Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka needs to enact new regulations rather than depending on outdated ones to overcome the current crisis, said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, addressing the Sankantha Mandapaya event held at Temple Trees on October 07, 2023, in commemoration of World Cotton Day.

Speaking on this occasion The Prime Minister stated;

“World Cotton Day is a special day declared by the United Nations. It is declared as a special day because it is useful for the people of the world. We dedicate ourselves to make this day meaningful for the cotton industry.

In every district all over the country, we encounter with thousands of acres of uncultivated lands belonging to the government. There is a possibility of using these lands for a useful purpose like cotton cultivation. We are ready to extend our support and commitment in this regard.

By expanding cotton cultivation through a continuous national program, the income of the rural people can be increased and foreign exchange of the country can be saved. I appreciate the attempts of the private sector for that. Farmers and entrepreneurs need confidence to engage in this kind of cultivation. It is necessary to cooperate with our universities and other research institutes to expand this industry.

An innovative system should be introduced to cultivate cotton in small gardens as an additional income. It has been almost a hundred years have elapsed since we started creating agriculture colonies with the belief that we have the ability to raise our heads through agriculture. In those colonies, there is the possibility of cultivating on every piece of land. People need to be directed to that. We are ready to have discussions on this matter with relevant institutions.

Imported weaving machinery was available in certain buildings . Some were gifted to our country. These resources should be given to universities or entrepreneurs to focus on achieving goals. We must undergo such a change if we want to recover from the crisis. It’s necessary to enact new rules instead of relying on old rules. Countries such as the United Kingdom, U.S.A, India, China, and Egypt are still engaged in cotton production.

We have to explain to the people about the production of seeds and the many benefits that can be achieved by seeds. By opening the doors of working generation of villages with universities, the children can be trained and those who leave the university will be benefited to the nation in the future. We also import pieces of gauze from abroad.

Life index has decreased. But the prices of goods are not cheap. Even if the farmers produce surplus, the price is determined by the purchasing power of the people. Farmers need a satisfactory purchase price. An agreement should be existed between the private sector and the government sector on the prices.

Minister Douglas Devananda, State Ministers Sita Arambepola, Ashoka Priyantha, Vijitha Berugoda, Kader Mastan, MPs Jagath Samarawickrama, Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretaries to the Ministries, University Vice Chancellors, heads of government and non-government institutions, young entrepreneurs, farmers were present on this occasion.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Internet freedom in Sri Lanka improved slightly and remained categorised as “partly free” with its score gaining to 52 out of 100 from 48 last year as per The Freedom House “Freedom on the Net 2023.”

Sri Lanka’s score on ‘Obstacle to access’ was 12 out 25; ‘Limits on content’ was 22/35 and ‘Violations of user rights’ – 18/40.

Improvement was a result of the lack of blocks on social media platforms during the coverage period. Improvements in internet penetration and a drop in cyberattacks also contributed to the increase in the score.

However, proposed legislation for the Broadcasting Regulatory Act, the Antiterrorism Act and Anti-Corruption Bill raised concerns as they could potentially undermine online freedom of expression and privacy in the future.

Despite these continued restrictions, Sri Lankans continued to engage in digital activism around a range of issues.

In addition, the Sri Lanka report notes that the Government continued to detain, arrest and intimidate those connected with the Aragalaya protests for their online posts – using existing legislation including the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the ICCPR.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe imposed emergency regulations in July 2022 that sought to curb dissent by barring the spread of purportedly false information, including online.

The report said global internet freedom declined for the 13th consecutive year. Digital repression intensified in Iran, home to this year’s worst decline, as authorities shut down internet service, blocked WhatsApp and Instagram, and increased surveillance in a bid to quell anti-Government protests.

In a record 55 of the 70 countries covered by Freedom on the Net, people faced legal repercussions for expressing themselves online, while people were physically assaulted or killed for their online commentary in 41 countries.

At least 47 Governments deployed commentators to manipulate online discussions in their favour during the coverage period, double the number from a decade ago.

Meanwhile, AI-based tools that can generate text, audio, and imagery have quickly grown more sophisticated, accessible, and easy to use, spurring a concerning escalation of these disinformation tactics.

Over the past year, the new technology was utilised in at least 16 countries to sow doubt, smear opponents, or influence public debate. The report emphasised protection of internet freedom, democracy’s supporters must adapt the lessons learned from past internet governance challenges and apply them to AI.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka and Transparency International Sri Lanka were allowed to intervene in a petition filed by the Centre for Environment Justice in the Supreme Court over the X-Press Pearl Disaster.

The matter was taken up in the Supreme Court before Justices Murdu Fernando, Yasantha Kodhagoda, Shiran Gunarathne, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando.

The Attorney General’s Department strongly objected to allowing Transparency International to intervene in the petition filed over the X-Press Pearl Disaster.

The Supreme Court after considering the totality of the circumstances of the case and the submissions made by the counsel representing the Bar Association, Transparency International and the Attorney General’s Department, issued an order to allow both the BASL & TISL to intervene in the matter.

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) and others seeking an order from the authorities to conduct a formal inquiry into the manner in which the X-Press Pearl Vessel entered Sri Lankan waters.

The petitioners allege that X-press Pearl vessel had recently entered Sri Lankan waters which caught fire, and spilled a large amount of chemicals to the sea.

As a result, the sea water, the beach was heavily polluted and the sea creatures were also harmed, the petition said.

The petition also points out that due to the great environmental damage caused, the fishing community has lost their livelihood.The Petitioners allege that no formal investigation has been conducted into the burning of the X-press Pearl.

The petition also seeks an order directing the authorities to pay compensation to the people who lost their livelihood due to the damage caused by the burning of the ship and the chemicals in it into the sea. The petition seeks an immediate inquiry into the manner in which the ship entered Sri Lankan waters.

The petitioners also request the court to direct the authorities to set up a proper mechanism to prevent such accidents in Sri Lankan waters or beyond.

“Sri Lanka Treasury has received $890,000 and 16 million Sri Lankan rupees (around $49,200 dollars) as interim payment for costs incurred by the Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and for the affected fisherfolks.

Since the disaster happened, Sri Lanka has received payments totaling $7.85 million. Its government received the first payment of $3.6 million in July 2021. Another $1.75 million followed in January 2022, and a third payment of $2.5 million remitted in September.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s one of the major revenue collection authorities, the excise department is now under pressure of the Finance Ministry over the dorm in tax income owing to official inefficiency irregularities and corruption of the state entity in tax collection.   

Finance Ministry secretary Mahinda Siriwardena has brought this matter and the urgency in meeting the revenue target to the notice of the excise commissioner general at a meeting with high officials recently.   

Excise tax on alcohol and cigarettes has for long been a cornerstone of Government revenue, but the Treasury is now incurring colossal losses due to increase in tax evasion at a time income has become an urgent need.

Under this circumstance the treasury secretary has reprimanded the head of the excise department for the current poor performance requesting an explanation report on the failure to achieve annual revenue target.    

The excise department is still to submit this report to the treasury as its urgent on the eve of the preparation of the 2024 budget, informed sources said.  

The income of the department has come down drastically due to high taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages which resulted in price hike and drop in demands, officials of the department complained.

But the actual reason behind the loss of income due to the failure of excise officers to collect taxes allowing manufacturers and dealers to continue tax dogging via irregularities and corrupt practices, National Economic and Physical Planning, sectoral committee report highlighted.

The government has set ambitious revenue targets, including Rs. 3101 billion from the Inland Revenue Department, Rs. 1217 billion from Sri Lanka Customs, and Rs. 217 billion from the Excise Department.

Unfortunately, the current figures fall short of these expectations, with the Inland Revenue Department collecting Rs. 956 billion, Sri Lanka Customs contributing Rs. 578 billion and the Excise Department generating Rs. 109 billion, totalling only Rs. 1643 billion.

It is apparent that reaching the government’s revenue target is a challenging task. To address this, a committee has thoroughly examined the possibility of attaining the government’s revenue goal.

The committee has invited the Inland Revenue Department, Customs and Excise Department, which are the primary contributors to government revenue, to discuss strategies for proper tax collection.

Had these institutions implemented effective tax collection plans in 2022, they might have achieved the targeted income.

Excise department is  losing tax revenue of Rs.60 billion annually as a result of irregularities, malpractices and inefficiency of the excise department, National Economic and Physical Planning, sectoral committee report revealed.

The department has collected Rs 109 billion during the first eight months of this year,  the target of Rs 217 billion in 2023.       

The annual production of liquor manufacturers is in the region of 540-600 million bottles per year but 40 percent of it is entering into the market  evading  taxes despite the introduction of security sticker system in 2018.

There was a risk of breaking the stone embankment which was built under the project ‘Nilwala’ in the Matara Atthudawa area to prevent floods in the city of Matara, due to the bad weather conditions affecting the island.

Therefore a constant operation was launched with the participation of more than 100 soldiers from the 61st Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army yesterday (Oct 06) from last night until this morning, to fortify the embankment.

More than 2500 families are currently displaced in the Matara district in the areas of Malimbada, Akurassa, Kamburupitiya, Thihagoda, Atthuduwa, Matara Fort and Gal Bamma and the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and disaster relief teams are working to provide immediate assistance to them under the supervision of Army Commander.

The Sri Lanka Army has established four food processing centres at Malimbada, Akurassa, Thihagoda and Matara Fort to provide food and water to the displaced people, which has been the main challenge in the disaster relief process and Army WMZ armoured vehicles, Unicorn APCs and heavy vehicles are being used to distribute food and drink to people in flooded areas.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka Army medical teams have been prepared to provide necessary support to every regional secretariat with disaster risk in Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts and 2 army battalions of over 500 soldiers have been assigned to Matara and Galle districts.

Additional 58 Division and Gemunu watch have been prepared for disaster relief operations in Kalutara district and 3 WMZ vehicles and 6 motor boats belonging to the Sri Lanka Army have been prepared for deployment when necessary.

Also arrangements have been made to call the diving teams of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces and Commandos for the operations at a short notice.

Residents along other rivers in the southern province including the rivers such as Kalu, Nilwala and Ging are informed to be aware of flash floods or flood situations.

Under the leadership of the 61st Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army, disaster relief operations will be launched in conjunction with the Regional Secretariat Divisions of the Southern Province and other responsible government agencies, and if necessary, the soldiers of the 58th Brigade have also been prepared for deployment. Also, naval troops and boats as well as air force troops have been prepared for deployment if necessary.

HE the President Ranil Wickramasinghe, the Presidential Adviser on National Security, Sagala Rathnayake, the State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne along with the Chief of the Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva regularly render necessary instructions to the Army Commanders and the heads of the local government bodies.

These relief planning activities are ongoing under their full supervision.

Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has instructed the removal of trees near depots and bus stops that pose a potential falling hazard.

The decision was made in light of a recent event where a tree fell onto a bus in Colpetty, SLTB Chairman Lalith de Alwis said.

All depots have been directed not to operate buses in flood-prone areas unless they adhere to guidelines provided by the Sri Lanka Police and Disaster Management Units, he added.

1. President’s Office expresses concerns about Catholic newspaper “Gnanartha Pradeepaya” report of 8th October’23 which called for an “international investigation” into the Easter attacks: says Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has handed over the comprehensive Presidential Commission Report on the Easter attacks, consisting of 88 volumes and 48,909 pages, to the Church.
   
2. Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal gives evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee: tables evidence which shows the Govt was on the verge of receiving a cash loan of USD 1.0 bn plus a trade facility of USD 1.5 bn from China, in addition to a USD 2.0 bn facility from India, at the time the SL authorities hastily announced bankruptcy on 12th April’22: refers to the announcement of bankruptcy as an “act of conspiracy” to subjugate the country once again to certain foreign powers.
   
3. State Minister of Technology Kanaka Herath says the new motor vehicle revenue licence system (eRL2.0) which eases the process of obtaining or renewing revenue licences, is set to come into effect from 7th October: also says measures are underway to digitise the payment systems of all state institutions by 31 March’24.
   
4. Central Bank data shows that “Hot-money” invested in SL T-Bills & Bonds is continuing to exit from SL and that USD 16 mn has exit in the week ending 6th October’23: Official Reserves continue to fall, & reaches USD 3.5 bn by end-September’23 from USD 3.8 bn at end-July’23: CB continues to sell Forex in the market to “defend” the LKR.
   
5. Colombo Municipal Council Commissioner Badhrani Jayawardena says a discussion with “tree experts” will be held on Monday to take expedited action regarding dangerous trees which are older than 30 to 35 years, in the Colombo city.
   
6. Education Minister Dr Susil Premajayanth says a Rs.3,000 voucher will be granted to 800,000 school students with economic difficulties, within a 3 week period.
   
7. Central Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit Additional Director Dr Subhani Keerthiratne says SL runs the risk of being designated as a “greylisted/blacklisted” country, if it fails to implement all the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, before March 2025: warns that most countries treat “greylisted” countries as of “high risk” and blacklist them, leading to many banks not dealing with such country’s customers & institutions.
   
8. SL Assn of Professional Conference, Exhibition & Event Organisers President Imran Hassan says Sri Lanka’s Meetings, Incentive travel, Conference & Exhibition (MICE) market is taking a hit from the price controls on hotel rooms in Colombo.
   
9. Supreme Court allows the Bar Association & Transparency International to intervene in a Petition filed by the Centre for Environment Justice in the the X-Press Pearl Disaster.
   
10. South Africa beat SL by 102 runs in SL’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Opening match: South Africa – 428/5 (50): Madushanka – 86/2: SL – 326 all out (44.5): Asalanka – 79, Kusal Mendis – 76.