1. Exports plunges by 14.6% to USD 898.0 mn in October’23 compared to October’22 as per Customs provisional data: it’s also a 13.1% drop compared to the value in September’23.
   
2. “Hot-money” investments in Govt Treasuries continues to exit rapidly: foreign investment in Govt Treasuries records a massive reduction from Rs.159.2 bn (USD 492mn) on 30th Sep’23 to Rs.124.8 bn (USD 381mn) by 1st Dec’23: currency depreciating pressure expected to escalate further as more nervous “hot-money” investments exit.
   
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe discusses key government initiatives, such as the Climate Change University, funding for climate change projects with US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, John Kerry: emphasizes the significance of involving the private sector.
   
4. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says Govt MPs who harassed him in Parliament will not be able to undo his resolve to bring to book, those that brought SL to financial ruin.
   
5. Citrus Leisure PLC says it will open SL’s first Revolving Restaurant on the 27th floor of the Lotus Tower Colombo on or around 9th December.
   
6. State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon says women officers will be given an opportunity to reach the top level positions of the Tri-Forces in the future.
   
7. State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe says “Aswesuma” payments for October’23 for 1,406,932 families amounting Rs 8,775 mn has been transferred to Banks: also says the amounts will be credited to the beneficiary accounts from today.
   
8. SL Under-19 Head Coach Jehan Mubarak says the Asia Cup Under 19 Cricket tournament to be held from Dec 8 to 17 in Dubai will give vital exposure for the SL U-19 team: also says the team led by Sineth Jayawardena is having a good team spirit.
   
9. Sports Minister Harin Fernando says a decision has been taken to appoint a new Selection Committee for SL Cricket headed by former cricketer Upul Tharanga: also says necessary steps will be taken within this week to get the ICC ban on SL Cricket revoked.
   
10. Sports Minister Harin Fernando appoints a 15-member National Sports Council chaired by Dr Maiya Gunasekera: replaces former Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga.

The 9th edition of annual India- Sri Lanka bilateral Exercise MITRA SHAKTI was conducted at Foreign Training Node in Pune, India from 16-29 Nov 2023.

2.     Indian contingent comprised of 120 personnel from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment and 15 Air Warriors and officers from Indian Air Force (IAF). The Sri Lankan side was represented by 117 personnel from 53 Infantry Division and 06 personnel from Sri Lanka Air Force. Government of India deployed IAF IL-76 aircraft to facilitate the travel of the Sri Lankan contingent to Pune for the exercise.

3.     MITRA SHAKTI-IX was the first time that the annual exercise saw participation of the two Air Forces in addition to the two Armies, making it the first bi-service edition. Based on the success of MITRA SHAKTI – VIII, the exercise was upgraded from a Combined Arms concept to bi-service level. This demonstrates the ever-enhancing Defence co-operation between the two countries to fight common threats effectively, including terrorism.

4.     In addition, MITRA SHAKTI-IX was special as it witnessed deployment of drones and counter unmanned aerial systems besides helicopters. Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), Combat reflex shooting and Yoga was also included as part of the exercise curriculum. This edition was also gender inclusive, with both sides saw participation of women officers and soldiers.

5.     MITRA SHAKTI is one of the largest annual bilateral exercises in the region, held alternatively in India and Sri Lanka. It is designed to jointly rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which authorizes the Security Council to take enforcement measures, including the use of military force, to address the threats to international peace and security. The exercise helps in building proficiency in tackling transnational terrorism, conduct of joint tactical operations and building combat skills. It further enhances interoperability and mutual understanding between both the Armed forces in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and vision of ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR)’.

***

Colombo

30 November 2023

Colombo (LNW): The University of Kelaniya has announced a temporary closure, excluding the Faculty of Medicine, following a disturbing incident.

In response to the abduction and assault of two security guards by a group of students, the university authorities have decided to close all academic activities temporarily.

Consequently, all university hostels, with the exception of those affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, will be temporarily shut down. Students are instructed to vacate their respective hostels by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5.

This measure has been taken to address the serious nature of the incident and to ensure the safety and security of all individuals on campus. The university administration is actively working to investigate the incident and take appropriate actions to maintain a safe and conducive learning environment.

Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education has implemented initiatives to distribute gift vouchers for shoes to a total of 747,093 students across selected schools, revealed Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

The Minister emphasised that these vouchers will be specifically allocated to students, monks, and nuns attending selected schools, as well as those in Pirivens who are facing significant challenges, particularly in rural areas.

The project has incurred an expenditure of Rs. 2,200 million, with each voucher valued at Rs. 3000, signaling a substantial investment in providing essential footwear for deserving recipients.

To facilitate the distribution process, eligible students will be able to redeem the vouchers at stores registered with the Education Ministry. Clear instructions have been issued to the relevant Provincial, Zonal, and Divisional Education Authorities to disseminate information to students and their parents, with a circular also being issued for wider communication.

Minister Premajayantha expressed the Ministry’s ambition to extend the reach of this initiative, aiming to include one million students as eligible recipients for shoe vouchers in the coming year.

The distribution of vouchers is scheduled to take place between December 4 and December 27, 2023, with the Education Ministry overseeing the logistics of this commendable endeavour.

Colombo (LNW): Power supply has been disconnected for approximately 500,000 electricity consumers in recent days due to non-payment of bills, and red notices have been issued to approximately 5 million individuals, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa disclosed in Parliament today (04).

During a parliamentary session, the Opposition Leader expressed his concern that his inquiry made under Standing Orders 27/2 regarding the perceived unjustifiable escalation in electricity tariffs has yet to receive a response.

Consequently, he asserted that his parliamentary privileges have been violated.

Premadasa emphasised that he had raised the issue of the impracticality of tariff hikes, particularly when the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is reporting substantial profits, primarily from the optimal generation of hydropower.

In response to these concerns, Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha assured that measures would be promptly taken to address the inquiry raised by the Opposition Leader.

Colombo (LNW): Sports Minister Harin Fernando has steps towards enhancing the sports landscape by appointing members to the National Sports Council.

The council, which will be led by Dr. Maiya Gunasekara, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sports in the country.

The newly appointed members of the National Sports Council are expected to bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table, ensuring a well-rounded approach to addressing the various challenges and opportunities within the sports sector.

As the council gears up to assume its responsibilities, the nation eagerly anticipates the positive impact it will have on sports development. From grassroots initiatives to high-performance programmes, the National Sports Council is set to chart a course towards sustained success.

Colombo (LNW): The cyclonic storm “MICHAUNG” over Southwest Bay of Bengal was located near latitude 13.2°N and longitude 81.2°E, at 0530hrs of 04, December and about 395 km northeast of Jaffna, and is expected to intensify further and move northwestward away from Sri Lanka towards Tamil Nadu coast of India. Thereafter, it may move northwards and cross South Andhra Pradesh coasts around December 5, 2023.

The above warning was issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology, addressing the naval and fisherman communities in the deep and shallow sea areas in the southwest Bay of Bengal.

Naval and fishing communities are urged not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and in to the marked areas for the next 24 hours.

Those who are out at aforementioned sea regions are advised to return to coasts or be moved to safer areas immediately.

Fishing and naval community are also requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Dept in this regard, the statement added.

Meanwhile, prevailing showery condition over the South-western parts of the island is likely to continue further due to the indirect effect of the cyclone, the Centre noted in a separate advisory notice.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely to occur at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Northern and North-Western provinces.

Colombo (LNW): In a stunning turn of events, Sri Lanka has witnessed an astounding surge of dengue, with an exact tally of 1,000 new cases emerging within 72 hours.

This means a staggering average of 300 cases daily, propelling the nation back into a distressing scenario where an average of 250 cases per day has become the norm, emphasised Director of the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), Dr. Nalin Ariyaratne.

He added the ominous forecast of a further spike in dengue cases, attributing it to the persistent rainy conditions. In a plea to the public, Dr. Ariyaratne urged the public to take immediate action by maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings and eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds to thwart the impending dengue spread.

As of December 04, the cumulative count for 2023 has surged to a staggering 77,487 cases, painting a vivid picture of the escalating crisis. Colombo district leads the grim statistics with 16,363 cases, while the Western Province emerges as the hardest-hit region, reporting 36,266 cases, representing an alarming 47 percent of the total reported cases.

The magnitude of these numbers serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for collective and urgent action to combat this escalating health crisis, health experts warned.