- Closing date for the applications for the scholarship programme for GCE Advanced Level students under the President’s Fund extended to December 30, 2022.
- President’s Advisor Ashu Marasinghe resigns citing ‘personal’ reasons: Reports storm across media accusing him of being zoophilic following briefing called in by ex MP Hirunika Premachandra: Marasinghe denies allegations, lodges complaint with CID: Animal Rights group Randy Foundation demands immediate probe.
- Cabinet approves a proposal by President Wickremesinghe to conduct a series of events to appreciate the consistent contribution rendered by the Upcountry Tamils to the economy of Sri Lanka during the last two centuries.
- May the gospel of humanity, harmony and sacrifice that Jesus Christ desired spread for and wide, says President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Christmas Day Message: pledges the joy of Christmas will be given to the rich and the poor alike.
- Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says the value of humanity follows no dependency on wealth, power and capability: asserts Christmas speaks of people’s superiority in a different manner in which greed has no place.
- Engineers warn meeting the country’s daily electricity demand has become a challenge amid the disconnection of 270 MV of power from the National Grid: say the gap has to be fulfilled through diesel power plants.
- Police arrest brokers accused of producing counterfeit documents related to the Department of Motor Traffic during an operation led by SSP in charge of Colombo South J.H. Marapana.
- Indigenous Leader Uruvarige Wannila Aththo says people of his kin would be ready to contest independently, if the Local Government Election is held.
- Businesswoman Thilini Priyamali accused of major financial scandal barred from leaving Prison premises despite bail approval due to another lawsuit filed on the allegation of using a mobile phone inside Prison.
- SJB MP S.M. Marikkar questions whether December 26 (Monday) was declared as a public holiday in an attempt to delay the issuance of the gazette declaring the holding of the Local Government Election: reminds the Election Commission was set to issue the gazette on Monday.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 25/12
Depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal enters SL, public urged to take adequate precautions
The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country, the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (25).
Showers or thunder showers will occur at times over most parts of the country. Very heavy showers above 150 mm can be expected at some places in Eastern, Uva, central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district. Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places elsewhere.
Strong gusty winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over country.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
| The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country. Therefore, Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa, and Southwest Bay of Bengal (06N – 14N, 78E – 85E), until further notice. Fishing and naval community are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard. |
| Condition of Rain: |
| Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and heavy showers may occur in the sea areas around the Island. |
| Winds: |
| Winds will be northerly to north-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (55-65) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa and it will increase up to 50kmph at times in the other sea areas around the Island. |
| State of Sea: |
| The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalum, Mannar, Kankasanturai, Trincomalee & Batticaloa will be rough. The other sea areas around the Island may be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. |
MIAP
President’s Christmas Day Message
The dawn of Christmas is a day to reminisce and celebrate God’s love for humanity, by the birth of Jesus Christ as the savior of human kind. It is a joyous festival of humanity and peace, that proclaims the liberation of the poor and oppressed. The birth of baby Jesus in impoverished surroundings signifies the dedication of His life to creating a better society.
In the country’s current unprecedented economic crisis, it is important for the people to extend compassion to one another, and assist each other. This would be a salutation to the testaments of Jesus Christ.
It is appropriate to recall the appeal of His Holiness Pope Francis for a humble Christmas this year, with the savings from reduced spending on gifts to be donated to the needy and value humanity.
It is the Government’s aspiration to present the joy of Christmas to the entirety of society. It is imperative for all citizens to resolve to fulfill their responsibilities this Christmas season, and propagate devotion to all.
As we celebrate the event of the birth of Jesus Christ, I pray that our country will soon be restored with prosperity. I wish everyone a happy Christmas in which the gospel of humanity, harmony and sacrifice that Jesus Christ desired, will spread far and wide.
Ranil Wickremesinghe
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
SL begins Indian tour on Jan 03 2023 with TV rights to Supreme TV
Sri Lanka will be the first team to visit India in the New Year 2023 for a white-ball series – they’ll play in three T20Is followed by as many as 3 ODIs from 3 to 15 January. The matches will be played at six different venues, with the first T20I in Mumbai.
‘Supreme TV’ has secured the rights to telecast the Sri Lanka tour of India becoming the first local digital television to air all ODI and T20I matches for the cricket enthusiasts and die hard fans country wide.
The crickt series which is scheduled to begin on Tue January 3rd will have 3 T20 Matches and 3 ODI Matches.
‘Supreme TV’ is now relaying its programmes on UHF 47 (island wide), UHF 49 (Western), UHF 28 (Southern) , UHF 56 (Sabaragamuwa), Channel 20 (Dialog TV), Channel 140 (PEO TV) & Channel 17 (Freesat).
The last time Sri Lanka toured India for T20Is was in February 2022, a series that India comfortably won 3-0. The visitors will be playing an ODI series in India for the first time since 2017, when the hosts won the contest 2-1.
The Indian cricket authorities have not released any details related to the Sri Lanka Tour of India 2023. India Vs. Sri Lanka is going to happen after so long, and all the cricket fans are eagerly waiting for it Indian official sources said.
This series will be going to be very important for both nations hundrads of thousands Indian cricket fans get ready to witness the matches in India.
All cricket lovers are very excited to know each and every piece of information about the upcoming matches that is the Sri Lanka Tour of India.
But they need to wait for some more time to know the official details because the Indian cricket association has not released any official announcement regarding the upcoming matches
However the first T20 will be scheduled to play in Mumbai and the second match in Pune while the third at Rajkot.
Sri Lanka team will be led by Dasun Chanaka and the Indian captain is all rounder Hardik Himanshu Pandya as regular skipper Rohit Sharma is resting.
India Predicted XI For Sri Lanka T20Is:- Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
India Predicted Squad For Sri Lanka ODIs:- Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi.
Other Contenders:- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
Sri Lanka, India discuss financial transaction in rupees for tourism
With more Indian tourists visiting the island nation recording the second highest number of arrivals up to now this year, India and Sri Lanka held discussions on ways of improving financial transactions for tourism.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Milinda Moragoda and Rahul Bhatia, Founder of IndiGo discussed aviation collaboration and use of rupee trade for tourism, a statement from the Sri Lankan mission said.
According to the statement, they discussed ways to expand collaboration in the aviation sector between Sri Lanka and India including ways and means to make Sri Lankan airports more competitive for the Indian carrier.
“The opportunities presented by the recent permission granted by the Reserve Bank of India to allow VOSTRO accounts were also discussed.
IndiGo is India’s largest airline by passenger carriage and fleet size, and is a pioneer in low-cost aviation in India. The airline has carried over 300 million passengers as of November 2022.
IndiGo currently operates scheduled flights between Chennai and Colombo, and is responsible for transporting a significant portion of tourism traffic from India, Sri Lanka’s largest source market.
Tourism from India will play a central role in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. The recent approval by the Reserve Bank of India to allow VOSTRO accounts to be opened by Sri Lankan banks is a first step towards enhancing rupee-based trade between India and Sri Lanka.
This development will be a further catalyst in enhancing tourism and IndiGo will play a key role in this regard,” the statement said.
IndiGo currently operates scheduled flights between Chennai and Colombo, and is responsible for transporting a significant portion of tourism traffic from India
The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first 20 days of December have crossed 50,000, indicating a significant improvement in tourism activities.
The provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority revealed that for the December 01 to 20 period, a total of 50,375 international visitors entered the country.
This brings the total tourist arrivals for the year so far (January 01- December 20) to 678,392.
Accordingly, the daily arrival average improved to 2,518. In the previous months, the daily arrival average was below 2,200.
Analysis of the weekly arrival numbers shows that for the first 20 days, the tourist arrivals were above 16,000 for the first three weeks of the month.
In the first week (December 01-07), the tourist arrivals reached 16,169, whereas in the second week (December 08 -14), the arrivals totalled 16,418. In the first five days of the third week (December 15-20), the tourist arrivals reached 17,788.
If the current pace of tourist arrivals can be maintained, Sri Lanka could end the month of December with about 75,000 tourist arrivals, which will mean the tourism sector has somewhat improved to what it was before the economic and political crisis in the country that escalated in April.
The Russian Federation continues to remain as the largest tourist traffic generator for destination Sri Lanka, accounting for 22 percent of the total tourist arrivals for the first 20 days of December.
Ranking second is India, contributing to 18 percent of the total tourist traffic and in the third place is the United Kingdom, bringing in 9 percent of the total tourists to the country.
Sri Lanka’s economy contracts amidst input and supply disruptions
The Sri Lanka’s economy contracted by 4.8 percent year-on-year in 2022 with most of key economic indicators contracted, amid shortages of inputs and supply chain disruptions. High frequency indicators such as the purchasing managers’ indices indicate a continued stress this year.
Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) change in the National Consumer Price Index decreased for the second consecutive month, recording 65.0 per cent in November 2022.
Similarly, the Food inflation decreased to 69.8 per cent, while the Non-Food inflation decreased to 60.4 percent. Furthermore, the NCPI measured on an annual average basis, increased to 46.7 per cent in November 2022 from 42.2 per cent in October 2022.
Poverty is expected to have increased in 2022 due to the contraction in the economy. Poorer households are hardest hit owing to food inflation, job losses, limited fertilizer supply and drop in remittances.
Although expenditures increased on account of additional support provided to social protection beneficiaries, public servants and pensioners, several revenue measures, such as a one-off tax imposed on large corporates, helped reduce the primary deficit.
During the period from January to September 2022, total expenditure and net lending increased to Rs. 2,694.8 bn compared to Rs. 2,380.4 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2021, Central Bank data shows.
During the nine months ending September 2022, overall budget deficit declined to Rs. 1,244.4 bn compared to Rs. 1,328.2 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2021. During the nine months ending September 2022, domestic financing decreased to Rs. 1,303.5 bn compared to Rs. 1,453.0 bn in the corresponding period of 2021.
Foreign financing recorded a net repayment of Rs. 59.1 bn during the period from January to September 2022, compared to the net repayment of Rs. 124.7 bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.
Outstanding central government debt increased to Rs. 24,945.9 bn by end September 2022 from Rs. 17,589.4bn as at end 2021.
By end September 2022, total outstanding domestic debt amounted to Rs. 13,345.6 bn while the rupee value of total outstanding foreign debt amounted to Rs. 11,600.3 bn.
According to Central Bank’ economic indicator report, the reserve money increased to Rs.1.38 trillion during the week from Dec 15 to Dec 22 compared to the previous week amount of Rs.1.34 trillion mainly due to increase in the deposits held by the commercial banks with the Central Bank.
During the year up to 23rd December 2022, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against the US dollar by 44.8 per cent. Given the cross currency exchange rate movements, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against the Euro by 41.1 per cent, the pound sterling by 38.2 per cent, the Indian rupee by 38.5 per cent and the Japanese yen by 36.4 per cent during this period.
Earnings from Tourism declined to US$ 107.5 million in November 2022 compared to the same month’s amount of $ 115.4 million last year. Workers’ Remittances (Inflows) increased to $384.4 million in November 2022 from $271.4 million in the same month of 2021. Official Reserve Assets (were $1,8 billion as at end November
Special program in Parliament to support the COPA in streamlining the evaluation process
A special awareness program to support the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) regarding the further expansion of the evaluation process in public Sector was held in Parliament recently, with the participation of COPA members.
The officials of Sri Lanka Evaluation Association (SLEvA) briefed the committee members in this program which was chaired by COPA Chairman, Member of Parliament Hon. Kabir Hashim.
It was also discussed regarding the completion of the National Evaluation draft bill and implementation of the recommendations of the Parliament Select Committee.
Also, facts were presented about the possibility of establishing an Evaluation Unit when establishing a budget office in Parliament. The need to speed up the preparation of a National Evaluation Policy was also emphasized here.
Emphasizing the need for a formal national evaluation process, the COPA chairman said that this program is a preliminary discussion and that he expects to discuss this more widely in the future and take the necessary steps expeditiously.
State Ministers Hon. Prasanna Ranaweera, Hon. Kader Mastan, Members of Parliament Hon. (Dr.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Hon. Major Pradeep Udugoda, Hon. Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Hon. Sahan Pradeep Vithana, Hon. Prof. Charita Herath and Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amasuriya were present on this occasion.
Also, the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, Assistant Secretary General Tikiri.K Jayathilaka and a group of officials from the COPA Secretariat were also present on this occasion.
New International Trade Office to resume FTA talks with South & East Asia
Sri Lanka’s new International Trade Office, to be established on the directions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, will resume talks on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with a number of countries, the President’s Office said.
The Government has decided to reorganize the existing conventional institutional set-up and establish the International Trade Office (ITO) to obtain maximum output from the external trade sector to the national economy.
Realizing the untapped economic potential of trade and investment via linking with regional and global value chains is a major element of the Government’s economic revival programme, the President’s Office claimed.
Towards this end, the ambition is to first integrate into South Asia and then expand to the east; China, Thailand and Indonesia linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which consists of 30 percent of the world’s GDP, trade and population.
“To achieve this overarching objective, there is no alternative but to formulate a strong institutional structure to manage Sri Lanka’s presence in international trade the President’s Office disclosed.
It will be e removing the existing compartmentalization of trade-related institutions and eliminating the gaps in the approaches taken by multiple institutions.
The ITO, once it is established through an Act of Parliament will be headed by an Ambassador of International Trade, supported by an eminent group of advisors who has expertise in international trade and the core structure of the institution will consist of designated officers from all the relevant institutions attached to it.
The National Trade Negotiation Committee which undertakes the Free Trade Negotiations will also be an integral part of the ITO.
Accordingly, taking immediate measures to operationalize Sri Lanka – Singapore FTA (SLSFTA) which entered into force in May 2018 but has not been operationalized till now, will be the first task of the ITO.
The Joint Committee set up in accordance with SLSFTA comprising designated officials from both countries will meet in January 2023 and finalize the modalities to agree on operationalization.
In parallel, by next January the ITO will resume negotiations of the three FTAs with India, China and Thailand. The 12th round of negotiations with India, the 7th round of negotiations with China and the 3rd round of negotiations with Thailand will be held during the first two months of 2023.
General S.H.S. Kottegoda appointed as the Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
General S.H.S. Kottegoda (RTD.) has been appointed as the Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed General (Rtd.) S.H.S. Kottegoda as the Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
The President made the appointment in terms of Section 7B (1) of the Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy Act No. 68 of 1981 as amended.
He has been appointed for the position for a period of five years.
Cable car project revives by the Govt for visitors to World’s End
A cable car project has been proposed for the implementation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for visitors to World’s End following the revival of an already approved project.
The President said that the cable car service will link Pattipola and Boralanda.He expressed these views while attending the Nuwara Eliya District Development Committee meeting held at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat on Thursday 22.
The measures to be taken for the promotion of the tourism industry in the Nuwara Eliya District were among the matters discussed at the meeting.
“Special programs are needed to boost the tourism industry in the Nuwara Eliya District. But nothing should be done in such a way as to harm the environment. Horton plain is the highest place in Sri Lanka.
Therefore, nothing can be done to destroy it. We hope to bring a new law to protect the Horton Plains. Also, steps are being taken to commence a cable car service between Pattipola and Boralanda for those visiting World’s End,” the President’s Media Division quoted the President as saying.
In 2021 the then Government had signed an agreement to initiate the country’s first-ever cable car project in Nuwara Eliya with an investment of around US$ 55 million.
The cable car project proposed at the time was to cover a distance of 4 km from Nanu-Oya to Nuwara-Eliya in two phases.
The first step towards building a four-kilometre-long cable car link between Nanu Oya and Nuwara Eliya with an investment of $ 55 million to boost tourism was finalized at that time .
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Urban Development Authority and Outdoor Engineering Lanka Ltd., a subsidiary of Sweden Outdoor Engineering Ltd., which has over 20 years of experience in handling several cable car links was signed. The project was to be handed over on a 30-year lease.
According to the Ministry, the project will be carried out within 18 months and in two phases. The MoU follows completion of feasibility study.
Cabinet of Ministers revalidated the project that was approved in 2019, subject to an assessment on environment, financial and operational feasibility.
The million dollar cable car project proposed under the government’s ambitious Nuwara Eliya tourism zone development initiative after receiving the cabinet approval, has got stuck in financial and environmental issues, according to official assessment reports and relevant documents.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the project in 2019 during the previous regime and it was re-introduced under the then government’s tourism zone development initiative in 2021
There were costs overruns between the new project proposal of Outdoor Engineering Lanka Ltd and its previous proposal in 2019, raising issues of financial and operational feasibility, an internal government audit inspection divulged.
According to the audit report, the estimated cost of the project indicated in 2019 cabinet proposal was U$50 million while in the new proposal it has jacked up to $63.1 million.
The cost for the project has increased by a staggering $13 million despite having no changes from the previous proposal, the audit query pointed out, as the government has to eventually pay the investor.