The Department of Wildlife Conservation has indicated that the sea turtles that recently washed ashore on various beaches in Sri Lanka may have died as a result of an underwater explosion. This unsettling discovery has prompted concern and investigation into the mysterious mass deaths of these marine creatures.

Reports reveal that a total of 25 turtle carcasses and 2 live turtles were discovered along the coastline spanning from Ja-Ela to Panadura. The sea turtles exhibited severe fractures on their shells, further raising questions about the circumstances leading to their deaths.

While some of the turtle deaths were attributed to traumatic brain injuries, the suspicion of an underwater explosion has led to a joint investigation by four institutions. The Wildlife Conservation Department is working in tandem with these organizations to establish the exact cause of the deaths and ascertain whether the suspected explosion was linked to illicit fishing activities involving explosives.

The investigation aims to produce conclusive evidence that will be presented in court. The findings are expected to shed light on this alarming incident, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the situation and its implications for marine life and ecosystem health. The results of the joint investigation are expected to be available in the coming days.

Colombo (LNW): The Civil Society Collective for Democracy, also known by its slogan ‘Stand for Democracy’, a coalition of concerned citizens and organizations, including civil society organizations, professionals, academics, trade unions, youth leaders, activists, media personnel, religious figures, and other influencers, convened today at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) to deliver a crucial wake-up call to the nation’s political leaders. The urgent call is to halt state repression and safeguard the democratic rights of the people, in order to ensure actual and equitable economic recovery. 

The Civil Society Collective expresses deep concern over the rapid shrinking of democratic space within the country, with Constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms such as the freedom of expression, right to information, right to dissent, right to protest, freedom of association and the right to franchise being snatched away, leaving citizens often powerless. This surge in silencing voices and the targeting and harassment of those who question the authorities, have created a chilling effect among the people, leading to self-censorship. Furthermore, the rulers have been abusing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the contentious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to target political opponents, civil society activists, and journalists, contrary to international commitments, including those made at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The recent attempts to introduce extremely oppressive versions of laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Act, Broadcasting Commission Act and the NGO Act are examples of Government’s attempt to threaten and control democratic space.   

Recent statements from the President, the Speaker and even few parliamentarians that attempt to undermine judicial independence are deeply troubling. While the 21st Amendment to the Constitution has re-established the independent commissions, the recent acts of intimidation targeting members of the Election Commission and the Public Utilities Commission are examples of the disabling environment that has been created for these institutions. At the heart of the matter, citizens’ sovereign right to vote has been infringed upon using financial constraints as an excuse, an explanation lacking credibility. Currently Sri Lankans have no elected representatives at local and provincial levels and these institutions are governed by unelected officials controlled by a centralised executive. This if not addressed soon may call into question the definition of Sri Lanka as a democracy. 

To uplift Sri Lanka from the economic crisis, it is essential to address its root causes – poor governance, lack of inclusivity and corruption. Unless these fundamental issues are addressed, Sri Lanka will continue to be considered as a complex investment context that will discourage investors and thus hamper economic recovery. 

Ensuring transparency and accountability in governance is essential to prevent corruption and to ensure good governance. For people to be able to hold their representatives and the stewards of public resources accountable, they need to be able to exercise their democratic rights and freedoms. A truly democratic system would enable citizens to elect and vote out their representatives regularly, be involved and informed of all Government’s decisions that affect their lives, be able to dissent and make their voices heard in protest and be able to form collectives and exert pressure on the authorities to change course when necessary.

A government that acts in the best interest of the people and is genuine in its effort to uplift the economy will not hesitate to expose themselves to public scrutiny.   

In line with these principles, the Civil Society Collective for Democracy calls upon the political establishment to take immediate steps to uphold and defend the foundational principles of democracy by:  

– Ensuring that free and fair elections essential for inclusion are held on time, starting immediately with the Local Government and Provincial Council Elections.   

– Uphold the fundamental rights of citizens, including freedom of expression and association and right to information.  

– Protect civic space and create an enabling environment for civil society activism.   

– Ensure citizen consultation and participation in steering economic recovery. 

– Govern with transparency and accountability, ensuring full public scrutiny.  

– Empower the independent commissions to fulfill their roles effectively. 

– Take a genuine effort to implement essential anti-corruption reforms. 

-Take action to prosecute past and present acts of corruption to end the climate of impunity. 

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The government has done away with the permit system while raisng  tax for importing wheat flour, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today (Aug. 30).

The order, published in a Gazette Extraordinary, came into effect from midnight on Tuesday (Aug. 29), he added.

Siyambalapitiya further mentioned that the import tax on wheat flour has been increased from Rs. 16 to Rs. 27 per kilogram.

In June, wheat flour was gazetted as a ‘specified good’, pursuant to provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act.

 Six days ago the government has cut an import tax on maize, which has kept domestic prices artificially high, made eggs and chicken more expensive than the world and given large profits to collectors, which poultry farmers refer to as the ‘maize mafia’.

The import tax which was at 75 rupees a kilo was lowered to 25 rupees, State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

The so-called maize mafia is a powerful lobby which has political clout to push up food and protein prices in the name of self-sufficiency (autarky) and domestic production.As a result, the cost of production of eggs and chicken in Sri Lanka is higher than countries like India.

Sri Lanka also loses an opportunity to build an export industry in chicken related foods and eggs.

The finace ministry has taken this decision  following the instructions given by  the Committee of Public Finance instructed the officials of the ministry to announce that the selling price of a KG of wheat flour as Rs.198 so to avoid two major companies making additional profit and to protect the consumer.

This was discussed when the committee met on 15.08.2023 Chaired by. Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was appointed as the protem Chair in the absence of the Committee Chair Harsha de Silva.

Attention was drawn to the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2336/45 of 14.06.2023 which is to be approved by the Parliament.

The Committee Chair said that the officials of the Ministry of Finance said that the gazette published on 14.06.2023 was issued with the aim of preventing the various companies importing wheat into Sri Lanka by overstocking to make additional profit.

Therefore, instructions were given to provide accurate data on existing and current stocks of bread flour to confirm how far the desired objectives have been achieved through the gazette published on 14.06.2023. Thus, the Chair of the Committee pointed out that there will be space to find out if any irregularity has occurred.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The public administration and home affairs ministry along with its state ministry is now in the process of collecting highly personal data of the people under the government’s e-grama niladari project without paying any respect for the right to privacy in Sri Lanka.

In some Colombo suburban areas the collection forms to fill personal details has begun today keeping the citizens bemused as they were in tow minds in revealing their details, several residents complained.

They noted that they were not given sufficient time to check with the government authorities to know the hidden agenda of the present administration and their hastiness in collecting personal data.

The  invasive surveillance methods as well as violations of privacy raises grave concerns of the people, especially in the absence of legislative protection of the right to privacy in Sri Lanka,several activists of human rights and social services said    

 Data protection has become a top priority today, as digitalisation grows globally and businesses have been forced to step up security measures to protect valuable data.

As such, data classification, broadly defined as the process of organizing data by relevant categories, so that it may be used and protected more efficiently and easily retrieved when required, is taking center stage in every organization’s data protection strategy.

Sri Lanka has also taken measures in pushing forth the Personal Data Protection Act, which aims to adequately regulate the processing of personal data, where every activity that an organization engages in from confidentiality to storage of personal data, will fall under the spotlight.

These compliance regulations intend to keep state institutions within ethical lines when handling personal data and place several obligations upon all data controllers/processors to ensure that the organization adheres to strict rules and regulations in its data collection and management.

The aim is to Utilize this community – based database of ‘e – Grama Niladhari’ project instead of the previously existed house holders’ register.

According to the document issued to the public via grama niladaris countrywide, the ministry of public administration and home affairs, IT has been planned to eliminate obstacles in providing development project benefits to the people.

People will have to fil forms distributed by grama nildaris these days among households   divulging almost all of their personal details including email address, passport number,driving licence details , mobile number and the number of residential phone., bank account number.

It is also compulsory to provide highly personnel of details of bank account, monthly income, and the extent of housing land if thre is any employment, etc  

By now ‘e – Grama Niladhari’ project has been inaugurated under the State Ministry of Home Affairs and a house and citizens database is being developed while it has been planned to implement throughout the 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions under several phases.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s public university system is to undergo a strategic modernisation process overhauling the entire system which is on the verge of collapsing due to brain drain.

The National Strategic Plan prepared by University of Sri Jayewardenepura to modernise the entire public university system gas been unveiled with far reaching suggestions to improve the system.

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) informed the Secretary to the Ministry of Education to appoint a task force within two weeks and give a report in this regard, in the background where the university system in this country is at risk of collapsing.

Senior Professor Disa Bandara pointed out that since each university has its own unique circumstances, it is possible to work according to this draft by paying attention to all those university issues.

 The COPE Chairman Prof Ranjith Bandara pointed out that small groups of students should not be allowed to bring down the entire universal system.

Moreover, the COPE Chairman said that the University Grants Commission also has a responsibility to maintain the quality of the universities.

He noted that about 50% of the universities in this country should become research universities.

Several new universities including in Kurunegala and Batticaloa will be opened soon and private institutions such as NIBM and SLIIT to be given national status to speed up the country’s higher education system.

The Faculty of Engineering of the University of Colombo will be made into a separate campus and the National School of Business Management (NSBM) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) will be given the status of national universities.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Sampath Amaratunga told parliamentary watchdog committee – COPE that although there should be 12,992 university lecturers, currently there are only 6,548.

He said that there was a drastic brain drain and the university teachers were leaving the country en masse following the economic crisis in the country. He added that the same situation applies to non-academic staff.

Professor Amaratunga, disclosed that 65% of the country’s schools do not teach science for higher education, and as a result, 25% of the children who come to the universities are pursuing an arts degree, and 70% of them are unemployed

With the economic crisis in the country, it has become a problem for professors to leave the country and at least 1000 professors should be recruited Chairman of the University Grants Commission further said.

A case of meningococcal meningitis, the bacterial disease responsible for recent inmate deaths at Galle Prison, has surfaced in the Colombo District. The patient, a 49-year-old man residing in Ja-Ela, works at an institution within the Ratmalana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Division.

Currently admitted to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) Hospital due to illness, he has been referred to the Colombo National Hospital for further tests and treatment, stated Dr. J.M. Gunathilake, the Medical Officer of Health in Ratmalana. Dr. Gunathilake highlighted that around 30 close contacts of the patient at his workplace have undergone testing, and precautionary measures including antibiotic treatment have been initiated.

The recent case has spurred concerns, as Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the Media Spokesman of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), pointed out. He emphasized the need for prompt measures to control the potential spread of the disease, especially with schools scheduled to reopen in the coming days. Dr. Wijesinghe also stressed the importance of raising public awareness to prevent undue panic among parents and the general population.

However, the Epidemiology Unit highlighted that while meningococcal meningitis cases do occur annually in Sri Lanka, the general public should not become overly anxious about the disease. The unit reassured that the occurrence of these cases is not uncommon.

In a related context, the Galle Prison witnessed a tragic outbreak earlier in August, where two inmates lost their lives and several others were hospitalized due to an initially unidentified ailment. Subsequently, the cause was traced back to meningococcal meningitis, underscoring the need for effective prevention and management measures.

In a significant move aimed at streamlining trade processes, the government has eliminated the permit requirement for the import of wheat flour, as announced by State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, today (August 30). The decision, already published in a Gazette Extraordinary, officially took effect from midnight on Tuesday, August 29.

As part of this policy change, Siyambalapitiya further elaborated that the import tax on wheat flour has been revised, increasing it from Rs. 16 to Rs. 27 per kilogram.

This decision follows a prior development in June, where wheat flour was categorized as a ‘specified good’ in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act. The recent changes are indicative of the government’s commitment to adapting regulations to facilitate smoother trade practices while simultaneously ensuring financial considerations are balanced.

Anticipation is reaching its zenith as the eagerly awaited final Randoli Perahera of the Esala Perahera prepares to grace the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy on the evening of Wednesday, the 30th. This mesmerizing extravaganza promises to showcase a mesmerizing display of culture, featuring the vibrant participation of accomplished dancers and magnificently adorned elephants hailing from the Sabaragamuwa and Udarata regions.

The ongoing Esala Perahera, which commenced its enchanting journey on August 21, 2023, has garnered unwavering attention as a central cultural spectacle in the nation, captivating hearts and minds alike.

As the grand culmination approaches, local authorities have diligently undertaken extensive measures to ensure both safety and order. The local police have announced the implementation of a meticulously designed traffic and security blueprint that will envelop the entire expanse of Kandy city throughout the day, orchestrating a smooth flow of proceedings for the final Randoli procession. Complementing these efforts, special bus and train services continue to be operational, serving as dedicated conduits for enthusiastic devotees eager to partake in witnessing this resplendent event.

With each passing moment, the excitement swells, promising an unforgettable night that will etch itself into the annals of cultural celebrations and heritage.

A successful operation led by the Police Special Task Force (STF) has resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old individual in possession of a substantial quantity of crystal methamphetamine, popularly referred to as ‘Ice’. The arrest took place in Mannar, where the suspect was apprehended with a significant consignment of illicit drugs weighing 3 kilograms and 396 grams during a targeted raid in the Uyilankulam area.

Hailing from Mannar, the 28-year-old individual was taken into custody as part of the operation. The seizure of such a substantial quantity of ‘Ice’ underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the illegal drug trade and its associated activities. The STF’s successful intervention in this case is a testament to their dedication in ensuring the safety and security of the community by curbing the spread of harmful substances.