By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has underscored the critical importance of continuing with the EU GSP Plus tariff concessions to support the country’s transformative journey towards economic recovery.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the European Union, Grace Asirwatham, hosted a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who are part of the Friends of Sri Lanka group to an engaging and informative working dinner at the official residence.

The event was attended by 8 MEPs, including the Chair of the Friends of Sri Lanka group, MEP Tomáš Zdechovský from the Czech Republic, who is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), which is the largest party in the EU Parliament, and Vice-Chair Maximilian Krah from Germany, MEP of the Identity and Democracy (ID) party.

Ambassador Grace Asirwatham presented a comprehensive overview of the Sri Lankan government’s strategy for economic recovery, through foreign and domestic debt restructuring, promotion of tourism, exports, investment promotion, and more stringent economic policy measures to drive the country towards economic prosperity.

In this context, the Ambassador expressed appreciation for the EU’s steadfast support and assistance to Sri Lanka during challenging times, and more importantly, through its trade instrument, EU GSP Plus tariff concessions for Sri Lankan exports to the EU, which have empowered the most vulnerable sectors of the social fabric of Sri Lanka, including women.

As discussions on the new regulation of the EU GSP for the next decade take place in the European Parliament, Ambassador Asirwatham underscored the critical importance of continuing the EU GSP Plus tariff concessions to support Sri Lanka’s transformative journey toward economic recovery and prosperity, while diligently fulfilling all GSP Plus-related conditions.

Ambassador Asirwatham also delved into Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

She reiterated Sri Lanka’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand forest cover and transition to renewable energy sources. 

Furthermore, she mentioned collaborative opportunities being explored with the European Union to facilitate this green energy transition.

MEP Tomáš Zdechovský, Chair of the Friends of Sri Lanka group, commended the Sri Lankan government for its efforts to stabilize the economy and steer the country towards a positive pth through firm policy interventions.

The Vice-Chair Maximilian Krah, who is also the standing rapporteur for South Asia in the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA), echoed these sentiments of commendation for Sri Lanka’s proactive economic stabilization measures.

He emphasized the significance of continuing EU GSP Plus tariff concessions to support the country’s economic recovery, reaffirming their commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in its time of need.

Strengthening Economic Bonds: Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce Explores Trade Expansion with Sri Lanka

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce explores the possibility of trade expansion with Sri Lanka Strengthening economic relations.

This initiative was taken when Ms. Anat Bernstein-Reich, President of Israel – Asia Chamber of Commerce cum Chairperson / Israel – Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce met Dr. Kingsley Bernard, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on 28th August, 2023.

This official meeting was initiated by. M.H.M. Nimal Bandara, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Israel.

The Sri Lankan delegation was represented by Additional Secretary of Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Shanika Dissanayake, Senior EDB officials as well as representatives of private sector companies from Sri Lanka’s export community.

The participants had a fruitful discussion to explore avenues to promote trade and economic cooperation between Israel and Sri Lanka.

The deliberations were aligned with the efforts of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel to maximize opportunities for Sri Lanka’s dynamic private sector and create a fertile ground for export businesses.

Ms. Anat Bernstein highlighted the substantial potential that lies within various sectors. She underscored the surging demand for high-tech, medical, pharmaceutical, and electronic products,

She noted  that these segments present ample investment prospects while stressing that Israel’s renowned expertise and advanced solutions in these fields could be harnessed to create fruitful partnerships in the future.

Furthermore, Ms. Bernstein identified sustainable agriculture, electronic products, and IT services as high-potential areas where Sri Lanka and Israel can forge new partnerships. 

The delegates also discussed organizing business delegations and mutual visits, highlighting the importance of face-to-face interactions in building strong business relationships.

To provide a platform for comprehensive discussions, a joint business forum will be convened during 2024, bringing together stakeholders from both nations.

The officials of private sector companies Nelna Agri Development, Orel IT, Galgo from Ceylon and M/S Zahir Raheem took part in the discussion.

An understanding was reached to strengthen connections with the Israeli business community with the support of Ms. Bernstein.

It was proposed to organize sector-wise activities such as B2Bs, outward/ inward delegations, participation in each other’s events, startup mentoring programs, technology transfers, export-led investments, etc.

Both nations look forward to a future of expanded cooperation, and these efforts are poised to create enduring partnerships in addition to capitalizing on the abundant opportunities that lie ahead.

Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence categorically denied the allegations levelled by British Channel 4 in a recent documentary about the April 2019 Easter Sunday massacre, calling the disclosure’s claims ‘unfounded, malevolent, and poorly substantiated.’

Full Statement:

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO CHANNEL 4’S REPREHENSIBLE ALLEGATIONS REGARDING THE EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK

In the face of a heinous and merciless assault that shook the world – the Easter Sunday Attack of 2019 – which claimed the lives of nearly 270 innocent souls, including children and foreigners, Sri Lanka and the International Community watched in horror. In the wake of this catastrophe, the Sri Lankan Government, its Law Enforcement Agencies, Security Forces and international investigation agencies launched exhaustive investigations. Over the years, these investigations, both local and international, have consistently pointed to ISIS-affiliated group members led by Zahran Hashim as the architects of this horrifying tragedy.

However, it is with unwavering resolution and an unyielding commitment to the truth that the Ministry of Defence wishes to respond to the recent documentary produced by British Channel 4 television cooperation on 5th September 2023. This documentary audaciously shifts the blame of the Easter Sunday Attack onto Military Intelligence and Major General Suresh Sallay, the present Director General of the State Intelligence Service of Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Defence vehemently denounces the accusation of orchestrating the attack and assisting the bombers against a dedicated senior military officer who has served the nation for 36 years. Major General Suresh Sallay served at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia as Minister-Counsellor from December 2016 until December 2018. He left for India on 3rd January 2019 and returned to Sri Lanka on 30th November 2019 after completing the National Defence College Course in Delhi. This officer was never in Sri Lanka during the period mentioned in the Channel 4 video documentary. Furthermore, during the said period (December 2016 to November 2019), this officer was not employed in the Intelligence and Security Apparatus of the country, nor did he hold any official responsibilities in those fields. The Ministry of Defence also reiterates that no terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday attack have ever been on the government payroll. Therefore, the Ministry of Defence categorically refutes these outrageous allegations and expresses profound dismay at Channel 4 for promulgating such a malicious and unsubstantiated narrative.

In the wake of the Easter Sunday Attack, successive Sri Lankan governments have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. They have done so by facilitating transparent investigations conducted by both local and international professional agencies. These investigations including the meticulous work of the Criminal Investigation Department, Counter Terrorist Investigation Division and the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), have consistently corroborated the responsibility of the radical extremist group for the attack. Additionally, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has played a pivotal role in proposing measures to bolster national security.

Moreover, it is imperative to underline that the comprehensive investigation conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States, along with the subsequent verdict rendered by the US Department of Justice, have reaffirmed the findings of local investigations. This resounding endorsement from an international investigative agency further substantiates the accuracy and integrity of the investigation.

Despite unwavering and magnanimous endeavours, Channel 4’s myopic and malevolent conduct not only imperils the very fabric of Sri Lankan society by sowing seeds of discord but also shamelessly jeopardizes the reputation and safety of those who have resolutely upheld their integrity and responsibility.

While the Ministry of Defence respects the freedom of expression and upholds the significance of investigative journalism, the Ministry of Defence emphatically asserts that Channel 4 will be held unequivocally accountable for any unforeseen actions or repercussions stemming from their unfounded, malevolent, and poorly substantiated claims made in the video documentary. On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence hereby categorically refutes these false allegations and reiterates the government’s unwavering commitment to the truth, justice and the well-being of the Nation.

PMD: Dr. Suren Raghavan, the Minister of State for Higher Education, affirmed that the initiatives to establish Sri Lanka as the hub of education in South Asia have been executed under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He conveyed this message during a press briefing at the Presidential Media Center  yesterday (08), held on the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’.

Expressing his views further Dr. Raghavan said;

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed two key topics in the recent period. One of them is economic reforms, while the other pertains to educational reform. He recognizes that economic development is unattainable without a strong educational foundation. Given the competitiveness of the global economy, progress hinges on an intelligent and well-prepared workforce.

Over the past four years, the number of students who have successfully passed the advanced level exams in Sri Lanka has increased by 63%. Despite setbacks resulting from events such as the Easter bomb attack, the COVID epidemic and various challenges, higher education has made significant strides this year. However, we are currently facing a shortage of physical resources to accommodate this influx of students. According to global standards, a college should have one teacher for every fifteen students. Unfortunately, in our state universities, there is only one teacher for every thirty students. It’s crucial to emphasize that the development of human resources is as essential as bolstering physical resources to ensure the quality of higher education and we are actively working towards achieving this balance.
Another significant concern is that the majority of students who sit for the advanced level examination opt for the arts stream. This trend is largely due to the fact that out of the 3,000 schools offering education up to the advanced level in the country, only 2,100 provide the arts stream. Consequently, the focus of the new education reforms is on creating a system that enables students studying the arts stream to attain a bachelor’s degree in science.

When free education was introduced in Sri Lanka, the country had a limited population, with only four hundred thousand children. However, the population of Sri Lanka has now grown to 22 million and the number of children has increased to 4.3 million.

Given this development, it is imperative to focus on enhancing both physical and human resources in the new education reforms. It is estimated that Rs. 2 trillion will be required to provide the necessary laboratories, hostels, physical infrastructure and human resources for university students. The largest fund in Sri Lanka, the Provident Fund, currently stands at Rs.4 trillion, with approximately 50% earmarked for education. Consequently, the proposal includes adding campuses to existing universities as part of higher education sector reforms.

By establishing two campuses in each of the 17 state universities, it is expected that this will alleviate congestion in student enrollments.
Additionally, private universities should be encouraged to thrive. Currently, there are 24 private universities operating in Sri Lanka, with applications received for 20 more. To create global citizens through the university system, scholarships should be made available for students seeking admission to both private and public universities. Alternatively, a loan system can be implemented, allowing for the recovery of payments based on the chosen subject streams upon leaving the university. This approach fosters student interest in pursuing job-oriented courses.

Research within the university sector has been instrumental in the development of many developed countries worldwide. However, due to the geographical distance between public universities in Sri Lanka, societal issues have not been adequately addressed through research. Hence, there is a need for greater integration between universities and society. Intellectual freedom should be promoted within agricultural colleges and internationalization should be embraced by public universities.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, and fairly heavy showers about 50mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (09).

A few showers may occur in Anuradhapura and Mannar districts, and showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Batticaloa and Ampara districts during the evening or night, the statement added.

Fairly strong winds about (40-45) kmph can be expected at times in western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

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

Marine Weather:

1. Govt’s Face Value “money printing” debt passes the Rs.3,000 billion mark and reaches 3,008 billion.
   
2. LankaClear CEO Channa De Silva says Sri Lanka has over Rs.1,100bn worth of currency notes but only Rs.281 bn of such notes is banked and a staggering Rs.829 bn is not in circulation and kept by people in safety boxes or in personal care”.
   
3. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk says the UNHRC must demand that the international community undertakes “targeted sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans against those credibly alleged to have perpetrated gross international human rights violations or serious humanitarian law violations” in Sri Lanka: further recommends “robust safety nets and social protection for the most vulnerable from the negative spill-overs of economic restructuring”.
   
4. President Ranil Wickremasinghe submits a “Defence Review – 2030” for Cabinet approval: President’s Media Office says it will “serve as a crucial step to adapt Sri Lanka’s defence policy” and that “the review not only analyzes the current regional challenges but also outlines a roadmap for the future, encompassing both the immediate future & steps beyond 2030”.
   
5. Colombo District Court rejects the petition filed by former SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara: refuses to issue an injunction order preventing the suspension of the MP’s party membership.
   
6. Political sources say MP Dayasiri Jayasekara’s removal as SLFP General Secretary appears to be a move to eliminate obstacles to the Party’s support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the next Presidential election: also say the SLFP MPs who hold ministerial positions in the Govt have been behind the sacking of Jayasekara.
   
7. No-Confidence Motion against Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella defeated in Parliament: 73 in favour:113 against.
   
8. Official Reserve Assets decrease by USD 167mn (4.4%) to USD 3,598mn by end-August’23 from USD 3,765mn at end-July’23: analysts say the unpaid Forex debt now exceeds USD 5,000mn.
   
9. Fitch Ratings reconfirms SL’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating at ‘Restricted Default’: says the Reserves of around USD 3.8bn in July 2023 are well below the USD 7.3bn average over 2014-2019: the Reserve at end-Dec’21 was USD 8.2bn, and even after issuing ISB’s of USD 12.0bn, selling H’tota Port for USD 1.0bn, and borrowing USD 2.0bn from China during 2015 to 2019, the Reserve was down to USD 7.6bn at end-Dec’19.
   
10. Deputy Chairman of the Manning Market’s Traders Assn H T N Samaratunga says the traders of the market had thrown away 8 to 10 tons of vegetables from Monday to Wednesday: also say the price of vegetables have dropped significantly, but there are fewer buyers.

Colombo (LNW): The vote on the no-confidence motion against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has been defeated in Parliament this (08) evening, after concluding a three-day debate.

Accordingly, the no-confidence motion against the Health Minister was rejected by a majority of 40 votes.

A total of 113 MPs voted against the motion tabled in by the Opposition and only 73 voted in favour, making it possible for Rambukwella to further serve in his tenure as the Minister of Health.

PMD: Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its freedom and sovereignty has been reaffirmed with the release of the “Defence Review – 2030” by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The comprehensive document outlines the evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean region and sets the course for Sri Lanka’s defence policy in the coming years.

The President proposed the Defence Review – 2030 at the recent Cabinet meeting.

The key principles of Sri Lanka’s defence policy after gaining independence have always revolved around protecting its sovereignty, avoiding military alliances, refraining from conflicts in the Indian Ocean, countering non-state actors adverse to Sri Lanka and contributing to global peace. However, the security dynamics have witnessed a significant shift.

Previously, Sri Lanka’s primary focus was on combating internal terrorism, notably the LTTE. Today, the strategic environment has grown more complex, marked by great power rivalries between the United States and China, the emergence of strategic alliances such as the Quad and AUKUS, the Ukraine war and the omnipresent threat of climate change.

Given this evolving landscape, the “Defence Review – 2030” serves as a crucial step to adapt Sri Lanka’s defence policy. The review not only analyses the current regional challenges but also outlines a roadmap for the future, encompassing both the immediate future and steps beyond 2030.

Key components of the Defence Review include:

• Strategic vision and challenges for Sri Lanka in 2030.
• Security interests of Sri Lanka.
• Defence Policy Objectives for 2030.
• Power Posture and Power Structure to address strategic challenges.
• Prioritization of urgent needs within the constraints of the existing financial situation.

To spearhead this endeavour, President Wickremesinghe has appointed a distinguished review team comprising Major General Channa Gunathilake (Retd) as Chairman, Rear Admiral J. J. Ranasinghe (Retd), Major General P.R. Wanigasooriya (Retd.), Air Vice Marshal Andrew Wijesuriya (Retd.), Miss Sasikala Premawardena from the Sri Lanka Foreign Service and Mr. Daniel Alphonsus as Adviser for Finance and Economic Stabilization. The group will receive support from active-duty military personnel, Foreign Service officers, Treasury officials and experts in relevant fields.

This defence review marks the initial step toward formulating a comprehensive national defence policy, reflecting Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and contributing to global peace in an ever-changing world.