Tradlanka Agricultural Enterprises was awarded 2 Gold Awards & 1 Silver Award for National Export Excellence by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka last night(09) Award Ceremony.

The Award Ceremony was held at Shangrila Hotel, Colombo.

In a recent press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ at the Presidential Media Centre, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry lauded President Ranil Wickremesinghe for steering Sri Lanka’s foreign relations towards a policy of non-alignment, emphasizing unity while fostering relationships with global nations.

Minister Sabry credited President Wickremesinghe’s decisions for positively impacting Sri Lanka’s foreign relations, citing the nation’s successful non-aligned policy and its ability to secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) support by extending friendship without bias.

Acknowledging diplomatic challenges, Minister Sabry highlighted how strategic decisions have redirected strained relations, particularly in the Muslim world and Japan, onto a constructive trajectory, affirming the commitment to amicable ties while safeguarding national unity.

Discussing debt restructuring intricacies, Sabry elaborated on an independent mechanism developed due to Sri Lanka’s unique position. Collaborative efforts with influential nations outside the Paris Club, including India, China, and Japan, have paved the way for a viable restructuring plan.

Sabry revealed commitments from involved countries for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, foreseeing an advantageous process compared to others. The imminent IMF discussion on the 12th is poised to signal international acknowledgment of Sri Lanka’s economic progress, potentially resulting in disbursement of the second tranche.

Highlighting the nation’s path towards financial independence, Sabry noted ongoing governmental efforts to steer away from bankruptcy. Strategic reduction in debt payments positions Sri Lanka for an economic advantage of US$17 billion, with plans to attract new investors for economic growth.

Looking ahead, Minister Sabry expressed confidence in the government’s roadmap, aiming for significant economic strides by the first quarter of the next year. This aligns with President Wickremesinghe’s broader vision for sustainable economic development, signaling a promising trajectory for Sri Lanka under his leadership.

A significant stride toward transitional justice and post-conflict reconciliation in Sri Lanka has been marked with the government’s decision to establish an independent Commission for Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation—a historic endeavor shaping the nation’s future.

As outlined by the President’s Media Division (PMD), this pivotal commission is set to be established through an Act of Parliament. Currently, a comprehensive concept paper is being crafted, inviting input from pertinent stakeholders to ensure a consultative and inclusive approach in developing legislation that strengthens national unity through truth, transitional justice, reconciliation, reparation, and social cohesion.

This initiative’s core objective is to unearth the truth regarding the post-conflict grievances of Sri Lankan citizens, laying the foundation for reconciliation, reparation, and sustainable peace.

“The proposed Commission acknowledges every Sri Lankan’s inalienable right to ascertain the truth, a pivotal aspect for individuals and communities to heal from past conflicts,” affirmed the PMD.

Moreover, the Commission aims to fortify national unity, peace, rule of law, coexistence, equality, tolerance, respect for diversity, and reconciliation among Sri Lanka’s diverse communities, striving to prevent future disharmony and conflicts.

Crucially, the Commission is poised to review past Commission recommendations, including those from the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and findings from the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms.

The government is steadfast in ensuring the Commission’s impartiality, free from political influence, while fostering a victim-centric approach, providing a platform for voices to be heard and acknowledging past pain to reclaim dignity. Pending the new law’s enactment, an Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) has been established, laying the groundwork for this transformative Commission.

The ISTRM is actively engaging with the public and stakeholders, striving to shape this mechanism through participation and consultation, ultimately steering Sri Lanka toward sustainable peace and national unity. This monumental initiative stands as a beacon of hope for a future founded on truth, reconciliation, and unity.

Dinushika Manawadu, Deputy Director of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens, has confirmed the commencement of an independent investigation following the untimely death of “Haley,” a 30-year-old female giraffe—one of the precious few of an endangered giraffe species housed at the zoo.

Reports reveal that Haley had been grappling with health issues, particularly mobility concerns. Veterinary surgeons at the zoo had administered antibiotics to address an infection on one of her hooves, a measure taken to alleviate her ailments.

Regrettably, it is suspected that the antibiotic treatment triggered an allergic reaction, ultimately resulting in Haley’s demise on Thursday (Dec. 07).

A postmortem examination was conducted by veterinary surgeons affiliated with the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Faculty of Animal Sciences at Peradeniya University to delve into the circumstances surrounding Haley’s passing.

The zoo authorities, led by Director Ranjan Marasinghe, are eagerly awaiting the postmortem report to ascertain the precise cause of Haley’s unfortunate death.

The initiation of the investigation has been directed by the Dehiwala Zoological Garden’s administration, aiming to shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragic loss of the beloved giraffe.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday, engaging heads of plantation companies to deliberate on the vital issue of wage hikes for plantation workers. Encouraging collective deliberation, President Wickremesinghe urged the companies to strive for a minimum wage of Rs. 1,700—a demand set forth by the workers themselves.

Alternatively, he stressed the necessity of arriving at a consensus regarding the increased wage quantum before December 31st, highlighting the urgency of the matter during the meeting.

The primary agenda of the discussion centered on aligning regional plantation companies’ initiatives with the agricultural modernization program outlined in this year’s budget. The talks also encompassed the program aimed at providing land rights to plantation laborers.

In a bid to address pressing concerns, President Wickremesinghe proposed the establishment of committees dedicated to resolving the housing needs of plantation workers and representing the interests of both workers and plantation companies. Expressing optimism about the country’s economic growth driven by exports, he underscored the collective effort required to ensure the success of the agricultural modernization program.

President Wickremesinghe emphasized the imperative role of an export-oriented economy in the nation’s economic development, particularly in light of the rising food demand attributed to the burgeoning populations in Asian countries. He urged the country’s export economy to prepare and capitalize on this burgeoning demand.

The discussion, attended by Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Promotion Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, and several representatives from local plantation companies, comprehensively explored various aspects of the proposed initiatives.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a substantial USD 200 million concessional loan to assist Sri Lanka in stabilizing its finance sector, following the series of challenges stemming from the sovereign debt and economic crises that commenced in April 2022 when external debt payments were suspended.

Termed the Financial Sector Stability and Reforms Program, this initiative consists of two USD 200 million subprograms. Subprogram 1, implemented in 2023, targets short-term stabilization measures and crisis management. Meanwhile, Subprogram 2, slated for 2024, focuses on structural reforms and long-term strategies to rejuvenate growth within the banking sector.

The overarching objectives encompass enhancing the stability and governance of Sri Lanka’s banking sector, augmenting the asset quality of banking entities, and fostering sustainable and inclusive finance, particularly for women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, highlighted the program’s alignment with the nation’s strategy of finance sector stability and the facilitation of affordable finance for diverse sectors, aiming at fostering economic resurgence.

The initiative represents a follow-on aid from ADB’s crisis response, synchronized with the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility, designed to assist Sri Lanka in restoring financial stability. It further correlates with the government’s reform agenda, emphasizing the reinforcement of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s operational independence and its role as the country’s macroprudential authority.

ADB’s collaboration with the IMF and World Bank has played a pivotal role in designing targeted regulatory reforms for the banking sector, including asset quality reviews, and fortifying the deposit insurance scheme.

Complementing the loan, ADB will allocate a USD 1 million grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to provide advisory support, knowledge dissemination, and institutional capacity building for Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance and Central Bank.

This endeavor underscores ADB’s unwavering commitment to fostering a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Asia-Pacific region, while persisting in eradicating extreme poverty through sustainable developmental efforts.

It is reported that the Puttalam district promotion activities of the new alliance formed by the group led by Member of Parliament Nimal Lanza, who has left the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and is an independent in Parliament, has been implemented in all 5 constituencies throughout the month of December.

It is stated that the activities are being carried out under the leadership of MPs Nimal Lanza and Piyankara Jayaratne.

Appointment of divisional representatives of the new alliance, establishment of affiliated organizations, establishment of monks’ organizations, establishment of women’s organizations etc. will take place throughout the month and Siripala Amarasinghe and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private secretary Sugiswara Bandara have left to lead those programs.

Meanwhile, a mobile service of the provincial council will be held at Madampe Karukkuwa Sugathananda Maha Vidyalaya on Saturday, focusing on the Chillaw Constituency.

That was according to a request made by Nimal Lanza from North West Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

This new political alliance is being created to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe and it is scheduled to be unveiled next January.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places over most provinces of the island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers about 100mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern provinces during the morning too.

Misty Condition can be expected at some places in Uva province and in Ampara district during the morning.

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