Colombo (LNW): State-run LP gas provider LITRO Gas Lanka and its private competitor LAUGFS Gas PLC have increased the prices of domestic LP gas cylinders, effective from midnight yesterday (04).
Revised Litro Gas prices;
12.5 kg cylinder price increased by Rs 343; new price Rs. 3,470
5 kg cylinder price increased by Rs. 137; new price Rs. 1,393
2.3 kg cylinder price increased by Rs. 63; new price Rs. 650
Revised Laugfs Gas prices;
12.5 kg cylinder price increased by Rs. 150; new price Rs. 3,985
5 kg cylinder price increased by Rs. 60; new price Rs. 1,595
Colombo (LNW): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has circulated a notice directed at Attorneys-at-Law and Notaries Public, emphasising the appointment of a compliance officer for their respective business practices.
This directive is in compliance with the Section 33 of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No 06 of 2006, pertaining to certain business operations.
CBSL has further cautioned that non-adherence to the stipulations within the FTRA could result in administrative penalties.
In the heart of Australia, where the ancient song lines of the First Nations People echo through the red earth, a pivotal moment awaits us. On 14th October, we stand at the crossroads of history, poised to make a choice that resonates with the spirit of true democracy and equality.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart: A Cry for Recognition
It was a heartfelt plea, echoing from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, where the First Nations People sought not power, but a voice – a voice that would allow them to share their wisdom, their struggles, and their dreams. This is not about granting excessive power; it’s about recognising the inherent right of every Australian, regardless of their background, to shape the policies that shape their lives.
Why Say YES to the Indigenous Voice?
1. Empowering Communities, Enriching Lives
Imagine a future where the policies affecting the First Nations People are not dictated from a distance but are born from dialogue and understanding. Saying YES means acknowledging that every life in our diverse tapestry matters, and every voice deserves to be heard.
2. Better Policies, Wiser Choices
When we lend an ear to those most affected, policies become more nuanced, empathetic, and effective. By saying YES, we are saying yes to a brighter, more equitable future for all Australians.
3. Financial Wisdom, Responsible Governance
A YES vote is a vote for fiscal responsibility. By listening to the First Nations People, we ensure that taxpayer funds are spent wisely, channelled into programs and initiatives that yield real results.
4. Bridging Gaps, Building Bridges
Our journey to bridge the gap begins with understanding. The Indigenous Voice is a conduit for ideas, innovations, and practical solutions that can elevate Indigenous health, education, employment, and housing. It’s a step toward unity, progress, and shared prosperity.
5. Embracing Diversity, Embodying Inclusivity
The Voice embraces the rich tapestry of First Nations Peoples, incorporating the wisdom of women, the vitality of youth, and the resilience of the differently abled. It’s a celebration of diversity, ensuring that no voice is left unheard.
6. A Legacy of Engagement, A Future of Accountability
The Voice is not a whimsical proposal but the culmination of more than a decade of engagement. It’s a testament to careful planning, legal expertise, and the genuine desire for justice. By voting YES, we honour this legacy and ensure accountability in representation.
7. A Step Towards Truth and Treaty
By supporting the Indigenous Voice, we are not just voting for a present reality; we are paving the way for a future of reconciliation, truth, and treaty. It’s a powerful step toward healing the wounds of the past, fostering unity, and creating a stronger Australia for all.
Let the Heartbeat of 65,000 Years Guide Us!
For 65,000 years, the First Nations People have woven their stories into this land. For 250 years, we have not genuinely listened. Now, as we approach this momentous choice, let the heartbeat of Australia guide us. Let’s acknowledge the past, embrace the present, and shape a future where every Australian voice finds resonance.
The question asked from us is:
A proposed law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?
Vote YES for the VOICE!
Together, let’s create a harmonious chorus, echoing the voices of the First Nations People. By saying YES, we aren’t just voting for a Voice; we’re voting for empathy, justice, and a brighter tomorrow for all Australians.
Colombo (LNW): Green economic recovery is a top priority for the European Union (EU) in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the EU said in a statement today.
The EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives launched its campaign “Let’s Go Green” which will continue until 10th November 2023 in the run up to the COP28 Summit.
The campaign aims to create awareness and advocate for responsible green behaviour around plastic usage, waste reduction and energy saving among consumers.
The campaign will include a series of competitions and awareness activities primarily aimed at school and university students encouraging them to debate and invent their own solutions to current issues around Sri Lanka’s environmental challenges.
The campaign also hopes to encourage green behaviour among businesses, bringing stakeholders from the private sector together to shed light on the importance of adopting circular business practices and integrating holistic solutions to reduce waste.
Green economic recovery is a top priory for the EU in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with several projects implemented in both countries to support sustainable tourism, marine conservation and biodiversity protection.
These initiatives are carried out in the context of the European Green Deal which is a set of policy initiatives by the European Union with the overarching aim of making the planet greener.
The European Commission has suggested that the current GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) scheme be extended by 04 years, amidst the ongoing negotiations for the EU’s new GSP+ arrangement.
Taking to Twitter, the Delegation of European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka has mentioned that as one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners with nearly EUR 3.2 billion worth of Sri Lankan exports to the European Union in 2022 alone, it recognises the importance of GSP+ scheme for Sri Lankan exporters.
Accordingly, the European Commission has proposed a 4-year extension to the current scheme to be in effect until 31 Dec 2027.
“As negotiations for our new GSP+ arrangement are still ongoing between the EU’s co-legislators, the European Commission has proposed a 4-year extension to the current scheme until 31 Dec 2027 so that countries like Sri Lanka don’t lose their preferential access in the interim”, the EU delegation tweeted.
Furthermore, the EU delegation noted that for Sri Lanka, the GSP+ extension proposal means that, for now, nothing changes, and that it will provide the same access to European Union’s market and the same obligation to comply with the 27 international conventions, which are key to ensuring that the country’s economic recovery is “not just fast, but also fair, just, and green.”
Colombo (LNW): The World Bank yesterday reiterated that a higher and more efficient revenue mobilisation is fundamental for Sri Lanka’s sustainable fiscal path.
The multilateral donor releasing its latest “The Sri Lanka Development Update, Mobilising Tax Revenue for a Better Future,” stressed that improved revenue mobilisation is critical to Sri Lanka’s return to macroeconomic stability.
The country has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world. By 2022, the tax system was characterised by low, multiple, and frequently changing rates, a narrow and shrinking base, a high tax burden on labour rather than capital incomes, an over-reliance on indirect taxes, and a weak administration with poor compliance outcomes.
These features have made the system complex, inefficient and inequitable.A Government-led tax reform package has been under implementation since May 2022.
This includes the introduction of new taxes, a wide range of adjustments to the tax rates and bases, and an intention to improve the efficiency of tax collection and increase compliance.
The World Bank also said Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2024 after contracting by 3.8% in 2023 signalling that the outlook is clouded with uncertainty and that growth prospects depend on progress with debt restructuring and the implementation of critical structural reforms.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s first cable car project, which has been stuck in a regulatory dilemma since 2021 is facing a stumbling block again in receiving regulatory approval from the Forest Department to break ground.
The proposed cable car line from Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya has been halted as a certain Forest Department official was refusing to grant permission to release 150 perches on the Kikiliyamana Mountain without any reason, a government MP revealed.
Parliamentarian Madura Vithanage said that the project is unable saidSAID to be implemented due to this reason even though two Cabinet papers have been presented on the matter in 2018 and 2021.
The MP disclosed that the particular Forest Department official has continued to refuse permission to release the required plot of land citing that it is a highly sensitive zone.
“I have noticed that telephone towers have been set up in the mountain after clearing a vast area of the forest cover,” he said.
He said he studied the project report of the company and realised that the project had been prepared properly so as to protect the environment as well.
He said the project is an investment of USD 55 million and that halting such investments is a huge loss to the country
Sri Lanka’s first cable car project received the necessary approvals from the Forest Department to proceed, following the personal intervention of President Ranil Wickremasinghe in May 2023.
It has now been blocked again by a forest department official taking law on to his hands MP Madura Vithana complained.
The project, which is an initiative of Outdoor Engineering Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., was announced in December 2021 and facilitated by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
This cable car project was allotted land in Nuwara Eliya on a 30-year leasehold basis and will involve a total capital investment of € 55 million to construct a 4 km-long cable car line connecting Nanu Oya and the Nuwara Eliya town.
According to the MoU signed between Outdoor Engineering Lanka and the SLTDA on 9 December 2021, the project will be implemented on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model basis and upon the expiration of the lease, it will be transferred to the Government.
According to Withanage, this project, which was supposed to be completed in 18 months, has been delayed due to the intervention of certain public officers based on their own political ideologies.
“This investor brought this cable car investment project to both Sri Lanka and Thailand at the same time back in 2019.
This cable car project is already operational in Thailand, but it is yet to break ground in Sri Lanka due to the meddlesome intervention of certain individual officers of Government departments such as the Forest Department.
“Sri Lanka has and will continue to struggle to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) because of this kind of careless behaviour of certain public officers who are motivated by certain political ideologies.
This cable car project was held up for so long because of the intervention of the same lady officer of the Forest Department who obstructed the highway project,” he charged.
Colombo (LNW): The government has reportedly resolved to firmly enforce the guidelines outlined in the gazette notification, declaring public transport, inlcuding the railway service, as a vital service.
This particular notification was released on September 12th by the President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, and has a validity of one month.
As per the gazette’s terms, the government has made it clear that railway workers who abstain from duty, whether through strikes or other means, will be considered as having vacated their positions.
Colombo (LNW): The International Gem and Jewellery Exchange at the Colombo Fort City Centre is to be upgraded from its current poor performance with Chinese public- private sector assistance State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama disclosed.
State Minister Amunugama’s recent visit to China has resulted in the due attention of the major players in the Chinese business fraternity including the gem and jewellery sector.
The CZK Harui Economy and Trade Development (Beijing) Ltd., held initial discussions during the Minister’s visit to China and within a few weeks the representatives of the company visited Colombo to meet BOI officials.
During the meeting, the representative of the company came up with a proposal for the. International Gem and Jewellery Exchange at the Colombo Fort City Centre further improve its activities to earn much needed foreign exchange.
Minister Dilum Amunugama emphasised that this immediate response is not only business opportunities offered by Sri Lanka government but also the solidarity between the two countries maintained for so many years and shows sincere concern for the Chinese Government’s support of Sri Lanka.
The International Gem and Jewellery Centre not only serves the gem and jewellery sector but it will bring more business travellers to the country, and directly impact the tourism sector as well, the minister further added.
Sri Lanka is one of the meccas of gemology. Few sources, especially among active localities, can match its rich history as a gem producer and trade center.
As Sri Lanka takes its place in today’s gem and jewelry industry, the gemologist can observe a combination of traditional methods and modern technologies as well as new business strategies for a highly competitive market.
The representative of the CZK Harui Economy and Trade Development (Beijing) Company Ltd., seeks further investment opportunities in sectors such as new renewable energy projects in solar power generation and storage with the idea of introducing a new brand solar taxi system to Sri Lanka.
It will provide technology transfer for training and developing the Sri Lankan youth in solar power project implementation and maintenance
The company also agreed to provide further communication opportunities to develop a strategic partnership, instituted under the Ministry of Investment Promotion by providing necessary inputs.
Sri Lanka e-commerce Matrix Pavilion will be provided with a captured company database for branding Sri Lanka as a new emerging business destination to the Chinese investors amidst expected new investment laws and business ecosystem.
With reference to: firstly, the interview given by Prof. Emeritus M. Subramaniam, former Indian Naval Marine Commando to a media in Colombo on 13 Sep 2015; secondly, my article on 24 February 2023 titled ‘Pirabaharan is alive – claims and the South’s memory loss’; and thirdly, a response by former President Maithiripala Sirisena during his visit to Jaffna, I am compelled to put forward a challenge to those concerning the matter given below.
Last July, when the former president Maithripala Sirisena visited Jaffna, a journalist questioned him about the death of Pirabaharan and whether a genetic test DNA, – had been conducted. In fact, Maithripala Sirisena had been the Acting Defence Minister for the last two weeks of the war in May 2009.
Sirisena responded to the question saying that he had not been informed, that no matter had been reported to him regarding the death of Pirabaharan, and that he was not aware of a genetic test – DNA had ever been carried out.
It comes to mind that when Sirisena was threatened by Rajapaksa’s family during his Presidency, he said on several occasions that he “will disclose secrets about some opposition politicians”. Now we can understand what these were.
During the end of the war in Mullivaghzal in May 2009, so-called war heroes claimed that the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – LTTE was killed and that they had found the body. The truth was that Pirabaharan’s youngest son Balanchandran (12) was detained, shot and killed by soldiers.
However, right from the beginning there was information that Pirabaharan and some of his family members were alive. I was astonished that members of Rajapaksa’s family – especially Mahinda, Gotabhaya along with Sarath Fonseka, Kamal Gunaratne and the military spokesperson claimed that no-one in Pirabaharan’s family had survived and that it was ridiculous for anyone to think that members of this family were still living. To the best of my knowledge, this was a purely political statement, far from the truth.
Sri Lanka won the war
It cannot be denied that Sri Lanka won the war against the LTTE with strong support from countries like – China, India, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, USA and a few others. On 17 May 2009, at the end of the war, the LTTE’s press release said that they had “decided to silence our guns”. Since then, until today no press releases have been issued by the actual LTTE hierarchy, except that the LTTE letterhead was misused by some stooges and we knew who motivated them.
Being a human rights activist and defender for more than three decades, I cannot allow utter lies and deception to spread to the public, claiming that no-one in Pirabaharan’s family is alive. Human rights education doesn’t teach anyone to claim living individuals / people as dead. When the party concerned is living safe and sound, how can I say that they are dead and gone?
Regarding this matter, I have been interviewed by a few popular Tamil media with over one hundred thousand spectators. In those interviews I have said that Pirabaharan’s family is alive. Also, I said that I am in touch with them.
Working with UN Human Rights forums and other forums for more than three decades, I have never heard of any human rights organisation or activists submitting a case to mandate holders of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights – OHCHR concerning Pirabaharan or members of his family. Of course – the case of his youngest son Balachandran who was extrajudicially killed by Sri Lankan soldiers was well reported and human rights institutions and organisations consider this act a war crime.
One of the subjects taught in human rights is that in a democratic society, even so-called terrorists or those suspected of terrorism have the right to human rights protection. If we take for granted that Pirabaharan is a terrorist, he and members of his group have a right to human rights protection enjoyed by others in Sri Lanka.
Terrorism and Terrorist
After the 17th century, the terminology ‘terrorism’ and “terrorist” came into use only in the late 1970s. During the same period ‘state terrorism’ also came into use. The revolt by the Janatha Vimuki Peramunai – JVP, was a class struggle to capture the whole country in 1971. This was termed an insurgency, whereas Tamil militancy which took up arms for their ethnic identity in exercise of their right to self-determination, accepted under the UN covenants and conventions, was branded as terrorism. In warfare, there are not many differences between terrorism and insurgency.
The question is: During the so-called ‘Gota war’, did they respect International Humanitarian Law – IHL? The two main components of war: Jus ad bellum which refers to the conditions under which States may resort to war or to the use of armed force in general, and Jus in bello – the justness of how the war is fought, regulating the conduct of parties engaged in an armed conflict, are set out in the UN Charter of 1945.
Considering these factors, what happened to the fake body shown to the public as Pirabaharan? Is the authority answerable to this question? Once again, here I would like to insist that even terrorists have the right to human rights protection. I pose the same question with regard to the other LTTE cadres in the conflict, who were raped, killed and their bodies dumped everywhere in Vanni.
The general obligations imposed by international humanitarian law, as a result of both custom and treaty, have been summarized by the International Committee of the Red Cross. They include the following:
* Parties to the conflict must endeavour to facilitate the return of the remains of the deceased upon request of the party to which they belong or upon the request of their next of kin. They must return their personal effects to them.
* The dead must be disposed of in a respectful manner and their graves respected and properly maintained.
* With a view to the identification of the dead, each party to the conflict must record all available information prior to disposal and mark the location of the graves.
Did Sri Lanka respect these fundamental obligations during Mullivaigzhal in May 2009? Now, even ordinary citizens can see how the Rajapaksas behaved in Mullivagzhal. When all these international norms and standards were ignored, the acts are considered as war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
I have met some top LTTE cadres whose photographs were displayed as dead by Sri Lanka in May 2009. None of those names were reported to mandate holders of Disappearances or Arbitrary Killings, of the OHCHR. This shows how the Rajapaksas gained votes, by showing fake photos. This truth is well known to many members in the military and other forces.
To be frank, here I am not talking about the many thousands of civilians who were killed and disappeared during the war or the end of the war in Mullivaghzal. Those are different cases which are dealt with by UN mandate holders, human rights organisations, activists and by the UN Human Rights Council.
Challenge under international observers
This situation makes me challenge the Rajapaksa family – Mahinda, Gotabhaya along with Sarath Fonseka, Kamal Gunaratne and military spokesperson – that I can prove physically that Pirabaharan and some members in his family are alive – also, some LTTE commanders whom Sri Lanka claimed as dead.
I can take this challenge on four conditions. One, only those whom I have named here can come forward for the challenge. Secondly, this will be done in front of international observers – members of international human rights and humanitarian institutions, and in the presence of some of ‘The Elders’. Thirdly, once it is proved that they are living, those who took up the challenge should be able to support the cause of those involved, whom they considered dead. Finally, whoever loses the challenge should bear the financial cost of this milestone. I am ready for the challenge at the earliest. The logistics can be discussed via international observers when one of the named above, or all can agree to these four conditions. I am anxiously waiting for their reply.
As far as terrorism is concerned, we have seen so-called terrorists eventually become heads of state and receive the Nobel Prize as well. Two good examples are – Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Yasser Arafat of Palestinian State.
In Sri Lanka it is a joke that everything is terrorism. One cannot deny that since the end of the war until today, regarding politics not a single bullet has been fired in the North and East other than by the security forces. But the extremists, who target the vote bank in the South, beat the drum of terrorism – day and night.
The Tamil leaders and members of the Tamil Congress and Federal party who fought non-violently for the right to self-determination or equal rights from 1948 until early 70s were lucky that they were not branded as terrorists. One reason was that during those periods’ extremists like Sarath Weerasekara, Vimal Wirawansa, Uthaya Gampila and a few others were not in politics. Otherwise, S.J.V. Chelvanayagam and G.G.Ponnambalam would also have been branded as terrorists.
These extremists cannot be blamed! They have no knowledge of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. They are only worried about elections and the vote bank like some Tamil politicians.
I look forward to meeting the challenge spelt out in this invitation.
Hope the Southern politician will consider all these factors and allow citizens to live with peace and dignity rather than in continuous turmoil.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardane met her counterpart State Secretary Thomas Bagger of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on 27 September 2023. Also present at the meeting were Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany Varuni Muthukumarana and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place during an important point in Sri Lanka-German bForeign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane meets State Secretary Thomas Bagger of the Federal Foreign Office of Germanyilateral relations where the two countries are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
At the outset, State Secretary Bagger welcomed the meeting with Foreign Secretary Wijewardane and stressed that this meeting would pave the way for new avenues for future cooperation.
Referring to the excellent relations that exist between Sri Lanka and Germany, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane appreciated the German assistance in enabling Sri Lankan businesses, particularly SMEs to gain better access to international markets. She stressed that Sri Lanka is looking for more prospects in the German market for healthcare workers and export of ICT services on a sustainable basis. The two sides also discussed furthering of vocational training education in Sri Lanka.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding development cooperation partnership with Sri Lanka, and requested continuation of direct development aid, taking note of the present economic situation in the country. She also appreciated the assistance extended to Sri Lanka in diverse fields by German Foundations, including Frederick Naumann Foundation.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane apprised State Secretary Bagger of Sri Lanka’s recent progress in stabilizing the economy and reconciliation, and emphasized the ongoing efforts to achieve reconciliation through domestic mechanisms. She appreciated the significant role played by the Paris Club, including Germany, in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process.
The two sides also discussed the significance of the Indo-Pacific region, and future collaboration, specifically under the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which will be chaired by Sri Lanka for two years from October 2023.
Noting Germany’s increased pledges to international climate financing, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane encouraged German assistance for Sri Lanka’s initiatives on the Climate Prosperity Plan, International Climate Change University, and the strategy for green growth centered on renewable energy generation.
Both sides agreed on the importance of convening the bilateral political consultations at the Foreign Secretary level in a regular manner and to identify priority areas for future cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Wijewardane was a member of the official delegation accompanying President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his working visit to Germany from 27-30 September 2023. During his visit, President Wickremesinghe held discussions with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and addressed the inaugural Berlin Global Dialogue.
