February 08, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left Sri Lanka earlier this (08) morning to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth, Australia.

His attendance expects a key note address from February 09 to February 10 at the conference, according to a statement by the President’s Media Division.

Invited by the India Foundation and the Government of Australia, he will also explore investment opportunities for Sri Lanka during the event.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves for Perth, Australia to participate in the 7th Indian Ocean Conference at the invitation of the India Foundation and Govt of Australia: expected to deliver the keynote address and to “explore investment opportunities for SL”.
   
2. Presidential Secretariat issues Gazette to bring the Online Safety Act under the purview of the Ministry of Public Security.
   
3. Reports emerge that SL is not likely to join Operation “Prosperity Guardian” in the Red Sea to counter attacks mounted by Yemen-based Houthis: previously, the possibility of SL deploying 2 vessels to support the US-led operation was discussed after President Wickremesinghe declared an intention to join the multinational maritime task force.
   
4. State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage confirms that the Cabinet had already approved the export of cannabis: previously, Minister Bandula Gunawardena had dismissed claims that a proposal had been presented to the Cabinet on cultivating cannabis for export.
   
5. Central Bank says Official Reserve Assets have increased 2.3% to USD 4,491 mn in Jan’24 from USD 4,392 mn in Dec’23: also says it includes the SWAP facility from China of around USD 1,400 mn, which is subject to conditionalities on usability: analysts point out however that about USD 8,000 mn is now in default as “unpaid”, after the CB Governor & Treasury Secretary announced bankruptcy on 12th April’22.
   
6. Wife of late Minister Sanath Nishantha who was recently killed on the Katunayake Expressway, lodges a complaint with the CID stating that there are suspicions over the late Minister’s death: requests the CID to investigate.
   
7. Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage questions as to how the CID filed action before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, contrary to the accepted Court jurisdiction: observes the CID has no authority to arbitrarily determine the judicial jurisdictions when filing a case, as these have been established through a gazette notification.
   
8. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stresses need for a long-term, robust nation building programme: says he will introduce an “Economic Transformation Act” to enable the required economic transition: invites presentation of alternative methods for national reconstruction: expresses readiness to engage in discussions with top officials the IMF & World Bank in that regard: appeals for unity in nation-building despite political differences: calls on SJB, JVP, Tamil parties & Muslim parties to follow the example set by the SLPP, and join in a collective effort for the country’s progress.
   
9. SJB & Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa walks out of the Parliament Chamber when President Ranil Wickremesinghe begins to present the Govt’s policy statement at the opening of the 5th Session of the 9th Parliament: however, several SJB MPs including Sarath Fonseka, Rajitha Senaratne, Kumara Welgama, Faisal Cassim, A H M Fowzie, Vadivel Suresh and Ishaq Rahman remain in the Chamber.
   
10. Top spinner Prabath Jayasuriya climbs 3 places to the 6th position in the ICC’s Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after his impressive 8-wicket haul in the one-off Test against Afghanistan: another bowler, Asitha Fernando also rises 7 spots to 34th position, after taking 6 wickets in the same match.

By: Isuru Parakrama

February 08, Colombo (LNW): Mainly fair weather will prevail over the island, with misty conditions being expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (08).

Marine Weather:

February 07, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed participants to the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) IV in Colombo, Sri Lanka, expressing the nation’s dedication to tackling Climate Change (CC) through collaborative efforts both regionally and internationally. The inaugural session at the Galle Face Hotel on February 6, themed ‘Unlocking Regional Synergies,’ saw President Wickremesinghe addressing key issues of adaptation and mitigation in the fight against CC.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives in CC mitigation and adaptation, President Wickremesinghe outlined significant steps, including the establishment of an international CC university. This university aims to provide postgraduate education and training for officials from various countries, contributing to a collective response to climate challenges.

President Wickremesinghe also proposed the creation of a tropical belt as a carbon sink, a concept discussed during COP 28 in Dubai. Emphasizing the importance of private sector investment in sustainable development projects within this region, he underlined the potential impact of these initiatives in combating CC.

Addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, President Wickremesinghe outlined Sri Lanka’s plans to enhance its meteorological organizations. He stressed the necessity of a comprehensive Hydromet regional network to effectively address CC-related challenges, particularly in South Asia.

The ongoing SAHF Forum, scheduled until February 8, aims to facilitate discussions and collaborations on Hydrology and Meteorology-related initiatives in South Asia. Initiated in 2018, SAHF connects National Meteorological and Hydrological Service providers (NMHSs) from the region, promoting data and knowledge exchange to address technical challenges and enhance collaboration.

President Wickremesinghe, underscoring the urgent need for action, drew attention to the economic repercussions of CC, citing potential GDP losses of up to 2% in low-income countries. He emphasized the necessity of establishing a regional network to facilitate collective action and announced plans to establish a panel of experts to conduct in-depth studies on proposed initiatives.

Highlighting collaborative efforts within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), President Wickremesinghe proposed potential funding mechanisms, including the establishment of a loss and damage fund. He suggested exploring alternative avenues, such as debt relief for countries investing in climate mitigation efforts within the tropical belt, to harness the potential of this region for global carbon reduction.

President Wickremesinghe concluded with optimism, expressing hope that the discussions at the Forum would lead to innovative solutions and initiatives in the region’s fight against CC. He urged participants to contribute their ideas and expertise to ongoing projects aimed at CC mitigation and adaptation.

SAHF Co-Chair Karma Dupchu, Director of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology in Bhutan, along with other distinguished participants, convened at the Forum to further discussions on Hydrology and Meteorology-related initiatives in South Asia.

February 07, Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, the government has granted approval to issue National Vocational Qualification-3 (NVQ-3) level certificates for individuals involved in the skilled practices of tapping Palmyrah, Coconut, and Kithul trees, as well as those engaged in coconut plucking.

The National Apprenticeship Board is set to conduct a comprehensive two-week formal training program for individuals within these professions. This training not only focuses on honing their skills but also includes vital information on handling sudden illnesses, snake bites, and safety measures while working at heights, such as falling from trees.

Furthermore, a proactive initiative has been outlined to extend financial support to those involved in these activities for either self-employment or business development. The government plans to provide a subsidized loan assistance of Rs.500,000 to eligible individuals, fostering economic empowerment within these sectors.

Recognizing the inherent risks associated with these professions, special attention has been given to establishing an insurance system. The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, under the guidance of Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, will oversee the implementation of these initiatives, ensuring the well-being and security of those contributing to these essential industries.

February 06, Colombo (LNW): Yesterday, the Speaker’s office announced that the Parliament successfully passed the Online Safety Bill, aligning with the Supreme Court’s determination, a confirmation echoed by the Attorney General’s Department.

Addressing concerns about a potential violation of the Supreme Court ruling in passing the Online Safety Bill, the Speaker’s office released a statement. It emphasized that the legislative process of the Parliament is a collaborative effort involving the Attorney General’s Department and the Legal Draftsman’s Department. Consequently, it asserted that there is no room for any action that contradicts a Supreme Court determination or violates the Constitution during the passage of a Bill.

The statement clarified, “The Speaker is obligated by Articles 79 and 80 of the Constitution to endorse the Certificate on a Bill once it has been duly passed.” In line with this obligation, the Speaker endorsed the Certificate on the Online Safety Bill on February 2, 2024, officially designating it as the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024.