- Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene says Govt’s cash flow management is extremely challenging at present with foreign and domestic financing channels exhausted: also says difficult to find additional resources for an election: laments even regular payment of public sector salaries on time, is challenging.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe appoints SLPP MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi as Cabinet Minister of Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation and CWC leader Jeevan Thondaman as Cabinet Minister of Water Supply & Estate Infrastructure Development.
- Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar says he had a “good meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and other ministerial colleagues” in Colombo: also says India-Sri Lanka cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry and health was discussed: adds India is committed to the increase of investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten economic recovery.
- Regulation of the Election Expenditure Bill passed in Parliament with a majority of 61 votes: 97 in favour and 36 against.
- Chairman, Election Commission says Police protection has been provided to the 2 members of the Election Commission who faced threats.
- Veteran film Producer and Director Dr. Sumithra Peries, wife of late Dr. Lester James Peries, passes away at age 88 years.
- Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says although the Samurdhi allowance will continue to be paid, measures are underway to remove all other benefits given to low-income families along with the Samurdhi allowance.
- Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute study reveals over 200 mn coconuts have been destroyed by toque macaque, monkeys and giant squirrels in 2022.
- SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga says President Ranil Wickremesinghe should seek a fresh mandate if he intends to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution: asserts the President’s responsibility is to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 5-year term.
- ‘Paying Wards System’ in state-run hospitals grabs spotlight at a time when the lauded free healthcare system is becoming a burden on the economy: medical practitioners accuse Govt of attempting to privatise the state health service under the guise of finding solutions to the country’s economic crisis.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 20/01
Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka meets Commander of the Navy
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, H. E. Hideaki MIZUKOSHI met with Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the Navy Headquarters (18th January 2023).
The ensuing discussion between them mainly focused on several matters of bilateral importance. The Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo, Captain Yuki YOKOHARI was also present on this occasion.
The cordial discussion drew to a close with and exchange of mementos, symbolizing the cooperation and goodwill.
SL Navy
Nelumyaya CSR arrives in Rideemaliyadda, Mahiyanganaya
The Nelumyaya Foundation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiated another pilot project distributing school equipment to children of low-income families attending 84 selected schools in Rideemaliyadda Divisional Secretariat, Mahiyanganaya.
Today (19), we distributed shoes, water bottles and etc. for twenty (20) selected students at Bhaddatta Secondary School, Mahiyanganaya National School and Arawatta Junior School in Sorabora state, Mahiyanganaya.
The initiative expects to contribute to the development of quality education in Sri Lanka in an effort to minimise the discrepancies in the education system and is committed to carry the distribution across the island for children with difficulties.
You are most welcome to contribute to this humanitarian operation by joining hands with us.
Nelumyaya Foundation – Mahiyanganaya
UN Universal Periodic Review – UPR on Sri Lanka
S. V. Kirubaharan, France
The Universal Periodic Review – UPR was established when the United Nations Human Rights Council – UN HRC was created on 15 March 2006 by the UN General Assembly. On 18 June 2007, one year after its first meeting, members of the UN HRC agreed on its institution-building process – providing a road map to guide the future work of the Council. The UPR is the newest addition to the long-standing regulatory framework for monitoring or supervising UN member states.
Do the one hundred and ninety-three (193) member states honor and implement agreements and promises made to the United Nations? Some countries are not worried about human rights violations in their countries. The UPR is a tool for investigating or scrutinising such issues and has been implemented for the last fourteen years. It combines different concerns, previously monitored by separate treaty bodies and working groups, into one process.
The UPR takes place three times a year in a series of meetings of the UPR Working Group in Geneva. In this process, the UN questions its member states to see whether those states have honoured their obligations. It also gives an opportunity for other member countries to question or criticize a state that is undergoing the UPR process. At this time, friendly countries of the scrutinised country will exaggerate, portraying it as a country that respects human rights, democracy, and rule of law. It is to be noted that any country can ask a few questions, make statements and propose recommendations.
In this process, a country subject to its UPR cycle will submit a report to the UPR Working Group at a specific time. This is called a National report and may exaggerate the country’s ‘achievements’, misinforming the UN about: what they are implementing; what they are going to implement; what they have not implemented; and their intentions etc. The UPR unit of the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner – OHCHR also submits its report on the country. Members of Civil society organizations including human rights activists who carry out specific country programs submit a report too. This is known as Stakeholders’ reporting. These reports are compiled into a summary.
To oversee this process, representatives of three countries known as the ‘Troika’, selected by the forty-seven member countries of the UN HRC are appointed to discuss all the reports with the country under scrutiny.
Following this, on a specific day, the UPR Working Group meeting is discussed in an open forum in the UN. During this process, member countries express their doubts, fears and apprehensions about the country under scrutiny. Within exactly forty-eight (48) hours of this scrutiny – the ‘Troika’, facilitated by the OHCHR submits an ‘outcome report’ on the country, to the UPR Working Group. The statements, recommendation and queries that have been accepted or rejected by the country under scrutiny can be found in this report.
Fourth Cycle underway
Although the UPR Working Group would have adopted the report, the respective country is allowed to make some changes in their position within two weeks.
Following this, the report is submitted for approval by the UN Human Rights Council in their usual session. At that time, the country under review is allowed to present its views again. In addition, member states and non-governmental organizations may also submit comments.
So far, forty-one UPR Working Groups have been held. Three cycles for Member States have been reviewed, and the fourth Cycle is currently underway.
In December 2008, when Israel faced its first UPR, fifty countries, along with Islamic countries and some other countries, raised very serious questions about Israel.
Because of this, in January 2013, Israel refused to participate in its second UPR Cycle. At the time, this was seen as a revolutionary decision by Israel. Due to UN pressure, eventually Israel re-joined the UPR process and seventy-four countries raised questions to Israel, putting it under severe pressure.
Based on the fourth Cycle of the UPR, Sri Lanka will be discussed at the 42nd session of the UPR Working Group on 1st February 2023 in Geneva.
Sri Lanka’s National Report for this has been published – consisting of thirteen (13) pages and eighty-three (83) paragraphs. Meanwhile, the Stakeholders’ reports covering seventeen (17) pages and (82) paragraphs have also been published. In this report, some important NGOs’ reports were not included due to late submission. Fortunately, their submissions are covered in some other joint statements.
United Kingdom – UK, Algeria and Qatar have been appointed as ‘Troika’ countries for the forty-second session on Sri Lanka.
Countries waiting to question Sri Lanka
In the impending UPR process on Sri Lanka, it is believed that many countries are waiting to question Sri Lanka on accountability, as promised to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in May 2009, and on the draconian law known as the Prevention of Terrorism Act – PTA. In addition, states are waiting to ask questions about the failure of seventy-four years of promises to create a political solution to the Tamils: especially after thirteen years since the end of the war. Now it’s obvious to the international community that Sri Lanka is buying time and space until they fully achieve their four pillars – Militarisation, Buddhistisation, Sinhalisation and Colonisation of the North and East. It’s believed that once this is fully done, there will be no question of a political solution for the Tamils on the island.
The first Cycle on Sri Lanka was held in May 2008 at the 12th session of the UPR Working Group. At that time, Bangladesh, Cameroon and Ukraine acted as ‘Troika countries’. During this process, fifty-six (56) member countries asked serious questions creating a very embarrassing situation for Sri Lanka.
The second Cycle on Sri Lanka was held in November 2012 at the 18th Session of the UPR Executive Committee. At that time – India, Benin and Spain acted as ‘Troika Countries’. In this Cycle, ninety-eight (98) member countries questioned Sri Lanka. This may be a record-breaking number of countries questioning a country under scrutiny in the UPR Working Group meetings. Over fifty percent of the one hundred and ninety-three (193) member countries raised questions, making Sri Lanka’s atrocious human rights situation known to the world.
The third Cycle took place in November 2017 at the 28th session. In this process eighty-eight (88) countries questioned Sri Lanka.
To be frank, Sri Lanka has never implemented or respected the recommendations they have agreed to, nor kept the voluntary pledges they themselves have given during the UPR process!
| Cycle | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 |
| Session | 2nd | 14th | 28th | 42nd |
| Date examined | 13/05/2008 | 1/11/2012 | 15/11/2017 | 01/02/2023 |
| Report & date | A/HRC/8/46 05/06/2008 | A/HRC/22/16 18/12/2012 | A/HRC/37/17 29/12/2017 | — — |
| N°. States intervened | 56 | 98 | 88 | — |
| Agreed* | 45 | 110 | 177 | — |
| Rejected** | 16 | 94 | — | |
| Noted/delayed*** | 08 | 53 | — | |
| Troika countries | Ukraine Cameron Bangladesh | Benin India Spain | Burundi Rep. Korea Bol. Rep. Venezuela | UK – United Kingdom Algeria Qatar |
* Agreed = no. of statements and recommendations made by other states, enjoying the support of Sri Lanka
** Rejected = no. of statements and recommendation that did not enjoy the support of Sri Lanka
*** Delayed/Noted = Sri Lanka would reply later or noted the point: it’s a diplomatic reply rather than rejection
Sri Lanka has either rejected/delayed answering, or diplomatically said it noted the contents, of many of the recommendations or statements made by other States in the past UPR cycles. Although the number of statements and recommendations agreed to is high – the point is whether they are taken seriously or not, and whether they are implemented or not. Some interesting questions, concerns and recommendations raised by other countries, on Sri Lanka, are given below:
Questions raised in the past
Many countries wanted Sri Lanka to: examine the possibility of ratifying OP-CAT and ratifying the Rome Statute; accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and draft a law on cooperation between the State and the Court; ratify the Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR; continue its efforts to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; fully incorporate the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women into its domestic system; adopt a number of laws on freedom of expression and speech, and of the media; and consider the possibility of abolishing the death penalty.
Countries remained concerned about: Sri Lanka’s consolidation of executive power; the militarization of former conflict zones; serious human rights violations, including disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, and threats to freedom of expression; reports of human rights violations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act; intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and journalists; insufficient protection of rights of religious minorities; and prevention of acts of violence.
Sri Lanka was encouraged to continue the reconciliation and peace process, urged to resolve residual resettlement and rehabilitation issues; and develop a strategic plan against human trafficking. Countries were concerned about the slow progress in the constitutional reform and transitional justice process, urging a constructive approach to addressing post conflict reconciliation issues and resolving post-conflict challenges.
Many countries encouraged Sri Lanka to adopt an action plan to implement its Human Rights Council resolution commitments; noting that much work remained on accountability, transitional justice and reconciliation. Concerns remained about recent developments in the fight against impunity; Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, and the Peace building Priority Plan…….
So far what we have learned from the UPR mechanism and process of the UN HRC is that, although it looks different to the earlier mechanisms (Treaty bodies and other working groups), eventually the UPR has no teeth. It is just like other mechanisms in its incapacity to punish a country’s failure to implement its agreed commitments.
If one seriously considers the time, energy, finance and other means spent on the UPR process, one comes to the conclusion in UN language, what counts is ‘just’ the potentially powerful act of “naming and shaming”.
It is to be noted that according to the last resolution, Sri Lanka will not be on the agenda during the 52nd session of the UN HRC, which will begin in the last week of February. However, lobbying on Sri Lanka continues as usual.
Internal crisis grows within CBSL like wildfire!
The Executive Officers’ Union of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has reportedly expressed its strong concerns over the new tax structures introduced with effect from January 01, 2023.
In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena and forwarded to CBSL Chief Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Union warns these tax revisions could seriously have a negative impact on a number of fields.
These concerns come to light following many disputes over the top management of the CBSL fueled by bureaucracy leading to industrial disharmony.
LNW earlier disclosed how the holiday leave enchashment entitled to employees under the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act, 1954, which was set to be paid on the dawn of February this year, was settled on December 30, 2022 by the CBSL top management in a move to bypass the taxes applicable to 2023. Then it was revealed how the CBSL had established a strict repressive action against its trade unions, further confirming the turmoil within the island nation’s monetary regulator.
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MIAP
India’s Ashok Leyland to supply 500 busses to Sri Lanka
India’s heavy commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland on Wednesday announced that it has bagged an order from the Sri Lanka Transport Board to supply 500 buses.
The Sri Lanka Transport Board is a state owned single largest bus transport provider with 110 depots throughout the island nation and operates buses in city routes, hilly and rural routes and also in long distance inter-city routes.
As a part of the order secured from SLTB, it delivered 75 buses to the neighbouring country, the Hinduja Group flagship company in a statement said.
The order was part of the Line of Credit extended by the Export Import Bank of India, under the Economic Assistance Scheme of the Indian government.
“More than 5,000 Ashok Leyland buses are currently in operation with Sri Lankan Transport Board and these new 32 seater buses are expected to be put into operation in rural routes throughout the island” PTI quoted Ashok Leyland president — International operations Amandeep Singh as saying.
“Ashok Leyland buses and trucks are also manufactured in Sri Lanka, and the brand ‘Lanka Ashok Leyland’ is well known among Sri Lankans for their daily transportation requirements,” he said.
“Ashok Leyland is proud of its long-standing partnership with the Sri Lankan government. We also thank the Government of India for assistance towards strengthening public transport infrastructure in Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lankan Transport Board operates in diverse routes and conditions and the new Ashok Leyland buses would be best suited for roads in the rural routes.
Indian High Commissioner, Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay handed over the first set of buses to Sri Lanka Minister of Transport and Highways Affairs Bandula Gunawardana at an event in Colombo recently, the company said.
Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Jeewan Thondaman sworn in as ministers
MPs Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Jeewan Thondaman have been sworn in as Cabinet ministers.
Accordingly, Wanniarachchi has been sworn in as the Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, and Thondaman as the Minister of Water Supply and Plantation Infrastructure Development.
MIAP
SL to set up international trade office and merge BOI and EDB
The Government is to set up an international trade office to boost exports and promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) following the enactment of International Trade Office Bill in parliament
In the long-term, the Sri Lanka Foreign Direct Investment – Net Inflows is projected to trend around 350.00 US$ Million in 2023, according to finance ministry econometric models and provisional data.
Earnings from the merchandise exports decreased by 8.18 percent y-o-y to US$ 1,094.8 Mn in October 2022 as per the available data.
US $ 12 billion annual export income was insufficient and that to overcome the current crisis Sri Lanka requires over $ 20 billion or more.
The country’s Board of Investment and Export Development Board have failed to perform up to epectations owing to inefficiency officials and outdated official structure s and therefore the present government has taken measures to merge the two institutions.
“Despite taking a head start to open up the economy for international trade, Sri Lanka lagged behind exports and FDIs compared to economies that dealt with similar situations. Thus both these initiatives are critical to boosting our foreign inflows to overcome the economic crisis,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said
The Cabinet nod has been granted to appoint a supervisory committee to facilitate the establishment of the proposed agency for export and investment promotion amalgamating Board of Investments (BOI) and Export Development Board (EDB).
President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint a supervisory committee to manage and guide the activities for the establishment of the proposed agency for export and investment promotion.
It was proposed in the budget 2023 to form an agency amalgamating the operations of the BOI and the EDB to promote export and investments with an integrated approach in a logical manner.
Cabinet nod has also given to prepare International Trade Office Bill based on preliminary draft
Approves appointment of expert committee to manage and guide activities of export and investment promotion agency
In a bid to boost exports and investments, the Government has decided to draft necessary laws and regulations to establish the proposed International Trade Office.
The new office is being set up to facilitate the free-trade agreements and to deal with all sorts of international trade negotiations, to boost foreign direct investments and exports.
The proposal for the establishment of one entity for investment and export promotion with an integrated approach in a coherent manner with one another has been presented by the budget proposals 2023.
India comes in to rescue Sri Lanka from debt restructuring tangle
With Colombo facing an unprecedented external debt restructuring process with foreign creditors amidst acute shortages of follar funds, India has given its assurance to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in writing to support Sri Lanka in its task, Reuter news agency reported.
The Indian government has so far extended US $4 billion to keep the country’s accounts afloat and now it has also vocally supported Colombo’s efforts for an IMF bailout package of US$2.9 billion and restructuring of its debt.
The unprecedented humanitarian and financial aid provided by India on short notice showcases the country’s unique position in terms of its proximity to Sri Lanka and its capacity as well as capability to extend aid at a strategic level.
India has told the International Monetary Fund that it strongly supports Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring plan as the island nation seeks a $2.9 billion loan from the global lender, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
“We hereby confirm our strong support for Sri Lanka’s prospective (loan) program and commit to supporting Sri Lanka with financing/debt relief consistent with restoring Sri Lanka’s public debt sustainability,” Indian finance ministry official Rajat Kumar Mishra told the IMF chief in a letter dated Jan. 16.
Sri Lanka requires the backing of China and India – its biggest bilateral lenders – to reach a final agreement with the IMF on the $2.9 billion loan that is essential to help the country emerge from its worst financial crisis in seven decades.
All the assistance provided by India may well reap goodwill in Sri Lanka, but India’s long-term interests will be better served by weaving the geostrategic characteristics of the region into its Sri Lanka policy.
The maritime geography of the island nation provides immense potential in solidifying maritime linkages through capacity and capability building in the arena of maritime connectivity and security.
“The financing/debt relief provided by Export-Import Bank of India will be consistent with restoring debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program,” the official said.
Sri Lanka has to secure prior financing assurances from creditors, put its heavy debt burden on a sustainable path and boost public revenue before the global lender will disburse the funds, the IMF has said.
The island nation is confident of finalizing support from the IMF in the first quarter of 2023 .Sri Lanka owes India around $1 billion that will come under the debt restructuring plan, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this week.
New embarkation levies to boost state revenue comes into effect soon
The Sri Lanka government has announced the revision of the embarkation levy to be paid by passengers who leave the country through an international airport or seaport.
It has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification announcing new embarkation levies to generate greater revenue for the Treasury at the expense of foreign exchange earnings from tourism and foreign remittances.
The embarkation levies are paid by persons departing from international airports or seaports countrywide.
As per the Gazette notification, any person departing from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake will have to pay an embarkation leave of $ 60.
It also added that a $ 30 embarkation levy will be charged to each person departing from Jaffna International Airport during the period from 12 January to 11 July, while individuals departing from Ratmalana International Airport from 27 March 2022 to 26 March 2023 are also subject to a $ 30 embarkation levy.
However, individuals departing from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport for two years from the date of the commencement of the operations by the airline are free.
The embarkation levy of $ 60 also applies to persons leaving the country from any other airport not mentioned above and seaports.As per the Gazette, these embarkation tax orders are effective from 12 January.
The Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance Minister.
Analysts opine that it is extremely unjust to slap more taxes on people who suffer under the pressure of high taxation brought into cover mistakes of politicians.
The remaining one-third of the Embarkation Levy, which was transferred to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority’s tourism promotional fund, was seized by the Treasury via the 2016 Budget, thereby grabbing the entire chunk.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has reported that in 2019, tourists paid Rs. 2.8 billion as Embarkation Tax, Rs. 4.2 billion to the Central Cultural Fund and Rs. 1.5 billion as Tourism Development Levy.
It was also pointed out that the increase in the Embarkation Levy, coupled with the increase in the tourist visa fees, tax hikes in the hotel and travel agent industries and the blanket value-added tax hikes, will make Sri Lanka more costly as a tourism destination.