Colombo (LNW): Newly appointed Sports Minister Harin Fernando has initiated a strategic cost-cutting measure by relocating the State Ministry of Sports from the World Trade Centre to the Sports Ministry building at Race Course.
The move aims to optimise existing infrastructure and reduce expenses, as it was reported that maintaining the State Minister’s office in the World Trade Centre cost the government Rs. 4.2 million.
Fernando, who is also the Tourism Minister, has directed his office to be at the Tourism Ministry, allowing the State Minister of Sports to occupy the Sports Ministry premises.
Additionally, the Minister instructed the Ministry Secretary to allocate the approximately Rs. 50 million saved annually from this relocation to the Sports Development Fund.
Colombo (LNW): Two non-resident judges, one from Sri Lanka and the other from Mauritius, were sworn in at Seychelles’ Court of Appeal on Wednesday (29).
Sri Lankan Judge Janak De Silva, a justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to collaborate with judicial officers from different countries.
Meanwhile, Mauritian Judge Karuna Gunesh-Balaghee accepted the nomination with humility and expressed gratitude to the Constitutional Appointments Authority.
Both judges bring significant legal expertise, and their appointments aim to enhance the Court of Appeal’s capabilities.
The Court, consisting of five Justices of Appeal, holds sessions in April, August, and December, aligning with the Supreme Court’s vacation periods.
Official Creditor Committee announces agreement with the SL Govt on main parameters of a debt treatment consistent with the IMF programme: says it will lead to the approval of the 2nd disbursement by IMF: expects SL authorities to continue engagement with private creditors to reach agreement on terms as favourable as their terms: also expects the agreement to be formalized with a MOU in the coming weeks: further expects “other” bilateral creditors to consent to sharing information for the OCC to evaluate “comparability of treatment”: agreement to cover approx USD 5.9 bn of debt & said to be of a mix of “long-term maturity extension” & “reduction in interest rates”: analysts note that the much awaited “hair-cut” as expected by the Govt & IMF doesn’t seem to have been achieved.
SLPP rebel MP Dr Nalaka Godahewa says the President’s plan to break a part of the Opposition with this Budget, has failed: akins SL to a debtor who hides until the Police catch him for not paying back the debt to the creditors: warns SL is on top of a volcano and that this crisis is going to explode in a terrifying way.
Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon appointed as the Acting IGP: Tennakoon says that plans will be implemented to crackdown on drugs & organised crime, whilst giving priority to national security.
Netherlands Embassy formally hands over 6 SL artefacts, including the Lewke cannon plundered from SL over 200 years ago: artefacts accepted by Minister Vidura Wickremanayake: items to be on public display at the Colombo National Museum from 5th December’23 onwards.
Immigration Department says self-styled Prophet cum Pastor Jerome Fernando arrived in SL: the Pastor is scheduled to give a statement to the CID within 48 hours of arrival, as per a Court order.
Former Head of the Human Rights Commission Professor Deepika Udagama says no country could be described as democratic if there is no “separation of powers” that ensures one branch of Govt does not exceed its powers: asserts that the three branches of Govt, i.e., the Executive, Legislature & Judiciary must keep an eye on each other so that there is a “balance”.
SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna says the SJB is proposing that the Govt holds the upcoming Presidential & Parliamentary Elections on the same day in order to reduce the related expenditure: asserts the SJB is ready to support any new legislation for that purpose.
Several civil society organisations, including the Electricity Consumers’ Association to organise a protest in front of the Ministry of Power and Energy, urging the Govt to lower electricity tariffs & fuel prices.
Standard Chartered Bank CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri says there must be a “bankruptcy court” in the country to address debt repayment challenges faced by individuals and businesses.
SL Cricket says they will host the Indian team for a bi-lateral series in July’24, consisting of 3 ODI’s & 3 T20Is.
Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha emphasised the critical need for continuous updates in the education system to prevent students from seeking alternative paths after high school.
Stressing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the education sector, Minister Premajayantha highlighted the importance of careful and responsible efforts in this regard.
During his role as the chief guest at the National Higher Education Conference organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Non-State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI), Minister Premajayantha outlined that one of the primary goals of the new education reforms is to decrease the age at which students leave the educational system and enhance their opportunities for further academic advancement.
Discussing practical steps, the Minister mentioned the Education Ministry’s readiness to conduct examinations for the appointment of teachers to development officers in schools.
However, he noted that legal impediments, including fundamental rights petitions filed against the examination, have led to its suspension for the past nine months.
Minister Premajayantha assured that once the court rulings on these petitions are received, prompt action will be taken to admit qualified individuals into the teaching service in adherence to the Teachers’ Service Constitution.
Colombo (LNW): In his role as the chief guest at the inauguration of the Annual Academic Sessions (AAS) of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists (SLCO) on October 13 in Colombo, Emeritus Prof. Janaka De Silva, former director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), delivered a comprehensive speech on ‘Postgraduate training and the professional practice of medicine.’
Prof. De Silva, drawing from his experience at the PGIM and the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), addressed key issues related to postgraduate training, the societal expectations of specialists’ professionalism, and the challenges faced in meeting these expectations.
Highlighting the excellence of Sri Lanka’s postgraduate training system, Prof. De Silva noted that post-MD trainees benefit from overseas training, with several qualifications being recognised internationally. Despite the high level of knowledge and skills acquired through this training, he emphasised the importance of professional conduct in determining fitness to practice.
Prof. De Silva pointed out the need for maintaining high standards of professional and moral ethics, respecting patient rights, and addressing the challenges in current training programs. He underlined the importance of doctors prioritising patient care, competence, and staying updated in their professional knowledge and skills.
While acknowledging the efforts in training programs, Prof. De Silva noted areas for improvement, particularly in addressing incidents of unnecessary investigations, irrational prescriptions, false medical certificates, and exorbitant fees charged to patients.
Expressing concerns about the brain drain and protectionism within the medical profession, Prof. De Silva urged specialists to give back to the system that nurtured them. He criticised the disgraceful practice of specialists abandoning their posts and patients without notice, leaving the country secretly to avoid fulfilling their service bonds and other obligations.
Addressing the need for more specialist doctors to serve remote areas, Prof. De Silva called for improvements in both the coverage and quality of healthcare. He emphasised the obligation to provide career opportunities for the increasing number of doctors graduating each year and suggested ways to address the issue, including developing more specialties and increasing mid-level qualifications.
In conclusion, Prof. De Silva urged the medical profession to overcome protectionist ideologies, particularly within professional colleges, to foster the development of sub-specialties and mid-level qualifications.
He spoke candidly about these challenges, noting that his remarks were prompted by the induction of an esteemed oncologist, whom he considered a role model. Prof. De Silva expressed pride in contributing to the professional career of this oncologist.
Colombo (LNW): State Minister for Provincial Council and Local Government, Janaka Wakkumbura, revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has earmarked Rs. 1,500 million for the “Greater Kandy Urban Development Programme” in the current year’s budget.
During a Press Briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held today (29), the State Minister disclosed that Rs. 1,000 million has been allocated for a special project aimed at tourism development, with the involvement of local authorities to facilitate tourists.
Expanding on future plans, the State Minister outlined a comprehensive development programme slated for 2024, backed by a substantial budget exceeding Rs. 34,000 million covering all nine provinces. The ambitious goal is to complete these development projects by December of the following year.
Noteworthy is the allocation of Rs. 7,000 million for infrastructure development in the North, North-East, Uva, and North Central provinces. Additionally, Rs. 600 million is designated to address deficiencies in local government institutions.
Under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a special project has been initiated with a Rs. 1,000 million allocation to enhance facilities through local government bodies, focusing on tourism development.
There is optimistic anticipation for a Rs. 1,500 million development project, complemented by a Rs. 500 million contribution from local government agencies.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has specifically allocated Rs. 1,500 million in this year’s budget for the “Greater Kandy Urban Development Programme,” primarily for enhancing the road leading to Kandy city.
Addressing a related issue, approximately 3,000 public servants who submitted nominations for local government elections have had their concerns addressed. A cabinet paper has been submitted to review their appeals and reinstate them, with an expected reemployment within a month, under the condition of refraining from engaging in political activities.
Additionally, around 2,700 vacant positions for ‘Grama Seva’ officials are scheduled for examination by December 2nd, with efforts to appoint them before February 4th, 2024. A significant step has also been taken to convert 8,400 casual employees in local government institutions into permanent staff through mandatory employment arrangements.
Colombo (LNW): The Official Creditor Committee, co-chaired by Japan, India, and France, has officially endorsed the Agreement in Principle on specific financing terms for the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debt, aligning with the debt restructuring parameters established in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, announced the Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.
Minister Semasinghe highlights that achieving consensus among all of Sri Lanka’s creditors to restructure the debt marks a crucial milestone and represents a significant stride towards resolving the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
“We are very grateful to all bilateral creditors for their cooperation,” he stated, adding that China Exim Bank had previously agreed to restructure its debt.
“This is a very significant milestone, as, along with a similar agreement in principle provided earlier by China Exim Bank, it confirms that all of Sri Lanka’s official creditors have agreed to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, which is a major step in the resolution of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.”
As per the Finance Ministry, the Official Creditor Committee’s agreement encompasses approximately $5.9 billion of outstanding public debt and includes a combination of a long-term maturity extension and a reduction in interest rates.
Minister Semasinghe indicated that the Official Creditor Committee’s agreement now sets the stage for the IMF board to release the second tranche of $334 million after the completion of the first review of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility programme expected in December.
“This would unlock the next tranche of IMF funding, which, in turn, would enable other partners such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to provide further financing,” he added.
Crucially, this development serves as a noteworthy indication of the ongoing cooperation and support from the global community in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
The Minister affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive reform program aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and placing the country on a path of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He mentioned that subsequently, Sri Lanka, through its financial advisors, will continue to engage in good faith with its external private sector creditors to reach a similar agreement in principle.
Colombo (LNW): The Excise Department revealed that the production of liquor at two major distilleries in the country has been temporarily halted due to their delayed tax payments.
W.M. Mendis & Co Ltd and Randenigala Distilleries Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. experienced a suspension in alcohol production, but the Excise Department later announced their authorisation to resume operations after a payment of Rs. 116 million.
Earlier this month, the licenses of these distilleries, along with three others, were suspended for the same reason.
On November 2, the distillery licenses of Synergy Distilleries (Pvt.) Ltd., Finnland Distilleries Corporation (Pvt.) Ltd., Wayamba Distilleries, W. M. Mendis & Co. Ltd., and Randenigala Distilleries Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. were all temporarily suspended due to non-payment of taxes.
Colombo (LNW): Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana is anticipated to disclose the Privilege Committee’s ruling regarding State Minister Diana Gamage and fellow MPs in relation to the recent altercation this (30) morning.
The committee, which investigated the physical altercation involving Gamage, along with Opposition MPs Rohana Bandara and Sujith Sanjaya Perera, within the Parliament lobby, has submitted its findings to the Speaker for announcement.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has made a substantial contribution of Rs. 7 billion to the Treasury this year, as Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara formally presented a Rs.4 billion cheque to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday afternoon (29).
Given the current economic conditions in the country, this significant amount has been allocated from the operating surplus received by the Foreign Employment Bureau. The funds are earmarked for critical activities, including the procurement of essential medicines and the disbursement of government employee salaries.
Of the Rs. 7 billion, a noteworthy sum of Rs.33 billion was directly handed over to the President earlier this year. Additionally, an extra allocation of Rs. 100 million was designated for Apeksha Hospital Maharagama for medicine procurement.
While the Foreign Employment Bureau has previously contributed substantial amounts, with Rs. 3,382 million being one such instance, this Rs. 7 billion contribution represents a remarkable milestone, marking the Bureau’s highest annual contribution within a single year to date.
The occasion was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment R. P. Wimalaweera, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Hilmi Aziz, and a delegation of senior officials.
Following this, a comprehensive review of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment’s progress in 2023 was conducted. Minister Manusha Nanayakkara briefed the President on key ongoing initiatives, including the “Garu Saru” programme aimed at dignifying individuals in the informal sector in Sri Lanka with a focus on social security programmes. The Minister also highlighted efforts to integrate these individuals into the labour market’s information system.
In addressing challenges associated with the professional guidance activities under the smart club programme of Expatriate Workers’ Associations and the implementation of a licensing system for the import of electric cars, Minister Nanayakkara aimed to enhance the inflow of foreign remittances into Sri Lanka.
The Minister shared achievements, such as receiving US$ 7.5 billion in remittances over the past 18 months, and updated the President on initiatives like the introduction of a pension system for expatriate workers and the establishment of a dedicated terminal for departing workers at the airport.
President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the pivotal role of expatriate workers’ remittances as a primary source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. He commended the proactive programme of the Ministry, led by Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, and praised the efforts to reform labour laws through the introduction of the new Employment Security Act.
