- Central Bank’s “fixed exchange rate policy” since 12th May 2022 now enters the 9th month with the Sri Lankan Rupee being “fixed” in a range around Rs.370 per USD: analysts expect a “floating exchange rate policy” to be introduced soon once again by the IMF: Rupee likely to depreciate sharply thereafter in keeping with weak international trade figures and very low forex inflows.
- State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon says the Army cadre will be slashed to 135,000 from the current approved cadre of 200,783, by 2024: a cut of almost one-third in 2 years: cadre to be halved to 100,000 by 2030: analysts warn of the danger of rendering almost 100,000 well-trained young persons jobless, in a time of acute economic uncertainty.
- Acting Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hu Wei hands over 8,862,990 meters of cloth as a grant from China: the grant to fulfill 70% of the school uniform requirement for 2023.
- Cardinal Ranjith hails Supreme Court verdict ordering compensation to Easter Sunday victims: says it reflects that any high-profile person including the President has no protection from the law if they have committed a crime: stresses it would be a good precedent to future leaders and officers.
- Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam requests Office for Reparation Chairperson Dhara Wijetillake to establish a “Victim Fund” to award sums ordered as compensation in a fair and equitable manner to the victim families as per the Supreme Court judgement re. the Easter Sunday attacks.
- Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena says 30 short-distance train journeys will be suspended from 16th Jan’23 onwards: explains the move is aimed at reducing costs.
- Political alliance formed between arch-rivals Vinayagamurthy Muralidaran (Karuna Amman) and Sivnesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan): new alliance to contest every Local Government Body in the North at the upcoming LG election.
- Sri Lanka Tourism says new Covid-19 protocols and procedures will be henceforth applicable to all inbound tourists who must possess vaccination cards: tourists who are not vaccinated to submit a PCR report obtained 72-hours prior to arrival: no exceptions.
- State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe says the authorities’ inability to get debt assurances from bilateral creditors has delayed the bailout by IMF: asserts such inability is taking a heavy toll on the people: on 3rd May 22, CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe indicated the economy will be stabilised within 3 months of that day.
- Minister of Power and Energy Kanchan Wijesekera says the Petroleum Development Authority will recommence work on exploration of petroleum resources in about 900 blocks identified around the country: authority prepares to issue 2-year oil and gas exploration licenses to suitable investors.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 14/01
Woman files historic FR case in Supreme Court against Police discrimination based on sexual orientation
A young 23 year old woman has filed a historic FR petition against the Sri Lanka Police, for discrimination based on sexual orientation.
In the petition, the woman cites several incidents of violations of her fundamental rights by the Welisara Mahabage Police, on the basis of her sexual orientation.
Other respondents to the case include Tiran Alles, the IGP and the Attorney General.
This is the first case of its kind in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court. The petitioner is represented by Attorneys Thishya Weragoda, Pulasthi Rupasinha and Stefania Perera.
Woman was locked up and abused at home for weeks
The adult and working woman highlights her weeks of forced confinement at home and abuse by her parents after she revealed her sexual orientation to them.
When a complaint was filed with the Welisara Mahabage Police, against her forced confinement and ongoing abuse, the petitioner cites the Police had conducted an inquiry into the woman’s sexual orientation instead and confiscated her phone and laptop to “find evidence of her homosexuality”.
Mahabage Police attempted to force the woman have JMO conduct physical examination to find proof of homosexuality
The Mahabage Police later forced the petitioner to meet with a psychiatrist (an appointment personally made by the OIC) and attempted to send her to a Judicial Medical Officer (“JMO“) for a physical examination.
LGBT people in Sri Lanka are often subject to forced psychiatric evaluations. Physical examinations by JMOs include forced anal and vaginal examinations, conducted to find “proof” of homosexuality.
Forced anal and vaginal exams
In 2020, the Daily Mirror exposed that LGBT+ Sri Lankans were subject to routine police torture, include forced anal and vaginal examinations by JMOs. In these examinations, fingers are inserted into the vagina or rectum of an LGBT+ person in order to find “evidence” of homosexuality.
In this petition, the petitioner highlights police attempts to subject her to a similar examination, including after filing a case against the petitioner at the Welisara Magistrate Court, because she was a lesbian. The Welisara Court dismissed the police case, agreeing with the defence counsel’s submissions that homosexuality was neither a crime nor a mental illness.
Discrimination against LGBT community is unconstitutional
Since 2014, Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has re-iterated that discrimination against LGBT+ persons is unconstitutional and that no law can be applied in a manner that discriminates against the LGBT+ community.
However, despite the AG’s constant repetition at UN forums, no steps have been taken in Sri Lanka by the AG to address horrific violations against LGBT+ Sri Lankans.
Police often attempt to prosecute LGBT+ people by using sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code. The offences criminalise “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and “gross indecency between any persons”. Neither offences mention the word “homosexuality” but they have historically been used to prosecute LGBT+ persons.
Recently, Courts have used their powers of interpretation and held that consensual same sex relationships are neither unnatural nor grossly indecent. Rights activists have long held that reinterpretation or reading down the provisions by the Supreme Court will go a long way in ending gross abuses against the LGBT+ community.
Last year SLPP MP, Premnath Dolawatte, submitted a private members bill to amend sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code. Parliament is yet to debate the Bill.
Relief sought
The petitioner has asked for several reliefs from the Supreme Court, including that several of her Fundamental Rights, including the Right to Equality, Freedom of Thought and Conscience, Freedom from Cruel and Degrading Treatment and Freedom of Lawful Occupation, have all been denied by the State.
The petitioner is also pleading with the Supreme Court for an order for Sri Lanka Police to issue directions to other police officers not to arrest or detain individuals or subject them to forced medical evaluations purely because of their sexual orientation.
Govt to issue licenses for 900 offshore oil blocks to foreign firms
Sri Lanka, which doesn’t pump any oil at present, hopes to accelerate oil and natural gas exploration by issuing licences for around 900 offshore blocks for foreign firms with the introduction of new regulations this year, a senior government official said.
The aim is to allow foreign firms to scout for energy resources and bring in vital investments to the crisis-hit country, he disclosed.
According to the government of Sri Lanka, seismic data shows there could be more than 1 billion barrels of oil in the Mannar Basin.
The Mannar Basin, which lies between southern India and northwestern Sri Lanka, may hold around $260 billion worth of oil and gas resources.
Starting up oil production is part of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s plan to attract foreign investment as he seeks to stabilise the economy amid the country’s worst economic crisis in seven decades.
Sri Lanka is preparing to issue two-year oil and gas exploration licenses to expedite the oil exploration process in the island.
The new regulations were finalised by the government soon and set a framework for companies to sign an expression of interest (EOI) for exploring offshore assets around the country, Surath Ovitigama, director general of the state-run Petroleum Development Authority revealed.
In the coming months the authority expects to recommence oil and gas exploration with the first set of credible entities to boost investor confidence and serve to attract the next calls for EOIs this year .
Previous attempts by Sri Lanka to start up oil production have mainly focused on the country’s northern coast but this time the government has mapped assets surrounding all sides of the island.
The Mannar Basin, which lies between southern India and northwestern Sri Lanka, may hold around $260 billion worth of oil and gas resources, Sri Lanka’s former energy minister told parliament in 2021.
Sri Lankan authorities hope that exploration work could start as early as March and any success in the initial exercise will lead to production sharing agreements for gas and oil,
Two companies have already expressed serious interest and requests for proposals (RFPs) will be issued shortly, leading to negotiations for exploration licenses, he said.
However, a source with direct knowledge of talks said ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), the overseas arm of India’s state-run oil explorer, is a front runner seeking to explore multiple blocks off Sri Lanka’s north and north-west shoreline.
“OVL is the company that has made the most efforts, appealed the most and has followed up with meetings. They have made representations at every level,” the source said, asking not to name because discussions were confidential.
Bangladesh grants SL 6 more months to repay US $200 mn loan
The central bank made the decision at its board meeting on Thursday, in which it also in-principal approved the monetary policy for the second half of FY23
The Business Standard – The Bangladesh Bank has extended the repayment period of the $200 million loan to Sri Lanka by six months until September this year amid the recovery of the South Asian country from its devastating economic crisis.
The central bank made the decision at its board meeting on Thursday, a senior official, wishing to remain unnamed, disclosed.
The Bangladesh Bank lent $50 million to Sri Lanka for the first time in August 2021. Later, it provided another $150 million in two phases.
The debt-burdened Sri Lanka was supposed to repay the loan within March this year. Sri Lankan central bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe in a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rauf Talukder last October also said they would repay it on time.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s board meeting of the Bangladesh Bank also in-principal approved the monetary policy for the second half of the FY23, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson and Executive Director Md Mezbaul Haque confirmed to TBS.
“Taming inflation and keeping liquidity supply normal are the main objectives of the monetary policy. The formulation is still in progress.”
“As the policy is not finalized yet, nothing can be said for sure. We will let everyone know [about the changes] on 15 January,” he added.
In the monetary policy for FY23, the central bank projected private sector credit growth at 14.10% until June next, which was 14.80% in the previous edition of the monetary policy.
According to the latest data by the central bank, the growth rate hovered near 14% in the first five months of the ongoing fiscal year – 13.97% in November, 13.91% in October, 13.93% in September, 14.07% in August and 13.95% in July 2022.
Besides, the net government borrowings from banks stood at Tk32,249 crore in the first six months of FY23.
The Bangladesh Bank used to announce half-yearly monetary policies before the pandemic. In FY20 and FY21, it announced the policy for a year. This year the central bank has returned to its normal way.
The recently visited delegation of the International Monetary Fund also suggested the announcement of monetary policy twice a year.
SL initiates Community Based Tourism with Rs. 650 mn Korean grant
Sri Lanka has initiated a campaign to promote Community Based Tourism providing opportunity for travelers to explore the real local habitats, wildlife, and celebrates respects traditional cultures and rituals.
The tourism development authority is especially focusing attention on this promotion campaign, chairman of the authority Priynatha Fernando said adding that this initiative will supplement the tourism revival plan targeting over 800000 arrivals.
The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korean Tourism Organisation and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to implement a community-based tourism project.
“SLTDA has proposed the implementation of a community-based tourism development project under the sponsorship of the Korean Tourism Organisation focusing on the Kuchchaveli tourism development areas owned by the Authority,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
He said a delegation of the Korean Tourism Organisation has conducted a feasibility study on the relevant project proposal and South Korea has agreed to provide financial assistance to the tune of 2.172 billion South Korean won (around Rs. 650 million) for the implementation of the entire proposed project.
“In the first phase, it has been agreed to provide a grant of 400 million South Korean won for the preparation of the overall plan of the relevant tourism development project, the preparation of the training and the implementation of a pilot training program,” he added.
Gunawardena said at a time when Sri Lanka is struggling to get loans following the worst financial crisis, the grant by South Korea is a great support to boost the triple-hit tourism industry.
The proposal to this effect submitted by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday.
SLTDA action plan for Kuchchaveli won first place for the best sustainable tourism action plan at the High-Level Policy Forum on Tourism Development 2018, organised by the Korean government and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in Seoul.
Kuchchaveli is enriched with attractive coastal topographical features and biodiversity which pave the way for many tourism opportunities in the area.
The concept developed by SLTDA aims at tapping into the area’s untapped potential without disrupting its authenticity, communities and their culture.
The action plan includes building a beach resort in Kuchchaveli and developing it as a model ‘green resort’ to give maximum benefits to the national economy while respecting the ecological, socio-cultural, and environmental sustainability in the area.
Some of the main objectives of the action plan are to generate Rs. 5.9 billion annual income, 14,000 direct and 18,000 indirect employment opportunities and to add 4,000-4,500 rooms to meet future demand.
It also benefits the communities of the Kuchchaveli area and makes them the key players in the supply chain for the upcoming hotels in Kuchchaveli.
One of the successful hotels operating in the area is the 15-acre Jungle Beach Hotel by Uga Escapes which has 95% occupancy rate during the high season.
In order to generate more direct and indirect employment opportunities in the area, SLTDA has also planned a model fishing village in Kuchchaweli as 40% of the local community in the area are involved in the fisheries sector.
The proposed village is expected to attract tourists seeking authentic and unique tourism experiences in Sri Lanka.
Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Charity Yousef Al-Kuwari called on Foreign Minister Ali Sabry
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry welcomed the Qatar Charity’s decision to resume projects and its significance as an integral segment of Qatar – Sri Lanka friendship. The Minister appreciated the humanitarian work of the Qatar Charity around the globe and requested assistance for the needy segments in Sri Lanka in the fields of health, education, food security, financial empowerment, housing, and social care.
The CEO of the Qatar Charity assured all possible support to Sri Lanka, and stated that 11 million USD worth of projects are identified for Sri Lanka as per the action plan of Qatar Charity of this year.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry also attended the re-opening ceremony of the Qatar Charity Office in Colombo.
IMM Consult – Dubai’s best boutique Immigration Consultants to host Migration Meetup in Colombo
Due to popular demand, IMM Consult is hosting an immigration meet up yet again in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A similar event was hosted last month and was a tremendous success. The meet up allows migration enthusiasts to get personalized one to one advice and consultation on available Visa options from the best immigration advisors in town.
The meet up will be held on Sunday 22nd of January 2023 from 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM at Ruby Hall, Marino Hotel, Colombo 3.
IMM Consult offers bespoke immigration solutions to Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and USA, working together with immigration lawyers in the respective jurisdictions. They specialise in business and skilled immigration as the demand for such immigration has become increasingly popular in different countries due to acute labor shortage.
IMM also offers support in curating temporary visas such as visitor visas, study permits and work permits. Get in touch with IMM Consult today and register your for the event to avail a special discount on our offer. Contact us at +94 77 798 2379 0r +94 77 798 2374 www.immconsults.com
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 13/01
- Supreme Court finds several officials as having violated the Fundamental Rights of several petitioners by failing to take action to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks despite receiving sufficient intelligence information: orders those persons to pay compensation as follows: Rs.100 mn by former President Sirisena: Rs.75 mn each by former IGP & former SIS Director: Rs.50 mn by former Defence Secretary & Rs.10 mn by National Intelligence Director.
- Fitch Ratings downgrades the National Long-Term Ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks following the sovereign downgrade and recalibration of the agency’s Sri Lankan national rating scale.
- CEB Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon says the Kelanitissa Power Station might shut down today as the CEB does not have funds to purchase naphtha from the CPC: CEB General Manager Engineer Rohan Seneviratne says the CEB has put the owners of renewable energy power plants into difficult situations with banks by failing to pay them about Rs. 40 bn.
- Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neel Hapuhinna says he had written to District Secretaries asking them not to accept deposits for the election earlier this week following a decision taken by the Cabinet.
- Bangladesh’s Central Bank grants 6 more months to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to repay the USD 200 million SWAP after receiving a request to extend the repayment period due to its prolonged economic crisis.
- Elections Commission Chairman Nimal Punchihewa says the EC would hold the Local Govt election before 19th March unless a Court order prevents it: denies rumours that the EC is divided on the question of conducting the poll.
- World Bank cuts Sri Lanka’s growth prospects to a negative 4.2% for 2023, sharper than IMF’s forecast: also cuts last year’s growth to negative 9.2%: warns that more than one-third of the island’s population is food insecure.
- Head of the National Construction Association Susantha Liyanaarachchi says many small industries will collapse due to the Govt’s decision to increase electricity tariffs: warns the construction industry is already on the verge of collapse, and the next tariff hike will be the last nail in its coffin.
- Govt allows Qatar Charity Fund to open a country office after the QCF pledged USD 11 mn in aid: 2 years ago, the Govt had banned the charity by referring to an alleged role of the QCF in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing.
- India wins the 2nd Cricket ODI by 4 wickets in Kolkata: SL 215 (39.4 overs): IND 216/6 (43.2 overs): India leads the 3-match series 2-0 with one match remaining.
The country to celebrate its 75th National Independence Celebration with pride
• Many religious and cultural programs planned throughout the country on the instructions of the President
The government has decided to celebrate the 75th National Independence Day with pride together with the new reformist program for the next 25 years.
During this celebration held with pride under the theme “Namo Namo Matha – A Step towards a Century”, the government will announce its new reformist course for the next 25 years for the implementation of a stable government policy right until the 100th Independence Day celebrations in 2048.
The main ceremony of the National Independence Day Celebrations will be held on the 04th of February at 8.30 am at Galle Face Green under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The festivities are scheduled to begin after the offering of floral tributes at the statue of Mahamanya D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square and the statue of the war heroes at the Presidential Secretariat.
It is also of significance that many cultural and religious programs have been organized throughout the country in conjunction with the 75th National Independence Festival.
Accordingly, the Buddhist religious rites will be performed on the evening of February 02 at Sri Dalada Maligawa, and on the same night, the Dhamma sermon will begin at Victoria Dam at 9:00 PM. The following morning, an alms giving has also been planned.
The Catholic religious services will be held at Maradana Fatima Church on February 04 at 6.30 am, while Christian religious services will be held at the same time at Galle Face Christian Church. Hindu religious rituals will be held on the morning of February 03 at Trincomalee Dakshina Kailash or Koneswaram Temple. Arrangements have been made to hold Muslim religious services on February 4th at 10.00 am at the Colombo Grand Mosque.
Meanwhile, Buddhist and Hindu religious programs have also been organized in Colombo, and accordingly, on February 04 at 6.30 a.m., a Buddhist religious program has been organized at Dharmakirtyarama Temple, Polwatta, Colombo 03, and Hindu religious programs have also been organized at New Kadireshan Temple, Colombo 04.
A Sri Dalada exhibition is to be held at the historic Temple of the Tooth Relic premises in March, exhibition of Kapila Vastu Buddhist Relics to be held in Colombo in May, the sacred Buddhist relics from China exposition and exhibition to be held in Anuradhapura in June, exhibition of the sacred Buddhist relics from Pakistan is scheduled to be held in the Southern Province in July.
In addition, the special cultural arts festival “LankaraLanka” organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Day will be held on February 03 at 7.30 pm at Independence Square in Colombo with the participation of 750 artists from the public and private sectors.
The Jaffna Cultural Center will be opened on February 11th morning under the patronage of the President, and the cultural procession will commence opposite the Jaffna Cultural Center and will travel through the streets of Jaffna culminating near the Jaffna Fort (the old bus station site). A cultural concert will also be held there and a special music concert is also planned to be held at the same venue that night.
On the 19th of February, the Republican Rally is scheduled to parade the streets of Kandy under the full sponsorship of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) representing all dance traditions of the country.
It is also planned to air a 30-minute short film on Sri Lanka’s freedom at all cinemas and performing theatres while a Design competition including short dramas, patriotic songs, and art competitions has also been planned to target the youth on the theme of “freedom” in May.
A massive art competition and exhibition showcasing the pride of the country has also been organized by veteran artist H.S. Sarath.
The exhibition of artifacts reflecting the history of the country, organized by the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, the National Museum Department, the Central Cultural Fund, and the Department of Archaeology, is also scheduled to be held from February 4th to the 10th.
A book containing newspaper reports and other articles about independence is also expected to be launched at the Independence Day National Festival and a special stamp with the image of the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka Mahamanya D.S. Senanayake is also scheduled including a special commemorative stamp of a rare type which includes portraits of Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the first Prime Minister of independent Pakistan. In addition, a Rs. 1000 special commemorative coin is also expected to be released.
The concept of “Urban Forests” will be implemented from January 1st throughout the island, and the Independence Day celebration bicycle ride from Point Pedro to Dondra Point sponsored by Sri Lanka Telecom will also be held from January 28th to February 1st.
In addition, arrangements have been made to hold Independence Day commemorations at the provincial and district level and public parks, National Parks owned by the National Zoology Department National Parks owned by the Department of Wildlife and Forest Conservation and National Parks owned by the National Botanical Gardens Department will be opened to the public free of charge on National Independence Day.
A program to provide rice for 02 million low-income families at the rate of 10 kilos per family per month for 02 months is to be implemented and the related program will be implemented by the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries.
It is the aim of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to make the government’s new reformist journey commencing with the celebration of the 75th Independence Day in 2023 a stable state policy until the 100th Independence Day in 2048 and the plan for the next 25 years will also be implemented in conjunction with this year’s National Independence Day.
Accordingly, several new institutions and laws are planned to be introduced and an Institute of History, an Institute of Economics and Trade, and an Institute of Women and Gender will be established for the study and research of the history of Sri Lanka.
Government and Public Policy University, Agricultural Research University, Climate Change University, and Sports University are also expected to be established.
The National Commission on Women’s Act, Gender Equality Act, Women’s Empowerment Act, Child Care Act, Climate Change Act, Social Justice Commission Act, Reforestation and Tree Cover Act are also to be introduced.
In addition, for the safety and security of natural resources including the Mahaweli river, Sinharajaya, Sripada Site (Zero Peak), Horton Plains, Knuckles, and Adam’s Bridge, the Living Entity Act is to be introduced. New laws for the exploration and management of marine resources as well as an Act for the conservation of Muthurajawela are also scheduled to be introduced.
The Independence Day activities also include a project of 75 urban forests and a project of 1996 houses for low-income families in Colombo and many projects and programs on the National Youth Platform.
President’s Media Division (PMD
Reginald Cooray passes away
A former provincial chief minister and governor, Reginald Cooray has passed away.
He was 74 years old when he died.
It is said that he died after suffering a sudden heart attack during a discussion about the upcoming local government elections.