Colombo (LNW): The Asian Palm Oil Association (APOA), a multilateral body representing the industry across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, has urged the President to lift the ban on Palm oil cultivation and production in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s recent ill-advised policy decision of ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to either temporarily ban or restrict palm oil cultivation has attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally.
The concerns on this matter were raised formally by the APOA with President Ranil Wickremesinghe while urging him to lift the ban recently.
The association has out lined missed benefits of this golden crop, and explore the overwhelming positives for cultivating oil palms in Sri Lanka, which include economic benefits, potential for improving food security, and support for sustainable development goals.
One of the primary reasons to support the cultivation of oil palms in Sri Lanka is the acute shortage of cooking oil in the country.
Global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war have severely affected vegetable oil supply chains.
As a major consumer of cooking oil, Sri Lanka could address this shortage by fostering a strategic commodity like palm oil, thus reducing its dependence on imports.
Palm oil is a crucial component in numerous consumer products, from toothpaste and shampoo to confectionery and bakery goods. Thus, through oil palm cultivation,
Sri Lanka can strengthen its domestic production capabilities and reduce its reliance on imports. At present, local consumption stands at 264,000 metric tons, with only 20% produced domestically. On the other hand, expanding coconut oil production, the primary alternative is neither economically viable nor technically feasible.
Globally, smallholders are emerging as leading producers of oil palm. However, Sri Lanka’s palm oil sector currently lacks substantial smallholder participation.
The country has over 2,000 smallholders interested in starting oil palm cultivation, presenting a significant opportunity for economic empowerment.
The experience of India’s National Mission on Edible Oil–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, serves as a successful model for self-reliance in terms of edible oils. Sri Lanka can, therefore, benefit greatly from collaboration with India and other countries to promote sustainable palm oil production.
The expansion of oil palm cultivation can contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sri Lanka. Studies from Indonesia and Malaysia demonstrate that oil palm cultivation enhances income gains and capital accumulation while improving living standards for smallholder farmers.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s first AI-Human marketing agency, vAIral, has been launched by Enfection, a trailblazing force in the marketing industry.
Seamlessly blending human creativity with the unstoppable force of AI, this cutting-edge platform brings forth a revolutionary approach to marketing; redefining the marketing landscape, and positioning Enfection as the first AI-Human agency in Sri Lanka.
In a world where the potential of AI was first met with uncertainty, Enfection diligently worked behind the scenes to harness its true power. The result is vAIral; a remarkable leap into the future of marketing that bridges the gap between ingenious creativity and cutting-edge AI technology.
“Unlike traditional automated systems, vAIral represents a paradigm shift in the marketing landscape by augmenting rather than replacing human talent,” says Saliya Withana, CEO at Enfection. “It’s not about replacing human talent with AI, but rather empowering our incredible team of prompt engineers and creative strategists with AI-driven tools.”
At the heart of vAIral’s offerings lies its exceptional capacity to create engaging content quickly and easily. Clients simply convey their ideas, and vAIral brings them to life, allowing them to fine-tune their inputs to match their unique style and vision.
The platform boasts an impressive range of services, including blog writing, social media post creation, AI-generated articles, and advanced features such as enhancing and creating stunning animated videos.
“Whether you need captivating blog posts, engaging social media content, or articles tailored to your niche, vAIral has got you covered,” says Lahiru Halkewela, COO at Enfection.
“Every piece of content generated by our AI is meticulously vetted by our team of expert human content creators, ensuring top-notch quality that resonates with your audience.”
“With vAIral, we provide a solution for both startups and enterprises to scale their branding efforts by delivering content at speed without compromising on quality,” adds Shezri Junaid, Chief Strategy Officer at Enfection.
The team behind vAIral, known as the “Enfectors,” comprises of marketing virtuosos who have harnessed the true potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize content generation.
With the launch of vAIral, Enfection reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of marketing innovation and delivering unparalleled solutions to their clients.
Colombo (LNW): Crisis-hit Sri Lanka has emerged as a key country of interest for India and the UK as they set out to operationalize a Global Innovation Partnership that allows them to cooperate in development projects in third countries, foreign news agencies reported.
The partnership, which is expected to focus on climate-smart innovations, is expected to come out with a list of priority countries and sectors next year.
The two countries have had early- stage talks about cooperation in Sri Lanka’s power and energy sector.
“The Global Innovation Partnership is a flagship new initiative between India and the UK to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries.
The GIP is currently in its inception phase. It will foster, scale up and transfer climate innovations from India to countries in Africa, South Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific,” said a spokesperson for the British High Commission in New Delhi, in response to a press query.
The island-nation was hit by a major energy crisis last year which saw widespread power cuts and shortages of fuel. This fuelled massive citizen discontent, which led to the collapse of President Gotabaya Rajapaska’s government.
India has initiated a number of bilateral projects to bolster Sri Lanka’s energy security, including a multi-product petroleum pipeline and linking the power grids of both countries. These were announced during the July visit of Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi.
As Colombo recovers from its economic crisis, joint investment in energy security by India and the UK may prove helpful, experts said.
The much-delayed Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm also saw movement — a project that could prove important to India’s efforts to build up energy reserves while also allowing Sri Lanka to improve its energy security.
Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Progress was also made on the 135MW Sampur solar power project.
New Delhi has built out trilateral development cooperation initiatives in the past. With Germany, India has started work with four countries Peru, Malawi, Cameroon and Ghana.
The projects range from promoting agri-business among women in Malawi to potato production in Cameroon through agri-tech.
Some previous efforts to design trilateral partnerships for development had stalled. This was most notably the case with the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) which envisaged cooperation with Japan in the African continent.
Colombo (LNW): Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Council Member Nalin Hewage disclosed that there is an outstanding electricity bill amounting to Rs. 26,82,246.57 for a house in Weeraketiya, where Ruling Party MP Namal Rajapaksa held his wedding ceremony four years ago.
The unpaid bill is related to security lights and generators used during an event held between September 12, 2019, and September 15, 2019, Hewage claimed, quoting a response by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to his Right-to-Information (RTI) request.
The RTI documents reveals that Rajapaksa is due to settle an amount of Rs. 2,682,246.57 for the security lights and generators used during the event.
Meanwhile, MP Rajapaksa responded to the claim by officially contacting the CEB and demanded that an inquiry be made into the status of this allegedly unpaid bill registered under his name.
Colombo (LNW): Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya has been appointed as the Chancellor of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made the appointed for a period of five years, according to the President’s Media Unit.
A scholar in the field of cooperatives and finance, Kiriwandeniya previously served in a number of local and international institutions, such as the Chairman of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation, the Chairman of the Asian Credit Union Federation, the Chairman of the Peoples Bank, the Director of the Regional Development Bank, the Chairman of the National Cooperative Management Institute and the Chairman of the National Cooperative Council.
President’s Secretary requests all Party Leaders to submit their proposals and suggestions regarding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on or before August 15th, as agreed during the All-party Conference on July 26th.
Analysts say Sri Lanka’s inflation rate, which has supposedly dropped to single digits for the first time in months in July 2023, may still face headwinds from rising water, food and energy prices: point out that the drop in the inflation figures is due to the statistical base effect.
PM Dinesh Gunawardene says the Govt continues to maintain the public service despite suggestions to make a reduction in the cadre of the public sector.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says import restrictions on another 300 items will be relaxed by the first week of September: analysts expect the LKR to suffer a further sharp depreciation when that happens.
Litro Gas Chairman Muditha Peiris now says although there has been an increase in LP gas prices in the world market, there will be no price revision in Litro domestic LP gas prices: Laugfs Gas CEO says their domestic LP gas prices will also remain unchanged.
Former Foreign & Constitutional Affairs Minister and SLPP MP Professor G L Peiris says the next Presidential election will have to be called in exactly one year’s time: also says a President elected by Parliament can’t call an early Presidential election: the count down of one year for the next Presidential election begins.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya’s outstanding electricity bill of Rs.4.1 mn has been settled by the SJB Party cadres and other donors: slams the Govt for disconnecting the power supply to the sacred area of Mihintale.
State Minister of Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana De Silva says the Govt intends to re-cultivate 11,000 acres of abandoned paddy lands before the end of this year in order to prepare for a potential food crisis: also says the Govt has allocated Rs.420 mn for this purpose: critics say these measures are far too little and far too late to avert the impending food crisis.
Convenor of the SJB trade union wing, Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance, Ananda Palitha says the Govt had increased the price of fuel to enable Sinopec to maximise profit: also says the first consignment of fuel was brought in by Sinopec on 30 July which had 95 octane petrol and super diesel, while the second consignment contained 92 octane petrol.
State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage says the officials who are due to host the prestigious World Travel Awards Grand Finale show in Colombo, had to face unmanned service counters at the BIA when they visited Sri Lanka.
PMD: The Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Project Monitoring Committee has taken a decisive step towards the implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) – a crucial milestone in the country’s digitization drive.
During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat today (04), key stakeholders, including Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Bagle, and First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, Mr. Eldos Mathew, Secretary of the Ministry of Technology, Prof. M.D. Gunawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Viyani Gunathilake, and Additional Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, engaged in extensive discussions on the project’s execution.
During the meeting, it was reported that tenders related to the SL-UDI project had been received and were currently under review, adhering to a meticulous timeline. Signifying the Indian government’s commitment to the initiative, the Indian High Commissioner handed over a significant contribution of Indian Rs. 450 million to Minister Kanaka Herath, constituting 15% of the total funds required for the successful implementation of the project as an advance payment.
In his directive, Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka emphasized the paramount importance of adhering to a well-defined timeline to ensure the project’s seamless execution. He further advised convening regular weekly meetings to monitor and evaluate progress.
Acknowledging the project’s profound significance in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process, Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government for its unwavering support in this endeavour.
The SL-UDI project holds immense promise in bolstering Sri Lanka’s digital infrastructure and fostering growth across various sectors. With this notable step, the nation inches closer to a more technologically advanced future, poised for enhanced economic development and prosperity.
Parliament is scheduled to convene from the 8th to the 1th of August as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business at its Meeting held on Friday (July 21).
Accordingly, on each Parliament Day, time from 9.30 am to 10.30 am has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers.
On Tuesday, August 08th the Adjournment Debate on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report – 2023 by the Government will be held from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. On Wednesday, the 09 th of August, the Second Reading of the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill, Regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act will be taken up from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
From 5.00 p.m. onwards, the Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation (Incorporation) (Amendment) Bill has been scheduled to be taken up for Consideration. Thereafter, from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. the Motion at the Adjournment Time by the Opposition has been scheduled to be taken up.
On the 10 th of August, Thursday time has been allotted from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. for the Adjournment Debate on the Socio-Economic Issues Faced by Plantation Community at Present by the Opposition.
On the 11 th of August, Friday Private Members’ Motions are to be Moved from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Accordingly, the Private Members’ Motion by MP Chaminda Wijesiri on Disposal of garbage by Local Authorities, conducting a systematic study about King Ravana by MP Buddhika Pahthirana, Strict regulation of microfinance institutions and leasing companies by MP Kokila Gunawardene, Issuance of a circular outlining the methodology to be followed in school development activities by MP Sagara Kariyawasam, Granting transfers to Sri Lankan teachers once in five years by MP (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Ensuring welfare for migrant workers by MP Chaminda Wijesiri are to be presented.
Moreover, Time has been allotted from 5.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m to taken up the Questions at the Adjournment Time.
Colombo (LNW): No government funds were used for the recent New Zealand study visit of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, said Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera.
She pointed out that this study visit was organised with the support of development partners without using government funds for about two and a half years.
Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus plays a major role in addressing the socio-economic and political issues of women in the country, and it will be helpful to gain experience from the developed countries of the Commonwealth in order to perform those tasks more efficiently, she added.
Rohanadheera emphasised that although the members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus represent different political parties, they stand up for the common goals of the caucus and work together under the leadership of its Chairperson, MP (Dr.) Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the government’s financial accountability to Parliament, making it clear that they will only adhere to the instructions and orders of the Parliament in the debt optimization program. He asserted that he is committed to preventing the country from descending into anarchy by avoiding out-dated political practices, and he remains devoted to developing Sri Lanka.
These statements were made during the 29th annual meeting of the Coconut Growers Association, held today (04) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. At the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for the invitation to attend and acknowledged the historical significance of coconut cultivation for Sri Lankan businesses. He highlighted that until 1970, the Sinhalese people held a significant amount of coconut land, but this changed with the land reform of 1972-73, leading to a decline in the capital of Sinhala businessmen.
He further mentioned that during the presidency of J.R. Jayawardena, efforts were made to develop the coconut industry with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. However, he acknowledged that the coconut industry’s progress over the last 50 years has not been satisfactory, contrasting it with other countries such as Brazil and Vietnam that have rapidly advanced in coconut cultivation.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the current situation of coconut farmers in Sri Lanka, with 82% of them owning less than 20 acres of land, while only 18% are engaged in large-scale cultivation. Comparatively, India, which started coconut cultivation with approximately 20 million acres of land in 1950, now has around 45 million acres dedicated to coconuts.
He pointed out the significant difference in coconut yield between Sri Lanka and neighbouring regions like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal. While Sri Lanka’s coconut production stands at 7000 nuts per acre, these regions are achieving much higher yields, such as 11,400 coconuts per acre in Tamil Nadu and 10,000 coconuts per acre in Telangana.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s address at the event indicated his concern for the coconut industry’s development in Sri Lanka and his commitment to fostering progress in the sector to match the advancements seen in other countries.
In the Andhra region, coconut cultivation yields approximately 15,000 coconuts per acre, which is twice the output we achieve here.
A proposal has been put forth to merge three coconut-related institutions, and it seems appropriate to combine the Coconut Research Institute with the Agricultural University, thereby streamlining the process.
The government has already initiated an agriculture modernization program with the aim of creating a highly competitive economy through agriculture. To achieve this, we must also focus on advancing the coconut industry. Increasing coconut production and marketing it effectively are crucial. Relying solely on price control will not lead to successful business development. Instead, the key lies in boosting production and enhancing the value of coconuts.
Investments should be encouraged in the coconut industry. Currently, 55% of total coconut production comes from the Coconut Triangle, and the plan to establish a second coconut triangle in dry areas is a promising step forward.
Despite the country’s financial challenges, the current government possesses the capability to address these issues and move forward. Loan optimization activities are underway, and discussions have taken place with leaders from various countries. The goal is not to default on outstanding loans but to gain more time to repay them while finding ways to pay off debts incurred for necessary imports. This necessitates a shift towards a highly competitive export economy.
The loan optimization work is in progress, with proposals presented in the cabinet and discussions held with the International Monetary Fund and major creditor countries. After parliamentary discussions and amendments, the proposal has been submitted for acceptance. The State Finance Committee of the Parliament has actively participated in this process, working diligently regardless of party differences.
The President expresses gratitude to the State Finance Committee for their support and hopes that the opposition would also back the initiative. Regrettably, internal issues between opposition parties have hindered their support, but the President remains thankful for the backing received from everyone. The aim is to complete the loan optimization work by September or October this year.
Despite not receiving support from the opposition initially, many members from opposition parties later backed the continuation of this program without objection. However, some groups sought to disrupt the program, resorting to street protests, which were ultimately unsuccessful in garnering public support. Now, they are attempting to utilize the court for their political agenda, seeking prohibitory orders.
Halting this program could have negative consequences, as foreign countries might be less inclined to engage in business with us. The country is already facing issues such as fuel pollution and farmers losing access to necessary fertilizers.
The control of public finances lies with the Parliament, and this program has already been approved by it. The Parliament, being the custodian of the sovereign power of the people under Article 04 of the Constitution, exercises all the necessary powers. The government operates within the framework set by the laws of the Parliament, and decisions can only be changed or continued with the Parliament’s notification.
The President emphasizes the need for unity in moving the country forward and warns against the destructive influences of old politics. He is committed to the responsibility of developing the country and works in tandem with the Parliament, particularly in the loan optimization program, where their accountability lies.
Minister Ramesh Pathirana highlighted the significant increase in coconut export income in recent times, driven by the growing demand for various coconut products like milk, substrate, and activated carbon. This year, exports related to coconut products are expected to generate 700 million dollars, and the goal is to achieve a 2 billion dollar export income within the next decade. To support this, a second coconut triangle is planned to be established, covering areas in the Northern Province like Jaffna-Point Pedro, Mannar, and Mullaitivu.
Currently, two-thirds of coconut production is utilized locally, leaving only one-third for exports. The plan is to increase opportunities for exports by altering this situation.
The event was attended by the President of the Coconut Growers Association, Jayantha Samarakoon, Secretary Shakila Wijewardanayana, and many others.
