PMD: In a significant development, Sri Lanka’s aviation sector has reported a substantial profit of Rs. 22 billion in the period spanning from January to August 2023, said Minister of Port, Shipping and Aviation Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, during a news briefing held at the President Media Centre (PMC) Oct (09) focusing on the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’.

The Minister highlighted that approximately Rs. 10 billion from this profit has already been contributed to Treasury, providing a much-needed boost to the country’s finances.

He further said that efforts are underway to restructure Sri Lankan Airlines, the national carrier, with a focus on improving its operations and financial performance. Importantly, the government is committed to ensuring the job security of the approximately 6000 employees of the airline during this restructuring process. To facilitate this, an international consultant has been appointed. This consultant is expected to bring expertise and best practices to guide the restructuring efforts.

The Minister highlighted the success of operations at Palali International Airport, emphasizing that the airport has completed 200 flights. This achievement underscores the airport’s increasing significance and efficiency in handling air travel.

The Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the aviation sector in the past, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced tourist arrivals, and a dollar crisis that affected fuel supply for airplanes. He mentioned that, at one point, fuel for airplanes had to be procured by sending aircraft to Madras to obtain the necessary fuel.

To address these challenges, the Minister of Petroleum and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva intervened and facilitated the import of aviation fuel by the private sector, ensuring a stable supply of fuel for airplanes. Additionally, modern technology was employed to develop Bandaranaike International Airport, earning it recognition as a prominent airport in Southeast Asia.

Efforts were made to increase the frequency of flights by different airlines operating in Sri Lanka. This likely contributes to improved connectivity and accessibility for travellers.

These developments in the Sri Lankan aviation sector signify a positive turn in its financial performance, reflecting resilience in overcoming challenges. The government’s interventions, such as facilitating fuel supply and enhancing airport infrastructure, have contributed to this success. Increased profitability in the aviation sector is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s overall economic stability.

Among the key points highlighted by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva:

“In accordance with the report, Emirates Airlines currently operates 28 flights per week, China Eastern Air operates 05 flights weekly, Etihad offers 06 flights, Qatar Airways provides an impressive 35 weekly flights, Air Arabia manages 11 flights, Air India operates 17 flights, and Jazeera Air conducts 04 flights per week. Furthermore, several other airlines have expressed their commitment to commence operations in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that the operations at Palali International Airport continue to demonstrate remarkable success. Specifically, the flight operations between Madras and Palali, which are scheduled three times a week, have already completed a total of 200 flights, underscoring the airport’s increasing prominence and efficiency.”

The Minister pointed out that Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake once a scarcely frequented facility, has now evolved into a bustling aviation hub. Notably, in the month of August, it catered to the needs of over 650,000 passengers. This surge in passenger traffic has contributed significantly to its financial prosperity. In the first eight months of this year alone, the airport has managed to generate a substantial profit of Rs. 22 billion through its aviation services. A commendable portion of this profit, amounting to Rs. 10 billion, has been allocated to the national treasury.

In parallel, a strategic initiative is currently underway to attract potential investors to the Mattala Airport. Furthermore, measures have been put in place to actively mitigate the airport’s operational losses, thereby ensuring its long-term sustainability and financial health.”

“The Cabinet has recently granted approval for a comprehensive restructuring plan for SriLankan Airlines. Following the submission of this proposal to the Treasury, constructive discussions have taken place in collaboration with the World Bank. In an effort to ensure transparency in the restructuring process, it was recommended to enlist the assistance of an international consultant. Consequently, a qualified consultant has been appointed, and crucial steps are actively being taken to expedite the restructuring of SriLankan Airlines. If progress aligns with the planned timeline, the anticipated benefits should be realized by February of the forthcoming year.

It is essential to note that the airline presently does not own any aircraft; instead, all available aircraft are leased. Acquiring new aircraft is not an immediate process and generally involves a waiting period of approximately one year post-order. Due to the absence of A330 aircraft in the current fleet, the airline faces limitations in offering services to destinations such as England, France, and Australia. The existing fleet primarily comprises A320 aircraft, which are unsuitable for long-haul or remote operations. Thus, the restructuring of the airline is imperative to address these challenges effectively.

Recent operational setbacks have resulted in substantial losses amounting to approximately $6 billion. While unions have attributed these delays to technical faults in the aircraft, it’s important to emphasize that pilots must possess certification from a qualified aeronautical engineer before they can undertake flight operations. Moreover, a noteworthy contrast exists in the monthly flight hours flown by our pilots compared to those from other airlines. The majority of our pilots have averaged only 63 flight hours per month, whereas their counterparts in other airlines often accumulate a hundred flight hours. In light of this, a plea is made to our aviation professionals to demonstrate unwavering commitment to institutional success, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability.

It’s worth mentioning that pilots in our employment receive a monthly salary of four million rupees (40 lakhs). While there have been demands for higher salaries, citing comparisons with the remuneration packages offered by global aviation giants, it is essential to recognize that substantial salary increments may not be feasible in the current circumstances.

Furthermore, Tata’s acquisition of Air India, which includes orders for 250 Boeing 777 aircraft, presents opportunities for collaboration. These collaborations, possibly with regional airlines, offer the potential to secure the future prospects and rights of the 6000th employee of the Sri Lankan company, thereby fortifying the industry’s position.”

Colombo (LNW): Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, confirmed Malaysia’s support for Sri Lanka’s bid to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

This was during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees, Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s inclusion in RCEP would enhance its economic ties with the larger South East Asian community, the Sri Lankan Premier pointed out. Minister Zambry Abd Kadir reciprocated by acknowledging the importance of Sri Lanka in their region and ensured unwavering support.

Gunawardena also expressed his commitment to the ASEAN vision for the Indo-Pacific, promising to actively further this economic viewpoint.

The dialogue between the leaders revolved around enhancing bilateral ties, specifically focusing on the potential for expanded trade and investment cooperation within frameworks like the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister invited Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka’s growing sectors, such as hospitality, education, and pharmaceuticals, acknowledging Malaysia’s position as one of the island nation’s top investment partners in recent years.

The Prime Minister appreciated Malaysia for assisting Sri Lanka during last year’s economic hardship. Referring to the strong historical connections and closeness between the two nations, Minister Zambry Abd Kadir conveyed his government’s eagerness to fortify economic and trade relations.

High-level Malaysian delegation included Under Secretary Generals Dato Syed Mohamed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman and Ahmed Kamrizamil Reza and High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam.

State Minister Suren Raghavan, MP Yadamini Gunawardena and Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake also attended the meeting.

Colombo (LNW): The initiation of the rapid passenger ferry service connecting Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka has been delayed due unspecified reasons, The Hindu reported.

Syed Zuhair, Director of K.P.V Shaik Mohamed Rowther & Co Private Limited, the agency handling ticket sales for the ferry, said the service was originally set to begin on October 10.

While the exact reasons for the postponement are not stated, it is anticipated that the service will likely commence on October 12.

Previous report:

The recent raids by the Delhi Police on 46 houses of journalists connected with the Indian news portal NewsClick is shocking. More unsettling is the arrest of Prabir Purkayastha, its Editor-in-Chief, and Amith Chakravorty, its Head of Human Resources, on the pretext of investigating them for a “terror case with Chinese links”. The Indian media has reported that the police has blatantly disregarded the legally sanctioned procedures in arresting the senior journalist and his colleague.  The authorities are yet to make known any material on the website with links to any “terrorist activity” or “Chinese propaganda”.

We join the progressive media, civil society organisations and activists in India to condemn in no uncertain terms this brazen attack by the government on the free media. Harassment and intimidation of the independent media by the misuse of the police and state agencies for narrow political gains is part of a growing trend in a country claimed to be the ‘Mother of Democracy.’ Many commentators have likened this trend to the stifling times of the Emergency in India during the 1970s, although a State of Emergency has not been formally declared now.

The growing assault on free expression and democratic rights in South Asia is no longer a country-specific development. Neither is it confined to specific nation states. It is a regional phenomenon, signalling a new phase of democratic backsliding in South Asia. In recent weeks, journalists in Bangladesh have been subjected to enormous pressure, by way of judicial harassment, police violence, online harassment, attacks at reporting assignments, and intimidation of journalists’ families. We particularly take note of the recent jailing of Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddian Elan, two leading human rights campaigners atatched Odhikar, Bangladesh.  In Sri Lanka, the government has tabled and is threatening to pass what it calls an ‘Online Safety Bill’, a legislation that provides a draconian legal framework to potentially stifle dissent and free expression. Such moves have a chilling effect on journalists and rights defenders, inhibiting them from speaking truth to power.

The latest developments in India and Sri Lanka ring an alarm bell for all of us in South Asia who care about preserving our democratic rights and freedoms.  In their decided attempts to target journalists, or to harass or silence other dissenting voices, our governments have begun to employ the new tactic of  portraying journalists and citizen-activists who dare to expose the misdeeds of those in power as “anti-national” and threats to national security. By denying the citizens the democratic space for critical questioning, dissent and debate, and deploying the coercive power of the state in full force against the media and the media professionals, our governments seem to show how impatient they are to drag our countries into a new phase of authoritarian decay. This indeed is bad political news for the whole of South Asia.

Therefore, struggles for media freedom in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or elsewhere in the region is to be viewed as integral to the struggle for democracy in South Asia as a whole. Amid the heightening attacks on free media and the right to free expression, we must respond collectively as South Asians.  We must resist tyranny in all forms, and fight to restore and strengthen our fundamental rights and democratic freedoms. We must resolve to look out for each other, assert our rights, and defend our freedoms within and beyond our individual nation-states.

We demand the immediate release of Prabir Purkayastha and Amith Chakravorty. We condemn the actions by governments in South Asia designed to silence the critical and independent media by using the stringent national security legislation. We also urge all the South Asians concerned with media freedom, human rights and rule of law to work together to defend democracy in the region through solidarity and joint action beyond national boundaries.

PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has initiated the appointment of a board of directors for the Sri Lanka Personal Data Protection Authority, established with the primary objective of safeguarding personal data within the nation.

In a significant milestone for data protection in South Asia, Sri Lanka’s Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022 (‘PDPA’) has been making strides toward full implementation. The act, certified by the Speaker on March 19, 2022, aims to safeguard personal data held by various entities, including government bodies, banks, telecom operators and hospitals.

This legislation, the first of its kind in South Asia, was developed through a transparent process, with draft versions made available for public comment since June 2019. The PDPA is set to be implemented in phases, with Part V brought into operation through a gazette notification on July 21, 2023. This crucial step allowed the government to appoint the Board of Directors, comprising seven individuals with expertise in engineering, accounting/finance, law and regulatory affairs.

Leading the Board of Directors is Arjuna Herath, a Senior Chartered Accountant and former Consulting Leader of Ernst & Young in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Other notable members include Attorney-at-Law and Former State Counsel Nisith Abeysooriya, President’s Counsel Saumya Amarasekera, Digital Law Expert & Chair of the PDPA drafting Committee Jayantha Fernando, Additional Secretary to the President Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardana, ISO Lead Auditor and Technology Management specialist Bimsara Seneviratne and Electronics Engineer and Digital Strategy specialist Shehan Wijetilaka.

The PDPA assumes paramount importance in light of the government and private sector’s digital strategies, along with global privacy law developments. It is expected to attract investment and promote the digital economy, aligning with the National Digital Strategy and the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) project.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the need for data protection in his November 2022 Budget Speech, promising the establishment of the Data Protection Authority in 2023. This independent regulator will collaborate with various sectoral regulators to ensure the proper governance of personal data.

Currently, the Board of Directors is in the deliberation and planning phase for the creation of the Data Protection Authority. The first step involves recommending the operation of Part VIII (Fund of the Authority) and Part IX of the Act to design the organizational framework, recruitment procedures and roles of key officers, including the Director General.

To meet the Act’s enforcement deadline of March 19, 2025, the Authority plans to formulate policy frameworks and regulations. It will hold public consultations and engage with advisory committees representing key sectors of the economy and other stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and effective data protection measures.

The Authority is set to commence public consultations and awareness campaigns once it has the necessary capacity, a process expected to take several months. Sri Lanka is on its way to establishing a robust framework for personal data protection in the digital age, making strides toward safeguarding citizens’ privacy and promoting trust in the digital ecosystem.

Colombo (LNW): Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today (09) announced the government’s decision to remove all import bans effective from today, with the exception of restrictions on vehicle imports.

These stringent import measures were initially implemented in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic ramifications.

While the government of Sri Lanka started to progressively relax these restrictions on various goods since November 2022, the ban on vehicle imports remains in place.