Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa, Matale and Mullaitivu districts during the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Detained for three years, prominent Vietnamese journalist and writer Pham Doan Trang is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence on trumped-up charges of “anti-state propaganda”. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges the Vietnamese regime to release.
Exactly three years ago, on 6 October 2020, the prominent Vietnamese journalist and writer Pham Doan Trang, was arrested at her home in Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam. After being held incommunicado for more than a year, Pham, 45, was sentenced to nine years in prison in December 2021 for “anti-state propaganda”.
“Journalist Pham Doan Trang, who courageously risked her life to provide information to the public, deserves to be celebrated as a hero instead of being persecuted by the Vietnamese regime. We call upon the international community to step up pressure on the regime to obtain her release alongside all other journalists and press freedom defenders detained in Vietnam.”
“Doan Trang’s place is in the newsroom, in university lecture halls, in guitar musical shows, not prison. And not in the kind of prison that doesn’t give her the medical attention she desperately needs. The only way to correct this injustice is to release her and respect her rights as a citizen and a human being. The Vietnamese government always claims to be treating citizens with dignity, it’s time it proves it.”
Trinh Huu Long Editor-in-Chief of Luat Khoa Magazine
Since her arrest, Pham has been almost completely separated from her family and friends. In October 2022, she was transferred to a prison located about a thousand miles from her family home, in the South of Vietnam, making it extremely difficult for her 81-year-old mother to visit. She is suffering from the after-effects of the Covid-19 infection she caught in prison, as well as chronic sinusitis, arthritis, and gynecological problems.
In Vietnam, jailed journalists are almost systematically subjected to mistreatment and denied medical care. On 2 August 2022, Do Cong Duongdied in detention, at the age of 58, as a result of mistreatment in detention. More recently, in August 2023, the family of detained journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan revealed that he was suffering from a severe scabies infection for which he is still denied medical treatment.
Vietnam ranks 178th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2023 RSF World Press Freedom Index and is among the world’s worst jailers of journalists.
REPORTERS SANS FRONTIÈRES / REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS (RSF)
In an unprecedented turn of events, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, has brought to light a violation of parliamentary privileges, which is a matter of grave concern for the integrity of our democratic institutions. Today, on October 6, 2023, Dr. Harsha de Silva made a special statement in Parliament addressing this issue.
Dr. Harsha de Silva lodged a complaint regarding the breach of privilege under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, pertaining to a letter dated October 4, 2023. This letter, authored by Gayani Jayaratne, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cosmetic Manufacturers Association, raised concerns about the handling of Extraordinary Gazette No. 2336/69, dated June 16, 2023.
In addition, this letter incorrectly mentioned that Gazette No. 2336/63, dated June 16, 2023, related to land rights, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Land Commissioner General’s office and is not relevant to our committee’s responsibilities.
Furthermore, this letter incorrectly cites number 2336/69, dated June 16, 2023, pertaining to the Extraordinary Gazette that concerns the Committee on Public Finance, regarding matters of state revenue. However, it should be noted that Gazette number 2336/72, dated June 16, 2023, which concerns the palm oil industry and the revision of tariff rates, is the relevant document I wish to draw attention to.
Gazette number 2336/72 pertains to changes in customs duties on palm oil fatty acids and tariff structure revisions, and it was presented to Parliament on September 19, 2023. On the same day, September 19, 2023, the Committee engaged with relevant ministries to discuss the contents of this Gazette. Due to insufficient information available at that time, the Committee recommended a detailed report from the Ministry of Industry, which was subsequently submitted on September 26, 2023. The Ministry of Finance was also asked to provide additional clarification.
In light of conflicting information with the government’s tax policy, the committee recommended a reconsideration of the Gazette on October 10, 2023, as conveyed to the concerned parties. It is important to note that such deliberations are collective decisions made by the Committee on Public Finance, as the Committee exercises its duty to thoroughly examine matters related to public finances.
The Committee on Public Finance is committed to upholding the principles of parliamentary democracy and operates independently. It does not merely serve as a rubber stamp for government initiatives, as it exercises its constitutional role to provide careful scrutiny and recommendations on matters of public finance, as part of checks and balances.
The allegations made in the aforementioned letter have not been referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and attempts to contact the association through the provided phone number and official website have been unsuccessful. Additionally, some media outlets have misinterpreted the situation, causing further misinformation.
According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the Parliament has full control over public finances, and therefore, it is the Parliament that makes appropriate recommendations in that regard, as set out in Standing Order 121. The Committee on Public Finance plays a vital role in this process. Accordingly, in order to maintain a protective and balanced condition, a member of the Opposition has been given its chairmanship. The Parliament decides on matters under consideration by the Parliamentary Affairs Committee, and thus, there is absolutely no influence on the proceedings of the Parliament from any outside group.
In this regard, one website has accused Harsha de Silva as follows: “Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Harsha de Silva, on behalf of multinational companies, has neglected his responsibilities…the loss to the government is Rs. 2000 million.” Copies of these accusations are submitted to this Honorable Assembly.
In light of these circumstances, Dr. Harsha de Silva, as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, formally notified the House that the privileges of Parliament and MPs have been violated. Dr. Harsha de Silva requests the Honorable Speaker to take the necessary actions to safeguard these privileges and maintain the integrity of our parliamentary system.
Asian Human Rights Commission: Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, comte de Tocqueville is the famous author of the book Democracy in America. It is one of the world’s best known writings which have been appreciated by many philosophers, writers, thinkers and also people in many countries. It has also been translated into many languages.
Tocqueville was a French magistrate, a young man of 30, who, with another friend, visited the United States in 1831. His whole idea was to understand what democracy is by looking into the experience of the United States. He knew about the disclosure on democracy in France as he belonged to a generation which came after the French Revolution. He was also aware of democracy in other European countries.
His way of trying to understand American democracy was to visit and talk to various persons of various ranks and mostly ordinary people in the United States. In fact, even the phrase ‘ordinary people’ was inappropriate to be used in America during that time because everyone was considered ordinary. The remarkable feature of the American way of life was the lack of an idea of social ranks and status as that we found in the European countries as much as in many other countries in the world. Therein, in the United States then, everyone was another citizen and that is how people behaved towards each other.
The Mayor of New York himself lived in a hotel room. And, there were no pomp or pageantry exercised regarding his movements as it very often happened then in European countries. He was just another man doing another job and was treated by others in the same manner.
What is important for this article is about what he would have thought if he were to read the Anti-Terrorism Law that is being proposed in Sri Lanka and which is being pursed despite massive protest from many quarters.
What Tocqueville will find most difficult to understand is how any country which in some way claims to be a democracy goes all the way to attack the freedom of expression and freedom of publication. For Tocqueville, the essence of the American democracy as he saw it then was the freedom of expression. People made newspapers, discussed almost anything freely and that helped to keep a lively discussion on almost anything that was happening in their country. The writer did not have to feel inhibited about what he/she would think and what he/she would write. What was called decency among the writers was the same as the decency that was observed in every other area of life. But, the important issue was that everything could be discussed and was in fact discussed.
It was these discussions that gave life to other areas of life which Tocqueville described so graphically in his work. Whether it was the work of people engaged in building their businesses, or cutting down the trees and preparing the ground for their living as well as for agricultural and all other things. About the way they held their public meetings and public speaking and about for an example, the place of women in their societies and the manner in which they moved about as every woman was considered a lady unlike in old Europe where the ladies and ordinary women were clearly distinguished from their ways speech, ways of behaviour, ways of dress and everything else. So it is that everywhere there was freedom for expression. Thus, the freedom of expression was not confined to merely the press. Press freedom was an expression of the sort of freedom that existed within the society as a whole. In expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing with people, and expressing their taste in various ways, people expressed not only their minds but also their souls. Thus, the freedom of expression was at the very heart of life. To interfere with the freedom of expression in fact amounted to interference into life itself.
Our so called Anti-Terrorism Law he would have found was something that could come from some kind of abnormal mindset of people who do not understand what society is, what life is, and what it means to be living.
Tocqueville speaks about how everybody in the United States at the time was engaged in making their own livelihoods. Everyone had an opportunity to begin whatever activity they wanted and the society would very much appreciate initiatives that people take, and that was what was expected of everyone. This brings us closer to the problem that is discussed mostly in Sri Lanka why we are going through such a severe economic crisis and facing all these enormous hardships in the country.
Is it because the people are not willing to work? Or, is it because the systems of governance that have been developed in the county have been unable to create the environment within which everybody could pursue one or other way of life in order that on the one hand, to find their livelihoods and on the other, to find their enjoyment. A society that creates restrictions everywhere can in no way contribute to a dynamic approach to the development of the economic forces.
The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act in fact is working very deliberately against economic development. Economic development requires the possibility of the exercise of initiative by everybody. It means that a small shop owner in some remote village is able to run his small shop or “kopi kade” and make his own living and somebody else who is engaged in some other activity could also freely do so. What makes people free or not free is the presence of fear. If people are afraid to begin a small business because they are afraid that the society is unable to protect their business, thieves will come and steal from him/her, that he/she may have to pay all sort of bribes, and that he/she may even have to end up going to police stations and other places, merely because some rival makes a false claim, such a society cannot create the necessary atmosphere for economic growth.
Tocqueville speaks about the aristocracy of money in a metaphorical sense, comparing it against the kind of aristocracy that existed in the old Europe because of birth, because of all kinds of titles, and because of all kinds of ways by which people were classified and confined to their own areas. Whereas, what he saw in the United States at the time was the freedom to choose whatever one wanted to do, the right to move wherever they wanted to move and the right to say whatever they wished to say.
That creates a kind of security that is needed for economic enterprise. What is lacking in Sri Lanka is a sense of security for people who want to do anything or get engaged in one or the other activity to try their capacities to see what they can achieve. Laws like the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act is meant to create a culture of fear and the culture of fear kills the possibility of the country developing the kind of talents and people to do various kinds of engagements in order to keep the total economy going.
When laws are made purely for the purpose of repression. That in itself is a conspiracy against the nation’s economy. The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act should be seen as a serious conspiracy against the county’s economy. Anyone with an open mind who has seen experience in other countries like Tocqueville did would naturally wonder what kind of stupidity that is involved with these kinds of laws.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as well as other senior Ministers of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partners will arrive in Sri Lanka next week for the 23rd IORA Council of Ministers which Sri Lanka is hosting on 11 October 2023 in Colombo. The Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo will see the participation of sixteen Ministers including the Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, India, Iran, Mauritius, Malaysia and South Africa as well as Ministerial and senior level participation from Australia, Comoros, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen (member countries) and from China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States of America (dialogue partners). The Council of Ministers is the highest decision making body of IORA.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will chair the Council when the current Chair, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh will hand over the chairmanship to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.
The Council will be preceded by the 25th meeting of the Committee of IORA Senior Officials (9-10 October) which will be chaired by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), established in 1997, is an intergovernmental organisation of States on the rim of the Indian Ocean. Its membership spans Africa, West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and the Oceania. Today, IORA’s membership has expanded to 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners. Sri Lanka will assume the chairmanship of IORA for the period 2023 to 2025 at the 23rd Council of Ministers’ Meeting.
The Ministers will deliberate on ways to cooperate on the six priority areas identified by the Association, including Trade and Investment, Maritime Safety and Security, Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management and Blue Economy, among others. They will be guided by recommendations to be made by the 25th Committee of IORA Senior Officials.
The Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Dr Salman Al Farisi and the directors of the IORA Secretariat in Mauritius will also participate in the meeting.
The visiting Ministers will also make a collective call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and hold bilateral discussions with their Sri Lankan counterpart Foreign Minister Ali Sabry as well as with other Ministers, during their stay in Sri Lanka.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil, which is concurrently accredited to the Republic of Chile, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organized a ‘Sri Lanka pavilion’ with the participation of twelve (12) Sri Lankan Tea exporting companies namely; Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, Millennium Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Shan Teas (Pvt) Ltd, TDK Tea Solutions, Heritage Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Expoteas Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Maltras International (Pvt) Ltd, Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Nature Ceylon, Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon and Tea Talk (Pvt) Ltd at the Espacio Food Service EXPO, which is one of the largest beverage exhibitions held in South America, from 26 to 28 September 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
Parallel to the exhibition, a press conference attended by over 35 journalists of electronic, print and social media platforms and a cocktail reception with the participation of over 175 guests representing Chilean tea importers, members of the Chilean Chambers of Commerce and other business entities, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile and other government officials and journalists were held in the evening of 27 September 2023 to promote Ceylon Tea in the Chilean market.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil Sumith Dassanayake, addressing the press conference and the reception, highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to develop the country as a maritime and investment hub and also to modernize its economy with a view to having a highly competitive green and digital economy. Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake also stated that Sri Lanka has already initiated discussions with many countries to expeditiously conclude bilateral trade agreements and also to join regional comprehensive economic and technological partnership arrangements to gain wider access to Sri Lankan products and services to new markets, especially to emerging markets.
Referring to Sri Lanka’s lucrative tourism industry, ambassador informed that Sri Lanka is a famous destination amongst international tourists as the island is the best place to visit by tourists with diverse interests. Ambassador Dassanayake also encouraged foreign direct investments from Chile and other South American countries to newly established industrial zones in Sri Lanka, especially to southern Hambanthota Port area, Colombo Port City and tea plantations. He further highlighted that Sri Lanka being the first country in South Asia that liberalized the economy in 1978, country has the knowledge and expertise to cater to the requirements of foreign investors and also that legal guarantees for foreign investments are ensured by Sri Lankan laws.
Addressing the events, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Niraj de Mel elaborated on the uniqueness of Ceylon Tea and the reputation it holds for its taste, aroma, purity and health benefits. The chairman requested the Chileans to consume more Ceylon Tea and encouraged the importers and buyers to purchase more Ceylon Tea and experience its benefits. He also ensured that Sri Lankan tea exporters under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Tea Board will continuously supply high quality Ceylon Tea to the Chilean market.
Responding to questions raised by the journalists, Chairman De Mel explained the measures undertaken by the Sri Lankan tea manufacturers to maintain high quality and how the quality and taste is affected by the geographic and climatic conditions in Sri Lanka to produce best quality tea.
Some of Sri Lankan exhibitors conducted tea tasting sessions at their stalls to showcase the premium quality and different fusions of Ceylon Tea.
In appreciation of prominent Ceylon Tea importers of Chile, they were awarded plaques for their contribution to promoting Ceylon Tea in Chilean Market by the Ambassador and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Sri Lankan Tea exporters participated in the exhibition were able to establish a large number of business contacts and also secured satisfactory orders to export Ceylon Tea to the Chilean Market.
Deputy Director of the Ceylon Tea Board Danushka Karunathilake and First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil Chathurika Perera were associated with the promotional event.
Colombo (LNW): On October 06, a petition was handed over to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the United Nations (UN) by a group of academics and civil society activists on the proposed act to establish a commission on online safety.
The petition was handed over by Prof Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Prof. H. Gambhera, and Dr Athulasiri Samarakon, Secretary of FUTA.
The Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) in partnership with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) and the Export Development Board (EDB) is delighted to announce that FACETS Sri Lanka, Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition will be held at the Atrium Lobby of the Cinnamon Grand from January 6 to 8, 2024. The SLGJA, formed in 2002, is the apex body for the gem and jewellery industry in Sri Lanka and represents all subsectors of the trade. Over the years FACETS Sri Lanka has become an important event in the international gem and jewellery calendar and this year too, it will serve as a much looked-forward to meeting point for the global gem and jewellery sector, attracting prominent traders, gemstone and jewellery wholesalers, exporters, manufacturers, lapidarists, retailers, and collectors from across the globe.
Sri Lanka has earned worldwide recognition as a veritable treasure trove of gemstones, renowned for producing some of the finest specimens in the world. As the oldest source country for coloured gemstones, Sri Lanka boasts a unique and vibrant selection of gemstones, complemented by exquisitely crafted jewellery that seamlessly blends international trends with elements of local culture.
Altaf Iqbal, Chairman of FACETS Sri Lanka, shared his comments on the upcoming show, and the new features of FACETS Sri Lanka 2024. “We are excited to announce the 30th edition of FACETS Sri Lanka in January of 2024. There will be a host of new additions to the show, such as the Sustainable Pavilion and the Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, which are sure to add to what is already an amazingly comprehensive gem and jewellery showcase.”
There will be several Pavilions showcased at FACETS Sri Lanka 2024 including the Premier Gem Pavilion, Premier Jewellery Pavilion, Sustainable Pavilion, Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, Rough Stone Pavilion, Gem Lab Pavilion, NGJA SME Pavilion, and the SLGJA Gem and Jewellery Pavilion. The event will also feature a special ‘Reminisce of the Past’ Event. The Premier Gem Pavilion has been a part of FACETS Sri Lanka since its inception. It will consist of leading Sri Lankan gem dealers who have been a part of FACETS Sri Lanka over an extended period of time, showcasing their gems for sale. The Premier Jewellery Pavilion will consist of prominent local jewellers, displaying their gems and finely crafted jewellery.
The Sustainable Pavilion is a first for FACETS Sri Lanka and will present the historical evolution of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector, along with its sustainability-related methods and approaches. It will also display the 2300-year history of the Sri Lankan gem trade from mine to market. The Sapphire Masterpiece Pavilion, which is another first in Sri Lanka, will display large, precious stones, and will be on sale on the final day of the show. The Rough Stone Pavilion will feature and display rough stones from all sourcing countries of the world.
The Premier Gem Lab Pavilion brings together leading local and international gem labs together under one roof. The NGJA SME Pavilion will offer selected SMEs from across the country to showcase their gems and jewellery. The SLGJA Gem and Jewellery Pavilion will showcase gem and jewellery stalls from SLGJA members.
The ‘Reminisce of the Past’ event will feature a variety of speakers including senior gem and jewellery merchants who will speak about a variety of topics including how business was conducted in the past, and how the industry has evolved from the early years of humble beginings, to what it is today.
Since its inception in 1991, FACETS Sri Lanka has thrived for 30 years, solidifying Sri Lanka’s reputation on the global stage as a premier destination for precious gems and jewellery. This exhibition consistently draws numerous international exhibitors and buyers and is a highly recommended destination for anyone in the Gem and Jewellery Industry. FACETS Sri Lanka 2024 will focus on the emotional resonance of design and craftsmanship and their evolution throughout history. Furthermore, it will offer insights into the future growth trajectory of the industry, emerging trends in jewellery design, and its anticipated appeal to a global audience in the years to come.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. on Wednesday (27) held a reception including aseries of cultural performances to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States of America. The event was held under the patronage of Chief Guest, M.U.M. Ali Sabry, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, the host on the occasion, welcomed the guests – special invitees from the U.S. government including the White House, Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Commerce, the IMF/World Bank, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Sri Lankan community, represented by several associations from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, among other guests.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Samarasinghe stated that the relationship between the U.S.A. and (then) Ceylon preceded the attainment of Independence in 1948. He traced significant developments in the friendship up to the present day. Looking forward to the future, he expressed the hope that the relationship would grow stronger in the next 25 years and in the years to come.
Clinton D. White, Counselor of the U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID) traced the history of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and USAID with assistance to the country dating back to 1956. The Counselor, who represented USAID Administrator Samantha Power, outlined the manifold sectors in which USAID is active in Sri Lanka and also looked to enhancing cooperation to enable the country to address and overcome the current economic challenges.
On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, stated that the young people of both societies would help grow the bilateral relationship by ensuring enhanced understanding and goodwill in the future.
Guest of Honour Chris Van Hollen, United States Senator for Maryland and Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reflected on his personal ties to Sri Lanka and expressed appreciation for the contributions of Sri Lankan Americans to the United States. He recalled his recent visit to the island and hoped that the multi-dimensional relations would continue to flourish.
The Keynote Speech was delivered by Chief Guest, Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry, who expressed appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by many agencies of the U.S. Government. The Minister noted that 2023 was also the 75th Anniversary of Independence from colonial rule. He outlined national priorities ranging from economic recovery to reconciliation and the positive contribution made by the United States in many of these spheres over time.He concluded by proposing a toast to the bilateral diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.
The guests and invitees were treated to a range of performances that exemplify the vibrant cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. It was led by Jananath Warakagoda, a Sri Lankan artiste of renown and his team, Natamu School of Traditional Sri Lankan Dance led by Chathuri Wickramaarachchi, SerendibDance led by Asanga Domask as well as dancer Ms. Achila Perera, whose performances captivated the audience.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. is grateful to the generous support extended by the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL), principal among several other sponsors, who supported the event as well as the production of a commemorative souvenir to mark the 75th anniversary. Basilur Tea provided attractive gift packs which were distributed among the invitees. The year 2023, during which many events were held to celebrate the special friendship, has been a productive one for the development of bilateral ties. The generosity and contribution from all, including from many Sri Lankan Americans, enabled the Embassy to organize and conduct these events without having recourse to any Government funding.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the 5th Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo yesterday (05), delivering a passionate speech that emphasized three crucial points: the urgency of the climate crisis, Sri Lanka’s ambitious climate plans and the dire state of global biodiversity.
President Wickremesinghe opened his speech by drawing attention to the pressing climate concerns facing the world today. He cited the alarming estimate from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stating that global warming is projected to reach a dangerous 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052. “Humanity is facing an existential threat,” he declared. He highlighted the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, emphasizing the devastating impact on individuals and communities worldwide.
The President then turned to Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing these challenges. He pledged to accelerate nature-based solutions, including renewable energy, through Sri Lanka’s Climate Prosperity Plan, which was launched at COP 27. “Sri Lanka is in the process of renewing the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan 2016 to 2022 to achieve the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework,” he announced. Additionally, he unveiled an ambitious Net Zero 2050 roadmap for Sri Lanka, set to be launched at COP 28.
President Wickremesinghe stressed that despite Sri Lanka’s minor global emissions contribution (0.03%), the country is dedicated to significant reductions. Sri Lanka aims to achieve a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources, attain a 32% forest cover, phase out coal power by 2042, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The President also expressed deep concern over the state of global biodiversity. He lamented that the world has already lost 8% of known animal species, with 22% at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction and invasive species. “We are now losing biodiversity up to 10,000 times faster than it was disappearing 100 years ago,” he warned.
In conclusion, President Wickremesinghe’s speech outlined the urgent need for climate action, Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainability and the critical biodiversity challenges the world faces. The President’s call for collective action and his unveiling of ambitious climate plans underscored the gravity of the global situation.“Countries unwilling to do their part to stop the climate crisis are guilty of committing genocide,” he concluded.
Following is the full speech delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 5th Forum of Ministers & Environment Authorities of the Asia Pacific;
“I join our Minister of Environment in welcoming you to Sri Lanka. Humanity is facing an existential threat. The interlinked and cascading effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—the triple planetary crisis—are demanding a heavy toll on individuals, communities and threatening life on our planet. We are putting extreme pressure on the planet. The triple planetary crisis is already exceeding the planetary boundaries. The world has already lost 8% of known animal species and 22% are at risk of extinction due to the destruction of their natural habitats and the introduction of invasive species. We are now losing biodiversity up to 10,000 times faster than it was disappearing 100 years ago. Declines in nature and biodiversity at the current trajectory will undermine the progress towards 35 out of 44 targets of the SDGs related to poverty, hunger, health, weather, cities, climates, oceans and land. In terms of change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2030 and 2052.
The other day, I read a blog by a young scientist, a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Her name is Sanjali De Silva. This is what she said: “People of Sri Lanka feel the impact of climate change every day. Those effects are overwhelmingly caused by the self-serving command and irresponsible action of the fossil fuel industry and the nations unwilling to do their part to stop the climate paradigm. My people of Sri Lanka and my family deserve better.” I agree wholeheartedly with her. Sri Lanka, her country and mine, has constantly been placed among the top risk of extreme weather events by the Climate Risk Index annually released by German Watch. Although Sri Lanka’s emissions are globally negligible, amounting to merely 0.03%, we, in our ambitious NDCs, have set targets for 2030 to achieve a 14.5% reduction of GHG emissions, a 70% electricity generation through renewable sources, 32% forest cover, weaning off coal power by 2042 and reaching net zero by 2050.
The Climate Prosperity Plan of Sri Lanka, launched at COP 27, aims at rapid augmentation of nature-based solutions, including renewable energy. The Net Zero 2050 roadmap for Sri Lanka will be launched at COP 28. Sri Lanka is in the process of renewing the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan 2016 to 2022 to achieve the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework. Since Sri Lanka is one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots, I have instructed the Ministry of Environment to formulate a national policy on living entities to conserve pristine ecosystems. Sri Lanka has formulated the national policy on waste management, covering nine categories of general and hazardous waste. The national policy on chemical management was formulated to streamline chemical management in the country. Sri Lanka formulated the national policy on sustainable consumption and production in 2019. The Green Procurement Policy and the Green Labelling Framework will come into effect this year. My government will enact a new Climate Change Act and a National Environment Act to address the triple planetary crisis in the context of new knowledge and practices. We are starting our transition to a green economy. But there is a cost. The Climate Prosperity Plan, which spans from 2023 to 2042, will require 26.5 billion U.S. dollars. The implementation of the Net Zero 2050 roadmap will require over 100 billion U.S. dollars. The list is not over. Where are we going to source these resources from? We cannot source all this money from within our country. The problem is not confined to Sri Lanka.
Developing countries require financing up to 5.9 trillion U.S. dollars to fulfil their NDCs up to 2030. A further 4 trillion U.S. dollars is required per annum for clean energy technology to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. At COP 27, there was an agreement to provide the lost and damaged funding for vulnerable countries hit by climate disaster. The Sharm El Sheikh Implementation Plan, a transitional committee was established. The meetings of the committee and the discussions at the recent sessions of the UN during the UN General Assembly have not resolved key questions.
a. Who will contribute? Is it the developed nations? EU, UK, Norway, among others, say all countries are liable to pay.
b. The question of criteria. Who will receive the funds?
c. Where to house the fund? At the World Bank or UNFCC?
d. Where do you find the money for the fund? Is it re-channelling existing funds or new additional funds? Delegates, these discussions are getting nowhere and it’s unlikely that these issues will be resolved by the time of COP 28.
The ability of global leaders to cooperate and provide a coordinated response to existential challenges such as climate change is missing in a scenario dominated by great power rivalries, geopolitical interests and in many cases domestic policy. For instance, it is not feasible to expect robust leadership of the United States in the global fight against climate change next year. The US will be caught up in an acrimonious election year and must first overcome domestic debates between climate deniers and those who are serious about addressing the issue. The Ukraine war will tie down Europe. The Indo-Pacific will witness further escalation of tension. Numerous global fora have attempted to address the issue of climate change. The Bridgetown Initiative, Paris Pact for People and Planet, and numerous initiatives by the UN Secretary-General. The issues and potential solutions have been well articulated at these events. What is missing is the money on the table, leadership and action.
Therefore, we in Asia-Pacific and others in the global south will need to galvanize an alternative leadership mechanism. What is crucial is that geopolitics and great power rivalries take a second place when it comes to addressing climate issues such as climate change and global environmental degradation. We need a climate justice forum to ensure that the countries least responsible for climate change do not bear a disproportionate share of the loss. We need to raise our collective voice and say, let’s get done with this. While the debate on the loss and damage fund continues, we should insist on the following: The money on the table is negligible, but let’s at least start with the 100 billion SDI initiatives available to the IMF and convert that into actions and positive outcomes. The developed economies should be held accountable for meeting their net zero targets at least by 2040. If they fail to stay in line with these targets, such countries should be required to compensate the rest of the world. These funds can help with the financing requirements for climate mitigation, adaptation and climate prosperity of developing nations. The global ambitions regarding finance of combating climate change have so far been woefully inadequate. It is also not just public funds that can resolve the magnitude of the issue at hand.
The Bridgetown initiative has clearly articulated the need for using the balance sheets of the NDBs to provide guarantees and leverage private funds to be channelled towards addressing climate change issues in developing nations. Additional volumes of concessionary financing at scale through the NDB are also a crucial requirement. Climate-related investments provide long-term returns, which cannot be financed by fragmented short-term high-cost private financing. The prevailing situation where global monetary tightening is pushing up market-linked lending rates of NDBs and the IMF is also an opportune moment to consider options of capping such rates or other means to avoid further fiscal burdens on borrowing nations. All three initiatives above would have been on the agenda in a serious manner long time ago had there been a greater voice of developing nations and the global south in the decision-making authorities of these global financial institutions. We must also press ahead with Kenya’s call for debt relief for low-income countries.
Parallel to these settings, we must finalize the loss and damage funds. In my view, all developed countries must contribute to the fund. We must also call for voluntary contributions by the developing countries, especially those exceeding the 2050 target. The Vanuatu Resolution has taken the issue of climate change before the International Court of Justice. This is the start of a process of recognizing climate justice as a human right. It is the core of the right to life. All other rights flow from the right to life. Countries unwilling to do their part to stop the climate crisis are guilty of committing genocide.”
Mr. Ali Salajegheh the Vice President of Iran and Head of Iran’s Department of Environment, Ms Elizabeth Maruma Mrema , Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Minister of Environment Mr Naseer Ahmed, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ali Sabry, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, Fisheries Minister Mr Douglas Devananda, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Aniva Marie Clarke, Representative of the Major Group for Children and Youth and representatives from member countries of the Asia Pacific region and professionals participated in this event.
Following the event, President Wickremesinghe held bilateral discussions with Mr. Ali Salajegheh the Vice President of Iran. The duo discussed climate changes in their respective countries and the obstacles they face as a result.
