A group of unknown assailants, arriving in a vehicle, launched a brazen attack on the vehicle of Member of Parliament, Uddika Premaratne, shortly after his return to his residence in Anuradhapura.
Premaratne has managed to escape unharmed from this terrifying ordeal.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northern provinces and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts. Fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern, Uva, Central and North-Central provinces, and in Hambantota district during the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Indian Naval Ship ‘Nireekshak’, a highly advanced diving support ship of the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Trincomalee on 14 September 2023 for facilitating Mixed Gas Diving training for the Sri Lanka Navy.
2. The ship was warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions. Post arrival, Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval ship, Commander Jeetu Singh Chauhan called on Commander of Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral PS De Silva. They held cordial discussions on furthering training in diving during the eight-day deployment. Engagements such yoga onboard, interaction with School children and beach cleaning are being undertaken by the personnel onboard. 28th Anniversary Celebration onboard the ship was attended by the Deputy Area Commander.
3. Indian Naval Ship ‘Nireekshak’ (A-15) is equipped with two six-man recompression chambers and one three-man diving bell. The ship is fully capable to undertake rescue operations from a submarine in distress and training of saturation divers. The ship had earlier visited Trincomalee in September 2019 and March 2022 for a similar training deployment for SLN divers. Such continued engagement of Indian Naval ships with the Sri Lanka Navy is in keeping with Government of India’s capacity building initiative as part of its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy.
Dr Mary Srikanthi Handy was the daughter of the famous Dr George Rajanayagam Handy who was the pioneer cardiologist of Sri Lanka and the founder president of the Sri Lanka Heart Association. She was born in 1935 and is the eldest child and only daughter of Dr. George and Mrs. Kanmanie Handy. Even as a very young lady she is known to have organized and coordinated fund-raising events for the YWCA and similar associations to help the poor.
Dr Srikanthi had her primary and secondary education at Ladies’ College, Colombo. She obtained her MSc from the University of Bradford, UK and joined the University of Sussex, UK for her doctoral research on motor neuron disease. She was awarded the PhD for her thesis on “Putative protein abnormalities in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” which also generated several scientific papers on related scientific matters in peer reviewed journals.
She has two brothers, Dr John Lakshman Handy, consultant anesthetist in UK, and youngest brother, Emeritus Professor George Handy, University of Southern Carolina, USA.
Dr Srikanthi worked as a medical researcher in the university department in the UK for over 30 years and returned to Sri Lanka in the early 1990s to care for her father Dr G R Handy who was ailing at the time.
Dr G R Handy passed away in 1995 and it was then that Dr Srikanthi decided to harness her resources and energies into philanthropic projects to commemorate her father’s memory. She adored her father and used to relate how he would take her as a young girl on his hospital ward rounds, casualty and home visits and describe the medical condition of the patient and how he planned to tackle the problem. One had the impression that she would have liked to have pursued a career in medicine, but it was not to be so.
Her lasting legacy will be her philanthropic efforts in her father’s name.
She used her personal wealth both inherited and earned and also organized fund raising events (A musical extravagance organized by Dr Srikanthi made a profit of one million rupees) to extend and expand the Dr G R Handy memorial trust fund.
Her love for her father flowed out to his village as well.
The Eagle Care Project operates in the below areas:
(Provision of scholarships at St Johns College, Jaffna for needy, academically gifted children, Improvement of educational facilities at St Johns College, Provision of financial assistance to children with medical needs, Technology enhancement programs, Mental health awareness and children with special needs etc).
During her final years when her health was failing and she was frail, she chose not to live in luxury with all comforts but decided to leave her assets in a trust to facilitate education for children of poor families.
Born and bred in a strong Christian family with an ancestry of priests within it as well, Dr Srikanthi would attend Sunday mass whenever she could.
Her only child, Professor Paul Rohan Mather, studied at St Thomas’s College, Mount Lavinia and qualified as a chartered accountant in the UK where he worked for many years. He did further studies at the University of Lancaster and completed a PhD at Monash University, Australia. He has had many academic roles including as an Associate Dean at Monash University, Dean of La Trobe University Business School and had visiting professorial appointments at the London School of Economics, University of Liverpool and the University of Colombo. She also has three grandchildren and two great grandchildren in Australia.
Dr Srikanthi used to recall that her father Dr G R Handy would often quote “Service is the rent we pay for the room we occupy on earth”. None could contest that Dr. Srikanthi has paid her ‘rent’ more than fully, when she peacefully passed away in August 2023.
Sri Lanka College of Cardiology
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomes the recent release of independent Vietnamese journalist Mai Phan Loi 18 months before the end of his sentence, and urges for the release of the 39 other journalists and press freedom defenders detained in the country.
On the morning of 10 September 2023, freelance journalist Mai Phan Loiwas released from prison in Yên Dinh district, northern Vietnam, 18 months earlier than expected. The 52-year-old journalist, who had been in custody since July 2021, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for alleged “tax fraud”, after already spending 7 months in detention.
“We welcome the release of Mai Phan Loi, but we insist that he should never have been arrested, let alone sentenced to a prison term on trumped-up charges. We now call on the Vietnamese regime for the immediate release of the 39 other journalists and press freedom defenders who are currently detained.”
Cédric Alviani RSF
RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director
Loi is a well-known political commentator and press freedom defender who, from 2019 until his arrest, ran an independent online video channel featuring a series of interviews with experts on economic, social and environmental issues in Vietnam. Before that, he was the deputy editor of Phap Luat, a prominent state-controlled magazine covering legal issues. In June 2016, the authorities refused to renew Loi’s press card after he investigated the mysterious disappearance of a Vietnamese air force reconnaissance plane.
Mai Phan Loi’s unexpected release occurred on the same day as US President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam on 10 September. A few days earlier, RSF and seven other human rights organisations submitted to the White House an open letter calling the US President to address the dire state of press freedom and the right to information in the country, including the case of Loi.
On 14 September 2023, another freelance journalist, Ngo Van Dung, was released after serving a five-year prison sentence and will remain on probation for the next 2 years. Detained since September 2018, he had been sentenced in 2020 for allegedly “disturbing security”, because of his commitment to calling for the implementation of article 25 of Vietnam’s constitution, which proclaims press freedom.
Vietnam ranks 178th out of 180 in the 2023 RSF Press Freedom Index, its lowest position since the release of this index in 2002.
REPORTERS SANS FRONTIÈRES / REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS (RSF)
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): With the demand for coconuts surging both domestically and internationally, Sri Lanka is facing production challenges and issues with exports to major markets like the US and the European Union (EU).
Additionally, the shortage of coconuts has become a pressing issue, leading to a need for greater cooperation and research to bolster the industry’s growth.
Amidst these challenges, Sri Lanka is set to achieve an ambitious goal of achieving $ 2 billion in export income from coconut-related products over the next 5 to 10 years.
This was disclosed by Industry and Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana emphasizing the vast potential for export income from coconut-related products, noting that the last two years saw the highest recorded values at $ 836 million and $ 817 million, respectively.
This indicates a remarkable 20% increase in export income within the sector. Sri Lanka is projected to yield an impressive harvest of around 3 billion coconuts this year, marking a significant milestone in recent history.
This follows last year’s record of 3.2 billion nuts and the previous year’s high of around 3 billion. The Minister projected that the revenue from coconut-related products could soon surpass the $ 1 billion mark, with an ultimate target of $ 2 billion in the next 5 to 10 years.
To facilitate this growth, Sri Lanka produced a historic high of 5.5 million coconut plants last year, with a focus on hybrid varieties.
The creation of the second coconut triangle, coupled with the country’s existing coconut cultivation potential, is anticipated to further boost production.
The CRI has also launched initiatives to minimise waste in local consumption, ensuring more coconuts are available for export.
He highlighted the successful initiatives carried out in conjunction with International Coconut Day on 2 September, including the establishment of a new coconut triangle representing the Northern Province.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s economy) shrank 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2023, official data showed this week, as the country remained in the grip of its worst financial crisis in decades.
The downturn was driven by, the rising cost of components, as well as restrictions on imports and lower earnings from apparel exports, Census and Statistics Department said in a statement.
The contraction in the economy during the second quarter had reduced to 3.1% year-on-year (YoY) reflecting rebound from 11.5% shrinkage in the first three months of 2023.
The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) Sri Lanka, recently released the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current price and at constant (2015) price in the production approach and the other macroeconomic indicators for the second quarter (1 April to 30 June).
It said the YoY GDP growth rate for the second quarter of year 2023 has been reported as 3.1% of negative growth rate.
In the second quarter of 2023, the overall Industry and services activities declined by 11.5% and 0.8% respectively while overall agriculture activities grew by 3.6%. The three major economic activities of the economy.
‘Agriculture’, ‘Industry’ and ‘Services’ have contributed their share to the GDP at current prices by 10.4%, 27.0% and 56.8% respectively, while ‘Taxes less subsidies on products’ component has contributed 5.8% of share to the GDP in the second quarter of year 2023.
The GDP for Sri Lanka for the second quarter of year 2023 at constant price (2015) has declined up to Rs. 2,597,441 million from Rs. 2,680,074 million which was recorded in the second quarter of year 2022.
In addition, the Gross Domestic Product for Sri Lanka for the second quarter of 2023 at current price has increased up to Rs. 6,145,451 million from Rs. 5,442,362 million which recorded in the same quarter in year 2022 registering 12.9% of positive change in the current price GDP.
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to shrink by 2% in 2023, its central bank said in an annual report on Thursday, as the country struggled to emerge from its worst financial crisis in decades.
The central bank projected Sri Lanka’s economy would grow by 3.3% in 2024, according to the report.
The economy shrank by 7.8% in 2022, in a year dominated by deep political instability, soaring inflation and steep currency depreciation as Sri Lanka struggled with a financial crisis triggered by record low foreign exchange reserves.
The central bank’s growth estimate for 2023 is more optimistic than the 3.1% contraction projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which finalised a nearly $3-billion bailout to the crisis-hit country last month. The World Bank estimates Sri Lanka’s economy will contract by 4.3% in 2023.
“Sri Lanka’s economy has been gradually stabilising since mid-2022. The long fuel lines, severe shortages, and high inflation have gradually reversed,” said Udeeshan Jonas chief strategist at CAL Group.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): France has stepped into assist Sri Lanka in its efforts to tackle rising malnutrition among children.
This health issue has become a forefront policy concern in Sri Lanka amidst heightened food insecurity of households caused by the host of economic and social issues that exacerbated during the economic crisis in 2022, Central Bank revealed.
A survey conducted by the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health has revealed that 15763 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition have been identified across the country this year.
France has contributed Euros 500,000 through UNICEF to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition among children in the country.
The contribution enables UNICEF, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, to provide children under two years of age with the required nutrition services. Parents and caregivers will also be educated on the correct practices to prevent and treat acute malnutrition and ensure the healthy growth and development of their children.
Malnutrition, if not urgently treated, can kill or damage a child’s physical and cognitive development, especially during the first two years of a child’s life, but often also negatively affect opportunities for the rest of their lives.
Hardships brought about by Sri Lanka’s economic situation continue to stalk families, especially the poor and most vulnerable households. Access to a regular and adequate nutritious diet remains out of reach for many young children and their families, putting them at risk of malnutrition.
This contribution enables UNICEF and its partners to among others, to treat 1,500 children who suffer from severe acute malnutrition through provision of therapeutic food.
To provide 120,000 children between 6-23 months with micronutrients to address deficiencies and prevent malnutrition.
To reach 200,000 parents/caretakers with accurate information on proper practices to prevent and treat malnutrition among their children.
“Contributions such as this from France boost our joint efforts to scale up our ongoing response to children in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition as well as help undertake prevention measures”, said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative.
, UNICEF has remained agile in its work to address the needs of children in Sri Lanka and ensuring that the most vulnerable and their families are cushioned from the worst effects of poverty, COVID-19 and now the economic difficulties.
“The Government of France has a long-standing partnership with Sri Lanka and this contribution through UNICEF is just one demonstration of our shared vision for children and the people of Sri Lanka”, said Jean-François PACTET, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Government has set forth a series of provisions aimed at ensuring fair business, advertising and marketing practices in e-commerce.
The aim is to elevate consumer confidence in burgeoning e-commerce sector, ultimately contributing to growth and sustainability of sector.
Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Shantha Niriella has invoked statutory powers outlined in the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003 for e-commerce entities and platform operators involved in the marketing and sale of goods to strengthen consumer rights in the digital marketplace.
The directive, presented in a comprehensive schedule, sets forth a series of provisions aimed at ensuring fair business, advertising and marketing practices within the digital marketplace.
Among the stipulations are requirements for transparent representation, disclosure of special offers and the prohibition of deceptive pricing tactics.
By establishing clear guidelines, the Consumer Affairs Authority aims to elevate consumer confidence in the burgeoning e-commerce sector, fostering trust and accountability within the digital marketplace.
As per the new regulation, at the pre-purchase stage, e-commerce entities and platform operators must provide consumers with options to manage unsolicited commercial communications and offer clear order summaries before confirmation.
Additionally, a transparent and equitable rating and review system, coupled with transparent business information, must be maintained.
During the purchase stage, e-commerce entities and platform operators are required to uphold transparency in transactional terms, ensuring that consumers are fully informed of relevant conditions.
This includes furnishing detailed records of transactions and issuing receipts with comprehensive information regarding pricing, charges and other essential details.
Furthermore, the directive addresses aspects of payment security, offering mechanisms in line with payment-related risks. Consumers must also be allowed to withdraw from confirmed transactions when appropriate.
In the post-purchase stage, e-commerce entities and platform operators are expected to adhere to warranties based on principles of ‘fair value for money spent’. Safety requirements for products must be disclosed, and mechanisms for addressing potential safety issues must be in place.
The new policy development signifies a proactive step towards aligning e-commerce practices with consumer protection standards and ultimately contributing to the growth and sustainability of the e-commerce sector.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s services activities continued to grow in June helped by financial services and professional services, though moderate manufacturing recovery was hit by weak apparel exports, according to a Purchasing Managers’ Index of the Central Bank.
Manufacturing PMI recorded recovery, reaching closer to the neutral threshold, indicating signs of a recovery in manufacturing activities compared to previous months.
Considering the sub-indices, New Orders and Suppliers’ Delivery Time increased during the month, while Production and Employment remained contracted.
The overall increase in New Orders was mainly driven by the manufacture of food & beverages sector, in response to the continuous downward revisions in retail prices.
Further, most of the respondents in the manufacture of food & beverages sector mentioned that there was an upturn in their overall business activities during the month.
Meanwhile, the continuous setback in Production was headed primarily by the manufacture of textiles & wearing apparel sector due to the ongoing subdued global demand.
Further, Employment remained contracted in August as well, while Stock of Purchases remained unchanged on a month-on-month basis.
Meanwhile, Suppliers’ Delivery Time lengthened during August compared to the previous month.
Expectations for manufacturing activities for the next three months indicated an improvement, particularly due to the relaxed import restrictions, decline in borrowing rates and decrease in raw material prices.
Services sector in August 2023 has been, indicating a continued expansion in the services activities.
This was led by the increases observed in New Businesses, Business Activities and Expectations for Activity. Nevertheless, Employment remained unchanged, while
Backlogs of Works remained contracted during the month. New Businesses increased in August 2023 compared to July 2023, particularly with the increases observed in financial services, wholesale and retail trade, other personal activities, professional services and education sub-sectors.
Business Activities continued to expand in August 2023 showing positive developments in several sub-sectors.
Accordingly, accommodation, food and beverage and other personal activities sub-sectors recorded increases during the month largely attributable to high tourist arrivals. Further, improvements in domestic tourism also played a significant role in driving this growth.
Meanwhile, driven by a rise in credit demand in the backdrop of low market interest rates, the financial services subsector also exhibited further improvements during the month.
Employment remained at the same level following the increase recorded in the previous month.
Meanwhile, Backlogs of Work decreased, yet at a slower pace, during the month.
Activities for the next three months continued to increase at a slower pace in August attributed to expected improvements in economic activities led by improved demand amidst relaxed import restrictions.
