On Tuesday, the 31st of October, the eleventh Inter-Parliamentary consultations between Sri Lanka and the delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia of the European Parliament (DSAS) were convened at the Sri Lanka Parliamentary premises.

A diverse delegation, headed by Foreign Affairs Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, engaged in an interactive discussion with the visiting European Union (EU) delegation, led by Heidi Hautala, a Finnish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the Greens and serving as the Vice-President and Rapporteur for the New GSP Regulation of the European Parliament.

The discussion primarily revolved around matters related to bilateral cooperation with the aim of further strengthening ties between the two legislatures. The Sri Lankan delegation provided an update to the MEPs on the current economic and political developments within the country, including progress in reconciliation and the human rights situation, as well as the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). EU Co-chair Hautala acknowledged the progress in EU-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and discussed topics of significance to the EU, such as climate-friendly regulations within the European Green Deal, the Ukraine conflict, inflation in the European region, and the future of EU integration.

The Sri Lankan delegation also underscored the significance of GSP+ concessions, which offer duty-free access for Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU market, and requested the European Parliament’s support for the continued access to these concessions.

Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and eight Members of Parliament representing various political parties in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), actively participated in the discussions.

The visiting EU delegation consisted of Zdzislaw Marek Krasnodebski, a Polish MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), Karsten Lucke, a German MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Ausra Maldeikiene, a Lithuanian MEP from the Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats/EPP).

The consultations involved senior officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Commerce Department of Sri Lanka, and officials from the EU delegation in Colombo.

On November 01, 2023, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry inaugurated a two-week Orientation Programme for the Heads of Mission designate of Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the event, Minister Sabry provided an overview of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy priorities under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Heads of Mission have assumed their roles during a critical period where their contributions are vital in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane elaborated on the responsibilities of a Head of Mission as a manager and leader, addressing the challenges faced in today’s complex international landscape.

The Orientation Programme will comprehensively cover key areas of focus for Sri Lanka’s missions abroad, including trade and investment, foreign employment, tourism, consular affairs, and public diplomacy. Additionally, it will involve visits to the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Provinces, along with interactions with key stakeholders in the private sector and civil society.

The list of newly appointed Heads of Mission includes Ambassador-designate to Italy Satyajit Rodrigo (SLFS), Ambassador-designate to Egypt Madurika Weninger (SLFS), High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh Dharamapala Weerakkody (SLFS), High Commissioner-designate to Singapore Senerath Dissanayake (SLFS), Ambassador-designate to Belgium and the European Union Chandana Weerasena (SLFS), High Commissioner-designate to India Kshenuka Senewiratne (retired SLFS), High Commissioner-designate to Pakistan Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Ambassador-designate to Nepal Air Marshal Sudharshan Pathirana, Ambassador-designate to Cuba Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, and High Commissioner-designate to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama.

During the Vavuniya District Food Security Programme held on Wednesday (1) at the Vavuniya District Secretariat, in conjunction with the New Village – New Country National Programme, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addressed the critical matter of land ownership issues in the region.

The Prime Minister emphasized, “One of the issues prevailing in the Vavuniya District is the land issue. The second problem is the issues that have arisen for a long time due to conflict with the Forest Conservation Department and forest conservation rules and regulations. When I presented the project of Vavuniya Water Scheme as the Water Supply Minister, one department after another came up with hurdles and did not give permission to start the water scheme. But somehow provisions were allocated, and it was managed to transport water through the forest and implement the project. Now water is brought through pipe lines laid through the jungle.”

He further discussed the challenges in regions declared as forests, especially in the Northern Province, and the need to address these issues. He mentioned, “This problem exists in Moneragala, Ampara, and Trincomalee districts. But the farmers raise their cattle on those lands. These lands were used for traditional farming. We will give the necessary powers to the Government Agent to hold a special discussion and ease this problem.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of technological advancements and digital methods in addressing various challenges. He mentioned, “The Registrar General Department has started a new program to register birth certificates by using technology and digital methods. It is significant to provide solutions to such situations by conducting mobile services and providing copies of birth certificates and other documents through new technologies.”

He expressed the vision of transforming Vavuniya into a self-sufficient, developed village with a focus on paddy cultivation and various crops. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for systematic planning and implementation to achieve this goal and create a better future for the people living in the area.

The Prime Minister also discussed the transformation of Vavuniya into an export village and the importance of high-yielding seeds for farming. He mentioned the government’s commitment to support low-income communities during the economic crisis and the appointment of teachers to address subject-specific shortages at the provincial and district levels.

The Prime Minister concluded by addressing the upcoming Grama Niladhari exam and the filling of vacancies, with a focus on remote areas and special qualifications.

TNA-MPs Selwam Adaikalanadan, Charles Nirmalanadan, and Vino Noharathalingam, along with EPDP-MP Kulasingham Dilibaran, also shared their insights during the event.

The event saw the participation of various dignitaries and government officials, including Northern Province Governor P.S.M. Charles, State Ministers Kadar Mastan, Janaka Wakkumbura, Ashoka Priyantha, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Adviser of the President Dr. Suren Batagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Ranjith Ashoka, Secretary of the Northern Province S.M. Saman Bandulasena, District Secretary of Vavuniya P.A. Sarachchandra, and other government representatives.

In a recent corporate showdown within the DSI Samson Group, the business world witnessed a dramatic clash as Kasun Rajapaksa, the Group Managing Director, attempted to unseat Sajith Rajapaksa, a pivotal figure in the DRR family. Kasun’s ill-conceived move ultimately backfired, leaving him looking like a corporate fool.

The saga began with an interim court order that allowed Sajith Rajapaksa to retain his roles within the company. Ignoring this legal setback, Kasun Rajapaksa, a former COYLE president and director at Lanka Hospitals, pressed on with plans to convene a board meeting, with the intent of removing Sajith from three companies and five other directorial roles, a move that quickly became the talk of the corporate world.

Kasun’s unwavering determination to hold this special meeting led him to seek another interim court order, hoping to exclude Sajith from the proceedings. The meeting was scheduled at the DSI Samson Group’s headquarters on November 3, 2023.

However, this legal maneuver faced staunch opposition. Lawyers representing Sajith Rajapaksa vehemently argued that removing Sajith from these companies could have catastrophic financial repercussions and endanger their sustainability. Their arguments were bolstered by the fact that the DRR family, represented by Sajith, had been instrumental in the group’s success. Over the past five years, the family’s contributions accounted for nearly 70% of the group’s profits and a remarkable 55% of its net assets during the same period.

The stark contrast in performance is also evident in the DKR family’s corporate scorecard, led by Kasun Rajapaksa. Over the last five years, their leadership resulted in an annual average loss of 28 million in the operation of the Group’s Shoe Manufacturing division. In sharp contrast, during the same period, the DRR family, led by Sajith Rajapaksa, single-handedly steered the DSI Samson Group to astounding annual profits, contributing an impressive 557 million per annum, fueled by a vast network of global exports to over 75 countries.

Following an intense courtroom battle between the legal teams of both parties, the interim order sought by Kasun Rajapaksa was vacated, effectively reinstating Sajith Rajapaksa to his positions within the DSI Samson Group. This legal victory not only preserved the DRR family’s influence but also left Kasun Rajapaksa with a tarnished reputation in the corporate world. His ill-fated power move serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring corporate leaders.

Reported based on facts outlined in court proceedings

The Sri Lankan Rupee has experienced a minor depreciation against the US Dollar in commercial banks within Sri Lanka on November 3 compared to Thursday.

At Peoples Bank, the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar have risen from Rs. 321.40 to Rs. 322.38 and from Rs. 333.17 to Rs. 334.19, respectively.

According to the Commercial Bank, the buying rate for the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 321.64 to Rs. 322.63, while the selling rate has risen from Rs. 332 to Rs. 333.

At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling rates for the US Dollar have also seen an increase, moving from Rs. 323 to Rs. 324 and from Rs. 333 to Rs. 334, respectively.