President Wickremesinghe held a meeting with members of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday, October 13, to discuss critical matters related to Sri Lanka’s university system and faculty research allowances.

The primary agenda of the meeting, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD), was to address the urgent need to increase research allowances for university lecturers and to seek an exemption from taxation on these allowances. The discussion also delved into broader issues concerning the future of Sri Lanka’s higher education system.

Acknowledging the challenging economic conditions facing the nation, President Wickremesinghe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promptly addressing these concerns, ultimately aiming to provide relief to the public. He stressed the importance of revising the current allowances for teaching staff to adequately support their research efforts and enhance the quality of research within Sri Lanka’s higher education institutions.

In light of this, the President encouraged officials to explore the possibility of issuing a new circular that would exempt these allowances from existing tax policies if deemed necessary to rectify the situation. He urged FUTA members to collaborate with the Education Ministry and the Attorney General’s office to find practical solutions, requesting a comprehensive report within three weeks.

Additionally, President Wickremesinghe unveiled the government’s intention to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential abolition of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and a complete restructuring of the entire university system in Sri Lanka. This restructuring aims to align the local system with models employed by reputable international institutions such as Deakin University and the University of California systems, with the goal of enhancing the quality and competitiveness of higher education in Sri Lanka. The President’s willingness to explore various options was warmly received by FUTA representatives.

The meeting included key figures such as President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, President’s Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs R.H.S. Samaratunga, former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, President of the University Teachers’ Association Prof. Barana Jayawardana, Secretary of the Association Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, and other prominent members. This concerted effort signifies a commitment to advancing the Sri Lankan higher education system and faculty welfare.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe to leave for China today to attend Conference to mark the 10th anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: he is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for discussions.
2. Electricity Consumers’ Assn General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika says the proposed electricity tariff hike of a further 22% would take a heavy toll on the country: further says almost 20% of industries have taken a hit in one way or another due to sky-rocketing electricity costs.
3. Hambantota International Port COO Tissa Wickremasinghe says the Port has handled over half a million trans-shipment units by September’23, exceeding the Port’s previous year’s figures.
4. SL’s private creditors send proposal for the restructure of their USD 12 bn of forex debt to SL: meanwhile, sources close to the Chinese debt re-structuring process have reportedly stated that the China Exim Bank has insisted that there should be no “hair-cut” on capital or interest: sources have also reported that the Exim Bank has insisted that about two-thirds of their loans have to be serviced by SL after the 2-year moratorium which finishes in April’24.
5. Government Medical Officers Assn meets President Ranil Wickremesinghe: hands over an 8-step proposal on brain drain, health crisis & matters affecting the Doctors.
6. Police Spokesman says the present Police IGP C D Wickremaratne has been granted an extension of another 3 weeks as IGP.
7. Colombo Stock Market suffers another week of losses: ASPI loses 174 points (1.58%) during the week while the average daily turnover records a dismal Rs.972 mn: in the previous week too, the ASPI lost 3.1%.
8. Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando says he and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles have submitted a Cabinet paper seeking approval of the Cabinet to issue visas free of charge to tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand & Indonesia.
9. Engineers say the water capacity of the Castlereagh & Maussakele reservoirs had increased to 90% and would spill over in a couple of days if the prevailing heavy rain experienced in the catchment areas, persist: also say the Wimalasurendra, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya & Canyon power complexes are also presently generating the maximum hydro-electricity power.
10. Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Captain Chamari Athapaththu becomes the ICC Women’s Player for the month of September’23.

C.D. Wickramaratne, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) , has been granted a further extension in his service tenure, as confirmed by Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa. This extension, effective from Friday, extends his service for an additional three weeks.

Originally slated for retirement from the post of Inspector General of Police on March 23, 2023, President Wickramaratne’s service has been extended multiple times. He initially assumed the role of the 35th Inspector General of Police in Sri Lanka on November 27, 2020.

A senior official from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, addressed questions during a news conference concerning Sri Lanka’s debt situation. Srinivasan clarified that Sri Lankan authorities possess the flexibility to engage in negotiations and consider proposals presented by private creditors, including the possibility of issuing GDP-linked bonds.

He emphasized that the IMF’s role does not involve direct intervention in debt restructuring discussions between creditors and debtors, reaffirming the principle that such negotiations are primarily within the purview of the involved parties.

Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm can be expected at some places in Uva, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Easten provinces.

A few showers may occur in coastal areas of the western and southern provinces during the morning too.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Prasanna Vithanage’s film Paradise made history by clinching the Kim Jiseok Award for the Best Film at Busan International Film Festival 2023. Film is produced by Newton Cinema and presented by Mani Ratnam and Madras Talkies.

Paradise had its world premiere at Busan, featuring an all-star cast and crew, including Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran, Shyam Fernando, and Mahendra Perera. The film boasts Rajeev Ravi as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad as the editor, Tapas Nayak as the sound designer, and K, the music director. Paradise will have its Indian premiere at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival from October 27th to November 5, 2023, in the Icon Section which showcases the films of iconic South Asian directors.

The Kim Jiseok Award, established in 2017, commemorates the late Kim Jiseok, who dedicated his life to discovering and supporting the growth of Asian cinema.

Paradise narrates the vacation of a tourist couple, exploring their struggles with societal, personal, and internal challenges. Through their experiences, they unveil an objective truth about human nature.

“After 28 years today, it is ironic to receive this award named after late Kim Jiseok. Kim was a dear friend to all Asian filmmakers. Kim, I am honored to take you to my home. I would like to thank you, my dear producer Anto Chittilappilly and Newton Cinema, our presenter Mr. Mani Ratnam, Madras Talkies, the cast, and crew of Paradise.  This award belongs to you,” stated Prasanna Vithanage.

Mani Ratnam, of Madras Talkies, said, “When there is turmoil in paradise, both social and economic, when there is a re-evaluation of man-woman relationship, when an old epic gets reflected in today’s troubled times, we have Paradise, a film with a vision.”

“Our world premiere at Busan resulted in winning the Kim Jiseok Award for the Best Film. Everyone at Newton Cinema is on ‘Cloud Nine,’ and we believe this victory will propel the film to audiences worldwide. We are confident that audiences everywhere will enjoy the film as much as our sold-out audiences did in Busan,” remarked Anto Chittilappilly, CEO of Newton Cinema.

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Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Dr. Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa presented his credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., of the Republic of the Philippines on 10 October 2023 at the Malacañan Palace in Manila. This was followed by the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in honour of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Upon presentation of credentials, Ambassador Talpahewa had a tete-a-tete with President Marcos. He conveyed the best wishes and sincere greetings of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to President Marcos, the government and the people of the Philippines.

During the discussion, Ambassador Talpahewa stated that he looks forward to working towards further consolidating and strengthening the warm and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines and taking it to the next level. He also mentioned that he will actively work towards bringing in investments from Sri Lankan companies in the Philippines. President Marcos Jr. welcomed this initiative and stated that countries like the Philippines and Sri Lanka should enhance bilateral cooperation not only in the political sphere but also in the economic sphere.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Manila

13 October 2023