Colombo (LNW): The Board of Investment (BOI) will be launching a new program for investor retention and expansion as well as a special “100 IT/ITES Companies” initiative.
The Investment promotion agency is looking at attracting 100 technology services companies with a new product.
Further the targeted program is to get 50 existing BOI companies to reinvest, setting up industry advisory councils for the four thrust sectors for leads, policy tweaking and promotion.
It has ben planned towards digitalisation of key investor services, aggressive promotion of the destination, key account management and modernisation of existing zones to meet with international green standards
BOI Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody said the investor retention program is targeted to encourage existing investors to retain their profits and reinvest/expand their business operations within the country.
Under this initiative, existing BOI registered companies, with over 5 years in operation will be eligible to import an Electric Rechargeable Vehicle subject to the exemption of application of custom tariff up to an amount not exceeding $ 30,000, on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value.
This facility will be eligible for investors upon fulfilling the qualifying criteria of investing an additional $ 3 million and generating a minimum of 50 employment opportunities through the expansion project.
This is an addition to the duty-free imports of Raw materials, visa concessions and prevailing Enhanced Capital Allowances under the IR Act, including fast-track approvals.
Furthermore, BOI is hoping to commence a promotion campaign to attract 100 IT/ITES Companies with the assistance of the Private Sector.
This project is to encourage existing ICT companies to expand and to attract new enterprises engaged in Information Technology (IT), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Business Process Management (BPM), Data Analytics and AI/ML, and E-commerce set up in the country.
Under this initiative, an ICT company that invests a minimum of $250,000 and generates 50 new local employment opportunities out of which 15 employees should be technically qualified will be granted a permit for the importation of one Electric Rechargeable Vehicle subject to the exemption of the application of custom tariff up to an amount not exceeding $ 30,000, on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value.
This will be in addition to the regular incentives offered by the BOI and under the IR Act. Deepening of the talent pool will be tied up to the campaign, Weerakkody added.
He said a new Public Private Partner initiative is expected to drive exports, create new job opportunities, technology transfer and knowledge transfer, and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and position Sri Lanka as a competitive player in the global ICT industry.
All fuel suppliers increase prices: Ceypetco says Petrol 92 up by Rs.4 per litre to Rs.365, Octane 95 up Rs.3 to Rs.420, Auto Diesel up Rs.10 to Rs.351, Super Diesel up Rs.62 to Rs.321, & Kerosene up Rs.11 to Rs.242.
Renowned energy expert Dr Thilak Siyambalapitiya warns SL will become the country with the most expensive electricity tariff in South Asia: urges the development of a new strategy to slash electricity prices.
The International Commission of Jurists raises concerns about the new Online Safety Bill: warns that, if adopted in its present form, the legislation would serve “to crush free expression and further contract an already shrinking civic space” in the country.
Acting Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon says the Govt has taken a policy decision to reduce the number of army personnel to around 100,000 by 2030, from the present cadre of over 200,000, and to “make the army a technical & tactical army”: similar reduction to be done in the case of Navy & Air Force personnel as well.
Former member of the WHO’s Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 Professor Neelika Malavige says the bat-borne Nipah virus is at a low risk of spreading: also says that does not rule out the necessity to be vigilant about it.
NPP MP Vijitha Herath says SL has not received anything from the IMF programme so far other than the unbearable tax burden on the people: also says SL sought IMF assistance with the hope of restructuring international loans but has not been able to restructure or get a haircut on a single Dollar even after 17 months.
Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake asserts the proposed electricity tariff revision is illegal & also in violation of the Constitution: points out the proposed tariff increases electricity prices by a staggering 250% since August 2022, thereby sending shockwaves through the nation.
Ceylon Motor Traders Assn Chairman Charaka Perera says the Assn has sought a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to raise concerns on a proposal to permit a zero customs tariff on import of electric vehicles with power up to 500 kW, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles up to 3000 CC in semi-knockdown form for local assembly.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulates Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected President of the Maldives.
Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis Gamini Weleboda says a new agreement will be necessary to receive the 2nd tranche from the IMF: also says only 38 of 100 IMF conditions have been fulfilled: adds that 43 conditions have not yet seen any progress, and the remaining conditions have only been partially addressed.
Colombo (LNW): A special meeting will be taking place today (02) regarding the delay and cancellation of SriLankan Airlines flights.
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, along with Sri Lankan Airlines management, pilots, engineers, staff, and trade union representatives is expected to attend the meeting.
The objective is to gather feedback on how to avoid future flight cancellations and delays, according to reports.
About eight flight cancellations recently taken place are primarily attributed to technical problems, the Minister revealed.
A flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, was also cancelled yesterday (01) due to technical issues.
Colombo (LNW): A new agreement is needed to secure the second tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Sri Lanka, the Sectoral Overight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis said.
Only 38 of the 100 conditions set by the IMF are met so far, disclosed Committee Chief Gamini Waleboda.
43 conditions have not progressed at all, and the rest are only partially addressed, he added, warning that this could lead to potential delays in obtaining the second IMF funding tranche.
Colombo (LNW): Saliya Peiris PC, ex Chief of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), raised concerns about the potential misuse of the proposed Online Safety Bill by Police and political figures.
The proposed bill seems more focused on imposing restrictions rather than protecting the citizens’ rights, Peiris told “@Hydepark” aired on Ada Derana 24 two days ago (Sep 29).
Commenting on the bill, Nalaka Gunawardena stated that the proposed bill limits public disclosure unjustly, adding that Sri Lanka needs a strong democracy as the island nation strives to amend past errors over the last 75 years.
Colombo (LNW): A fire accident happened at Thamplagamam Regional Hospital, Tincomalee yesterday evening (01).
Governor of Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman has directed the Secretary, Provincial Health Ministry and the Provincial Director to conduct immediate inspection about the ground situation and call a report.
The Governor also directed the Police Authorities to carry out further investigations to find out the cause of the fire.
Devolution in Sri Lanka is a story of missed opportunities. The armed conflict ended in 2009, but the political conflict has not. A settlement to the political conflict can be achieved only by offering a share of state power to all communities within a framework of democratic governance. Many Sri Lankans in the country and overseas are yet to be convinced of this requirement.
Sri Lanka is an overwhelmingly stagnating unitary state. In 2018, one of the former Auditor Generals stated that Sri Lanka was ranked the topmost country in terms of public sector misappropriation and corruption. The country’s parliamentary system has neglected its primary responsibilities of formulating policies, enacting laws and implementing transparent public financial systems. And the general public, ignorant of facts due to misinformation and deception, has repeatedly elected a set of crooks who have used ‘rule by law’, instead of ‘rule of law’ to maintain their autocratic rule.
All of these led to catastrophic consequences for the people in recent times. In 2022, the ‘ARAGALAYA’ protests ousted the last elected Sri Lankan President. With the severe shortage of essentials and defaulted debt payments, the country has encountered a poly-crisis. Despite the assurances made by the installed President Ranil Wickremasinghe, many people continue to suffer terribly. Those who can leave the country are leaving in droves, looking for greener pastures.
From schools and hospitals to the justice system and utility services, much of the country’s administrative functions have come to a grinding halt. Corruption, mismanagement, wastage, political patronage, and a lack of transparency and accountability that have prevailed for the last four decades contributed to a combined economic and political firestorm. The Rajapaksas, who are responsible for aggravating the crisis to its epic proportions are waiting in the wings to regain power by tacitly supporting the president they installed. They are rebuilding their chauvinist fundamentalist bases, utilizing whatever opportunities and resources they can get their hands on to divide the society and capture power.
District Development Councils – a history
In 1977, the J R Jayawardene regime introduced an open economy and provided commercial interests the opportunity to invigorate the private sector. However, this intensified social contradictions due to the general public not given opportunities to enjoy the positive outcomes offered by the expanding economy. Many, particularly among the Sinhala majority population, felt left behind. The Tamil people in the Northeast also felt frustrated as the economy opened up almost overnight to international competition. The importation of chilies, onions, staple foods, etc from India destroyed their major means of living – agriculture. They have been demanding better opportunities for upward social mobility and a greater share of national productivity growth.
This demand has a history running back to the days of the Legislative Council in 1926, where the possibility of a second tier of government was discussed. The issue was again discussed at the Donoughmore Commission of 1928. It had recognized the need for decentralization of powers so that much of the administrative work carried out at the centre could be performed more directly at the local level, leaving the government to concentrate on the macro affairs of running the country. The Commission also pronounced its proposals for Provincial Councils. Those proposals also suggested that “the special views of the different races predominant in the different parts of the island” might have an effect “in the administration of these parts.” Unfortunately, the recommendations regarding Provincial Councils were not implemented. This was possibly due to the opposition of politicians and bureaucrats, who were not willing to share their authority with those in the provinces or districts.
A large segment of the Tamil community increasingly felt the only effective solution to address their right to self-determination was to form their own autonomous state – Tamil Eelam. For this they gave an overwhelming mandate to their political leadership, the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF), at the August 1977 General Elections. Socially, economically and politically the country was facing a chaotic and disintegrating situation. And the Jayawardene regime resorted to more authoritarian ways of enforcing its dictates. In 1981, the Jayawardene regime established District Development Councils (DDCs) for each administrative district as a supposed instrument of devolution.
However, the DDCs were politically toothless. They could not independently attend to matters under their jurisdiction as there was no separate administrative mechanism established to allow them to function. So, the DDCs had to depend on the bureaucracies of the local and central government agencies and resources to do their work.[i] In practice, this system helped the Sinhalese political elite to garner more influence in district administration, creating another state tier to muster and sustain political party patronage.[ii] In addition, the Ministers of the then government overpowered the DDCs, impeding the activities that fell under their jurisdiction. If the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) experience is anything to go by, the DDCs did not have any powers of financial management. Frustrated with its incapability, the Chairman of the Jaffna DDC thew it away in July 1983[iii].
The first remedy that allowed for devolution, since the unilateral abrogation of the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam (B-C) pact and the Dudley-Chelvanayakam (D-C) pact, was imposed under the auspices of the Indian Government in 1987. Since then, the Thirteenth Amendment has been in the Constitution for nearly three and a half decades without being fully implemented. Starting with the Jayawardene regime, all regimes have resolutely held absolute control over land and police powers. They even seriously restricted financial powers of Provincial Councils. This is despite many complaints made by the Provincial Councils that they do not have any real administrative control over their regions and do not have enough money even to buy the essential necessities of those councils.
History of constitutional amendments
Currently the executive, the legislature, provincial councils and the local governments of the country have about 10,000 elected and nominated representatives. They are supposed to address the socio-economic, political and multicultural issues of the entire country. However, the governance system has become a complete failure. Moving from crisis to crisis, the authoritarian, centralised, non-accountable governance system has plunged the country into the current poly-crisis. This system is accompanied by corruption, wastage, mismanagement, and impunity for those who commit terror and violence to protect the ruling elite. This debasement and mortification continue to prevail in every nook and cranny of the country.
Let us examine the last four amendments made to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. The good governance regime elected in 2015 enacted the 19th Amendment but was not fully committed to implementing it with sufficient responsibility and speed. Despite the election pledges made in 2015 to abolish the authoritarian powers acquired by the previous Rajapaksa regime, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe did not have the political will to bring it to fruition in any meaningful way.
Then the 22nd Amendment was brought intending to reduce certain powers granted to the president under the 20th Amendment by re-establishing a Constitutional Council. It, too, allowed the president to hold defence and any other portfolio he wished to hold. However, it did not significantly impact the powers vested in the President, as was evident from the now-President Ranil Wickremasinghe’s unpresidential behaviour during the last two years. Failure to curtail the excessive power in the executive presidency has proven to be disastrous for the country’s economy and the rule of law.
1 Oct0ber 2023
To be continued
[i] De Alwis, R. K. 2009, History of and Prospects for Public Sector Reforms in Sri Lanka. 209, Unpublished PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Cited in Jayasundera S 2022, An uneasy hegemony: Politics of State Building and Struggles for Justice in Sri Lanka, 173, Cambridge University Press.
Runoff vote was widely seen as a referendum on whether to pursue closer ties with China or India, both vying for influence in the island nation
Agence France-Presse
Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu won Saturday’s presidential election in the Maldives, a result set to once again upend the archipelago’s relationship with traditional partner India.
Muizzu helms a party that presided over an influx of Chinese loans when it last held power in the atoll nation, better known for its luxury beach resorts and celebrity tourists.
He won over 54% of the vote in the run-off contest, prompting incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to concede defeat shortly before midnight.
“Congratulations to president-elect Muizzu,” Solih wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I also congratulate the people who have shown a peaceful and democratic process.”
Muizzu made a brief appearance outside his party’s campaign headquarters to urge supporters not to celebrate until Sunday morning, when campaign restrictions officially come to an end.
Solih will serve as caretaker president until his successor is inaugurated on 17 November.
The result upends Solih’s efforts to revert the country’s diplomatic posture back towards New Delhi since taking office five years ago.
Muizzu played a pivotal role in an earlier government’s development program, bankrolled in part by financial largesse from China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
He told a meeting with Chinese Communist party officials last year that his party’s return to office would “script a further chapter of strong ties between our two countries”.
The Maldives sits in a strategically vital position in the middle of the Indian Ocean, astride one of the world’s busiest east-west shipping lanes.
Muizzu’s mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, borrowed heavily from China for construction projects and spurned India.
Yameen’s turn towards Beijing had also alarmed New Delhi, which shares concerns with the United States and its allies about China’s growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean.
Muizzu has vowed to free Yameen, currently serving an 11-year sentence for corruption on the same prison island where he had jailed many of his political opponents during his tenure.In his brief appearance on Saturday, Muizzu urged the outgoing president to use his executive power and transfer Yameen to house arrest.Turnout in Saturday’s poll was 85%, slightly higher than the first-round vote held earlier this month.
Watchdog group Transparency Maldives said there had been some incidents of “electoral violence”, without specifying further details.Officials said one voter broke open a plastic ballot box, but the ballots were saved and there was no interruption to the count. Police reported arresting 14 people, mostly for taking photographs of their marked ballot papers and sharing them on social media.
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, and heavy showers above 100mm can be expected at some places in Hambantota district, whilst fairly heavy showers above 50mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts, the Department of Meteorology warned in its daily weather forecast today (02).
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere, particularly in Eastern and Uva provinces during the evening or night, the statement added.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo, Galle and Matara.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil may be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
PMD: In a significant diplomatic gesture, President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended warm congratulations to Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected President of the Maldives, solidifying the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
President Wickremesinghe conveyed his felicitations to President Muizzu through a personal telephone call, demonstrating the importance of the occasion. During their conversation, President Wickremesinghe expressed his heartfelt desire to elevate the existing close and friendly bilateral relations into a robust and multi-faceted partnership.
Both leaders emphasized their commitment to the betterment of the citizens of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with President Wickremesinghe highlighting the pivotal role of enhanced economic cooperation. This expanded cooperation aims to encompass diverse fields such as education, healthcare, bilateral trade, and investment, promising mutual growth and development.
President Wickremesinghe also expressed his anticipation of working closely with President Muizzu to achieve these shared goals, reaffirming the dedication of both countries to a brighter and prosperous future. President Wickremesinghe expressed his sincere hope for the Maldives to thrive under President Muizzu’s leadership.
This gesture not only signifies the strong bond between the Maldives and Sri Lanka but also underscores the importance of regional cooperation and diplomacy in the pursuit of shared prosperity.
