Health authorities request Police to immediately intervene and not allow the sale of hundreds of thousands of fish that have died in the Mullaitivu Mallavi Tank due to exposure to the extreme hot sun: Police and Public Health Inspectors to take measures to arrest people who are selling such “dead” fish.
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says the Govt intends to restructure the CEB by September 2023, by unbundling all related institutions instead of running all the related entities under one institution: asserts that the management structure of the CEB will also undergo reforms to enable renewable energy generation to be promoted via private & public partnerships.
Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says the entire recommended quantity of Muriate of Potash will be provided to all farmers, free of charge, for the next ‘Maha’ season.
SLPP MP and likely Presidential Candidate contender from the SLPP Namal Rajapaksa demands a clarification from the CEB in relation to an alleged unpaid electricity bill by him being circulated on social media under the letterhead of the CEB: requests the CEB to provide him with accurate details of the particular electricity bill so that he could respond accordingly.
A Committee, headed by Deshabandu Tennakoon, Senior DIG of the Western Province, has been appointed by the IGP under the guidance of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, to investigate into and report on measures that can be implemented to combat narcotic drugs and underworld activities.
Small Hydro Power Developers Association says the industry recently received Rs.30 bn of arrears from the CEB, and the outstanding dues have now reduced to 10 months from 14: laments the industry is facing severe challenges as vested parties are funding NGOs to disrupt Small Hydro Power Developers, in order to achieve their own business ends.
All Ceylon Nurses’ Union claims that the Govt is trying to privatize nursing and that the first step is to reduce the qualifications of those who can enter the service: cites that the President has said the Govt will recruit to the service from among people who have studied Arts for the GCE A/L.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says two well-known companies from India have submitted requests to invest money to produce chicken and eggs in Sri Lanka: explains it is more effective to give foreign investors the opportunity to produce eggs and poultry in SL, rather than importing eggs and poultry.
Self proclaimed Prophet Jerome Fernando’s iconic Miracle Dome welcomes a delegation of over 100 Japanese visitors on a spiritual tour: delegation welcomed by the Glorious Church Chairman Pastor Harin Perera.
SL Netball team fails to impress at the World Cup: lose to Singapore 46-49 in their last game of the tournament played at Cape town South Africa.
A month or so earlier, it was a lawyer practicing mainly in a High Court closer to Colombo, that contacted me and told me about his concerns about a draft Bill which has been discussed amongst his colleagues which was about the introduction a draft of a Contempt of Court Bill. He had received a draft copy and he said that he as well as several of his colleagues was seriously worried about this draft law.
His main concerns as I gathered from the conversation were relating to the right of the cross examination of witnesses by lawyers and also making submissions on issues which may sound at times controversial on matters that arise in the course of judicial proceedings. He narrated several instances in which he thought that there were unnecessary pressures to limit the cross examinations and without justifiable reasons. Often, he said that he had been threatened that action will be taken against him for what he sincerely believed to be the exercise of legitimate duties on behalf of his clients.
Similar concerns have been expressed by some lawyers practicing in other courts. Whether such fears are well founded or exaggerated is not the issue that is being discussed in this article. What is of utmost importance is that there should not be such grounds for lawyers to feel reluctant to exercise their functions freely and it is a rule without fear or favour.
Many of the provisions of the draft Bill create a reasonable suspicion on the possibility of the Contempt of Court law being used for purposes other than what the law is supposed to achieve within a rule of law system. Under the common law, the area covered by the contempt of court is a very limited area. This limited area is to ensure that court proceedings in particular cases can be conducted in a decent and sober atmosphere without undue pressures or threats to the courts directly or indirectly. Directly, such attacks can happen to a judicial proceeding if there is an attempt to deliberately disturb the proceeding through behaviour that cannot be justified through any rational meaning. Indirectly, the offence can be used if indirect pressures are being brought to influence the judgment of a court by attempting to build up public opinion or other pressures that may interfere with the free and independent exercise of their functions by the Judiciary or anybody who is working on behalf of the judicial system.
However, the draft bill goes at a tangent on all sorts of things far beyond this narrow scope. Instead of the contempt of court, sometimes, other terms are used as the administration of justice or the respect of courts and the like which could bring considerations far outside the scope of the offence of the contempt of court.
That all the systems in Sri Lanka including the economic system, the various systems of bureaucracy, social systems, and also the whole legal system has been exposed to severely unacceptable levels of politicisation is no longer a matter of surprise. It is part of the daily conversation at all forums, including the Parliament and other public forums and also in the media that such a situation is a dominant factor in the life of the Sri Lankan people at the moment. Even in the negotiations with international financial agencies, the issue of re-creating a system which is not under the undue influence of political pressures has become a major issue.
It is not an exaggeration to say that undoing the excessive politicisation problem in all aspects of Sri Lankan life remains a ‘to be or not to be’ question that seems to be looming large on the present and the future of Sri Lanka.
Under these circumstances, the wise draftsmanship of laws such as the Contempt of Court should particularly try to address this contextual problem. After all, the laws are meant to assist in the process of subduing prevailing contemporary evils. Over-politicisation of everything is one of the major evils affecting all institutions including that of the institution dealing with the protection of the legal system.
It does not appear that the draftsman of this Bill was conscious of the problems that came up even recently by way of highly publicised cases which were perceived as unnecessarily used by forces other than those who are interested purely on the protection of the individual rights and the stability of the State.
For a long time, the agitation for having a contempt of court law to have the law relating to contempt of court clearly defined and stated in Sri Lanka was from lobbies which were protesting against perceived abuses of the manner in which the contempt of court law has been used in some occasions in the past. Thus, if this law is to have a benevolent effect, it should take into consideration these anxieties and effectively try to limit the application of the law with the view not to create a greater confusion on the issues involved but in order to create a greater clarity which is the hallmark of any good law.
The existence of the courts and the functioning of the court system is grounded above all things on the need for the protection of the individuals and citizens living in the country. The protection function is the primary function of courts.
A citizen who may feel aggrieved by a perceived attack on his/her freedoms and finds that the legislative and the Executive branches do not provide him/her with the necessary avenues for protecting himself/herself and his rights, comes to court which is the final guardian of all citizens.
The guardian function stipulates that courts must be places where people approach with confidence and without fear and are able to air their grievances without being unduly afraid of any unreasonable consequences. The court system is based on the development of the enlightenment tradition which meant that at the end, reason is the only guide by which judgments will be made. A good judgment is always a rational product, and this is the underlying logical framework or justification for a judicial system.
Therefore, it is hoped that in the attempt to make this new law, all attempts will be made to avoid any possibility of creating any kind of confusion or fear at the heart of litigants and lawyers that the rational participation that they are expected to play within judicial proceedings will in any way be hampered. Instead, the law should create the impression of inviting persons to exercise greater freedom, fearlessness and reasonableness in daring to come forward to defend their own rights.
The strength of a nation lies with daring citizens who do not accept injustice and who will take risks in order to come forward to protect themselves and their neighbours in the face of what is perceived as illegal and unjust. It is that environment that needed to be created particularly under the present circumstances.
A Story from India
The following story report from India is a reminders of maintaining judicial decorum.
Chief Justice of India Chandrachud pointed out that an HC judge does not possess disciplinary jurisdiction over Railways personnel. “Hence, there was no occasion for an officer of the High Court to call for an explanation from the Railway personnel ‘to be placed before His Lordship for kind perusal’.”
The CJI stated in the missive that “self-reflection and counselling within the judiciary is necessary” and that protocol made available to judges should not be used in a manner that brings criticism to the judiciary.
Ashish Srivastava, Registrar (Protocol), Allahabad High Court, declined to comment on the issue and said he did not know anything about the CJI’s letter.
Justice Chowdhary, through a letter issued by the Registrar (Protocol) of the High Court, had sought an explanation from “erring officials” of the Indian Railways and others after Purushottam Express ran late by over three hours on July 8.
Justice Chowdhary, who was travelling in First AC coach of the train, said he did not get “refreshments despite repeated calls” and the Government Railway Police also did not attend to him. The letter, addressed to the general manager of North Central Railway, stated that the incident “caused great inconvenience and displeasure to His Lordship”. found that the New Delhi-Prayagraj train was delayed due to the rising water level of the Yamuna in Delhi and the resultant flood situation in the Capital. Moreover, Justice Chowdhary, as per his wishes, had been served tea without sugar, vegetable cutlets, and bread with butter for breakfast at 7.30 am, the Railways noted.
PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that Sri Lanka has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing climate change goals. Going forward, Sri Lankan architects will play a pivotal role in this endeavour. They will need to integrate climate change criteria into their designs, ensuring that the built environment aligns with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. Integrating sustainable and environmentally conscious practices into our architectural designs will be instrumental in achieving our climate goals ahead of the set timeline. Also, together, we can build a resilient and environmentally friendly future for Sri Lanka, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and protect our planet for generations to come.
The President further mentioned prominent examples of significant architectural achievements such as the grand dagabas, including Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayagiri, and Jetavanaramaya, as well as iconic structures like Sigiriya, which stands as a prime example of exceptional architecture recognized worldwide. These architectural marvels are further exemplified by the structures found in Polonnaruwa. Notably, even during a period of decline, architectural endeavours persevered, evidenced by the expansion of the Dalada Maligawa featuring its octagonal design, and the construction of the Kandy Lake under the reign of the last king.
President Wickremesinghe further stressed that throughout history, Sri Lanka has showcased its architectural prowess, evident in remarkable structures like the Trinity College Chapel, Kelaniya Vihara, Lake House building, Peradeniya University, Independence Square, and the Art Gallery, among others. The iconic Parliament building designed by Jeffrey Bawa has added to this rich architectural heritage.
The President emphasized that if remarkable architectural feats were accomplished 2,000 or 1,000 years ago, there is no reason why the same level of excellence cannot be achieved in the present and future. The responsibility to create a lasting impact through architecture was entrusted to the Architects.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks at an international conference on Architecture, which was organized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chapter in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Italian Embassy of Sri Lanka, on the theme: “Architecture: A Lasting Impact,” held this morning (05) at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.
The vision to transform Colombo into a beautiful city is already in motion, with plans provided by Surbana Jurong. Similar plans have been prepared for Trincomalee, aiming to enhance the development in that region as well. Additionally, Surbana Jurong is actively involved in creating a tourist zone from Verugal Aru to Batticaloa and Arugam Bay areas, contributing to the growth of the tourism industry.
The focus on expanding the tourist industry is expected to create opportunities for non-government universities in Sri Lanka. The recent enactment of the new act, allowing provincial councils to establish universities, marks the beginning of this endeavour. There is a growing need for skilled professionals, including engineers, architects, IT specialists, and others, with the demand estimated to be at least 10,000 engineers alone.
To address these requirements, discussions are underway with Japan, which has shown a willingness to assist in the past. Despite some challenges posed by the recent crisis, the commitment to progressing these plans remains strong, with the hope of securing the necessary support to meet the country’s developmental needs.
Envisioning the future, the potential for architects to participate in the development of the Port City holds significant promise. A notable portion of the Port City land is under government ownership and is slated for diverse utilization. The involvement of the private sector in this initiative offers an added avenue to harness architectural expertise. This exploration requires collaborative dialogues involving relevant chambers and stakeholders.
These emerging opportunities symbolize valuable prospects for Sri Lanka. Seizing these chances has the potential to establish a notable standing for the nation. It’s imperative to acknowledge that as India’s progress persists, architectural possibilities might also arise there. Those with established recognition could potentially tap into this market, mirroring the engagement of architects in Africa for house design. Effectively orchestrating these prospects is critical for architects’ personal growth and the broader advancement of the discipline. By tapping into these potentials, Sri Lankan architects can substantially contribute to the country’s advancement while carving an illustrious identity for themselves on both regional and global platforms.
The President acknowledged that his expertise lies primarily in the field of the economy and not architecture. As the discussion revolves around architecture and the lasting impression it creates, the President opted not to delve into the topic extensively. It was emphasized that ancient architects achieved the task of leaving a lasting impression through their work.
Numerous architects have contributed to this legacy with their creations. However, the present challenge lies in not only preserving this rich heritage but also elevating it to meet global standards. This endeavour comes at a time when the construction industry is facing a downturn, a consequence of the recent crisis. Over the past two years, this sector has experienced significant setbacks, resulting in the unfortunate loss of numerous jobs and a noticeable reduction in available projects. However, amidst the challenges faced by the construction industry, the country now stands at a critical juncture. The last two years have witnessed a downturn in the construction sector, leading to job losses for many and a decline in available projects. Despite these difficulties, there is a pressing need to preserve and elevate this architectural legacy to international standards.
The future lies in how the nation can continue its architectural journey and build upon its heritage to create structures that not only exemplify Sri Lanka’s identity but also meet global standards. Emphasizing innovation and creativity will be crucial in revitalizing the construction industry and rekindling its growth for a promising future.
In the past, the economy predominantly revolved around concrete-based development, primarily directed at infrastructure like roads and irrigation projects. However, the resulting debt burden has contributed to the current crisis. This situation doesn’t mandate a complete halt to construction; rather, economic restructuring calls for a shift in focus to other sectors. While revitalizing construction is desired, it may not reach previous levels. Furthermore, there’s a need to encourage our construction companies to explore international opportunities.
As part of the approach, the government is looking to involve private companies in building homes and structures. This is just the beginning. It will create more affordable housing for people with low and middle incomes. The government land that’s worth more than the buildings can be used for this purpose and to relocate people from there and give the land to private companies to build affordable homes and apartments. This will also free up space in Colombo for other developments. It’s like a cycle – more buildings, more possibilities. Imagine what could happen if they repurpose places like Welikada Prison or even the railway area. Some buildings on Mount Mary can be kept, but the rest can be used for new projects. Many areas could benefit from this. And the cost of land today makes it feasible. The Treasury is working on the details, so starting maybe next year or the year after, as the economy gets stronger, this could become a reality.
The government is actively engaged in the promotion of tourism, with a target of increasing the number of tourists from 2.5 million to 5 million, and potentially up to 7.5 million. This endeavor entails diverse categories of accommodations, including various styles of bungalows. The restoration of historical structures to create smaller boutique hotels and the revitalization of larger hotels in various regions across the country represents a significant focus area. This ambitious goal involves doubling the existing capacity. It’s important to note that the majority of this expansion will be realized through the construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing ones, thereby offering yet another avenue for the involvement of architects.
A third strategic initiative involves the expansion of our existing investment promotion zones. The current discussions revolve around the establishment of expansive zones spanning thousands of acres, which will be gradually opened up. This expansion is set to facilitate the construction of additional factory buildings to accommodate growing industries. With Sri Lanka’s increasing role as a logistical hub, there will also be a heightened demand for logistics buildings, which are relatively straightforward to design.
These represent just a few of the concepts we’re considering. As the economy gains momentum, it’s likely that we’ll witness an increase in the construction of skyscrapers, high-rise structures, and residential homes. However, strategic planning is crucial to determine the locations, methods, and integration with our evolving transportation system. This is the direction I envision for the future, and it’s where our dedicated efforts must be focused.
The re-planning of Kandy Town to potentially extend its boundaries up to Teldeniya, along with considerations for incorporating Peradeniya and potentially Talatu Oya, are subjects currently under committee deliberation. The committee will be responsible for making informed decisions regarding these proposals. Notably, the extension of the new town and bridge to Peradeniya is viewed as a significant priority. These opportunities signify important prospects for development. Similarly, Galle is engaged in evaluating the enhancement of its urban landscape, particularly the sea frontage.
Additionally, it is likely that other regions, such as Nuwara Eliya town, will also require reimagining and redesigning in new locations. This presents a significant task. The pertinent question is whether we are prepared to embrace this challenge, which we must undertake. Collaboration with international counterparts will also be essential for successful execution.
The impending tasks are undoubtedly of substantial magnitude. However, there is another crucial aspect that warrants attention. Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its commitment to climate change objectives. Notably, upon assuming leadership, adjustments were made to hasten the timeline from 2060 to 2050 for achieving climate change targets. Recent discussions at a UN session, prompted by the concerning fires in Europe, have spurred a re-evaluation of this timeline. There is a contemplation of expediting these efforts even before 2050. This endeavor’s feasibility rests, in part, upon available resources. Consequently, architects now face the imperative of aligning their designs with climate change criteria, marking a significant shift in their role and responsibilities.
Reflecting on the past, Jeffrey Bawa’s remarkable work, such as the Kandalama project, highlights a growing trend of impressive designs in various scales. Sri Lankan architects are excelling in creating climate-responsive buildings, outperforming their counterparts elsewhere. Future laws and regulations will demand climate-adaptive constructions. An innovative concept emerges: establishing the International Climate Change University, comparable in size to Peradeniya University, within the former Kotmale Skanska camp. This presents significant opportunities. Presently, architects have a mission: leaving a lasting impact, reminiscent of historical achievements. The ability to achieve greatness in the past prompts a pertinent question: Why not now and in the future? This call is directed towards those pioneering architectural progress. The blueprint is set, and the drive to establish an enduring legacy rests with the architects of tomorrow.
Douglas E. Sonnek, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Lisa Whanstall, the Acting British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Representatives from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, and nearly 350 people, including architects from Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia, attended the event.
Video representing Sri Lanka, has won the first place in the ‘Women in Aviation Multimedia Engagement Contest’ organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Sri Lanka’s submission stood out in over 289 submissions received globally.
This short video was created and submitted by Dev Kowsala Samarajeewa.
Many countries have joined the competition with their multimedia creations; only Sri Lanka, France, Philippines, Argentina, USA, Turkey, Slovenia, Ireland, Serbia, Kenya Canada and Seychelles were selected as the final twelve by ICAO.
The finalists’ creations were uploaded to the official Facebook page of ICAO and was open for votings for a week till 15th of June.
Sri Lanka was ranked first place with a total of 28,000+ votes, along with Argentina as runners up with 4,800+ votes.
This video was awarded at the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2023 held in Spain on July 6th 2023.
The three Chinese-run ports in South Asia – Chittagong in Bangladesh, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Gwadar in Pakistan – are called a “triangle of death” encircling India.
EURASIANTIMES: New Delhi, striving to maintain strategic dominance in its backyard, is forging power, maritime, and connectivity relationships with Dhaka and Colombo to woo them back into its corner through energy and military hardware deals.
While India is developing a port in Sri Lanka, it is offering to maintain the Russian military hardware of Bangladesh besides offering enhanced connectivity and energy deals. There have been reports of Dhaka showing interest in the Indian indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, but the Bangladesh Air Force is favoring European fighter jets to modernize its fleet.
Power Play In Bangladesh
At the beginning of 2023, Bangladesh announced the opening a submarine base BNS Sheikh Hasina, located in Cox’s Bazaar, for its Chinese-supplied subs. And here comes the stitch. The base was developed with aid from China. The Bay of Bengal lies on top of the sea lanes of communication that connect China, Japan, and Korea with the Middle East and Africa, and through these lanes, half of the world trade passes.
The Bay of Bengal is the largest in the world, nestled between India on the East and Indonesia on the West; while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar are the littoral countries. The region’s economic, diplomatic, and security importance attracts major powers in the East and the West (China, Japan, India, the US, and even Russia).
The ‘state-of-the-art’ submarine base was constructed with China’s help under a contract signed in September 2019. The submarine facility can berth six submarines and eight naval vessels simultaneously. For India, the presence of Chinese-built submarines in the Bay of Bengal, in a way, makes it a very crowded water body as far as underwater activities are concerned. And it also legitimizes the Chinese presence in more ways than one. It complicates the underwater picture for India.
Hambantota Port
Traditionally, New Delhi has shared strong cultural and historical ties with Dhaka. India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in December 1971.
However, it changed after Xi Jinping became the first Chinese President to visit Bangladesh. After the trip, Bangladesh purchased two used Type-035G Ming-class submarines. Purchased for US$203 million and commissioned in the Bangladesh Navy as BNS Nabajatra and Joyjatra, these submarines have typical Ming-class features.
The submarines in the Bangladesh Navy do not threaten India’s authority in the region, but the two Chinese submarines came with Chinese officials on board to train and familiarize Bangladesh’s crew with the vessels.
Apart from this, Bangladesh has purchased a lot of other military equipment of Chinese origin – 44 units of Main Battle Tank-2000, two regiments of FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missiles, QW-2 and FN-6 hand-held anti-aircraft missiles, PF-98 anti-tank rockets and 36 units of WS-22 multiple rocket launcher system. The Bangladesh Air Force has purchased 16 Russian-made Yak-130 training and light attack aircraft and 16 F-7BG light attack fighter jets from China.
Besides increasing connectivity with Bangladesh through rail networks and inland water shipping, India has strengthened its military ties with it. The two countries in the sub-continent are exploring the prospect of India maintaining Russian-origin equipment in the Bangladesh air force, like the Mi-17 1V helicopter, Antonov An-32 transport aircraft, and MiG-29 fighter jets. India has been operating rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and has its own maintenance facilities.
“India has operationalized a US$500 million line of credit to Bangladesh, and it will be used for defense purchases,” an official familiar with the development says.
The previous Bangladesh Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, flew LCA Tejas during Def Expo 2021 and was impressed by the fighter jet. However, India’s hopes to sell Tejas were dashed by the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Serniabat and the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. Now sources in the Bangladesh forces indicate that no deal will be announced until next year when the country’s national elections are due.
“Bangladesh is likely to opt for a European aircraft – either Eurofighter Typhoon or French Rafale. But nothing is final before the next elections,” the Bangladeshi official told the EurAsian Times.
Jousting In Sri Lanka
In July 2023, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India, his first after assuming charge in 2022. During the visit undertaken at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both countries signed a slew of deals in maritime, air, energy, and power cooperation.
India will be developing several ports – including Colombo on the island nation’s western coast, Trincomalee on the east, and Kankesanthurai on the northernmost tip of the island country facing the Palk Strait, a narrow path separating Sri Lanka from India. To familiarize the people of Sri Lanka with the Indian Navy, an indigenously-built Missile Corvette of the Khukri class INS Khanjar visited Sri Lankan’s eastern harbor of Trincomalee.
Port of Colombo – Wikipedia
Trincomalee is one of the largest natural harbors in the world, but it lacks the facilities to host big shipping vessels. Delhi wanted to develop the port to have “something outside India but within the triangle.”
Apart from this, Delhi and Colombo are exploring several joint ventures, including an integrated energy grid that will connect the island country with the South Asian region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. These countries are members of the regional initiative BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), born after India’s intractable relation with Pakistan made the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) irrelevant.
Apart from this, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has initiated talks with officials in Colombo, proposing an oil distribution pipeline that connects Nagapattinam, Colombo, and the strategic city of Trincomalee on the east coast of Sri Lanka, where India is helping restore World War II-era oil tanks. There is also a proposal for a petroleum pipeline from southern India to Sri Lanka. It has been a lifeline for the island nation facing a crippling energy shortage.
In 2022 when Sri Lanka was going through its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, it asked China to restructure its loan to the country. But it did not hear from the country. India, on the other hand, provided critical financial aid and supplied worth over US$4 billion to Sri Lanka, including food, medicine, and fuel, giving a modicum of stability to the country reeling under outstanding total debt of over US$83 billion of which US$41.5 billion was foreign. China owns about 10 percent of Sri Lanka’s foreign debt.
In 2023, India offered carte blanche support to Sri Lanka for the Indian Monetary Fund (IMF) fund facility that calls for a 10-year loan moratorium and 15 years of debt restructuring. On the other hand, China offered only two years of debt moratorium to the island nation, where Beijing was given the Hambantota port on a 99-year lease.
The strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean has made it an important ally for both China and India. While the former wants to extend its influence sphere in the region, India strives to safeguard its area of interest.
An independent political and energy analyst from Sri Lanka, Aruna Kulatunga, told the South China Morning Post that India views Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as “de facto satellite states of China because they have leased out land to China.”
The Sri Lankan analyst says these countries form a “triangle of death.” “For (India), it is like strangulation,” he said, adding that New Delhi needs to put more resources into protecting vital sea routes.
Colombo (LNW): The government will proceed with a complete discontinuation of the procurement of medicines under emergency purchases within the next few months, announced Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
The procurement of medicines under emergency purchases was carried out in the objective of meeting the country’s medicinal drug requirements, the Minister told the reporters in Colombo.
He responded to the allegations that medicines are running out at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), stating that issues in drug regulator’s board of directors have been resolved.
Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) made no request for a revision in the electricity tariffs, said Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Prof. Manjula Fernando yesterday (04).
Responding to a statement made by the Electricity Consumers’ Association, the PUCSL Chief emphasised that electricity tariff revisions are scheduled to take place twice a year, once in six months, a third revision, therefore, will not take place this year.
Earlier, Secretary of the Electricity Consumers’ Association Sanjeewa Dhammika alleged that the CEB has sought the approval of the PUCSL to increase the electricity tariffs again.
His political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said an appeal has been filed.
Sky News: Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, has been arrested after he was sentenced to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts, his lawyer said.
Police were seen surrounding his residence in Lahore on Saturday after the verdict was released.
The 70-year-old former cricketer was sentenced after he was found guilty of unlawfully selling state gifts while he was prime minister between 2018 and 2022 following an inquiry conducted by the election commission.
He was accused of misusing his position to buy and sell gifts received during visits abroad worth more than 140 million Pakistani rupees ($635,000).
Khan has denied any wrongdoing and his political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said in a statement an appeal has already been filed to the country’s supreme court.
Legal experts say a conviction in the case could end his chances of taking part in the national elections that have to be held before November.
Since he was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April last year, Khan has been hit with more than 150 legal cases, including allegations of corruption, terrorism, and inciting violence over deadly protests that saw his followers attack government and military property across the country in May.
Abeyewardene is the founder of The Sri Lanka Reporter, an award-winning English newspaper that catered to the Sri Lankans living in Canada.
He leaves behind a legacy that spans five decades in the media industry and has significantly impacted the Sri Lankan community living in Canada.
He was living in Toronto, Canada at the time of his demise.
Throughout his career, Abeyewardene worked in a number of media agencies, including Ceylon Daily News, Sun-Davasa Group, Times of Ceylon, and Daily News.
Following his migration to Canada in 1988, Abeyewardene was recognised as the largest English Sri Lankan newspaper in North America.
Colombo (LNW): The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) will earn Rs. 700 per vehicle for each PickMe taxi which operates from the airport, the app-based ride hailing company said.
Under a new agreement between the Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Ltd., and PickMe, the app-based ride hailing company will operate a taxi stand within the Bandaranaike International Airport.
The new arrangement will bring an additional revenue of Rs. 700/- per vehicle to the BIA while making it easier to monitor tourist arrivals.
Currently the PickMe stand is a 100 square foot area located at the Tourist Exit area of the BIA. They operate 24/7 and will at any given time have a driver at the counter as well as vehicles parked in their allotted slot at the BIA car park.
The company is in negotiations with the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Ltd., to have a dedicated booth within the BIA for further convenience of arriving tourists.
“We will be generating a daily report to the airport and keeping authorities updated on our vehicle movements.
Apart from the BIA, this will also help the tourism industry to gauge arrivals and departures of free individual travellers (FITs) which will help the industry to understand their stays and travel patterns within the island.
From the user point of view i.e. foreign tourists, they will have access to a transparent system that will allow them to travel from the BIA to any part of the country at a very reasonable cost.
PickMe is already popular amongst video bloggers who travel all over the country, giving useful data to travellers across the world.
They have already highlighted that PickMe rates are less than half of what other taxi services stationed at the BIA offers,” says Zulfer Jiffry, CEO of PickMe, adding that the company looks forward to working with the airport to increase and improve Customer Experiences at the airport.
All Airport trips will have PickMe’s Insurance cover for hospitalisation and Life. The company also has the additional advantage of ride tracking on their app, which enables loved ones to easily see their movements even when overseas.
This not only increases the safety factor, but also ensures peace of mind for tourists and their families.
While PickMe already offers welcome and identification board services for airport arrivals, on the PickMe corporate member platform, the CEO says plans are underway to extend this service to all users in the near future.
