January 24, Colombo (LNW):In a recent press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), State Minister of Rural Economy, K.Kader Masthan, disclosed that negotiations are underway for the release of lands under the Forest Department, earmarked for agricultural and tourism endeavors. The minister emphasized the significance of these discussions in promoting economic growth and diversification.

State Minister Masthan also highlighted a pivotal agricultural initiative, revealing that the restoration of 61 tanks has been set in motion to foster agricultural development in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts. This initiative aims to enhance water resources for irrigation, contributing to increased agricultural productivity in the region.

During the press conference, State Minister Masthan expressed gratitude to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for expediting the economic stabilization process. He acknowledged the President’s swift actions, which have significantly shortened the anticipated economic recovery period.

Addressing the progress in the rural economy, the State Minister mentioned specific financial allocations for projects targeting the Northern, Eastern, and Central provinces. In the past year, the Ministry of Rural Economy implemented various programs, including the distribution of goats and essential seeds for green cultivation, positively impacting livelihoods in these regions.

Remarkably, the State Minister reported the effective utilization of approximately 98% of the allocated financial funds for the ministry’s programs, leading to tangible benefits for the people. Notable achievements were cited in the Mannar district, with a green bean harvest reaching 1050 metric tons, and advancements in goat management.

Foreign aid has played a crucial role in supporting several development initiatives, with a focus on enhancing the agricultural sector. Among these projects, the ongoing restoration of 30 tanks in Mannar district and 31 tanks in Vavuniya district stands out, illustrating the commitment to bolstering agricultural infrastructure.

State Minister Masthan concluded by emphasizing the government’s primary objective: addressing issues such as food scarcity and malnutrition through comprehensive programs facilitated by the Agriculture Ministry. Simultaneously, negotiations for the release of Forest Department lands underscore the administration’s commitment to sustainable agricultural and tourism development.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): In a groundbreaking achievement, the Lunuwila Coconut Research Institute (CRI) has achieved success in developing coconut saplings using tissue from the unopened female flower of the coconut plant. Dr. Sanathani Ranasinghe, the Director of Lunuwila CRI, announced that their research on coconut seedling preparation through tissue culture technology has been remarkably successful.

While many coconut-growing countries globally utilize tissue culture technology for coconut plant cultivation, they predominantly focus on parts associated with the coconut pulp. Notably, Lunuwila CRI’s research marks the first instance worldwide where coconut saplings have been developed using components from the unopened female flower of the coconut plant.

Agriculture and Plantation Industry Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently visited the Lunuwila CRI to witness this groundbreaking achievement. The Minister inspected the successfully produced coconut saplings, cultivated in research tubes using a delicate portion of the coconut flower. Unlike traditional coconut cultivation methods that require ample space for seedling growth, Lunuwila CRI managed to cultivate coconut seedlings in compact glass tubes, each approximately six inches high.

Leading the research team, Dr. Ranasinghe, along with department head Dr. Vijitha Vidanarachchi and a group of scientists, played a pivotal role in this scientific breakthrough.

During discussions with officials, Minister Amaraweera emphasized the potential of this new technology in producing King Coconut seedlings, responding to the growing international demand for King Coconuts from Sri Lanka. Dr. Ranasinghe confirmed that Lunuwila CRI has already commenced the production of King Coconut plants using this innovative technology.

Expressing gratitude to the scientists behind this pioneering technology, Minister Amaraweera announced plans by the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry to allocate necessary financial resources for the extensive production of coconut and orange seedlings through this cutting-edge method. The Minister highlighted that this accomplishment positions Sri Lanka at the forefront of agricultural innovation on a global scale.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): As of today (January 24), the Sri Lankan Rupee maintains its stability against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka, with rates holding steady compared to Tuesday.

At Peoples Bank, there has been a slight decrease in both buying and selling rates of the US Dollar. The buying rate dropped from Rs. 314.56 to Rs. 314.07, while the selling rate decreased from Rs. 325.52 to Rs. 325.01.

According to Commercial Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 313.93, and the selling rate also remains steady at Rs. 324.

Sampath Bank reports no changes in the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar, with both rates holding steady at Rs. 315 and Rs. 324, respectively.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has taken steps against employees who participated in recent protests against the restructuring of the board. According to Deputy General Manager Noel Priyantha, the CEB has sent letters seeking explanations to nearly 10,000 employees who reported sick leave and took part in the protests. Further actions will be determined based on the responses received from the employees.

In response to the protests, the services of 66 employees have already been suspended by the CEB. The protests were organized in opposition to the restructuring measures being implemented within the Electricity Board.

Ranjan Jayalal, Convenor of the United Trade Union Front of the C.E.B, has expressed strong opposition to the actions taken by the CEB. He warned of strict measures against what he perceives as the repression of employees who participated in the protests.

January 24, Colombo (LNW): His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed a petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism Bill introduced by the government to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). In the petition submitted to the Supreme Court, Cardinal Ranjith requests an order declaring that several provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution.

The respondent named in the petition is the Attorney General, and it alleges that the proposed legislation, if enacted in its current form, would confer unlimited powers to the Tri-Forces, Police, and Coast Guard, allowing unwarranted arrests without reasonable suspicion. The Cardinal argues that this would violate fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.

To address these concerns, Cardinal Ranjith seeks a Supreme Court order mandating a parliamentary vote with a two-thirds majority and a referendum to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which was tabled in parliament on January 10.

This legal challenge comes in the wake of growing opposition to the bill, with last week seeing a petition by Wasantha Samarasinghe, the president of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union, also seeking a Supreme Court order declaring certain provisions unconstitutional.

The Anti-Terrorism Bill, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on September 05, 2023, underwent revisions based on suggestions and opinions from various parties before being presented in parliament. Despite these revisions, the bill has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally. Human rights organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), have urged the government to align the proposed legislation fully with Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations.

1. TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran stresses that the on-going debate on the Online Safety Bill was illegal and in violation of the Standing Orders of Parliament: Parliament nevertheless proceeds with the debate following a majority vote in favour of considering the contentious Bill for discussion.
2. Ceylon Motor Traders’ Assn warn the new 18% VAT on used vehicles creates a black market in the industry & increases the market prices of used vehicles: stresses this is hurting the common man: laments it places a hurdle on legitimate companies as vehicle prices surge by an additional 18% due to the new VAT.
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe returns to the island after a 11-day overseas visit: he first participated at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland: thereafter, he participated at the 19th Summit of Heads of State of the Non-Aligned Nations and the 3rd Summit of the G77 & China, in Uganda.
4. Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera, MP from the “Apey Janabala Party” whose Leader/President Saman Perera was murdered in Beliatte, says he will refrain from commenting on the murder.
5. Government Medical Officers Association says the doctors will commence an indefinite strike from 8.00 am today as the Govt has temporarily suspended the payment of the “Disturbance, Availability & Transport” allowance: latest reports however indicate that the strike has been called off.
6. CB Monetary Policy Board maintains the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate of the Central Bank at the current levels of 9.0% & 10.0%.
7. Supreme Court sets 30th October’24 as the date to consider the Fundamental Rights Petitions which have claimed that the rights of members of EPF & ETF have been violated as a result of the Govt’s Domestic Debt Re-structuring: the 3-member Judge Bench comprises of Justices S Thurairaja, Shiran Gooneratne & Mahinda Samayawardhena.
8. Likely Presidential Candidate from the Mawbima Janatha Party Dilith Jayaweera says the current economic pressure and the country’s situation is nothing like what was faced 20 years ago when there was a JVP insurrection & LTTE terror: reminisces that during such period, he was selected to the university but had to wait 3 years since the universities were closed.
9. A 45-year-old Buddhist monk, Ven Kalapaluwawe Dhammarathana Thera shot dead inside a temple in the Malwathuhiripitiya area of Gampaha: Police say the shooting carried out with a T-56 assault rifle: 4 unidentified individuals had arrived in a car, carried out the shooting and fled the scene.
10. Siblings Matheesha Marambe from Royal College and Kithmi Marambe from Bishop’s College lead the 9-member SL Diving team at the upcoming BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Meet in New Delhi: SL diving team to consist of 5 boys and 4 girls: notably, all 5 male divers hail from Royal College.