Colombo (LNW): Responding to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) formulated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to understand and implement measures to help move Sri Lanka away from vulnerability and poverty in the future, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon all policy makers, as well as the private sector and civil society and said that data on poverty and vulnerability would be essential for effective planning.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister made this remark when UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota called on him at the Temple Trees yesterday (31) together with the members of the UNDP experts team Dr Sabina Alkire, Director, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford and Prof Siri Hettige, Professor in Sociology to hand over the UNDP MVI MPI Reports.
The Prime Minister thanked the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, the UNDP SURGE Data Hub, and the Citra Social Innovation Lab, which is anchored within the Prime Minister’s Office in Sri Lanka for the preparation of the data base which will be of extremely useful to effectively design national policies for these vulnerable groups.
Kubota explained that the data for the report was collected from a national level survey capturing insights from 25,000 households covering the issues related to nutrition, education, household debt or risks of disasters.
Dr Alkire said the MVI MPI offer a robust evidence base to better understand the challenges faced by vulnerable groups and to assist policymakers in formulating targeted and effective policies.
Prof Hettige said the data base on poverty and vulnerability will be useful for the government to effectively plan its policy programmes to bring Sri Lanka back on track and onto a more sustainable development pathway.
Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Advisor (Media) Sugeeswara Senadhira and UNDP Team Leader Fadhil Bakeer Markar were also present on this occasion.
Colombo (LNW): The prevailing showery condition in south-western part of the Island is expected to continue further, and accordingly, showers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and Northwestern provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (01).
Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, and showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern and Uva province and in Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts during the evening or night, the statement added.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
On the apparent southward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 28th of August to 07th of September in this year. The nearest towns of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today are Ippanthivu Island (Puttalam District), Anuradhapura, Katukeliyawa and Ilukwewa (Anuradhapura District) about 12.11 noon.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo, Galle and Matara.
Winds:
Winds will be South-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar. Wind speed may increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar will be rough at times. The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo will be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The southwest monsoon that farmers rely on for summer harvest was scanty this year due to the El Nino weather pattern.
Al Jazeera: HJM Seneviratne, 63, slices through yellowed paddy stems dried out by a drought that has destroyed over 95 percent of his crop and is threatening crisis-hit Sri Lanka’s summer rice harvest.
The island’s economy was crushed last year by its worst financial crisis in over seven decades, caused by a severe shortage of foreign exchange reserves that triggered widespread unrest and removed its former president.
Helped by a $2.9bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sri Lanka has slowly stabilised its economy since March, rebuilding its decimated reserves, moderating inflation and strengthening its currency.
But even before the country’s agriculture sector could recover from skyrocketing prices of inputs from fertiliser to power, the rains failed.
“I’ve been a farmer for 40 years but I’ve never experienced a harder time than this,” Seneviratne said, standing in the middle of a dusty field near Anamaduwa, a town in northwestern Sri Lanka, clutching a fistful of straw-like paddy stems with hollow rice kernels.
“We haven’t had enough rain since May. The harvest is so bad we don’t even have seed paddy for the next season.”
HJM Seneviratne cuts yellow paddy stems that dried following the drought at his paddy field in Anamaduwa. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]
The southwest monsoon that farmers rely on for the Yala or summer harvest was scanty this year because of the El Nino weather pattern and the weather department estimates there will be no rains until October.
El Nino, a warming of water surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, is linked to extreme weather conditions from tropical cyclones to heavy rainfall to severe droughts.
During the last El Nino in 2016 and 2017, Sri Lanka suffered its worst drought in 40 years and rice output fell by nearly 50 percent year on year to 2.4 million metric tonnes over both its harvests.
Typically, Seneviratne’s four acres yield about 4.5-6 tonnes of paddy for the summer harvest but this time he predicts he will get only about 150kg. All but one of the eight water tanks, large ponds in which rainwater is collected for irrigation, in the area have dried out, destroying about 200 acres of paddy.
The paddy loss could be as much as 75,000 acres (30,351 hectares), according to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, while other experts say full losses could be even higher as estimates are yet to be completed.
Sri Lanka planted 1.3 million acres (526,091 hectares) for the summer harvest, according to the agriculture ministry.
“We have lost at least 80,000 metric tonnes of paddy as per the latest data and it could be more,” said Buddhi Marambe, professor of crop science at Sri Lanka’s Peradeniya University.
Experts say they are worried that if Sri Lanka does not receive the rains it needs next March because of the continuing El Nino, the country will be left with scant reserve stocks and will have to resort to large-scale, expensive imports.
Rice is the staple food of the country’s 22 million people and its biggest crop. According to government data, two million people in the country are rice farmers out of 8.1 million people engaged in fishing and agriculture in the largely rural economy.
The drought has also wiped out the small chilli, peanut and banana plants Seneviratne’s wife, WM Makamma, 62 grows to feed her family.
“Before the crisis, we used to cook for all three meals but now it’s only two,” she said. “We’ve stopped buying eggs, chicken or fresh fish. Lunch is a cup of black tea. I feel like we have fallen completely and it’s very hard to get back up.”
Seneviratne shows the yellow paddy stems that dried. ‘I’ve been a farmer for 40 years but I’ve never experienced a harder time than this,’ he said. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]The southwest monsoon that farmers rely on for the Yala or summer harvest was scanty this year because of the El Nino weather pattern, and the weather department estimates there will be no rains until October. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]A farmer tries to stop a fire on abandoned farmland amid a drought in Anamaduwa. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]Seneviratne uses his bicycle to carry water back home. ‘We haven’t had enough rain since May. The harvest is so bad we don’t even have seed paddy for the next season.’ [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]A dog walks on the dried-up lake bed, used for collecting water for farming. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]Experts say they are worried that if Sri Lanka does not receive the rains it needs next March because of the continuing El Nino, the country will be left with scant reserve stocks and will have to resort to large-scale, expensive imports. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]The paddy loss could be as much as 75,000 acres (30,500 hectares), according to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, while other experts say full losses could be even higher as estimates are yet to be completed. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Rupee today (31) happens to have appreciated against the US Dollar, in comparison to Tuesday (29), as per the official exchange rates list issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 315.33 from Tuesday’s Rs.317.83, and the selling price to Rs. 326.93 from Tuesday’s Rs. 329.54.
The Sri Lankan Rupee, meanwhile, also indicates appreciation against a number of other foreign currencies as well.
PMD: In a strategic move toward a developed Sri Lanka by 2048, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the dual importance of technology and financial literacy for the next generations. Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Capital Market Club’ program in Kandy’s Nugawela Central College today, President Wickremesinghe disclosed key plans for this transformative journey.
Among the President’s notable announcements was the integration of the Central Bank’s reports into schools for discussion. To facilitate this, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is set to introduce a comprehensive training program for teachers and student leaders. This initiative aims to bolster awareness of the stock market and enhance financial literacy among students across the nation.
The collaborative effort behind this program involves the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Colombo Stock Exchange. These institutions have joined forces to execute President Wickremesinghe’s vision, with the ultimate goal of cultivating an informed and financially aware younger generation.
During the ceremony, President Wickremesinghe presented the charter certificate and a substantial grant of Rs. 100,000 to Principal Dhammika Bandara, marking the establishment of the Capital Market Club at the Nugawela Central College. Moreover, the President handed over a compilation of knowledge-packed books on ‘Capital Market Clubs’ to Mrs. Achini Kanitiwela, who is spearheading the subject.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Education M.M. Ranasinghe, Securities and Exchange Commission Director General Chinthaka Mendis and Colombo Stock Exchange Chief Executive Officer Rajiva Bandaranaike signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on this program. The artistic contributions of the college’s art teacher, Mrs. Nayana Wijekoon, were also acknowledged with the presentation of a portrait of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said;
“The world will pass us by if we rotate in one place,” emphasized the Minister of Education during his speech, where he referenced the lyrics of a song. With this perspective in mind, we are launching this program today.
For a considerable period, we operated within the paradigms of the industrial age that characterized the mid-20th century and these principles infiltrated our political landscape. The outcomes of this approach don’t need elaboration.
In the years 2021 and 2022, our nation faced the dual challenges of economic distress and the Covid epidemic, leading us to a state of economic insolvency. However, I have initiated a program to rescue our country from this dire situation. It is noteworthy that our government is successfully navigating this endeavour. Our focus must now shift towards advancing without regressing into the abyss that threatens our nation’s progress. It’s imperative to decide whether we should persist with mid-20th century policies or chart a new course with fresh perspectives. Adhering to outdated methods would jeopardize our country’s very existence, considering the significant gap between our current state and our desired destination.
Equally crucial is ensuring that the upcoming generation, entrusted with the country’s future, does not inherit such a predicament. Thus, embarking on a technological journey becomes imperative. The technological strides of the 21st century need no introduction. Recalling our school days, where a telephone in every village was a distant dream, it’s striking to observe that today, mobile phones are omnipresent. Some individuals even possess multiple devices. Such is the transformation.
While embracing this change, it is paramount to introduce modern technology to our nation. Substantial efforts are already underway, both within the Ministry of Education and various research institutes. Consequently, determining the implementation of new technological methods becomes a pivotal task. From blockchain technology to artificial intelligence and genome science, we must forge ahead with these innovations.
Crucially, these advancements should reach rural communities. Our initiative to modernize agriculture aims to bring these technologies closer to home. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that technology alone is insufficient. These endeavours require financial support within a society that operates on monetary transactions. The current governmental landscape lacks the means to entirely govern monetary utilization and this holds true on both the domestic and international fronts. In the past, the digital realm was a distant concept. It was in 1993 that I signed the agreement to introduce the internet to Sri Lanka. Until then, these possibilities were alien to us. Thanks to this new technology, we have swiftly connected with the global community.
In today’s competitive economic climate, financial systems operate without heeding national boundaries. Whether favourable or not, we must adapt within these constraints. The global economy draws its sustenance from various sources, including banks and stock markets. Money serves as the driving force. Ultimately, it’s essential to acknowledge the pivotal role of money. Similar to the private sector, the government also engages with the money market and issues Treasury Bonds. Today, our objective is to acquaint you with this methodology, marking the initial step in this educational journey.
Furthermore, my aspiration is to introduce discussions on the Central Bank report within schools starting from the upcoming year. I am actively engaging with the Ministry of Finance in this endeavour. To facilitate this, we are equipping both teachers and student leaders with training, while also garnering support from bank officials.
This initiative underscores the need for familiarity with contemporary methods. Our focus extends beyond the mere dissemination of knowledge; it encompasses financial literacy and securities education that should reach even the most remote villages. Talented individuals reside within these communities and it is incumbent upon us to provide them with the essential training.
Simultaneously, we must recognize that today’s world operates as a single market. To align with this reality, we are in the process of signing multiple free trade agreements. Deliberations are ongoing with nations such as Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Vietnam. Anticipated expansions into new markets encompass East Asia, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Additionally, conversations are underway with the European Union to explore potential facilities. In a fortnight, a delegation from the United States will be visiting our nation for discussions. Hence, a comprehensive awareness of the global market and these agreements becomes paramount.
The emerging economy we are shaping is both environmentally conscious and digitally driven. Within the framework of this green and digital economy, securities hold their place. This paradigm shift introduces novel approaches. Complementing this transition, our focus extends to an offshore economy. Discussions involving specialized bar associations in London are shaping the corresponding legal landscape. A critical decision lies before us: whether to embrace these pioneering economic systems or remain in stagnation.
In a decade or so, a significant majority of our populace will fall within the 25-35 age bracket. Today, the imperative to chart one’s future looms large. We provide the essential knowledge, but the hands-on application lies in your hands. This program has been inaugurated today. Currently, we’ve selected 100 schools for participation, with intentions to expand this number subsequently. I urge the stock market and the Securities Exchange Commission to actively collaborate and extend their involvement. I request their engagement in overseeing one or two of these associations, providing their valuable support.
A seed fund of Rs.10 million has been allocated for the program’s initiation. Accordingly, each school will receive Rs. 100,000. I beseech that we confine this financial aspect to this amount. After a year has elapsed, we will evaluate the successful implementation of this program by each school.
The winning school, along with its subject teacher and 10 students, will be rewarded with a trip to Singapore to study the workings of its stock market for a brief period. Hence, I emphasize the need to limit the monetary allocation to Rs. 100,000. This rule applies uniformly, irrespective of whether the school is located in an underprivileged or affluent area. Additionally, we aspire to extend opportunities to the second and third-place contenders. This endeavour aligns with our mission to bring the new economy to the grassroots level.
With this challenge, I entrust you as part of the grand vision to transform our country into a developed nation by 2048. My heartfelt gratitude extends to all those who have contributed to and orchestrated this endeavour.
While visiting Nugawela Central today, I was reminded of another significant chapter in our educational history. It was during that time that the concept of middle schools was introduced and subsequently adopted by the State Council under the leadership of the then Minister of Education, C.W.W. Kannangara. This initiative faced backlash, as evidenced by his defeat in the parliamentary elections by the people of Horana.
Such challenges are an integral part of an education minister’s journey. In contrast, D.S. Senanayake, the subsequent Prime Minister of the following government, assumed office. Mr. Nugawela, affectionately known as Mr. A.D. Nugawela, was appointed as the Minister of Education. He played a pivotal role in establishing 50 schools and we extend our gratitude for founding 49 additional schools in addition to Nugawela Central College. It is with a deep sense of contentment that I embark on this new program within a school that he had envisioned and established.”
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Susil Premajayanth, the Minister of Education, underscored the origins of STEM education stemming from a survey conducted in the United States of America in 1999. This educational framework was subsequently introduced by 2003 and its global adoption is evident with approximately a hundred nations currently implementing this system. Reflecting this trend, the nation has embarked upon the incorporation of STEM education.
While these educational models demonstrate theoretical worth within the limits of the classroom, the challenges lie in their practical implementation. A notable concern arises from the observation that a substantial number of students lack comprehension in areas such as cheques and bills of exchange. The disconnection between classroom instruction and real-world applications becomes apparent, particularly in fields like commerce. Despite the presence of numerous commercial banks within Sri Lanka, students studying commerce seldom gain hands-on exposure to banking operations. The limited accessibility to the intricacies of the capital market poses another challenge.
To address these gaps, a pioneering initiative is being launched today. This initiative aims to equip school leavers with substantial knowledge to engage as informed investors. By bridging the gap between theoretical instruction and practical experience, this project seeks to empower students with a profound understanding of investment dynamics and the workings of the capital market.
Mr. Randula Abeyweera, the Presidential Director of Youth Affairs and Sustainable Development, metaphorically conveyed the notion that a small seed sown in the ground can eventually grow into a towering tree, providing shade to countless individuals. This metaphor serves as a symbolic inspiration for the current endeavour taking place within capital market schools.
Aligned with the visionary principles set forth by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a comprehensive strategy has been devised to establish capital market clubs within educational institutions. This strategic initiative has been set in motion, starting with the meticulous selection of 100 schools based on their outstanding performance in the commercial sector as gauged by A-level results. This discerning approach aims to foster a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical instruction and real-world application in the realm of capital markets.
Mr. Rajiva Bandaranaike, the Chief Executive Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange, expressed the profound significance of the Capital Market Club’s inauguration, in alignment with the visionary principles championed by the President. This club, which was launched today, is aptly characterized as an investment in the future. The gravity of this initiative is underscored by the collaborative effort involving four prominent national institutions. The understanding that collective endeavours yield greater outcomes than individual pursuits is at the core of this strategic move.
The overarching objectives encompass expanding the participation base within the capital market domain, fostering synergistic educational collaborations and establishing distinguished financial educational brands. By embarking on this journey, the initial stride has been taken toward translating this visionary concept into tangible action. This step symbolizes a deliberate commitment to driving transformative change within the realm of financial education and engagement.
Mr. Faisal Saleh, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, emphasized the paramount significance of financial literacy in the context of capital market involvement. He noted a prevalent lack of knowledge concerning financial literacy within the region. In response, the establishment of these Capital Market Clubs has been undertaken to provide comprehensive insights into the prudent utilization of money. By introducing these educational platforms within the school framework, students can acquire a foundational understanding of financial matters directly within the academic environment. Notably, students have exhibited keen interest in this subject matter.
Schools have orchestrated plans to disseminate this valuable knowledge to students starting from the 6th grade onwards. The Ministry of Education and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka play pivotal roles in directly facilitating this initiative. Furthermore, arrangements are in place to conduct seminars targeting school students in the future, augmenting their financial literacy journey. The hope is to garner support from key figures, such as the President and the Minister of Education, to incorporate this subject into the revised school syllabus.
The event witnessed the presence of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, State Ministers Lohan Ratwatte, Dilum Amunugama, Member of Parliament Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange Dilshan Weerasekera, along with government officials, Principals, teachers, students and a diverse assembly of attendees.
Colombo (LNW): The overall inflation rate measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) has dropped to 04 per cent in August, 2023, revealed the Department of Census and Statistics today (31).
This is reportedly a decline compared to the 6.3 per cent recorded in July this year.
Food inflation dropped to (-4.8) per cent in August, 2023 from the (-1.4) per cent recorded in the month before, and the non-food inflation to 8.7 per cent from the 10.5 per cent reported in the month before, the statistics revealed.
Colombo (LNW): Coincided with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance (August 30), families and loved ones of the missing persons in Sri Lanka today (31) held a number of events in Colombo.
These events were organised by the ‘Families of the Disappeared’ collective, under the theme, ‘What happened to the surrendees at the end of the war? Why is the OMP not investigating these?‘
Events of this nature were held with the contribution of the family members of those disappeared during various politically-driven events in the history of Sri Lanka. This afternoon, a silent protest was held in front of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Justice Ministry and subsequently a petition was also handed over to the two ministries.
The official commemoration event for the missing persons in Sri Lanka in celebration of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance is due to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial Internatioal Conference Hall (BMICH) this evening, demanding ‘not to disappear the Day of the Enforced Disappeared and the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) too.‘
Colombo (LNW): There is a possibility of enhancing the prevailing showery condition in south-western part of the island on September 01, 2023 considering the active south west monsoon conditions over the island, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (31).
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely to occur at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, the statement added.
The general public is kindly urged to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
In a resolute countermove, the Attorney representing the Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) issues a stringent demand to Father Rohan Silva, the Executive Director of the Center for Society & Religion (CSR), in light of groundless accusations raised during a recent press conference.
Sri Lanka Guardian: The Attorney of the Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General Suresh Sallay, has unleashed a blistering counterattack against Father Rohan Silva, Executive Director of the Center for Society & Religion (CSR). This comes after Father Silva made shocking and unfounded allegations against Major General Sallay during a recent press conference.
In a letter of demand, the attorney representing Major General Suresh Sallay, requested a staggering sum of Fifty Million Rupees to compensate for the damage inflicted by Father Rohan Silva’s defamatory remarks.
The letter, which a copy has been obtained by the Sri Lanka Guardian, categorically refutes Father Silva’s allegations. It states, “I am instructed to vehemently deny your allegation that my client has in any capacity communicated or met the individual named Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zahran at any given point of time.”
Furthermore, the letter emphatically denies any claims of financial aid or support provided by Major General Sallay to Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zaharan or any of his associates or organizations. It firmly declares, “I am instructed to vehemently deny your allegation that my client has at some point provided financial aid or any other form of support to the individual named Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zaharan and/or any one of his followers and/or any such organization he was involved in.”
Major General Suresh Sallay while addressing the UN High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism in his capacity as the Director of the State Intelligence Service in Sri Lanka. [Photo Credit: Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations]
Major General Suresh Sallay’s attorney is uncompromising in her stance, describing Father Silva’s statements as “absolutely False, Malicious, and outright Defamatory.” She further asserts that these allegations are based on “unsubstantiated, distorted, and manipulated facts” that aim to tarnish Major General Sallay’s reputation.
The letter debunks Father Silva’s attempts to link Major General Sallay to individuals and incidents in Sri Lanka, emphasizing that Sallay was either based overseas or employed elsewhere during those times. These malicious allegations have harmed Major General Sallay’s reputation and caused him considerable distress, leading to an estimated damage claim of Rs. 50,000,000/- (Fifty Million Rupees).
Fr. Rohan Silva (CSR)
The Attorney’s letter concludes, stating, “Should you fail to comply with this demand, please take note that I have further instructions to institute legal proceedings against you in an appropriate Court of Law for the recovery of the said damages with the legal interest and the cost of litigation without any further notice to you.”
Meanwhile, insiders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General Department have raised concerns about a sophisticated plot aimed at tarnishing Sri Lanka’s reputation and defaming individuals in high-ranking positions. It is believed that a group of individuals, seeking asylum in Western countries, is actively engaged in propagating falsehoods, ignoring facts and figures, and spreading unproven allegations to further their own hidden agendas.
A senior official from the Attorney General Department commented, “These individuals are weaving conspiracy theories reminiscent of the East bombings, aiming to achieve several ulterior motives.” As a response to this, it has become the responsibility of Sri Lankan missions abroad to disseminate accurate information based on facts and figures to counter these baseless allegations and protect the nation’s image.
It is worth mentioning that a similar type of litigation is currently in progress in a court of law against Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando for his defamatory remarks against Major General Sallay. It has been reported that Father Fernando claimed his remarks were based on reports published on a website, but he lacks any evidence to support his claims. Nevertheless, due process is ongoing.
