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Deviation from current economic mgmt system could lead to a more severe crisis: State Minister

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Deviation from current economic mgmt system could lead to a more severe crisis: State Minister

January 22, Colombo (LNW): The Micro-Finance and Loan Regulation Act has been presented to Parliament to establish a robust regulatory framework under government auspices, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced.

Speaking at the “FLi Diri Abhimani 2024” awards ceremony, which recognises women entrepreneurs in the Micro-Financial Sector, Semasinghe expressed expectations for the act’s approval in the coming months.

He underscored the significance of the legislation in safeguarding consumers and micro-finance entities. Semasinghe noted that the benefits of economic development would take several months to materialise for the public, urging adherence to the existing economic management plan regardless of the government in power.

He outlined plans to implement proper regulation within the first quarter of the year, highlighting the positive turn in the economy from the second quarter of 2023 after six consecutive negative quarters.

However, he acknowledged that the positive economic outlook has yet to alleviate the challenges faced by the public.

While the economic restructuring process is set to yield benefits, Semasinghe cautioned against deviation from the established economic management system, warning that such a move could lead to a more severe economic crisis than experienced in 2022.

FBCCI President invites SL investors to explore Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones

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FBCCI President invites SL investors to explore Bangladesh’s Special Economic Zones

January 22, Colombo (LNW): President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam extended an invitation to Sri Lankan businessmen and investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s special economic zones, Bangladesh-based business news agency BSS reported.

This proposition was made during a courtesy meeting at FBCCI’s Gulshan office with Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

President Alam highlighted the establishment of 100 special economic zones across Bangladesh, equipped with essential facilities such as oil, gas, and electricity, along with streamlined services and e-platforms.

He emphasised the attractive incentives in place to facilitate business and investment, suggesting that Sri Lankan entrepreneurs could benefit from establishing industries independently or through joint ventures.

Identifying sectors like garments, pharmaceuticals, eco-tourism, and hospitality as potential areas of interest, President Alam assured that FBCCI would provide comprehensive support to Sri Lankan investors venturing into Bangladesh.

High Commissioner Weerakkody acknowledged the interest of Sri Lankan business entrepreneurs in Bangladesh and underscored the need to elevate bilateral trade between the two countries.

He also noted the substantial number of Bangladeshi tourists visiting Sri Lanka annually.

During the meeting, FBCCI leaders commended the role of the Sri Lankan Central Bank in overcoming economic challenges.

The gathering included Srimali Jayarathna, Commercial Counselor of the Sri Lankan High Commission, FBCCI Vice Presidents Shomi Kaiser and Rashadul Hossain Chowdhury (Ronni), and Secretary General Md. Alamgir, among others.

Today’s (Jan 22) weather: A few showers expected, mainly fair weather to prevail

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Today’s (Jan 22) weather: A few showers expected, mainly fair weather to prevail

By: Isuru Parakrama

January 22, Colombo (LNW): A few showers may occur in Eastern and Uva Provinces, with showers or thundershowers being expected at a few places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 4.00 p.m, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (22).

Mainly fair weather will prevail in the other areas of the island, the statement added.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Mainly fair weather will prevail in the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (40-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota can be rough at times.

Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 22/01

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Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 22/01

  1. Jaffna district MP S Sritharan elected Leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) at the Party election, by secret ballot: overcomes the challenge of MP M A Sumanthiran PC and former MP Sinithamby Yogeswaran.
  2. SL Deputy High Commission in Chennai delivers the 1st batch of passports to “SL nationals resettled in Tamil Nadu”: this initiative has been implemented under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
  3. Trade Minister Nalin Fernando says an imported egg which was previously sold at Rs.35, will soar to Rs.43 after the recent VAT imposition.
  4. Police arrest the person in robes claiming to be “Vishwa Buddha” & issuing statements which are allegedly “demeaning” Buddhism: Gangodawila Magistrate remands him until 26th January.
  5. Police arrest 3 minor staff members of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital following a complaint of assault by the Karapitiya Hospital’s senior oncologist who was earlier arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman staff member.
  6. Fort Magistrate issues detention orders for 7 days on 11 suspects apprehended by the SL Navy in 2 trawlers off the Southern coast, while in possession of 65 kgs of heroin.
  7. Elections Commission Chairman R M A L Ratnayake says the Commission will start to implement campaign finance laws ahead of the Presidential election this year.
  8. Cabinet Spokesman & Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardena says development schemes are set to recommence in February’24 following the finalisation of agreements related to the “debt restructuring” and ongoing discussions with foreign creditors.
  9. Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne says his Association will refrain from operating buses if the Police implement the action of sending “fine sheets” to bus owners based on CCTV footage: insists it is unfair to send the fine sheets related to the mistakes of the buses to the owner of the bus.
  10. SL beats Zimbabwe by 39 runs under DLS in their ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup: SL 204 (48.3 overs), D Kalupahana 60: ZIM 89 (21.1 overs), M Tharupathi 4/17.

At the Moment of Making History: Over 100,000 SL Refugees in India Issued International Travel Passports for New Perspectives

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At the Moment of Making History: Over 100,000 SL Refugees in India Issued International Travel Passports for New Perspectives

January 21, Colombo (LNW): Over 100,000 refugees who fled the North and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka to India in the early 1980s have resided in Indian camps for more than four decades.

Due to the absence of provisions in the Indian constitution for providing nationality, the only available option has been an exit permit back to Sri Lanka.

Under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the directive of Advisor to President Sagala Ratnayaka, Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, Dr. Venkadesh, facilitated a programme to issue Sri Lanka International travel passports in India, offering a new perspective for the refugees’ future.

Despite repeated proposals to several Sri Lankan heads in the past, no progress had been made until Wickremesinghe prioritised and supported the initiative to provide a new life for the people from North and East Sri Lanka living in India.

This development is seen as a milestone in the reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts for Tamils by the Sri Lankan government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to India, Shenuka, played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the programme.

Tamil Nadu Minister Senji Masthan took special care of the Sri Lankan refugees, providing necessary documentation support for the programme’s completion.

Gratitude was expressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Minister of External Affairs Jai Shankar, Minister of Home Affairs Amith Sha, and Tamil Nadu BJP State President K. Annamalai for their continuous support to the Sri Lankan refugees.

Indonesia General elections: RSF urges candidates to commit to taking measures enhancing press freedom

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Indonesia General elections: RSF urges candidates to commit to taking measures enhancing press freedom

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on candidates to the 14 February 2024 Indonesian general election to voice their support for press freedom and commit to an agenda of related reforms.

In one month, Indonesia, the third largest democracy in the world, will call upon its 205 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. With the Indonesian presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 14 February 2024, RSF calls on the candidates to commit to reforms aimed at strengthening the physical and digital security of media professionals, and putting an end to abusive defamation proceedings.

RSF addresses the following presidential candidates: former Jakarta governor and independent candidate Anies Baswedan and his running mate Muhaimin Iskandar from the Coalition of Change for Unity; former governor of Central Java province Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD from the Alliance of Political Parties Supporting Ganjar Pranowo; and, current defence minister Prabowo Subianto running with Gibran Rakabuming from the Advanced Indonesia Coalition.

“The current president Joko Widodo’s eight years in office have been marked by a series of broken promises regarding press freedom. We call on all candidates to the general elections to take measures ensuring the safety of journalists, and to put an end to abusive proceedings against media professionals. These two conditions are necessary to  improve the media sector and thus contribute to the consolidation of Indonesian democracy.”

Cédric Alviani
RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director
 

A vibrant yet restricted media landscape

Third most populous country in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia, Indonesia enjoys a dynamic media environment, with around a hundred thousand journalists. Their work, however, is regularly hampered by acts of violence or intimidation, as well as by the persistence of taboo subjects in society, such as gender identity.

In recent years, several journalists have been detained for their reporting, such as Muhammad Asrul, sentenced to three months for defamation in 2021 after revealing a corruption case. In November 2023, the house of journalist Weren Timo was destroyed by arson shortly after the journalist had received several threats linked to his reports on illegal gambling activities.

Even more concerning is  the region of West Papua, which lies in the east of Indonesia, where a genuine information blackout has been established. Journalists are not allowed to report about the military brutal crackdown on the Papuan separatist movement. Despite the election promises of incumbent president Joko Widodo, it remains very difficult for journalists to report from the region. In August 2019, after pro-independence demonstrations broke out, the Indonesian authorities imposed an internet blackout in the region, preventing journalists from covering the protests. 
 

RSF’s recommendations to the candidates:

  • Ensure the protection and safety of journalists against all forms of violence, pressure, and harassment. This includes all attempts to prevent them from carrying out their work or to undermine their ability to do so. Conduct impartial and independent investigations to identify and prosecute those responsible for crimes of violence against journalists;
     
  • Remove limitations to  the right to information in the West Papua province by guaranteeing that all journalists have, in practice, unhindered access to the region and to ensure that the internet, including social media, remains open, accessible, and secure;
     
  • Reform defamation laws by removing the prison sentences and  disproportionate fines from the Law on Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE Law), and by introducing legislation to identify gagging proceedings against journalists;
     
  • Establish regulation against disinformation in line with international safeguards  for freedom of expression, and based on the recommendations from the Forum on Information and Democracy report on Infodemics (2020). Such policies should also provide for an appropriate judicial review process for governments or online platforms’ decisions to block or delete content;
     
  • Emphasise critical thinking and media literacy in academic curricula and public education actions by ensuring that school children are being taught from a young age to discern fact from fiction.
     

Indonesia, ranked 108th out of 180 in the 2023 RSF World Press Freedom Index, guarantees freedom of the press in principle in its legislation.

REPORTERS SANS FRONTIÈRES / REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS (RSF)

Public Security Minister expresses condolences to family of shooting victim Roshan Kumarathilake, vows strict action will be taken

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Public Security Minister expresses condolences to family of shooting victim Roshan Kumarathilake, vows strict action will be taken

January 21, Colombo (LNW): Public Security Minister Tiran Alles expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Roshan Kumarathilake, who tragically lost his life in a recent shooting incident in Narammala.

In a post, the Public Security Minister stressed that he unequivocally condemns this senseless act and vowed to take swift and strict action against the wrongdoers.

Tragedy unfolded when a civilian was ordered to stop his vehicle by a Police sub inspector in Narammala area and shot dead upon ignoring his order.

The Police sub inspector in question was in civil attire at the time of the incident, and the event sparked controversy leading to widespread criticism against the Police.

G77+China Summit: President urges global financial reforms

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G77+China Summit: President urges global financial reforms

January 21, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the 3rd South Summit in Kampala, Uganda, underscored global challenges, including conflicts, pandemic repercussions, climate disasters, and financial market uncertainties.

Emphasising the disproportionate impact on vulnerable G77 economies, he urged urgent reform of the global financial architecture.

President Wickremesinghe criticised the current international debt resolution architecture, noting its relevance during the dominance of the Paris Club and London Club.

With global debt now dominated by international bond markets and non-Paris Club lenders, he lamented the diversion of financial resources to debt service, hindering essential public services and human development, impacting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

Expressing concern about the Common Framework’s delays in resolving sovereign debt distress, he urged swift debt resolution.

Regarding climate finance, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the global financial system’s failure to meet the Global South’s needs for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Introducing Sri Lanka’s Tropical Belt Initiative, he aimed to catalyse private investments for global public goods. Addressing rising protectionist tendencies, the President advocated multilateral decision-making in global trade, emphasizing coordination between G77 and BRICS for efficient global trade and investment.

Quoting Joseph Stiglitz on technological changes affecting job creation, President Wickremesinghe called for G77 + China to formulate strategies for energy transition, digital transformation, the green economy, and a skilled workforce.

Thanking President Museveni for hosting the summit and assuming the G77 + China Chairmanship, President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to Cuba for its past leadership.

Commemorating the G77 + China’s 60th year, he emphasised unity to overcome multidimensional challenges based on founding principles.

The 3rd Southern Summit, themed “Leaving No One Behind,” aimed to enhance collaboration among 134 member nations in areas like trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, poverty alleviation, and the digital economy.

The Republic of Uganda assumed the G77 + China summit presidency from the Republic of Cuba during this session.

Govt focuses on domestic rice production, no import need: Minister

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Govt focuses on domestic rice production, no import need: Minister

January 21, Colombo (LNW): The government is actively engaged in cultivating the necessary quantity of rice domestically, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera asserted.

Consequently there is no imperative for rice imports from foreign countries, he noted.

The Minister has instructed the pertinent authorities to focus on generating a surplus of rice within the country, facilitating the prospect of exporting rice to international markets.

In the year 2022, one-third of the country’s rice demand was met through imports, Amaraweera went on, adding that currently the production of rice within the country is deemed sufficient to fulfill domestic requirements, eliminating the need for external procurement.

Jaffna District MP Sivagnanam Shritharan elected as new Leader of ITAK

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Jaffna District MP Sivagnanam Shritharan elected as new Leader of ITAK

January 21, Colombo (LNW): Jaffna District MP Sivagnanam Shritharan has been elected as the new leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) today (21).

Shritharan’s position was previously held by Mavai Senathirajah.

ITAK is a constituent party within the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Sivagnanam Shritharan entered the political arena by contesting the 2010 parliamentary election as a candidate for the Tamil National Alliance electoral alliance in Jaffna District, securing a seat in Parliament.

He subsequently won re-election in the 2015 and 2020 parliamentary elections.

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