Colombo (LNW): A total of 217,000 objections have been received regarding the implementation of the ‘Aswesuma’ Welfare Benefit Scheme, announced the Welfare Benefit Board.
As of now, these objections are being examined commencing from Monday (14), and the Welfare Benefit Board has already instructed the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries to initiate the investigations into the objections.
The objections concerning the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Scheme are to be meticulously reviewed and processed within a period of five days, the Board noted.
Meanwhile, the examination process will also extend to the review of 800,000 appeals that have been submitted regarding the scheme.
Colombo (LNW): Eleven (11) development projects initiated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) are currently stalled due to inter-agency conflicts within the government, disclosed the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development.
A sum of approximately Rs. 2,531 million had been invested in these projects, said Committee Chief MP Ajith Mannapperuma.
In the backdrop, the people are ultimately losing out on the anticipated benefits that these development projects were ought to deliver, the Sri Lankan lawmaker lamented.
Colombo (LNW): By dissolving the constitutionally appointed rugby administration in Sri Lanka and installing a stabilization committee, the word rugby administration undertook actions that banned rugby within the country. It was interpreted as having political influence on the independence of rugby. Prior to this, the National Olympic Committee had made the officially decision to the international community its refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Stabilization Committee.
The Stabilization Committee appointed on this situation was removed and the Sri Lanka Rugby Administration went to court to confirm the permission and necessary authority for further administrative operations.
As a result, the Court of Appeal ruled to the Minister of Sports as well as Ministers and Development Department officials were censured for interfering at the Rugby administration. Since the Stabilization Committee, established under the authority of Ministerial Order No. 2327/07 on April 11, 2023, was perceived as a manifestation of political influence, it was included as a defendant in the Court of Appeal proceedings by Sri Lanka Rugby. Consequently, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling to prohibit the Minister’s intervention, it would have been anticipated that the Stabilization Committee’s actions would be invalidated. However, the Committee has chosen to escalate the matter by appealing to the Supreme Court.
Taking into account World Rugby’s decision to impose a ban on rugby in Sri Lanka due to perceived political interference, and as a direct consequence of this, the Court of Appeal issued an injunction against the Minister’s involvement in rugby-related matters. Given the Minister’s role in this context, the question arises as to whether the Stabilization Committee possesses the authority to pursue such a case.
Furthermore, on a previous occasion, they presented information to the court indicating that the Ministry had conveyed its agreement to allocate 22 million for the purposes of rugby-related activities.
The next question that arises is that if the Minister’s interfering prevented, the interim committee appointed by the Minister should be given money from the Ministry or whether the said committee has the ability to get money administratively.
The heart of the issue revolves around establishing whether the stabilization committee, appointed by a political figure, is capable of functioning effectively within the context of the National Olympic Committee’s global declaration of non-acceptance. This complexity is further underscored by the decision to permit the National Olympic Committee to field a Sri Lankan team under its own flag, despite the ongoing international ban.
Despite the international decision to ignore Sri Lankan rugby based on the definition of using political power, the international federation chose Hasan Sinhawansa, the Executive Director of Sri Lankan Rugby, who was ignored by the minister, to notify the work of changing the ban.
It is our belief that the Stabilization Committee will keep this issue in the Supreme Court and adjourn the case until September 6 to prevent the success of the program carried out by Sri Lanka Rugby aiming for an Asian tournament. Hence, the genuine intentions of those individuals who project a façade of civility in the realms of both politics and sports within this nation, wherein rivalry seems to outweigh the pursuit of medals, are now laid bare.
Following the court’s ruling, the National Olympic Committee has taken steps, even with the endorsement of the International Federation to support rugby, which have necessitated the personal involvement of Sri Lankan Rugby officials and incurred certain expenses. They have intervened to fulfill those matters up to the selection of squads, selection matches and the selection of the team and have directed the team to the National Olympic Committee and all the relevant authorities.
After the intervention is prohibited by the court, the minister retains the authority to issue a fresh gazette notification with the intent of rescinding any residual forms of intervention. While the minister’s political authority encompasses responsibilities such as appointing the Stabilization Committee, the details presented by the Stabilization Committee to the court raise concerns. If the Minister and the Ministry are reported to offer financial support to the committee for rugby-related activities, it is not could potentially be interpreted as a significant misappropriation of public funds?
Indeed, such actions could be seen as a form of noncompliance with both court orders and the directives of World Rugby, Is it not a behavior that disapproves of the orders?
Minister Namal Rajapaksa’s intentions appear to revolve around keeping Sri Lankan Rugby under his personal influence rather than allowing it to function as an autonomous administrative entity capable of making independent decisions.
This is why, despite facing rejection from Sri Lanka Rugby, Minister Namal Rajapaksa seemed to take a blow to his pride due to the failure of his attempts to exert control over Sri Lanka Rugby through the utilization of Asanga Senaviratne, who maintains a close relationship with his preferred Asia chairman.
Roshan Ranasinghe also represents individuals who share that particular mindset. Due to these circumstances, it’s not only rugby that has suffered a loss of independence, but other sports have also been affected in a similar manner. Indeed, that is reality. We now have a clear understanding of the most unfavorable outcome. It appears that the Stabilization Committee’s strategy revolves around prolonging the court proceedings to hinder the team’s training, under the guise of traditional pretenses. This tactic seeks to prevent the team’s involvement in the Asian Games, thus jeopardizing the historical reputation of the Sri Lankan Rugby administration by potentially missing out on the chance to secure a medal.
The work done by finding sponsors for three years without being a political puppet to bring a rhythm with a identity that was by Rugby for Rugby is great. Among these achievements, Sri Lanka’s exceptional performance in the Commonwealth Games stands out prominently. As the players who have significantly contributed to these talents approach the realization of their dream of winning an Asia medal, a pivotal milestone in their lives, they are unfortunately burdened by the weight of these disparaging remarks.
This situation has also raised concerns that they might contemplate bidding farewell to rugby as a consequence. In this context, if a group of experienced players were to depart under these circumstances, the Sri Lankan rugby arena would undoubtedly encounter a significant void in talent. It is increasingly evident that none of this aligns with the principles of fair play in the political arena.
The Rugby issue underscores the fact that there are individuals who engage with the sport not out of genuine passion for the game, but rather due to vested interests, thereby overshadowing the sincere desire for national triumph.
Given the timeline required for justice to be served through the court, there might not be sufficient time remaining to adequately prepare for the Asia tournament. In the final analysis, the situation appears to revolve around safeguarding a president who displayed the courage to criticism the actions of the Asia president, who made decisions in collaboration with the minister outside the framework of Sri Lankan Rugby. Instead of the ministers of this country stepping forward, it seems that the entire Sri Lankan Rugby landscape is at risk of being dismantled based on the dictates of the Asia President.
Ultimately, if the prospects for Sri Lanka’s participation in the Asian tournament or via the Olympic Committee are hindered by political pressures stemming from these uncertainties, there is a possibility that the international ban could be enforced with even greater force. Perhaps if Roshan Ranasinghe recognizes that esteemed citizens of this country carry a sense of honor and responsibility that may be lacking in certain politicians, he could potentially contribute to resolving this issue at a more desired level.
As an illustration, consider Namal Rajapaksa, who maintains that he wasn’t responsible for the electricity bill issue. However, he asserts that if the electricity bills for temples are not waived, he is prepared to personally cover the costs, exemplifying his belief in the entitlement to privileges and his willingness to contribute on behalf of temples as an expression of his Buddhist principles.
There are some people who do not think that the lack of shame in a society that supports them is an ornament of the politician. At least with that intelligence, the minister does not try to tell the Stabilization Committee appointed by his own interest that he won a rugger medal during his ministerial tenure, because he does not feel that way.
In some way or another, someday in the future, this history will be written in black letters and recorded in indelible. It is in a tarnished backdrop. In that unsightly, tainted, and dark context, it will become evident how an individual from a nation with a mere 13 year history was employed to undermine Sri Lanka’s Rugby, which boasts a legacy of 115 years, for personal politics and power-driven agendas. This destructive act took place precisely at a pivotal and triumphant juncture in Sri Lanka Rugby. In the history of nearly one hundred years, behind that destruction, it would have been written how the individual and the political leaders were in the same line, bringing disgrace to the country before that, bringing foreign players to play, subjecting the country to an international penalties. Usually, for whatever reason, there was a different thinker in that group, and he won’t get fame because he doesn’t look for a good lentil to bury in a pile of excrement.
*Adapted from original article, “රගර් ශ්රී ලංකාවට නැත්තටම නැති වෙයිද…?” published on 13.08.2023
Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Power and Energy will be convening a special meeting today (14) to address the steps to be taken for the maintenance of a continuous supply of power without disruptions.
Officials from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and other stakeholders will participate in this regard, and a tendering process, if needed, will also be initiated for the purpose, State Minister Indika Anurudda said.
The public needs no reason for undue concern regarding potential power outages anymore, he added.
Colombo (LNW): In a move to minimise passenger congestion at airport terminals, the Sri Lankan authorities have decided to use only one of the two scanners deployed in the general passenger terminal at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
According to a report by News1st, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary Ruwan Chandra noted that this move will be taken to minimise passenger congestion, but will not be undermining the security at the BIA in any manner.
Colombo (LNW): Pyramid schemes, which are prohibited in Sri Lanka under Section 83(C) of the Banking Act No. 30 of 1988, have become a ‘social virus’ and the public should refrain from engaging with, or getting involved in such activities, warned Finance State Minister, speaking to reporters in Kegalle yesterday (13).
The Minister emphasised that existing laws need to be updated and severe penalties need to be imposed against these harmful practices, and warned the public not to get involved in such activities.
“Pyramid schemes are not legal in any way. We as educated citizens of this country have a duty to refrain from engaging in such activities. This is a ‘social virus’ in one way,” Siyambalapitiya told the reporters.
He added: “We already have enough problems, so we don’t want any new ones. People who get involved in such schemes eventually fall into trouble, so we don’t need that to happen at a time where we are already facing a crisis.”
While Sri Lanka Telecom PLC had 2.4% (Rs.400mn) revenue growth, Mobitel recorded 9.3% (Rs.1,066mn) de-growth during Q2’23 compared to Q2’22. Group revenue therefor decreased by 2.8% (Rs.763mn) Q2’22 to Q2’23. SLT PLC revenue increase was driven by growth in Broadband, IPTV, and Enterprise revenue streams. However, such increase was slowed down due to decrease in International Transit revenue (90.3%, Rs.614mn) during Q2’23, though it must be noted that such international transit revenue has virtually no margin.
SLT PLC revenue growth was primarily hindered due to delay in monetisation of fiber network and customer churn. Revenue de-growth in Mobitel was due to significant decline in subscriber base. Subscriber base contracted by 1mn from June 2022 to June 2023.
Group Opex increased by 15.1% (Rs.2,513mn) in Q2’23 compared to corresponding quarter in previous year. Even though Mobitel revenue has declined YoY, Opex increased by 30.4% (Rs.1,998mn) during Q2’23 due mainly to sales related commissions. SLT PLC Opex increased by 5.5% (Rs.619mn) owing to AMC/license cost driven by devaluation of LKR, electricity tariff and fuel price increases.
Group EBITDA dropped by 31.9% (Rs.3,276mn) during Q2’23 due to decrease in Mobitel EBITDA by 61.9% (Rs.3,064mn). Accordingly, Group Operating Profit, PBT and PAT were also decreased by 92.7% (Rs.3,121mn), 161.3% (Rs.6,039mn) and 208.0% (Rs.4,076mn) respectively. Mobitel recorded Rs.835mn Operating loss due to lower revenue and higher Operating costs, ending with a net loss of Rs.1,390mn for the quarter. SLT PLC net loss for the quarter was Rs.1,027mn due to cost escalations and impairment of LTE assets. SLT PLC staff costs account for 36.8% of operating costs.
SLT Group’s revenue growth was stagnant for the 1st half of 2023 to record Rs. 52.7Mn, a 0.4% degrowth compared to the same period last year. At a company level, SLT revenues grew by 6.4% to Rs. 34.6Bn for the 1st half of the 2023.
During the 1st half of 2023, Mobitel revenue has contracted by Rs. 2.2Bn compared to revenue for the same period in 2022 and the loss recorded for the period was Rs. 1.5Bn. However, with the recent changes in management, Mobitel has been able to arrest the decline in subscriber base and revenue.
Janaka Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer, Sri Lanka Telecomsaid, “prolonged recovery from the effects of the economic downturn, loss of Mobitel subscriber base, low productivity, and delay in monetisation of fiber network have had a significant impact on the revenue generation of the Group. The governments macroeconomic adjustments will help the country’s economic revival in the long term but may initially affect business growth and the disposable income levels of our customers. Managing the escalating operational costs, resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates and inflationary conditions etc., is a huge concern. In this context, pricing is key but setting the right price has become increasingly challenging. This situation will add pressure to our revenue generation and topline performance. Under these conditions, the Mobitel turnaround has become an immediate concern. Bank lending rates remaining high in the recent past, has caused margins to erode and made funding extremely difficult. However, with the positive changes adopted by the Central Bank recently, we believe the lending rates will decline. We will continue to forge ahead, with increased productivity and navigate through the current economic uncertainties. Our commitment to providing innovative solutions and exceptional customer service will remain unwavering.”
SLT Group 2nd Quarter 2023 results have been reviewed by the Auditors, Ernst and Young in accordance with LKAS 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”.
Colombo (LNW): Plans are underway to sell 82 acre Nuwara Eliya Racecourse to a leading sports club as its present management is not in a position to spend a colossal sum of money for upkeep work.
Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority was responsible for the maintenance of the Race Course in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 15 August, 2012.
An agreement has been signed in 2015 to be applicable for a period of 02 years for the sports activities of the Nuwara Eliya Horse Racing Club. That is to pay 02 lakhs per month. Along with that, another deposit of 20 lakh rupees has been kept.
The racing club has not paid their dues during the period of 2018 to 2023 and there is an attempt to transfer the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse to the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretary and sell it to the owner of the Turf club , who is in debt to the Sugathadasa authority.
The Central Employees Union of the Sugathadasa Sports Complex has alleged that plans were underway to sell the 82 acre Race Course in Nuwara Eliya.General Secretary of the Union, N. G. Karunatilleke, said that they were concerned as the Sugathadasa National Sports Complex Authority was responsible for the maintenance of the Race Course in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 15 August, 2012.
In a statement issued to the media, the Union said that the livelihood of 11 workers, assigned for maintenance work, and other activities which brought income, was now at risk.
The Union alleged that the administration had failed to collect what was owed in terms of the agreement with the Royal Turf Club, in terms of an agreement finalised in 2015, with the intervention of the Sports Ministry. The Union alleged that those who wanted to sell the property wanted to depict the enterprise as a loss-making operation.
The Sugathadasa Sports Complex Employees Association has disclosed that there is a plan to sell the 32 acres of horse racing land belonging to the Ministry of Sports in Nuwara Eliya city center.
It is said that the authority has earned income annually by conducting stable festivals held at horse racing grounds for these activities. An agreement has been signed in 2015 to be applicable for a period of 02 years for the sports activities of the Nuwara Eliya Horse Racing Club. That is to pay 02 lakhs per month. Along with that, another deposit of 20 lakh rupees has been kept, says Sugathadasa Sports Complex Employees Union.
Colombo (LNW): With increasing tourist arrivals and innovative strategies in place, Sri Lanka Tourism will unveil the first phase of the highly anticipated check-in promotion next week under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Sri Lanka has welcomed over 51,500 tourists during the first 10 days of the month, propelling the impetus to reach the monthly target of 149,075 arrivals.
The country received 51,594 tourists during the first 10 days of the month, comprising 35,775 during the first week, and 15,819 in the balance three days.
The first 10-day arrivals have also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 819,507, driving the impetus to continue in the year 2023.
India continues to grow reflecting 18% or 9,146, followed by the UK with 13% or 6,939, China with 7% or 3,707, France with 6% or 3,249 and Germany with 6% or 3,155.
As per the latest Central Bank data released yesterday, in the first seven months of 2023, tourism earnings were at US $ 1.09 billion, reflecting a 43% increase from the corresponding period of last year, whilst July earnings stood at $ 219 million, showcasing the highest monthly increase thus far.
“President Wickremesinghe will inaugurate the short-term campaign ‘Rejuvenating Sri Lanka’ coinciding with the inauguration of the Hilton Yala Resort on 19 August,” Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told journalists on Thursday.
He affirmed that Sri Lanka Tourism is poised to embark on its comprehensive two-phased marketing blitz with the highly anticipated check-in promotion next week and the long-term campaign targeting 14 markets in October.
“The first wave of the thematic campaign is set to debut in four key markets — India, China, Russia, and Australia. This strategic approach aims to maximise impact while ensuring a gradual and well-structured expansion of the campaign’s reach,” he disclosed
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu explained that the initial phase of the campaign will focus on ‘Rejuvenating Sri Lanka’ commencing at the end of this month which will span two to three months, followed by the launch of a more extensive thematic long-term campaign focused on 14 key markets scheduled for a grand launch in October.
“For the past 16 years, Sri Lanka Tourism has not undertaken such an extensive campaign. Our approach involves a strategic roll-out, with the thematic campaign being tailored to the booking patterns of our key markets, in a phased manner and not all in one go,” he added.
Gajabahu also addressed the efficient execution of the campaign, noting that the Ministry is spearheading a fast-tracked process with the objective of completing the tender procedure within 21 days — a swift approach necessitated by previous delays caused by issues with tender documents.
Noting that SLTPB has appointed a strategic and creative agency already, he said Sri Lanka Tourism will spend Rs. 1.4 billion over the next 12 months from the end of this month to mark a fresh approach to destination marketing including two domestic campaigns.
He also said plans are underway to conduct two domestic campaigns to remind 22 million Sri Lankans that the warm-friendly people are ready to welcome visitors from around the world.
One campaign is to remind the importance of tourism to locals and the other campaign is aimed at the Sri Lankan diaspora towards luring visitors and investments.
”No matter what global campaigns we do, if the local community is not welcoming towards them the efforts put into drawing tourists will not reach its full potential. Thus, a domestic tourism campaign will be launched towards the end of the year,” he said.
Colombo (LNW): Some 3.9 million Sri Lankans are moderately food insecure with more than 10,000 households facing severe food insecurity, according to the latest situation report issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The report says that about 2.9 million children need humanitarian assistance to access lifesaving nutrition, health, education, water and sanitation, protection, and social protection services.
The UNICEF report “Sri Lanka Humanitarian Situation Report No.01 (Economic Crisis)” covers the period from January 1 to June 30 this year. It notes that about 3.9 million people were classified as moderately food insecure as of May.
Estate sector communities are found to be suffering from the highest level of acute food insecurity, followed by households highly dependent on social protection schemes such as Samurdhi or disability benefits.
Despite the apparent economic stability and improved food security in the country, a significantly high 62 percent of households are adopting livelihood-based coping strategies such as withdrawing savings, borrowing money, and buying food on credit to access food compared to 48 percent in May last year, the report says.
It highlights that 26 percent of households are employing emergency or crisis-level livelihood coping strategies, which include “selling productive assets (e.g., farming equipment), reducing essential health/education expenses, withdrawing children completely from school, and selling land.”
According to the report, in April 2023, the percentage of underweight children under five was 15.8 percent, compared to 13.1 percent in April last year.
More families are resorting to negative coping mechanisms to prioritise food consumption over expenses for education, health, and protection, UNICEF states.
“Parents are facing challenges in prioritising income at the household level for education. As a result, partner reports indicate irregular school attendance, which could lead to school-drop out eventually, is increasing among students, along with increasing mental health issues related to education among children.”
The report notes that drought conditions may negatively affect the upcoming “Yala” agriculture season and already 45,000 acres of paddy fields in the Hambantota district are at high risk of being destroyed due to severe drought.
“With the worsening drought conditions affecting the yala harvest, rice wholesale and retail prices are expected to increase, exacerbating the existing food insecurities in the country.
In addition, many forest fires had been reported across the country due to the prevailing dry weather conditions, including in the water catchment-protected areas,” the report states.
UNICEF reached more than 647,900 people, including 360,941 children with, humanitarian assistance in the first half of this year. The agency’s humanitarian cash transfers reached 70,571 households ensuring nutrition food access to mothers with young children in the most vulnerable districts.
