Colombo (LNW): China says it will promote pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and jointly implement the Global Development Initiative.
It has agreed to further strengthen cooperation with local and foreign companies and make more contributions to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
Measures have already been taken to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and participate in high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative’s framework to help Sri Lanka.
The Export-Import Bank of China extended the debt payment in 2022 and 2023, and the Chinese side agreed to negotiate a medium- and long-term debt disposal plan with Sri Lanka in a friendly manner, and promised to do its best to promote Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability.
Reiterating its position several times, the Chinese side has stressed that China and Sri Lanka are good brothers, good partners and good friends.
It has also said it is committed to maintaining friendly relations with Sri Lanka for mutual benefit and emphasized that it will continue to support Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic development and provide humanitarian aid to the best of its ability.
With China’s help Sri Lanka’s aspiration of becoming a major logistics hub in the region took a giant leap forward with the launch of a $392 million South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub in Colombo Port.
The 5 million-square-foot logistics hub will be built in the center of Colombo Port and have a storage capacity of 530,000 cubic meters. The construction of the complex is expected to begin later this year, and the complex is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The SACLH will offer the full gamut of logistics-related facilities and services such as less-than-container load, multi-country consolidation, container freight station, general warehousing and various other value-added services.
Also, the project is expected to provide direct employment for at least 1,800 people and create 10,500 other jobs indirectly.
It will provide better logistics and warehousing facilities and services, enhancing the Colombo Port’s competitive advantage and consequently strengthening its status as a logistics hub, by improving the port’s services and introducing leading-edge technologies.
It’s direct foreign investment like this that Sri Lanka needs to boost its economic recovery, Chinese diplomatic sources said.
There is no doubt the Chinese enterprises will improve operational and marketing skills, strengthen the market power and commercial relationships, enhance technological expertise and access to cheaper sources of finance, which are of paramount importance for attracting more traffic to Sri Lanka and turning it into an international logistics hub, it added.
Colombo (LNW): Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) congratulates Honourable Gary Anandasangree on his appointment as Minister of Crown – Indigenous Relations, today in the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
Sri Lankan-born Anandasangree has been a long time advocate of Human Rights issues locally and internationally.
He has represented the Canadian Tamil Congress at various forums including the United Nations Human Rights Council for several years. Gary has acted as the legal counsel until he was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Scarborough Rouge Park in 2015.
Colombo (LNW): The Nava Janatha Peramuna (NJP) this morning (27) held a silent protest near the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) demanding an end to the exploitation of the sport.
The protest was held under the slogan “Save Sri Lanka Cricket From Money-Swallowing Rich” (Mudal Gilina Sallalayangen Sri Lanka Cricket Beraganimu).
Police were deployed to tighten security in front of the Sri Lanka Cricket.
The Grammy-winning singer spoke openly about her mental health, publicly criticised the Catholic Church and married four times. Her family has confirmed her death at the age of 56.
Sky News: Shaven-headed, doe-eyed, a solitary tear trickling down her pale cheek – an unforgettable balance of anger and vulnerability is the image by which Sinead O’Connor will always be remembered.
The raw emotion in those close-up shots in the video for 1990 single Nothing Compares 2 U, the cover that eclipsed the Prince original, was matched only by the intensity conveyed in her haunting vocals.
It topped charts around the world, as did her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, propelling the singer-songwriter to international fame.
She went on to win a Grammy the following year – but refused to attend the ceremony in protest against the commercial nature of the industry.
O’Connor did things her way, unapologetic and impossible to ignore.
A gifted singer-songwriter, she was a non-conformist – shaving her head in response to industry pressure to look glamorous – but became known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music.
Image: O’Connor in 1998
“Every person’s duty to themselves is to act on their feelings and to say when they think something is wrong,” she can be heard saying in a documentary telling the story of her rise to fame, released just last year and titled, of course, Nothing Compares.
Troubled childhood
Born Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, in December 1966, the singer was one of five children and had a troubled childhood.
When singing Nothing Compares 2 U, the star would say it was her mother Marie she was thinking of, but theirs was a complicated relationship; she later spoke out about being subjected to physical abuse as a child, before Marie died in a car crash in 1985.
At the age of 15, in the early 1980s, she was placed in a Magdalene asylum for shoplifting and truancy, but it was here that her musical talents were discovered.
After learning to play the guitar she started performing on the streets of Dublin, her influences ranging from Bob Dylan to Siouxsie And The Banshees.
Her first critically acclaimed album, The Lion And The Cobra, was released in 1987.
Image: Pic: AP
Throughout her career, the star recorded 10 solo albums, wrote songs for films and collaborated with other artists, but never again met the heights of Nothing Compares 2 U. Still, more than 30 years on from its release, she remained a household name.
Despite announcing her retirement from music in 2003, she continued to record new material. Her most recent album, I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss, was released in 2014, and she sang the theme song for the seventh season of Outlander that same year.
O’Connor was also known for controversy. In 1990, she said she would refuse to go on stage in New Jersey if the Star-Spangled Banner was performed.
Image: Sinead O’Connor on stage at Dublin Castle
Two years later, the star made headlines when she ripped up a photograph of Pope John Paul II while appearing as a guest on Saturday Night Live, to the outrage of millions.
Critic of the Catholic Church
A critic of the Catholic Church well before allegations of sexual abuse were widely reported, she frequently spoke out about the scandal of child abuse.
Image: O’Connor publicly criticised the Catholic Church
“I acted at the time in the way that I felt would be most true to myself,” she later said.
Eighteen years later, she was vindicated when Pope Benedict XVIapologised to victims and their families in a letter to Irish Catholics – but O’Connor condemned the apology for not going far enough, and called for Catholics to boycott Mass until there was a full investigation into the Vatican’s role, which by 2018 was making international headlines.
“People assumed I didn’t believe in God. That’s not the case at all. I’m Catholic by birth and culture and would be the first at the church door if the Vatican offered sincere reconciliation,” she wrote in the Washington Post in 2010.
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In 2014, the star said she was joining Sinn Fein, and called for its leaders to step aside so that a younger generation of activists could take over. She later withdrew her application.
Four years later, she famously announced that she had converted to Islam and would be adopting the name Shuhada’ Davitt, later Shuhada Sadaqat – although continued to use Sinead O’Connor professionally.
Image: O’Connor converted to Islam in 2018. Pic: AP
A bold Irish woman
The singer married four times – with her last ending after 16 days in 2011 – and she had four children.
She spoke openly about her mental health issues and suffering from bipolar disorder. When her teenage son Shane took his own life in 2022, she tweeted to say there was “no point living without him”, and spent time in hospital.
In 2021, O’Connor released her memoir, Rememberings, its cover showing that her famous shaved head in profile. In 2022, the documentary was released. Director Kathryn Ferguson, who grew up in Belfast during the 1980s and ’90s, said discovering O’Connor felt like a door had opened.
“Here was a bold Irish woman who said things that others didn’t feel they could say, and she said them loudly,” she said.
“As a teenager and a huge fan of her music, I was deeply saddened and confused by how she was treated for putting her head above the parapet.”
But O’Connor never thought of her actions as extraordinary. “I wasn’t thinking to myself, I must be strong,” we hear her say in the film. “I didn’t know I was strong. An artist’s job is sometimes to create difficult conversations that need to be had. That’s what art is for.”
President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the All-Party conference stresses the significance of discussing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with all parties, as it is “a matter that affects the entire country”: highlights a decision on this matter should involve input from all relevant parties: The conference was organised to update the Parliament’s party leaders on the National Reconciliation Program and the North-East Development Plan.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Mohan Peiris deposits the instrument of ratification by Sri Lanka of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): The ratification comes after approval by the Cabinet and completion of the domestic ratification process: CTBT prohibits “any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world and has a network of detection stations in place to detect nuclear explosions anywhere in the world.
Leading commercial banks reveal that the Sri Lankan Rupee has slightly appreciated against the US Dollar despite continuous depreciation over the past week: People’s Bank – buying price dropped to Rs. 321.15 from Rs. 322.13, selling price to Rs. 336.95 from Rs. 337.97; Commercial Bank – buying price to Rs. 323.41 from Rs. 324.64, selling price to Rs. 334 from Rs. 336; Sampath Bank – buying price Rs. 324 remains unchanged, selling price to Rs. 334 from Rs. 336.
Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 28 – 29 July 2023; expects to have official discussions with his SL counterpart Ali Sabry and pay courtesy calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
The Attorney General urges the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions filed by NPP and PAFFREL claiming that their fundamental rights were violated by the non-holding of the LG Polls on March 09, without hearing: Claims the petitions were filed without having an understanding about the country’s economic crisis and other issues that follow: Petitions to be called again on October 02, 2023.
Police fire water cannons to disperse protest march organised by the Inter-University Students’ Federation from the Lipton Circle to the University Grants Commission demanding the immediate release of student activists Kelum and Dilshan, who have been imprisoned for more than 200 days.
Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe says the Driving Licence Printing Unit of the DMT which was operating under the control of the Army for more than two and a half years will be reacquired by the DMT from September, 2023: The Unit was taken over by the Army in January 2021 following a Cabinet decision based on a proposal by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The CEB warns several government hospitals of possible power outages due to the failure to settle defaulted payments of electricity maintenance and bills: These hospitals include Colombo National Hospital, Mannar District General Hospital, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Colombo East Base Hospital Mulleriyawa, Angoda Infectious Disease Hospital, Borella Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, De Soysa Maternity Hospital, National Dental Teaching Hospital, National Institute for Nephrology Dialysis & Transplantation, and National Eye Hospital.
Head of Mgt. of the Colombo Lotus Tower Prasad Samarasinghe says plans are underway to launch the Bungee Jumping Programme by December this year: Earlier, the Colombo Lotus Tower and Singapore Go Bungay Company signed a contract to start bungee jumping for the first time in Sri Lanka: This is said to be the world’s highest bungee jump.
SL fast bowler Asitha Fernando reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the second Test against Pakistan in Colombo: Fernando was found to have breached Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
Colombo (LNW): The Driving Licence Printing Unit of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Verahera which was operating under the control of Sri Lanka Army for more than two and a half years will be reacquired by the Department from September 01, 2023, announced Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe.
The reacquisition will take place in compliance with the conditions of the contract entered when the Unit was handed over to the Army, he added, revealing that officers of the Dept are currently being trained on the affairs of the Unit and later will be attached to it.
The Driving Licence Printing Unit of the DMT was acquired by the Army in January 2021 following a Cabinet decision based on a proposal by then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
During the meeting between BIMSTEC Secretary-General, Tenzin Lekphell, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, they discussed the need for continued cooperation among member states and emphasised the importance of further developing the public health sector in the region.
The Secretary-General praised Sri Lanka for its commitment to public health and urged the country to take a leading role in this field within the region.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted the necessity of holding regular Ministerial level meetings among BIMSTEC members to ensure the organisation’s success and effective collaboration.
BIMSTEC stands for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprising seven South and Southeast Asian nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The alliance’s primary goal is to foster collaboration in technical and economic realms among the countries located along the Bay of Bengal, bridging the regions of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
In addition to the two leaders, the President’s Director of International Affairs, Dinouk Colombage, participated in the meeting as well.
Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions filed by two parties claiming that their fundamental rights (FR) were violated by the non-holding of the Local Government Election on March 09, 2023 without hearing.
This was when the petitions, filed by the National People’s Power (NPP) and the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), were taken up before the Court yesterday (26).
Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Navana appearing for the AG told the Court that the said petitions were filed without having an understanding about the country’s economic crisis and other issues that follow and therefore, should be dismissed without hearing.
The Supreme Court ordered that the petitions be called again on October 02, 2023.
PMD: During the All-Party Conference at the Presidential Secretariat today (26), President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the significance of discussing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution with all parties, as it is a matter that affects the entire country. He highlighted that a decision on this matter should involve input from all relevant parties.
The conference was organized to update the Parliament’s party leaders on the National Reconciliation Program and the North-East Development Plan.
President Wickremesinghe recalled that neither he nor the previous seven Executive Presidents had the authority to pass new laws to address existing problems; that power rested solely with the Parliament. He asserted that he was bringing forth relevant proposals for the betterment of the country, but the responsibility of implementing them lay with all the representatives in the Parliament, as he alone couldn’t achieve it with his single vote.
The President noted that seven out of the nine provincial councils were located in areas with a majority of Sinhalese. If the provincial council system were to be maintained, he emphasized the need to address the shortcomings that had already been experienced. He suggested granting provincial councils powers over subjects currently under the central government, including grassroots activities like agriculture and tourism.
According to President Wickremesinghe, the central government should formulate policies for the country, while provincial councils should provide the necessary facilities for the successful implementation of development activities in all fields. Collaboration between all parties and levels of government was crucial for progress and development.
In addition, President Ranil Wickremesinghe called for collective discussions among all parties to decide on granting police powers to the Provincial Councils as outlined in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution.
Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe proposed arrangements that would allow members of the Provincial Councils to concurrently hold positions and be appointed as Members of Parliament, while members of Parliament could also serve as members of the Provincial Councils.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Former President Maithripala Sirisena, Tamil National Alliance Leader and Member of Parliament R. Samppanthan, M. A. Sumanthiran, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and Member of Parliament Sagara Kariyawasam, as well as other Members of Parliament such as Dallas Alahapperuma, Wimal Weerawansa, Gevidu Kumaratunga, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Udaya Gammanpila, Sarath Weerasekera, Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, C.V. Vigneswaran, and Lakshman Kiriella, participated and expressed their views during the event. Numerous party leaders and representatives from various parties were also present at the occasion.
Sri Lanka’s Economic Challenge: A stark contrast between Tamil Nadu’s expected growth of 14% and Sri Lanka’s negative 3.5% this year.
Ambitious Goal of High-Income Country: President’s vision to achieve high-income status by 2048, requiring 6.5% annual growth from now onwards.
Bridging the Skill Gap: Concerns over the volume of skilled labor produced in India, highlighting Sri Lanka’s need for educational reforms.
Embracing Trade Agreements: Unlocking the potential of bilateral and regional trade deals to boost exports and attract foreign exchange.
The Power of Social Market Economy: Proposing a new mindset to achieve social and economic justice in Sri Lanka’s growth journey.
Focus on Sustainable Development: Emphasizing continuity in policies and a unified approach, beyond party affiliations, for lasting change.
Seizing Opportunities with India: Leveraging South India’s growth, as exemplified by Tamil Nadu’s success, to benefit Sri Lanka’s economy.
In a recent press conference, MP Harsha de Silva from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) addressed critical issues hindering Sri Lanka’s economic progress and outlined a vision for sustainable growth through a social market economy model. The press conference shed light on several factors contributing to the country’s economic challenges and proposed solutions to pave the way for a prosperous future.
Comparing Tamil Nadu’s Expected Growth to Sri Lanka’s Reality:
One of the key concerns raised was the significant disparity between Tamil Nadu’s projected growth of 14% and Sri Lanka’s negative 3.5% growth. MP Harsha de Silva emphasized the need to understand the obstacles preventing Sri Lanka from achieving higher growth rates, especially if the country is to attain its goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2048.
Growth Targets and Production-Based Economy:
To realize the ambitious goal of high-income status, Sri Lanka must grow at a minimum of 6.5% annually until 2048. The MP questioned the feasibility of a production-based economy and emphasized the importance of identifying the right high-tech products or components and target markets to stimulate demand.
Overcoming Skill and Knowledge Gaps:
The MP acknowledged the presence of over 800 higher education institutes in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and their role in nurturing skilled labor. However, he also noted that the volume of skilled labor produced in India far exceeds Sri Lanka’s output, which raises significant questions about the country’s ability to compete effectively on the international stage. To achieve sustainable economic growth and development, Sri Lanka must address the disparity in skilled labor and invest in educational reforms to bridge the gap.
Building Bridges through Regional Trade Agreements:
MP Harsha de Silva stressed the utmost significance of engaging in bilateral and regional trade agreements, which would facilitate the free flow of goods and further promote international trade for Sri Lanka. Emphasizing the need to embrace technological advancements in production, he pointed out the immense potential for exports, especially in sectors such as electronic vehicles, auto components, and telecommunications equipment, where Tamil Nadu in India has already established a strong presence. By tapping into these sectors and leveraging modern production methods, Sri Lanka can enhance its position in the global value chains and stimulate economic growth.
A Change in Mindset:
The MP called for a fundamental shift in the country’s mindset and highlighted the necessity of a social market economy model to achieve social and economic justice. He underscored the importance of transparency and the avoidance of false promises, urging a focus on the core issues.
The Role of Elections and Continuity in Development:
In the pursuit of a sustainable development agenda with expansive reforms, MP Harsha de Silva emphasized the importance of elections and people’s mandate. He dismissed the idea of focusing on personalities and emphasized the need for a consistent development roadmap, independent of the ruling party.
Leveraging Opportunities with India:
The MP rejected the notion that building bridges with India would be disadvantageous to Sri Lanka and pointed to the opportunities arising from South India’s rapid growth. He cited Tamil Nadu’s success in becoming the ‘Detroit of Asia’ and highlighted the potential for energy export from Mannar to India, similar to Bhutan’s hydro-dam exports.
MP Harsha de Silva’s press conference provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Sri Lanka’s economy. Emphasizing the significance of a social market economy model, regional trade agreements, and continuity in development policies, he advocated for an inclusive and sustainable path to economic growth. By understanding the core problems and making educated decisions, Sri Lanka can achieve its goal of becoming an advanced economy by 2048.
