1. State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon says all 252 Security Forces from the Navy, Civil Defence Forces & Army will be withdrawn with immediate effect from the Mihintale sacred site: explains this decision was based on statements by Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya & Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
   
2. National Chamber of Exporters Chairman Jayantha Karunaratne says exporters are grappling with various challenges, such as unreasonable taxes imposed at an inappropriate time which are impacting their operations.
   
3. State Minister Indika Anuruddha says separate inquiries by Ministry of Power & Ceylon Electricity Board will be held into the recent islandwide power breakdown: CEB spokesman says initial data shows that lightning strikes on the Kotmale to Biyagama transmission line caused the power breakdown.
   
4. Parliament adjourns till 9.30am today (Monday) due to the lack of a quorum during the VAT (Amendment) Bill debate: Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga says the Bill will be debated in Parliament today & passed.
   
5. Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says 3 new Bills that will make it easier to get a divorce will be presented to Parliament next month: namely, Matrimonial Causes Act, Recognition of Foreign Divorce Judgements Act and Code of Civil Procedure.
   
6. Project to install solar panels for schools to start from next year: pilot
   programme in the Minuwangoda Education Division: aim is to provide relief to schools with electricity bills of more than Rs.20,000 per month.
   
7. SJB “Economic Guru” & main advocate for higher taxes MP Harsha de Silva now laments the Govt is to impose VAT on 97 additional goods: such goods & services to include infant food “Thriposha”, local coconut milk products, medical equipment, ambulances, mobile phones, tractors, locally manufactured
   textiles, eggs, milk, mammotees, petrol, diesel, gas, fertilizer, tea green leaf, copra, solar panels, & locally manufactured software.
   
8. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the VAT increase to 18% from Jan’24 onwards, the reduction of the VAT threshold to Rs.60 mn, & removal of VAT exemptions from 97 items, is expected to increase inflation by only 2.5% as per the information from the Central Bank.
   
9. Parliament Select Committee on Gender Equity and Equality learns that, at present, women constitute over 15% of the Police Service and despite undergoing identical recruitment, training, deployment, & retirement processes as their male counterparts, the female officers report systemic injustice specifically in the promotion phase.
   
10. SL Under-19 Cricket team cruises to a comfortable 7-wicket win against cricketing minnows Japan to open their Asian Cricket Council Under-19’s Asia Cup campaign, in Dubai: SL now tops Group ‘B’ where Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates are also part of.

Colombo (LNW): Postal workers across the island will continue an island-wide token strike today (11), confirmed the Joint Convener of the Joint Postal Trade Union Collective, Chinthaka Bandara.

The strike has been initiated in protest against the sale of Department of Posts buildings to foreign companies, a move that has garnered support from 27,000 postal workers.

The collective stance also includes a demand for a Rs.20,000 allowance for government employees starting January 2024.

The nationwide postal strike, which commenced at 4:00 pm on Sunday (10), is slated to persist until midnight on Tuesday (12).

Colombo (LNW): Academic activities at the University of Kelaniya which has been temporarily shut down due to security breach will recommence from today (11) under several steps, announced the campus administration.

All faculties of the university except the Faculty of Medicine had been closed on December 04, following the abduction and assault of a security officer attached to the campus.

Commenting on the incident, Vice Chancellor of the university Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva asserted that any party willing to lodge a complaint on the matter can attend to it on Tuesday at 9 – 11 am. Reopening of the faculties for academic activities will take under several steps, and accordingly, students of Science, Computer and Technology, Commerce and Management faculties can attend to their academic activities from today, she added.

Social Science and Human Arts faculties will reopen for studies on December 18.

Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has declared its intention to cast a dissenting vote against the Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Bill during the parliamentary debate scheduled for today (11).

In an official statement, Thisara Gunasinghe, the Publicity Secretary of the SLFP, emphasised the party’s firm position in opposing the bill during the parliamentary proceedings.

Colombo (LNW): A recent session of the Select Committee of Parliament, chaired by MP (Dr.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle, brought to light startling revelations of gender-based discrimination within the ranks of the Sri Lanka Police Force, particularly in the realm of promotions for women officers.

Despite uniformity in recruitment, training, deployment, and retirement procedures between men and women Police officers, the committee exposed instances of injustice in the promotion process.

Surprisingly, even though 92 women Chief Inspectors have fulfilled the requisite 26 years of service and four years in their current position, a lack of specific systems or identified vacancies for their promotions was revealed.

The recruitment process, salary levels, and training for women officers mirror those of their male counterparts, but when it comes to promotions, a stark disparity emerges.

Women officers highlighted that while there are no issues with vacancies for promoting men officers, women counterparts consistently face hurdles in this regard. This discrepancy leaves women officers stagnating in their positions for extended periods, while less senior male officers progress.

In an effort to rectify this situation, a proposal was made to allocate 15 per cent of all positions for female representation, considering that over 15 per cent of the Sri Lanka Police Force is comprised of female officers.

The committee further emphasised the urgent need to devise a systematic approach to promotions, ensuring a fair and timely process that addresses the qualifications required for respective positions.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Security acknowledged that proposals for creating new vacancies had been submitted to the Department of Management Services. The Committee Chair recommended that 15 per cent of total force representation in the Police Service be reserved for women officers to mitigate the longstanding issues faced by women in the force.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced a substantial budget allocation in the country’s history for technology, science, and research during the 100th memorial birthday celebration of the late Professor Stanley Wijesundara.

The Sri Lankan President emphasised the importance of innovation and research for national progress, with a focus on bringing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to Sri Lanka.

The budget aims to cultivate a digital and green economy, positioning the country globally.

The President inaugurated the “Stanley Wijesundara AI Corner” at the University of Colombo and unveiled a statue, commemorative stamp, and first-day cover in honour of the scholar.

Reflecting on their collaboration, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged Professor Wijesundara’s contributions to Colombo University. The President lamented tragic events during that era and urged reflection on the loss of contributors to education and science.

Highlighting the global importance of AI, Wickremesinghe discussed international efforts to regulate its use. A significant budget has been allocated for AI technology, signaling Sri Lanka’s venture into advancing capabilities.

The government commits to addressing climate change, promoting green energy, and establishing the Technology and Innovation Council. Pending approval, plans include a digital transformation agency and the AI Corner at the University of Colombo, aiming for a new scientific and green economy in Sri Lanka, he added.

The President concluded by urging the nation to embrace technological changes, emphasising the government’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.

The memorial celebration symbolises a transformative moment for Sri Lanka’s technological and scientific advancements.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces, whilst showers or thundershowers being expected at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (11).

Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the statement added, revealing that misty condition can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces in the morning.

The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather: