The First Session of the Joint Committee for Consular Affairs (JCCA) between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates was held in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 22 February 2023 with the participation of official delegations, representing Sri Lanka and the UAE. The meeting was conducted, as per the provisions of the Memorandum of Understating (MOU) signed between Sri Lanka and the UAE in November 2017.

The meeting was co-chaired by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Consular Affairs and Political Affairs for Middle East & Africa U L Mohammed Jauhar, and Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE Faisal Eissa Lutfi Ali. The respective delegations comprised officials representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other vital line ministries and agencies.

The meeting focused on a wide range of mutually important consular related areas, including human smuggling & human trafficking, illegal migration, deportation and repatriation of nationals in custody of both countries and expediting compensation payment to eligible persons. Both delegations agreed to enhance cooperation in combating human trafficking, including by sharing information.

The UAE delegation also made a comprehensive presentation on the existing labour laws and regulations, with an emphasis on the rights of employees, the procedure to be followed in notifying authorities when labour contracts are violated, and providing relief to affected persons. It was also decided to include the updated UAE labour regulations in the SLBFE training modules, with a view to educating prospective migrant workers, in the UAE. 

The heads of delegation emphasized the importance of continuing the interactions on mutually agreed matters at the JCCA sessions as per the provisions of the MoU and assured the implementation of the decisions arrived at the JCCA.

Assistant Undersecretary Lutfi Ali also paid a courtesy call on the Acting. Foreign Secretary, Yasoja Gunasekara. During the meeting, the UAE delegation expressed their utmost satisfaction about the successful completion of the   First Session and also discussed in detail a variety of consular matters and practices, and other relevant topics. The UAE delegation visited the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Affairs Division in order to witness its attestation process and was briefed on the activities of the division, including the electronic document attestation system.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

02 March 2023

Considering the serious issues faced by the country and the people today, we have not yet reached a situation where we can see an end to them. Therefore, we do not underestimate the distress that has arisen among the people. There is still no sign of a concerted effort to find a lasting and permanent solution to these serious issues.If we think that there are simple or immediate solutions to this crisis, it is also nothing but a great delusion.

As the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), we understand the depth of the crisis we are facing at present and the fact that there are no short or quick solutions to come out of it. We are also sensitive to the serious problems faced by the people and have understood the tragic conditions they have to experience in many aspects of their lives. Moreover, we are trying to provide the necessary guidance to the parties who have to work towards finding proper solutions to these problems.

There are some great challenges that we, as a country, are facing. Foreign exchange deficit is the most important challenge before us. We consider the most painful experience that has arisen due to this is the helplessness of the people due to the lack of essential medicines. In order to find solutions to these problems successfully, the governance structure of the country must be properly managed, and no one should forget the challenge of strengthening democracy and strengthening the rule of law as a basis for the resolution of these issues.

We are well aware that there are four elections of national importance that should have been held and should be held, especially during the period of 2022-2024. They are provincial councils (PC), local government (LG) elections and presidential elections and general elections. It should also be emphasised that we have so far failed to find answers to a number of issues that need to be resolved as a country. In order to make some basic decisions that need to be taken in relation to the PC elections that have not yet been held as scheduled and the LG elections that are scheduled to be held, a parliamentary select committee has been established in the year 2022 according to a proposal made by us, but it has not yet been able to make the necessary decisions until now. We are very worried about that. It must be said emphatically that many such responsibilities have been neglected by the Parliament.

Even under such a situation, we believe that we should find solutions through the Parliament itself to overcome these challenges. Accordingly, it is our sole belief that in the current situation, they will not be able to find any solution by boycotting the Parliament or by taking measures to disable the country. All challenges must be won democratically and peacefully. There, the primary responsibility is assigned to the public representatives representing the Parliament.

Also, it is the opinion of the majority of the society that the executive presidential system peculiar to our country, which has laid the foundation for the creation of many issues that we are facing today, must be abolished. For that, the responsibility of preparing the environment has been assigned to the Parliament. Moreover, the responsibility of dealing with the existing corruption in the country and recovering the huge amount of wealth that has been looted from the country is assigned to the people’s representatives. Drafts are currently being prepared in relation to several bills that may lead to the well-being of the country. We emphasise that these activities should be done without delay and with a strong foundation in a way that suits the modern world, and can achieve the desired goals.

Attending the event to open the new session of the Parliament, the President mentioned that the government expects to pass several important bills in the coming months. He mentioned a number of important bills including the Economic Stabilisation Act, the Foreign Exchange (Amendment) Act, the Excise (Amendment) Act, the Revenue Authority Act, the Public Property Management Act, the National Security Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Act, and the Narcotics Control Command Headquarters Act. Considering the current situation, it is very important to complete these tasks immediately.

If the aforementioned laws including the anti-bribery and corruption law as well as a new constitution, rules and regulations on new election systems and procedures can be passed by the Parliament in the coming months, the “system change” (social transformation) demanded by the aragalaya (people’s struggle) and civil society will naturally emerge.

As the NMSJ, we are in constant dialogue with many similar civil and professional level organisations that are not part of any power political system, as well as with religious leaders. We are focusing on the unfortunate situation that the country is facing as well as the measures to be taken as a country. Also, we have presented several preliminary reports about the political and economic reforms that must be introduced. By doing so, we hope to inherit a better country for our future generations.

Many lives and national resources have been destroyed due to this discord within and outside Parliament. We are deeply moved and shocked by the sudden death of Mr. Nimal Amarasiri, the candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP) led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), who died while participating in a protest held in Colombo recently. It is the national duty of the government, the opposition and the people in general to ensure that such incidents do not occur.

To achieve that goal that the entire nation aspires to, we must unite before anything else. We should act collectively at least for a specific short period of time. It should be considered as an absolute responsibility not to contribute to any activity that may have any effect on anarchy in the country. Accordingly, the country needs a short period or a ceasefire.

Karu Jayasuriya
Chairman
National Movement for Social Justice
1 March, 2023

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee has strengthened due to a number of key decisions taken by the government affecting the economy, said State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiaya.

Among the contributory factors are the political stability and a peaceful atmosphere established by the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the State Minister said, adding that Finance Ministry data reveal that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves estimated to be US$ 1.7 billion as of September, 2022 have increased by 23.5 per cent to US$ 2.1 billion as of February, 2023.

Headline inflation previously recorded to be 94.9 per cent in September, 2022 has dropped to 60.1 per cent in January, 2023, and tourist arrivals have increased by 261 per cent, rising to 107,639 in February, 2023 from 29,802 in September, 2022, Siyambalapitiya cited data.

The Rupee exhibits appreciation amidst a number of growing crises contradictory to the Minister’s comments about ‘political stability’, in the backdrop where island-wide protests and strike actions are in operation in objection to the recent tax hike and electricity tariff revision implemented by the government in obedience to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) US$ 2.9 billion bailout. On the sidelines of the purported ‘economic stability’, the government of Sri Lanka is vehemently being criticised for the repressive measures it has taken against peaceful protesters, who are demanding the holding of the Local Government Election for the assurance of democracy.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): A water cut of 24 hours will be imposed on Saturday (04) from 2 pm, revealed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB).

Accordingly, the water supply will be disrupted in the areas of Colombo 1 – 4 and 7 – 11, the NWSDB said.

Meanwhile, the interruption will also affect Kaduwela town and surrounding areas, the Kolonnawa Urban Council area, and the Wellampitiya and Kotikawatte areas.

Colombo (LNW): In a desperate bid to direct the cash strapped country towards the reawakening of investment promotion and development, the Sri Lanka government will be digitizing investment information to facilitate easy access for investors and efficient use of state owned land to boost agriculture.

Overall, these measures indicate the Government’s commitment to promoting investment and economic growth in Sri Lanka by ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and legislative frameworks are in place to attract and support local and foreign investors, the President’s Media Division said.    

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted the importance of promptly identifying unused Government-owned land and creating a data bank with the relevant information.

The President’s Media Division said the move reflects the Government’s commitment to promoting investment and efficient use of land in Sri Lanka by leveraging appropriate policies, frameworks, and technologies.

The President has also given instructions to digitize investment information to make it easily and quickly accessible to interested parties. The purpose of this move is to encourage and promote investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, allowing investors to identify new investment prospects with ease.

In addition to this, the President has also pointed out the need for revising the Agricultural Development Act and Paddy Land Act to meet the current requirements.

This is expected to facilitate and promote investment opportunities in the agricultural sector, which is a vital contributor to Sri Lanka’s economy.

The need of the digitization of public and private institutions in promoting investments in Sri Lanka and the need to establish a single point for obtaining all necessary approvals for investment promptly has also been emphasised.

The President has directed relevant officials to study the practical problems and difficulties that have arisen in relation to enhancing the rank in the Ease of Doing Business Index in Sri Lanka and make its proposals and recommendations.

Mainly, the 82 percent of land that the government is holding, they have to let it go in a scientific methodical manner

How they can do that is to have a non-partisan expert panel to advise and set policies and   adopt methods such as GIS mapping to identify the soil and ecosystem in areas and recommend crops that can be grown. Government is to use its resources and clear a lot of agricultural land and have agriculture zones like the BOI. The aim is to create a level playing field for producers by giving fair value and correct information asymmetry.