Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addressing the prevailing economic challenges emphasised that the government is committed to safeguarding public servants amidst the current crisis.

He asserted that, despite the economic difficulties, all government employees have successfully maintained their services.

Speaking at the Gampaha District Progress Review Meeting of the National Integration Participation Development Program “Aluth Gamak – Aluth Ratak” on Wednesday (06), held at the Gampaha District Secretariat, the Prime Minister asserted that despite the economic difficulties, all government employees have successfully maintained their services.

He outlined plans for the upcoming implementation of the Grama Niladhari Service Minute within the next few months.

“Last year we faced an unprecedented economic and financial problem. Though it is politically good or bad, the government has admitted that our country has confronted with a financial crisis. Accordingly, discussions were held with international organisations. This is not the first time that Sri Lanka has gone towards IMF and World Bank. Every government worked with them.

Malaysia faced this kind of economic collapse. Today there is a developed economy in Malaysia, which revived the economy by developing the entire Government sector. Likewise even European countries collapsed. I remember the first decision made there. Initially Greece sent half of its public servants to their homes. They informed pensioners that they could not pay for them. But we didn’t do that.

We informed IMF and the World Bank strongly as a government that we are not moving towards that solution. Accordingly, all government employees have been able to continue their services.

There are 14,000 Grama Seva Divisions. We are taking necessary steps to bring the Grama Niladhari Service Minute in a few months. Let us work together with the priority of leading the country to continuous economic growth.

There are several government officers in a Grama Seva division. They are bound to implement the development committee plan as a district under the Government Agent in accordance with the instructions given by the development committee leaders of the government. It is necessary to establish a rural development plan. Many important facts were revealed here. We hope that every Grama Seva Divisions will increase the production compared to last year. Investments can be done in the fields of food production, other industrial crops, raw materials or assembling industries. We are sure that this year 2024 will definitely be a year of economic growth.

We must now enter into the preparation of development plans by collecting the information of each village. A new country, a new village (Aluth Gamak – Aluth Ratak) program was introduced to increase production, create new and diverse fields as the main focus of a development plan. We have started to become self-sufficient in terms of food. Every village cannot be self-sufficient in every aspect.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have agreed to allocate a special allocation for the elderly. There should be a continuous increase in allowances for the elderly. It is for this purpose that the expenditure headings in the budget have been increased.

We are committed to cover the elderly and those who are suffering from other illnesses. The Government Agent can bring the information from every district and consolidate the information. Therefore, with this information, we should intervene to cover all the disabled, elderly, diseased and disabled people in the district. We are in the public service.

Financial provision has been allocated in the budget to ensure lifelong career and training for the children who leave after completing their education. The need to identify and deal with those programs is recalled again.

The Government sector cannot cover all the aspects. So the support of the private sector is required. The joint ventures that can be created by inviting foreign investments can further develop the economy. Government officials should intervene to act carefully”.

Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Nalin Fernando, Western Province Governor Roshan Gunathilaka, State Ministers Janaka Wakkumbura, Ashoka Priyantha, Indika Anuruddha, Sisira Jayakodi, Prasanna Ranaweera, Members of Parliament Sahan Pradeep, Kokila Gunawardena, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa, Milan Jayathilaka, Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Ranjith Ashoka, Western Provincial Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne, Gampaha District Secretary Saman Darshana Padi Korala and other government officials participated in this event.

Colombo (LNW): Speaking at the parliament today (07), Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa highlighted the pivotal role foreign policy plays in governance, emphasising its impact on the nation. He stressed the necessity for a results-driven and innovative foreign policy, citing its potential benefits for Sri Lanka.

Premadasa expressed concern over Sri Lanka’s track record in adhering to agreements, labelling it as dismal. He criticised the government’s introduction of the Online Safety and Anti-Terrorism Bills, claiming they erode the core principles of democracy, specifically freedom of speech and thought.

The Opposition Leader highlighted instances where Sri Lankan funds were disbursed under the guise of safeguarding the country’s foreign policy interests, referencing an individual named Zuberi among the recipients. He reiterated the Supreme Court’s revelation of parties culpable for the country’s fiscal deterioration due to violations of citizens’ fundamental rights, advocating for a comprehensive programme to reclaim misappropriated national assets.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also questioned the government whether any quantitative and qualitative assessments were done when embarking on Free Trade Agreements. He noted that Sri Lanka needs to train the government personnel to make sure that they come to agreements that are mutually advantageous to Sri Lanka.

Addressing the government’s purported stance on human rights protection, he criticised its mishandling of issues concerning the Islamic community during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the contentious matter of cremation and burial practices. He blamed the ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for making abhorrent and racist decisions during his tenure.

He affirmed that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya holds steadfast to policies devoid of ethnic or religious bias, unlike the government’s approach purportedly tied to electoral calculations. The Opposition Leader also condemned the government’s blatant disregard for World Health Organisation guidelines and assured unwavering support for the rights of the Muslim and Islamic communities.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also voiced Sri Lanka’s unwavering stance on global peace and security amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. He unequivocally denounced the abhorrent targeting of civilians in the conflict, labelling it a reprehensible act that weaponises innocent lives as shields. He mentioned that SJB advocates for the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Emphasising the critical need for international peace as a precursor to global stability, he urged collective efforts towards fostering an environment of harmony and security on the world stage. The Opposition Leader’s impassioned remarks underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to advocating for peace and condemning acts that jeopardise the safety and well-being of civilians worldwide.

The Opposition Leader also articulated the imperative need to recover financial assets siphoned from Sri Lanka and stashed abroad. He underscored the necessity for government officials to shift focus to actively pursuing initiatives aimed at identifying and recovering the ill-gotten gains of those who plundered the nation’s financial resources.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Upliftment path of plantation workers within the highlands shall be education which prioritises teacher training rather than the establishment of a university, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mano Ganesan told the Chambers.

Joining the Parliament debate showcasing budgetary allocations for education on Tuesday (05), the Opposition MP emphasised that university education in the hill-country may become a priority, but only after the government erects a pathway of secondary, tertiary and higher secondary education.

“We have no Science, Maths, English and IT teachers. Hence, priority is the establishment of a special Teacher Training College based on affirmative principles and not a university in Nuwara Eliya today,” Ganesan said.

The much talked INR 750 million grant from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall be used for this ‘noble’ purpose, the MP went on, adding that he is for the out of box mode as how the government of India maintains the Jaffna Cultural Centre.

“I submitted a proposal early this year in January to the Indian High Commissioner to revamp and enhance the scope of Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET), a registered IHC entity in Sri Lanka, and later in July to use the generous grant of the Prime Minister of India and work with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education in this regard,” the opposition lawmaker pointed out.

Colombo (LNW): The Construction Skills Test examinations under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Programme were initiated in Sri Lanka on December 1, 2023.

This marks a significant advancement in creating employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in the Japanese job market.

The SSW status allows foreign nationals with specified skills to address labour shortages in identified industry fields in Japan.

The collaborative effort between the Sri Lanka Embassy, Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment opens new avenues for employment in Japan.

This aligns with government initiatives to enhance overseas job opportunities for Sri Lankans and strengthen bilateral ties with Japan.

Currently, four categories are available for Sri Lankans under the SSW Programme, with the Aviation sector set to commence in March 2024.

The Embassy continues efforts to explore job opportunities in other SSW categories.

For registration details, visit https://www.prometric-jp.com/en/ssw/.

Colombo (LNW): The National Dengue Control Unit has received instructions to promptly implement measures to address the surge in dengue cases with the onset of the rainy season.

The directives were issued by President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake considering the escalating situation in the country.

A meeting was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (05), led by State Minister of Health Dr. Sita Arambepola and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.

Concerns were raised about the increasing number of dengue cases in Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, and Jaffna districts. The breeding of the dengue vector was noted in public spaces such as government institutions, boat yards, and schools.

In response, Ratnayaka instructed the Sri Lanka Police, with the support of the armed forces, to take immediate action to control the situation. The Presidential Secretariat is set to dispatch a letter to government agencies outlining urgent measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Furthermore, Ratnayaka recommended a collaborative effort between the Sri Lanka Police and the offices of the Medical Officers of Health to implement a comprehensive nationwide awareness programme.

A follow-up meeting with the dengue control unit is scheduled for next Monday to assess the progress of these initiatives. Defence Ministry Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Acting Inspector General of Police Deshbandu Tennakoon, and senior officers from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and Colombo Municipal Council participated in the meeting.