Colombo (LNW): The 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination scheduled for November this year has been postponed as per a decision by the Education Ministry, announced Subject Minister Susil Premjayanth in Parliament today (21).
The decision has been made based on the requests made by a number of parties, the Minister noted.
Accordingly, a new date for the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be announced in the future.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): The United States today announced the commitment of more than US $19 million in additional funds to further the development of Sri Lanka, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka said.
The U.S. $19.23 million (Rs 6.2 billion) is obligated through the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the government of Sri Lanka.
This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities and demonstrates the ongoing U.S. commitment to its partnership with Sri Lanka and in building lasting people-to-people ties.
The signing was commemorated today in a ceremony with Mission Director Grau and K M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance Sri Lanka.
“This investment demonstrates the United States’ ongoing commitment to our partnership with Sri Lanka and our steadfast support to the people of this stunning, opportunity-filled country, as USAID Administrator Samantha Power and H.E. President Wickremesinghe discussed in New York,” said Gabriel Grau, USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director.
“With these funds we’ll continue to work with the government of Sri Lanka to improve economic growth and democratic governance and advocate for vulnerable populations.”
“The people of Sri Lanka appreciate the continued close collaboration and the very cordial partnership and support extended by the Government of the United States of America to Sri Lanka,” said Secretary Siriwardana. ”This grant will reinforce the government’s efforts to strengthen a democratic, prosperous, and resilient Sri Lanka.”
The United States has provided more than $2 billion (nearly Rs720 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka since 1956.
Building on the USAID Administrator Samantha Powers’s recent visit, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung announced recently that the United States, through USAID, would provide an additional estimated $65 million in assistance to Sri Lanka over a five-year period.
The assistance falls under the Development Objectives Assistance Agreement (DOAG) signed by Gabriel Grau, Mission Director for USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives and Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.
This funding is in addition to over $60 million of new humanitarian and fertilizer assistance that Administrator Power announced reently in response to the current economic and political crises in Sri Lanka
In celebration of the start of this new bilateral agreement, Ambassador Julie Chung remarked, “The United States and the American people are proud of our enduring and robust partnership with the people and government of Sri Lanka.
Shed added “ We remain fully committed to supporting locally led initiatives to advance a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Sri Lanka – critical to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific in which all nations are connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure.”
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Dialog Axiata PLC, the first telecommunications service provider in the South Asian region to demonstrate 5G capabilities in 2018, has once again achieved a 5G milestone in the country.
It is becoming the first to extend 5G connectivity to Apple iPhone users through its 5G Trial Network, company officials said.
Users with Apple iPhone models 12 and above and the latest version of iOS (version 17) can now experience the power of 5G and the lightning-fast download and upload speeds of up to 1Gbps on Dialog.
Dialog holds Sri Lanka’s largest 5G trial network with over 70 locations island-wide.
This service is available in Colombo and select cities nationwide, with locations listed on – www.dialog.lk/5g.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Dialog is offering monthly 5GB free data for its Apple iPhone customers to explore the capabilities of 5G on Dialog’s 5G Trial Network.
This announcement follows a range of 5G milestones and firsts in South Asia and Sri Lanka, including the deployment of the region’s first 5G trial network, the first 5G Standalone (5G SA) network trial, and the first standards-based 5G fixed-wireless pilot transmission in December 2018.
Dialog remains committed to pioneering technological advancements in the nation and the region in line with its brand promise of delivering ‘The Future. Today.’
Sri Lankan telecommunications service provider Dialog Axiata has laid claim to being the first company in South Asia to successfully trial standalone 5G (5G SA) networks.
The island’s largest mobile network operator said that with this successful 5G SA, Sri Lanka’s connectivity provider further advanced the nation’s 5G journey and would enable more advanced use cases that required 5G SA support.
The operator highlighted in a statement how 5G SA can bring more advanced features in the network standards such as autonomous driving and real-time immersive services, claiming it will bring forth new opportunities for enterprises in the country and enable the fourth industrial revolution.
In Sri Lanka, 5G is known for bringing upgraded mobile broadband to the consumer market, but it also enables technologies such as ultra-reliable low latency Services and massive machine type communication.
Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata said: “The successful implementation of the 5G Standalone network marks a key milestone in the advancement of connectivity infrastructure, not just in the country, but also in the South Asian region.
By: Staff Writer
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is set to launch a financial centre at the Colombo port city while branding this Galle Face waterfront reclamation city as Colombo Financial City.
This initiative has been taken in accordance with the port city’s original plan devised during the previous good governance regime by the then minister of Megapolis Patali Champika Ranawaka.
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) has agreed to invest in the financial centre project following the model of Shanghai Commercial Center, the Skyscraper Center at that time.
Investment promotion state minister Dilum Amunugama recently stated that the launching of Colombo Financial City replacing the existing name will take place at the opening ceremony of a Roadshow in the UAE on the 26th of this month.
The Sri Lanka road show in UAE will be showcasing investment opportunities and incentives for global investors.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo district MP Dr. Harsha de Silva speaking in Parliament yesterday said the attempt to establish a financial centre in an already bankrupt country is a mere farce.
MP de Silva opposed the Government’s plan to rename the Colombo Port City, as the Colombo Financial City.
He expressed the view that establishing a prosperous finance centre between the established financial hubs of Singapore and Dubai would be a challenging endeavour.
He urged all parties involved to re-examine any proposal to announce a new Colombo Financial City in the coming days.
He expressed the opinion that India, too, failed to establish a financial city, suggesting that creating a Knowledge Centre at the Port City would be a more suitable alternative to a Financial Centre.
At the Sri Lanka road show Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron will address an exclusive, closed-door forum on the strengthening ties between the UAE, Indo-Pacific region and the role of Sri Lanka in this new trend gaining increased momentum.
The discussion will showcase the UAE’s role as an international player that can concurrently engage with multiple partners, including in the Indo-Pacific region.
Expected to represent more than 50 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2040, Asia is increasingly becoming the new economic global power centre of the 21st century.
In this context, the UAE aims to strengthen its connections with the Indo-Pacific region and Sri Lanka will play a crucial role in this partnership with its trade and investment offerings particularly through the up-coming multi-billion dollar Port City Colombo development project. As a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), it also provides a range of incentives and benefits for businesses, making it an ideal destination for international businesses, hotel owners and operators to establish their presence in Sri Lanka.
Colombo (LNW): A special discussion will be held between Trade Minister Nalin Fernando and poultry producers today (21), to make a final decision on the price of chicken.
Currently, chicken is sold for Rs. 1,250 per kilo, and the price must drop by at least Rs. 200, the Minister noted.
He added that Sri Lanka will consider importing chicken if poultry producers do not agree to the price drop.
The monthly requirement of chicken in Sri Lanka stands at about 2.2 million kilograms.
In a fiery speech delivered in Parliament yesterday (20), MP Harsha de Silva, Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, passionately criticized the Sri Lankan government’s latest move—the introduction of the online safety bill. MP Harsha minced no words, calling it an “archaic and draconian piece of legislation” that violates fundamental principles and represents a significant overreach by the government. His critique underscores the potential damage this bill could inflict on both investment prospects and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.
At the heart of MP Harsha’s criticism lies in the bill’s creation of a commission appointed by the President, which would be tasked with determining the veracity of online content. He rightfully questions the credibility of such a commission when the government itself has been accused of misleading the public, including misrepresenting its financial reserves to the tune of billions when they were merely in the millions. How can a government notorious for disseminating misinformation claim the moral high ground in discerning truth from falsehood?
MP Harsha de Silva’s critique is grounded in the potential ramifications of this bill. He points out that global tech giants such as Google, TikTok, Meta (formerly Facebook), and others are unlikely to comply with laws that impose restrictions on their operations and force them to police content based on arbitrary judgments. This begs the question: can a financially troubled country with an authoritarian regime realistically dictate terms to some of the world’s largest tech companies?
The online safety bill, according to MP Harsha, “imposes unfair obligations on platforms to police content over and above what is necessary” and lacks foresight in considering future technological advancements, such as AI and its role in verifying authenticity. He raises a valid concern that these restrictive laws could drive these major tech players away from Sri Lanka, thereby contradicting the government’s apparent desire to attract foreign investment.
As MP Harsha articulates, “On one hand, you want them to come and invest, and on the other, you’re bringing legislation to curb their operations. This is a major contradiction.” It is a contradiction that could have far-reaching implications for Sri Lanka’s economic growth and technological progress.
MP Harsha’s feedback on the speech highlights the fundamental importance of the right to express views freely—a cornerstone of any democratic society. The government committee’s power to determine the veracity of content and force platforms to remove it is an affront to this fundamental freedom. It is essential to recognize that a government-appointed committee cannot effectively discern truth from falsehood in an era where information flows across borders at the speed of light.
Furthermore, MP Harsha’s astute observation about the regressive nature of the bill rings true. In an age where technology continues to advance rapidly, the future of communication and content moderation will heavily rely on artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms. Imposing archaic legislation that doesn’t account for these advancements is not only backward-looking but also hinders Sri Lanka’s potential to adapt to the evolving digital landscape.
It’s worth noting that tech companies already have their own community guidelines in place and are vigilant in ensuring their platforms are free from hate speech, harassment, and other forms of harmful content. Therefore, the government’s heavy-handed intervention seems unnecessary and counterproductive.
In conclusion, MP Harsha de Silva’s scathing critique of the online safety bill highlights the significant concerns surrounding this proposed legislation. It not only threatens to deter foreign investment but also jeopardizes freedom of expression and the country’s ability to embrace future technological advancements. Sri Lanka must carefully reconsider the consequences of such an overreaching law and seek a balanced approach that respects both the rights of its citizens and the needs of its digital economy. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is vital to navigate these challenges with wisdom and foresight, rather than resorting to draconian measures that stifle progress and liberty.
Colombo (LNW): Becoming the 69th state to join hands with the international community against nuclear weaponry, Sri Lanka has officially endorsed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
The island nation was not just a passive observer but actively contributed to discussions leading up to the United Nations-led Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty, which was ratified on July 7, 2017, in New York.
Notably, Sri Lanka was one of the 122 nations that voiced their support through a positive vote.
In a significant ceremony linked to the 78th World Assembly session in New York, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry formally submitted the necessary paperwork for this crucial agreement.
This Treaty aims to ban any activities associated with the creation, testing, storage, or possession of nuclear arms or related explosive devices.
Colombo (LNW): As per the reports handed over by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe the 2019 Easter Sunday genocide, no Police personnel have been charged in connection with the bombings thus far, asserted Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, responding to the Opposition in Parliament yesterday (20).
Police personnel have only been under observation, and therefore, it would be wrong to name certain individuals, as if they are already charged, until they are rightfully prosecuted, Alles said in response to Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Hector Appuhamy.
The Minister made these observations as a response to the allegation that several state officials are connected with the 2019 bombing which took away more than 260 lives.
He added that the relevant names of the personnel were handed over to the Attorney General’s Department for further proceedings, but they cannot be cited as suspects yet.
Colombo (LNW): Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has held a meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, too address the ongoing economic issues in the island nation.
The discussion between the two focused on the ongoing reforms in the financial sector and the significant advancements in debt restructuring efforts, a statement by the President’s Media Division said.
The domestic debt restructuring (DDR) process which has already been met with a severe backlash from a number of parties including the Opposition, civil activities and other concerned parties is kept being lauded by the IMF and the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to continue with the DDR process regardless is backed by economic austerity which has already been put on the shoulders of the public.