By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s first official national Multidimensional Poverty Index (national MPI) using data from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019 was launched recently following a multi stakeholder collaboration.

With support from UNICEF, the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the European Union, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) unveiled key findings of the Index.

The Sri Lankan MPI creates a comprehensive picture of poverty. It reveals who the poor people are and how they are poor by focusing on a set of interlinked deprivations that poor people experience.

To further probe and support child-focused policies, an individual child MPI for children aged 0-4 was crafted, which includes the same indicators as the national MPI, plus two pivotally important child deprivations in Sri Lanka: under-nutrition and early childhood development. Sri Lanka’s child MPI is pioneering in being the first official measure of child poverty that links directly and precisely with the national MPI.

The Sri Lankan MPI is an official permanent statistic of multidimensional poverty that will be updated and published regularly, reported as SDG indicator 1.2.2 (proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions), and used to complement the monetary poverty measure.

Yet, the MPI is not just a statistic. It is a policy tool. It provides relevant information to accelerate poverty reduction in different sectors with limited resources – by informing high impact budget allocations to social sectors, focused interventions, policy design and coordination, and monitoring.

In addition to capturing simultaneous deprivations in different dimensions, the national and child MPIs can also be disaggregated by age, sex, or location.

It can be used to show the extent to which different deprivations contribute to poverty, for whom and where, thereby providing more detailed insights into how to focus policy interventions.

UNICEF said poverty has many faces and especially the experience of deprivations during childhood, such as in nutrition and cognitive development, can last a lifetime.

In line with the international community’s commitment to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere”, as embraced in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, Sri Lanka recognizes the multiple ways in which poverty manifests itself for individuals beyond monetary deprivations, including deprivations in education, health, and living standards.

1. SJB expresses doubts that the Govt will keep its promises to the IMF: MP Patali Champika Ranawaka says the IMF is charging an exorbitant interest rate of over 8 per cent per annum on its USD 3 bn loan to Sri Lanka.
   
2. Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal calls for a top level probe to ascertain whether Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene (as Members of the Monetary Board), had approved of the EPF management investing EPF Members’ funds in Government T-Bills & Bonds after the SL Govt securities had been rated as “Default”, and while knowing of the impending “hair-cut”: asserts that, by their actions, they would have caused losses of several hundreds of billions of rupees to the EPF Members.
   
3. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Vish Govindasamy says the country has only gained a “fragile stability”: asserts there is a lot more to be done in future: CCC and Govindasamy have been strong advocates for the Govt’s “debt default” and the IMF programme which has resulted in the sharp depreciation of the LKR, very high interest rates, high utility prices, massive negative growth, discontinuation of Forex construction contracts, etc
   
4. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development & Housing W S Satyananda says the Ministry will launch a new housing project for the underprivileged community in Colombo, with the assistance of USD 450 mn from China: 1,995 houses to be built across 5 areas in Colombo and the project to be completed in 2 years.
   
5. SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara says the SJB has decided to initiate disciplinary action against MP A H M Fowzie for voting in favour of the IMF, in contravention of the party decision.
   
6. Court orders fines of Rs.4.1 mn on 29 stores that sold eggs above the current maximum retail price in Wattala, Attanagalla, Negombo, Minuwangoda, and Gampaha.
   
7. CID names former MP J Sri Ranga as a suspect over the incident of setting fire to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence in Colombo: Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage orders Sri Ranga to appear before Court on 3rd May: the former MP is currently in custody for allegedly influencing witnesses of a fatal traffic accident in Vavuniya in 2011.
   
8. SLPP rebel and FPC MP Professor Charitha Herath says the IMF agreement is perhaps the most devastating document against the 4-decade-long political career of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa: asserts there’s a great disparity between the contents of the “IMF” document and the politics of the ruling party led by Rajapaksa.
   
9. The sudden deaths of hundreds of fish in Kotmale Oya which supplies water to the Upper Kotmale reservoir leave local authorities baffled: Lindula MOH Dr Dureirajah Rishinee says dead fish and water samples have been sent to the Peradeniya Uni’s Veterinary Hospital to test.
   
10. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he intends to establish an “Institute of History”, with the aim of bringing together the museum, archives, archaeology, cultural triangle, and universities.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Former Navy Commander and current North-Western Province Governor Wasantha Karannagoda said there is “something else” behind the United States’ move of banning him and his family from entering the US soil.

Denouncing the move, the former Navy Commander emphasised that the US’ sudden decision to blacklist him 14 years after the war is ‘surprising’ and that he believes that “a former military official and the US Ambassador are behind the move.”

The North-Western Province Governor also denounced the US State Department for refereeing information documented by non-governmental organisations and other investigations pertaining to the ban, calling it a ‘shame.’

Karannagoda and his family are banned from entering the US over alleged human rights violations committed during the war season.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Sinharage Saminda Silva alias ‘Ratmalane Kudu Anju’ has been arrested in France yesterday (29), Police confirmed.

INTERPOL confirmed the arrest of Silva to the Sri Lankan authorities, according to Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa.

Silva aka ‘Kudu Anju’ who is under a red notice by the INTERPOL for his alleged involvement in multiple crimes and large-scale drug trafficking was believed to have operated his drug chain while hiding abroad.

Consul General Thushara Rodrigo attended the Eid Lunch hosted by the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada (APMC) on 26 April 2023 at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Queen’s Park, Toronto.

Members and the officials of the APMC, religious dignitaries, diplomats, provincial ministers and provincial members of Parliament attended the event.

The Consul General of the United States delivered the address on behalf of the Consular Corps in Toronto. In their remarks, several provincial ministers extended best wishes to the Muslim community in Canada and around the world. They observed that Canada is a unique place where the multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious social fabric is valued and immigrants are considered an integral part of society.  Several leading religious dignitaries also addressed the event. 

While engaging with the other attendees, the Consul General briefed on the positive developments in Sri Lanka and the constructive approach taken by the new government towards reconciliation and economic recovery, and the government’s continued engagement with the international financial institutions, the United Nations and the Commonwealth.  

Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Toronto

26 April 2023

High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena was awarded the Diplomat of the Year from Asia & Oceania at the   prestigious DIPLOMAT magazine annual Awards Ceremony 2023 at the Royal Over-Seas League on 24 April 2023.

The Awards Ceremony recognises outstanding work and achievements of London’s diplomatic community who are trying to better their nations’ well-being and is in its thirteenth year.  DIPLOMAT magazine identified 10 categories that recognise different levels of diplomacy, and winners were nominated by their fellow diplomats. 

Referring to London as the global centre for diplomacy, with over 180 diplomatic missions DIPLOMAT’s Editor, Venetia de Blocq van Kuffeler stated that a posting in London remains one of the highlights of any diplomat’s career. She added that the winners are testimony to their hard work, dedication and professionalism.

Saroja Sirisena previously served as Ambassador to Austria and Consul General in Mumbai as well as serving in Sri Lanka’s Missions in Paris, Brussels and Geneva.

Over 150 guests including Heads of Mission and diplomats from over 80 countries attended the Awards Ceremony.

High Commission of Sri Lanka High Commission

London

28 April 2023

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to launch a disciplinary action against MP A.H.M. Fowzie over voting in favour of the IMF deal in Parliament by ignoring the Party’s stance.

Party Secretary General MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara revealed Fowzie violated the SJB’s decision over the IMF deal, saying “Mr. Fowzie committed something completely unsuitable. After Mr. Mujibur Rahuman stepped down, Mr. Fowzie met with the Party leaders and promised to work with us. So this is very wrong.

The SJB Secretary added: “He has betrayed the party followers. We as a party decided to call in a disciplinary inquiry against him and take the necessary steps to oust him from the party.”

14 Sri Lankans residing in the Republic of the Sudan who were evacuated due to the prevailing crisis arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport today, and were received and warmly welcomed by Director General of the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sisira Senavirathne. Their evacuation was facilitated with the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the generous assistance of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

The Embassies of Sri Lanka in Riyadh and Cairo and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah have been working with the authorities of the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia and the Government of India to evacuate the Sri Lankans living in Khartoum who had requested to be rescued. The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Nairobi and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Muscat also extended assistance in the evacuation process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation in the Republic of the Sudan and remains ready to assist the Sri Lankan nationals who are still in the Republic of the Sudan if and when a request is made for repatriation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

29 April 2023

The Sri Lanka Country Engagement Plan was launched on Friday (April 28) as a joint initiative of the Inland Revenue Department, the Fiscal Policy Department, the Finance Ministry and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sri Lanka.

The engagement plan aims to better align taxation policies with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. But it requires fundamental changes to the way the economy and fiscal policies are organized.

In order to offset challenging market conditions faced by developing countries and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, the recently launched SDG Stimulus Plan of the UN Secretary-General had called for a fit-for-purpose sustainable financing approach.

Therefore, stable and reliable state revenues are crucial for financing the SDGs. Hence, the Inland Revenue Department, the Fiscal Policy Department, the Finance Ministry and the UNDP in Sri Lanka came together to better align taxation policies with the achievement of the SDGs in the country.

Joining 25 countries globally – notably the Maldives and Bhutan in the Asia Pacific region – the Sri Lanka Country Engagement Plan will provide the roadmap for the demand-driven activities envisaged for the country.

Funded by the governments of Finland and Norway, this initiative will be implemented for two years and anchored at the Inland Revenue Department and the Fiscal Policy Department. 

Gracing the occasion, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe stated, “The Government of Sri Lanka recognizes that revenue generation stands at the core of financing public development and is integral to achieving the SDGs..

This initiative does not implement new taxes to achieve the SDGs, but rather propose how existing public finance policies and principles can be better aligned and efficiently managed to make progress towards the SDGs headed. ”

Commenting on the importance of aligning fiscal policies towards the achievement of SDGs, R.M.P. Rathnayake, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury stated, that this initiative will explore better alignment of fiscal policies and frameworks with the SDGs, develop capacities to improve tax administration, and help incorporate Sri Lanka’s perspective and needs in global and regional discussions on reforms”. 

Forging wide-ranging partnerships, the Initiative will roll out an SDG Taxation Framework, raise awareness on alignment of public finance to achieve the SDGs and implement an OECD-UNDP Tax Inspectors without Borders Programme (TIWB) which will provide hands-on ‘learning by doing assistance’.

Further, the Initiative aims to explore digitalization solutions to improve tax filing, processing and collection efficiency, support Sri Lanka’s climate and gender considerations in fiscal policies, and support treaty negotiations in partnership with the South Centre, Switzerland. 

Articulating the need to address the gap between public finance and the SDGs, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota stated, “ UNDP is committed to working with the Government of Sri Lanka and a wide range of stakeholders in the roll out of this Initiative to help the country mobilize its resources at scale and achieve the SDGs”.