Colombo (LNW): Kushani Rohanadheera has assumed duties as the new Secretary General of Parliament from today (23).

Her appointment comes in following the retirement of predecessor Dhammika Dasanayake.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s apparel export earnings are likely to crash by US $1 billion this year, industry sources said, as slowing global demand hits the crisis-hit island nation.

Apparel is Sri Lanka’s largest industrial export and earned $5.95 billion in 2022, helping the country as it weathered its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948, triggered by a record reduction in foreign exchange reserves.

The country’s critical apparel sector is suffering multi-year lows in terms of exports with April performance confirming its ongoing challenge.

April saw exports down sharply by 24% to $ 318 million from a year ago and forced the performance in the first four months to decline Year on year by 17% to $ 1.5 billion. All major markets have witnessed reduction in purchases.

April 2023 exports value was the lowest in recent years (except COVID-hit 2020). The previous lowest was in 2018 April which was $ 323 million.

On a cumulative basis, exports in the first four months of 2023 were the lowest (except COVID-2020) and were below $ 1.6 billion range in 2018 and 2021.

The dip in April YoY was sharper than the 11% YoY decline in March. April also marked the fourth month of exports below $ 400 million level. Since September last year, apparel exports have been on a downward trend year on year.

Markets wise, apparel exports to the US in April decreased by 25.5% to $129 million, while the EU (excluding UK) dipped sharply by 27.53% to $ 90 million. Exports to the UK were down by 26.7% to $ 45.8 million and to other countries by 9% to $ 53 million.

In terms of performance in the first four months of 2023, overall exports to the USA decreased by 22.67% to $ 599 million, to the EU (excluding UK) were down by 16.7% to $ 434 million and to the UK by 14.3% to $ 213.6 million. Exports to other countries declined by 4% to $ 254 million.

Apart from higher inventories in markets, industry analysts said Sri Lanka has also become expensive for apparel sourcing given recent cost overruns. “Customers are asking for price reduction as countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt and African countries are far cheaper,” they claimed.

Future orders appear slim as well. Imports of textiles in the first quarter of 2023 are down by 31% to $ 604.6 million. In the first half of last year (January to June) imports grew by 16% to $ 1.68 billion before finishing the year flat at $ 3 billion.

01. President Ranil Wickremesinghe together with a Sri Lankan delegation leaves the country to attend an international conference in Singapore and Japan: The President accompanied by first lady Maithri Wickremesinghe, Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, the President’s Private Secretary Sandra Perera and others; set to attend the “Future of Asia-28” conference in Tokyo from May 25 to 26.

02. The NCPI reveals the overall headline inflation drops to 33.6% in April 2023: The inflation recorded for April 2023 dropped in comparison to the 49.2% recorded in March 2023: Food inflation drops to 27.1% in April from the 42.3% recorded in March.

03. Kushani Rohanadheera assumes duties as the new Secretary General of Parliament, following the retirement of predecessor Dhammika Dasanayake.

04. Executive Director of the People’s action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi appointed as the new Chairperson of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL): The appointment taken place at the 8th General Assembly of the ANFREL in Bangkok.

05. The prices of laboratory tests for dengue, including dengue antigen testing and full blood count soar: The price of a dengue antigen test soars up to about Rs. 1,200, and the price of a full blood count test, Rs. 400: Health officials warn the situation may end up in people being reluctant to go for blood tests amidst the growing dengue crisis in the country.

06. Tourism Minister Harin Fernando issues a gazette notification soaring the entrance fees to Botanical gardens, effective from July 2023: The entrance fee for local visitors will rise to Rs. 200 from Rs. 100, and for foreign visitors, to Rs. 3,000 from Rs. 2,000, per head.

07. Sri Lanka inks a contract agreement with Sinopec, a leading petroleum company, for the importation, storage and sale of petroleum products in Sri Lanka: The signing of the agreement takes place at the President’s Office: The move said to be marking a crucial step in ensuring a steady and uninterrupted fuel supply for the nation.

08. Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Lak Kumar Fernando warns Sri Lanka is heading to a hyper or major epidemic wreaking havoc with the dengue outbreak; adds the epidemic can be the “the worst since 2017 and 2019”; stresses if preventive measures are not in place, the current situation may end up in “a more devastating state reaching the number of cases in 2017.”

09. Cabinet approval and permission was granted to publish a Gazette notification mentioning the ‘Kompanna Veediya’ Grama Niladhari division in all three languages: The Prime Minister on a previous occasion had stated that the English name ‘Slave Island’ should be changed to ‘Kompanna Veediya’ immediately.

10. The Examinations Department announces that tuition classes for the GCE OL Examination 2022 will be prohibited from midnight today: The conduction of tuition classes, seminars, lectures and workshops targeting the candidates will be prohibited: Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara says it would be a violation to print and distribute model question papers, as well as to promote such action via banners, handbills, or by electronic or print media.

After three years of virtual celebrations, the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Thailand to the United Nations in New York co-hosted an in-person commemoration of the International Day of Vesak on Thursday, 18 May 2023, at the Trusteeship Councilof the United Nations Head Quarters in New York.

Sponsored by Sri Lanka and Thailand, in 1999, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/115, which internationally recognized the Day of Vesak at the United Nations.

The Commemoration commenced with the opening remarks by the co-hosts. Ambassador Suriya Chindawongse of Thailand emphasized the significance of the Vesak Day and the ways in which the teachings of the Lord Buddha can enrich the common ethos to tackle the multiple crisis the world is currently undergoing.

Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi, the President of the 77^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, delivered the opening statement at the event. The UN Secretary General António Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Don. Pramudwinai and, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Ali Sabry addressed the celebration through virtual messages. All dignitaries referred to the relevance of Buddhism to meet contemporary challenges and the ways the teaching can be applied to usher peace and sustainable living to the world.

Ven. Phramaha Thawin Puhkao, Ven. Pharama Kamsun Kangmun and Ven.  Phra Gasana Kochaphatn of Thailand invoked blessings.Ven. Heenbunne Kondanna thero, Chief Incumbent of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara conducted the sermon representing the Theravada Tradition. The Chief Incumbent, delivering his sermon, mentioned that the principles of the Buddhist teachings of universal loving kindness were at the crux of the UN Charter.

Buddhist clergy from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea participated at the event.

The Permanent Representatives of India, Nepal, China, Japan, Pakistan, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Mongolia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh and the Deputy Permanent Representatives from Singapore, Russian Federation, Republic of Korea and Malaysia also delivered statements at this event. While underlining the necessity of adhering to the teachings of Lord Buddha at turbulent times like the present, they congratulated both Sri Lanka and Thailand for co-organizing the UN Vesak Day.

Ambassador Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, delivered the closing remarks and thanked all the venerable clergy and the other dignitaries for their participation at the event.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

New York

22 May 2023

The 14^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ISM on NPD) was held in Colombo from 16-17 May 2023, hosted by Sri Lanka and co-chaired with Thailand and the United States of America.

The ARF meeting brought together officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade of 17 ARF Participant countries, in person with 5 ARF Participant countries taking part virtually. The meeting was chaired by Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka) Satya Rodrigo, who also chaired discussions on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Co-Chairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ann K. Ganver (United States) and Deputy Director General Bolbongse Vangphaen (Thailand) chaired discussions on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, respectively.

During the opening, Director General Rodrigo noted Sri Lanka’s role in making the first calls for a special session on disarmament in 1975 and Sri Lanka’s continued contribution to disarmament in regional and international fora. Director of the National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board Anura Jayatilaka gave a presentation on the role of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and its applications for manufacturing and construction industries.

Sri Lanka has been a member of the ARF since 2007. The ARF is an important ASEAN-led mechanism for security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific region and provides a forum to foster constructive dialogue and consultation towards promoting confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy in the region.

The Sri Lanka delegation comprised senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including ARF SOM Leader, Addl. Secretary / Bilateral (East)Yasoja Gunasekera, Director General / Southeast Asia & Central Asia  Waruna Wilpatha, and other senior officials of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

22 May 2023

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit Japan from 24 to 27 May 2023 to address the 28th Nikkei Future of Asia Conference held in Tokyo.

During the visit, President Wickremesinghe will hold bilateral discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Minister of Finance Suzuki Shunichi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa and Minister for Digital Transformation Taro Kono.

The President will also meet the officials of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League, which is engaged in strengthening relations between the two countries, while promoting mutually beneficial cultural ties. During the visit, President Wickremesinghe also plans to engage with the Business Community during a Business Forum organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Council (JSLBCC), followed by a discussion with the Sri Lanka Business Council in Japan, to identify ways of enhancing trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Japan.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

22 May 2023

During the 8th General Assembly of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), which took place in Bangkok following the recent Thai General Election, Mr. Rohana Hettiarachchi, the Executive Director of PAFFREL (People’s action for Free and Fair Elections), was appointed as the Chairperson of the Asian Network for Free Elections. The announcement was made in the presence of representatives from 18 countries and twenty-nine organisations affiliated with the ANFREL network.

In addition to his role as Chairperson, Mr. Hettiarachchi will also serve as the Director of the Asian Network for Free Elections. The assembly also elected Mrs. Pili Cora from Philippines as the Secretary General and Mr. P. Sakul from Thailand as the Treasurer. Furthermore, representatives from Indonesia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, and Nepal were elected to the Board of Directors.

Mr. Hettiarachchi’s term as Chairman will extend until May 2026, providing him with a significant opportunity to contribute to the network’s mission of promoting transparency, fairness, and integrity in elections across Asia. Notably, prior to assuming the position of Chairman, Mr. Hettiarachchi had served as the Secretary General of the Asian Network for Free Elections for thirteen years, demonstrating his extensive experience and dedication to the organisation’s goals.

Under Mr. Hettiarachchi’s leadership, the Asian Network for Free Elections aims to further strengthen its presence and influence in the region, fostering collaboration among member countries and organisations to enhance electoral processes and ensure democratic principles are upheld.