanimous decision by a three-judge bench held that Tennakoon, along with other respondents, violated the fundamental rights of a former army soldier. The violations included freedom from torture, unlawful arrest, and arbitrary administrative action that denied equal protection of the law.
Consequently, the Supreme Court directed the National Police Commission (NPC) and other relevant authorities to take appropriate disciplinary action against Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and other implicated police officers.
In an open letter to the President, the Lawyers’ Collective emphasised that these officers, including Tennakoon, have been found liable for acts constituting a criminal offence under the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act, No. 22 of 1994.
All implicated police officers must be formally charged with the serious crime of torture immediately and suspended from service, the Collective asserted.
“The office of IGP, and thereby the powers of Acting IGP, can only be directly held accountable by your office as President. Your duty to the people of Sri Lanka is clear, and the only responsible course of action is to terminate the appointment of the said Deshabandu Tennakoon to Acting IGP, refer the judgement to the Attorney General for urgent consideration of serving charges on all found liable, and refer the judgement to the National Police Commission for disciplinary action,” the letter noted.
The Lawyers’ Collective expressed concern that a failure to act constitutes a daily reminder to the public that the President is unwilling to implement a judgment of the highest court of the country that has exercised the judicial power of the people under the constitution.
The Collective accused Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles of publicly endorsing Tennakoon’s leadership of the police shortly after the judgment that found Tennakoon liable for torture. Alles even insinuated support for police killings in enforcing Sri Lanka’s laws on illegal drugs, they added.
The letter was signed by a group of President’s Counsels, including Rienzie Arsecularatne, Upul Jayasuriya, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, M.A. Sumanthiran, Dinal Phillips, Saliya Pieris, S.T. Jayanaga, Nalin Dissanayake, Prof. Savitri Goonesekere, Prof. Deepika Udagama, Prof. Camena Gunaratne, and attorneys-at-law Upul Kumarapperuma, and seven others on behalf of the Lawyers’ Collective.
Full Letter:
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, President Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Mr. President,
We write to you as citizens who are members of the legal profession and legal academics of Sri Lanka for urgent action following the decision of our apex court in Sumangala v Bandara and Others (SCFR 107/2011) delivered on 14th December 2023. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that Respondents, including the current Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, violated the fundamental rights of the petitioner to freedom from torture, unlawful arrest, and arbitrary administrative action that denied equal protection of the law. The Court observed that these violations undermined the core values of respect for the Rule of Law and Democracy, and the State obligation of the government under international law applicable in Sri Lanka. The right to freedom from torture is one of the gravest violations in constitutional law and the Sri Lankan State’s obligations under ratified international treaties and cannot be limited in any way or on any ground. Their Lordships imposed heavy compensation on these persons, including Deshabandu Tennakoon, (currently Acting IGP) and called for disciplinary action by the State against them.
Deshabandu Tennakoon was the SP Nugegoda at the time of the incidents complained of in the above case. He was proven to have both participated in the acts of torture and illegal arrest and not fulfilled his responsibilities to prevent gross acts of torture by his subordinate police officers. These acts included using chili powder to suffocate, stripping naked and suspending from the ceiling for long hours, and beating the petitioner in front of his wife and very young children. One of them fainted on witnessing this abuse of their father. The petitioner has been recognized as consequently suffering from a serious mental health condition for years.
We draw your attention to the fact that these officers including the said Deshabandu Tennakoon, have been found liable of acts which in our law amount to a criminal offence under the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act, No. 22 of 1994. As such, all police officers found responsible must be formally charged with the serious crime of torture with immediate effect and they must be suspended from service. It is particularly grave that no immediate action has yet been taken against the said Deshabandu Tennakoon, given that he holds a position of power with influence over evidence and witnesses in an anticipated criminal prosecution against him. The office of IGP, and thereby the powers of Acting IGP, can only be directly held accountable by your office as President. Your duty to the people of Sri Lanka is clear, and the only responsible course of action is to terminate the appointment of the said Deshabandu Tennakoon to Acting IGP, refer the judgment to the Attorney General for urgent consideration of serving charges on all found liable, and refer the judgment to the National Police Commission for disciplinary action.
We remind that Deshabandu Tennakoon was appointed by you, Mr. President, with endorsement by the Constitutional Council, amidst public controversy over his suitability, for this high post. It is a complete failure of public trust by all involved. We note that no attention appears to have been given to the fact that there are many pending cases against this individual, and that this particular case was before the Supreme Court.
As President of our country, who has taken an oath of office to uphold the Constitution, and as a member of the legal profession, we call upon you to recognize the gravity of these violations of constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights, and international law, and take immediate action following this judgment of the Supreme Court. Failure to do so will legitimize the idea that a person can hold high public office despite the fact that he/ she has been found responsible for one of the most heinous crimes and abuses of power under Sri Lanka’s laws and violation of fundamental rights guaranteed as a core aspect of the People’s Sovereignty in a democracy. Decades of jurisprudence of the Supreme Court has emphasized that officials including the President and Ministers must discharge the legal obligations of their public office, and uphold the Public Trust placed upon them. Indeed, in Sumangala v Bandara and Others the Supreme Court said that ” the stars that adorn a uniform are not ornaments of power but reminds us of the immense responsibilities that come with authority.”
There is public expectation that in your role as head of the Cabinet your Cabinet is reminded of their role and responsibilities in office. It is shocking that within days of the judgment that found Deshabandu Tennakoon liable for torture, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles publicly endorsed Tennakoon’s leadership of the police and even insinuated support for police killings in enforcing Sri Lankas laws on illegal drugs. The legitimate law enforcement aim of eradicating illicit drugs cannot be cover for extra judicial violence. He has also made damaging statements on the legal profession, accusing lawyers who have demanded action in terms of the judgment as “defending” drug offenders. This seriously undermines the right to legal representation in court proceedings. All such statements seriously undermine this government’s commitment to the rule of law and our Constitution.
As President, you must appreciate that the confidence of the public in the administration of justice must be reinforced and not undermined. It is shocking, by any standard, that the leadership of the police or indeed in any public office, is held by a person who has been found to have violated the Constitution and that too by an act which is itself a criminal offence in this country.
Mr. President, we have repeatedly warned that the several legislative and administrative measures of this government have been authoritarian in nature and has had a damaging chilling effect on citizen engagement with issues of public concern. The remarkable silence in the media and by civil society over the Supreme Court judgment indicates a self-censorship not previously evident in Sri Lanka.
This is an open letter to you. We will be sharing this letter with our fellow citizens in the hope and expectation that you will take immediate action. In summary, immediately terminate the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Acting IGP in view of the Supreme Court judgment in Sumangala v Bandara and Others, refer the judgment to the Attorney General to consider without delay charging these police officers with the serious criminal offence of torture, particularly in view of the preservation of evidence in imminent prosecutions and also refer the judgment to the National Police Commission for action. A failure to act amounts to a daily reminder to the public that you will not implement a judgment of the highest court of the country which has exercised the judicial power of the People under our Constitution. Urgent action is a matter of national importance.
On behalf of the Lawyers’ Collective,
Mr. Rienzie Arsecularatne, President’s Counsel Mr. Upul Jayasuriya, President’s Counsel, Former President – BASL Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, President’s Counsel Professor Savitri Goonesekere, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Geoffrey Alagaratnam, President’s Counsel, Former President – BASL Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran, President’s Counsel Mr. Dinal Phillips, President’s Counsel Mr. Saliya Pieris, President’s Counsel, Former President – BASL Mr. S.T. Jayanaga, President’s Counsel Mr. Nalin Dissanayake, President’s Counsel Professor Deepika Udagama Professor Camena Gunaratne Mr. Upul Kumarapperuma, Attorney-at-Law Mr. K.W. Janaranjana, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Srinath Perera, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Sapumal Bandra, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Akalanka Ukwatta, Attorney-at-Law Ms. Ermiza Tegal, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Manoj Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law
Colombo (LNW): The Inland Revenue Department has released a list of goods and services slated for exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT) starting January 1, 2024.
Notable items on the list encompass Wheat and Wheat Flour, Infant Milk Powder, Pharmaceutical Products, Drugs, and Crude Petroleum Oil.
Colombo (LNW): Bangladesh has contributed essential medicines valued at US $1 million to Sri Lanka in a significant humanitarian gesture.
The official handover transpired in a concise ceremony at the office of Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, where Bangladesh High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam formally presented the consignment.
This substantial donation, comprising twenty-four critical medical items, was procured from Bangladesh’s state-owned pharmaceutical entity, the Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), aligning precisely with the specific requirements articulated by the Sri Lankan government.
The ceremony saw the presence of key officials from the Sri Lankan Health Ministry, including Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, DDG MSD Dr. Dharmaratne, Director (Diplomatic Affairs) Dr. Anver Hamdani, and Director MSD Dr. Dias.
Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana expressed gratitude, acknowledging the friendly gesture of the government and people of Bangladesh. He also lauded the Bangladesh High Commission for its pivotal role in fortifying bilateral relations, particularly within the vital health and pharmaceutical sectors.
High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam reciprocated by characterising the donation as a manifestation of Bangladesh’s dedication and goodwill toward Sri Lanka. He underscored the substantial potential for collaboration between the two nations in the pharmaceutical and health sectors.
This recent contribution follows Bangladesh’s earlier goodwill gesture in May 2022, where medical supplies amounting to US $2.3 million were provided. The governments of both countries are actively exploring avenues for a more robust collaboration, particularly in the procurement of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.
Colombo (LNW): A few showers will occur in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Matale district, with showers or thundershowers being expected at a few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (22).
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces in 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:
A few showers will occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Mannar, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (40-50) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Hambantota via Matara.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Hambantota via Matara can be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a meeting with Members of Parliament representing the Tamil community from the North and East at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo yesterday afternoon (21).
The discussions centred on crucial topics, such as ensuring land rights for residents in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the effective implementation of laws related to resettlement and reconciliation, and addressing challenges faced by Sri Lankans in refugee camps in India, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
Furthermore, the meeting delved into various issues related to district development in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
In attendance were MPs from the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including R. Sampanthan, S. Rasamanickam, G. Karunakaran, Mr. T. Kalai Arasan, and Kulasingham Dileepan.
Notable figures present at the meeting included Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksha, State Minister for Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan, President’s Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake, Prime Minister’s Secretary Mr. Anura Dissanayake, and Justice and Prison.
Colombo (LNW): The National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) registered a Year-on-Year (y-o-y) inflation rate of 2.8 per cent for November 2023, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) reported.
This reflects a notable increase from the October 2023 inflation rate of 1.0 per cent, marking a 1.8 per cent rise.
In terms of Food-Inflation, there was a shift from -5.2 per cent in October to -2.2 per cent in November 2023. Non-food inflation increased from 6.3 per cent in October to 7.1 per cent in November.
The overall NCPI for November 2023 stands at 206.0, representing a 2.4 index point increase or a 1.19 per cent rise compared to October 2023 (203.6). This translates to a Rs. 1231.49 increase in the expenditure value of the “market basket.”
Specifically, increases in index values were observed for items such as Vegetables (0.62 per cent), Rice (0.14 per cent), Sugar (0.09 per cent), Coconuts (0.06 per cent), Big onions (0.06 per cent), Green chilies (0.06 per cent), Red onions (0.05 per cent), Limes (0.03 per cent), Coconut oil (0.02 per cent), Potatoes (0.02 per cent), Mysore dhal (0.01 per cent), Tea dust/leaves (0.01 per cent), and Fresh fruits (0.01 per cent).
Conversely, decreases were noted for Fresh fish (0.19 per cent), Chicken (0.08 per cent), Dried fish (0.07 per cent), Eggs (0.07 per cent), Green gram (0.02 per cent), and Chili powder (0.01 per cent).
The uptick in the non-food group index values in November 2023, compared to the previous month, can be attributed to price increases in items under ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other fuels’ (Materials for Maintenance and Electricity bill) (0.53 per cent) and ‘Restaurants and Hotels’ (0.02 per cent).
On the other hand, decreases were reported in ‘Transport (Petrol)’ (0.08 per cent), ‘Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics’ (Beetle leaves) (0.02 per cent), and ‘Health’ (Spectacles) (0.02 per cent). Additionally, marginal price decreases were observed in ‘Clothing and Footwear’, ‘Furnishing, Household equipment, and Routine household maintenance’, ‘Recreation and Culture’, and ‘Miscellaneous Goods and Services’.
The report notes that the price indices for ‘Communication’ and ‘Education’ groups remained unchanged during the month.
