The President’s decision on the 13th constitutional amendment is a positive and optimistic step for the future of the country

– State Minister for Higher Education Mr. Suren Raghavan

State Minister of Higher Education, Mr Suren Raghavan, stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to implement the 13th Amendment of the Constitution without police powers as a measure to foster national harmony may not be popular, but it is a forward-looking decision for the future of the country.

Additionally, Minister Raghavan, highlighted that this decision was taken despite the considerable risk involved, in order to pave the way for a new political journey anticipated by the young people who have been actively engaged in the ‘Aragalaya’. 

He conveyed these perspectives while addressing a Press briefing themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday(28). 

During his remarks, the State Minister asserted that a national dialogue has once again emerged regarding the 13th Amendment of the Constitution. He clarified misconceptions about the current president’s approach to this matter, emphasizing that all former presidents have previously discussed the issue. He pointed out that the country is now transitioning into a post-war phase.

Mr. Suren Raghavan made it clear that while he does not consider himself a participant in any on-going struggle, the essence of the struggle is evident. He stressed the significance of renewing the agreement between the citizens and the state, a sentiment echoed by the people of the country and the younger generation poised to shape its future. Emphasizing the state’s responsibility, he underscored the need to address the aspirations and social needs of all citizens in order to revitalize the nation.

“At present, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s actions may not be widely supported, as it is a known fact that elections are on the horizon. Typically, popular decisions are made during such times to garner public favour.” State Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Suren Raghavan, suggested that providing essential necessities like free bread, dal, gas, and electricity, or making promises to do so, could be a favourable approach during this period. 

Despite the potential risks involved, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has shown boldness in initiating this discourse during his political tenure. It is evident that the President holds a deep belief in democracy and firmly believes that even if a decision is not popular, it must be the right thing to do. The President embarked on this task with the hope of resolving the issue without burdening future generations.

During a discussion with party leaders and opposition ministers in parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe raised the question of whether they support the 13th Constitutional Amendment. It was pointed out that this amendment has been a part of the constitution for several decades, and significant funds, around Rs. 300 billion per year, are allocated to the Northern Provincial Council alone. This has led to a crucial question regarding the meaningfulness of maintaining the provincial council at such a substantial financial cost.

Furthermore, the President made it clear that if the 13th Amendment is not accepted politically, Parliament should step in and take action to abolish it. The Tamil political elite also face internal disunity, with varying opinions and stances on the matter. Some members are abstaining from the discussion and refuse to accept any solution that does not involve federalism. On the other hand, when others request a solution, they do not actively work towards finding one. This lack of consensus and commitment from certain factions within the Tamil political elite poses a challenge to the nation’s progress on this issue.

In light of the situation, adopting a dialogical democracy appears to be the most suitable approach. The enforcement of the 13th Constitutional Amendment, as proposed, should not be further delayed. Moreover, some parties advocate for 13+, as discussed with Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, and given the prolonged postponement of provincial council elections for nearly seven years, resolving the underlying issues is essential before holding the election.

One critical matter raised is whether all the powers outlined in the 13th Constitutional Amendment will be granted. Specifically, there is an on-going discussion regarding the granting of police powers. While the amendment mentions police powers, it has not been implemented due to mutual suspicions. Hence, there is a pressing need for a constructive dialogue to establish a new consensus between the state and its citizens, particularly concerning the Tamil people.

‘As a former governor, I have observed that 95% of the Tamil-speaking population faces daily struggles for survival, encompassing essential aspects like access to clean drinking water, healthcare, education, transportation, security, and economic opportunities. It is imperative to address these challenges promptly’.

It is equally important not to exploit the existing differences among Tamil leaders for political gains. Instead, we must focus on genuine efforts to win the hearts of the Tamil people and foster a unified approach towards building a prosperous and inclusive future for all citizens.

The Sri Lankan Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea had the privilege of meeting President  Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat July (28). On this occasion, the Chief Scout, President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially presented the national flag to the Sri Lankan scout team, symbolizing their representation in the global event.

During the gathering, the official logo for the upcoming 10th National Scout Jamboree, scheduled for 2024, was unveiled, adding to the sense of excitement and anticipation among the scouts.

The 25th World Scout Jamboree, taking place from 1st to 12th August 2023 in Saemangeum, South Korea, will witness the participation of 50,000 Girl Scouts from various countries, with approximately 177 Girl Scouts and Leaders representing Sri Lanka.

Addressing the scouts, President Wickremesinghe extended his congratulations and emphasized the government’s vision of transforming Sri Lanka into a developed country similar to South Korea by the year 2048. He encouraged all participants to use their experiences gained from this event to contribute meaningfully to the future progress of the nation.

Recognizing the valuable role of the scouting movement in shaping a confident and resilient future generation, the President urged the girl scouts to utilize their training effectively for the betterment of the country.

Mr. Janaprith Fernando, the Chief Scout Commissioner, shared that under President Wickremesinghe’s guidance to expand the scouting movement in Sri Lanka, the commendable milestone of achieving 100,000 members had recently been accomplished.

The event witnessed the presentation of the national flag by the leader of the Sri Lanka Scout Team to International Commissioner Dr. Rajeev Peiris, in the presence of distinguished commissioners and officials of the Association, including Mr. Srinath Gunaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Scout Association, and Mr. Ratnasiri Perera, Chairman of the Executive Committee. Additionally, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff also graced the occasion.

 (PMD)

As part of another Naval Social Responsibility initiative of the Sri Lanka Navy, a dental clinic and an awareness programme were held for school children at Daranagama Primary School, Biyagama (27th July 2023).

The event which was conducted under the supervision of Director Naval Dental Services, Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru was graced by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

The magnanimous event conducted at the directives of the Commander of the Navy, aimed to create awareness about the significance of dental hygiene and provide essential dental care services.

A team of six naval dental surgeons and medical staff spearheaded the programme, ensuring that the children received expert attention and guidance. During the programme 200 school children, their parents and teaching staff were made aware of good oral health and a dental clinic was also held for school children.

In the meantime, the Navy will persist in organizing comparable Naval Social Responsibility endeavours with a focus on enhancing the well-being of the wider community.

 SLNavy

Renowned threat specialist Prof. Rohan Gunaratne has made a compelling call for the implementation of a rehabilitation programme for individuals arrested in connection with the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Speaking at a conference in Colombo, Prof. Gunaratne stressed the crucial need for subjecting the suspects involved in the bombings to a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative before their eventual release.

The eminent expert emphasized that failing to provide appropriate rehabilitation measures could potentially lead to the occurrence of another attack of similar or even greater magnitude to the tragic events that unfolded in 2019. With four years having elapsed since the series of bombings, the absence of such a rehabilitation programme deeply concerns the Professor.

His urgent appeal comes as a critical reminder of the importance of addressing the underlying factors and potential radicalization threats posed by those involved in the Easter Sunday attacks. Implementing a well-designed rehabilitation program could serve as a preventive measure, aiding in the reintegration of former suspects into society while mitigating the risk of any potential recurrence of violent extremism.

The call to action by Prof. Rohan Gunaratne underscores the imperative for proactive efforts in countering terrorism and fostering long-term stability and security within the region.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka tops the list of nations that may host a Chinese naval base in the coming years as Beijing seeks to expand its maritime capabilities, according to a new report.

The South Asian nation’s Hambantota port is the most likely spot for a base given the US$2.19 billion China has already invested there, according to an assessment by the AidData research project at William & Mary university in Virginia.

Sites in Equatorial Guinea, Pakistan and Cameroon were listed as the next possibilities over the next two to five years.

“China’s single largest port investment anywhere is at Hambantota, and Beijing exercises direct control over the facility,” said AidData, which released the report on Thursday (July 27).

“Coupled with its strategic location, the popularity of China among elites and the population, and Sri Lanka’s alignment with China in UNGA voting, Hambantota is our top candidate for a future base.”

For years, observers have tried to parse the extent that China uses its economic clout to advance its military ambitions.

The Asian nation has the world’s largest navy by number of warships, and its construction and engineering companies are busy building port facilities around the world.

It provided loans and grants worth nearly US$30 billion from 2000-2021 to build or expand 78 ports in 46 countries, the AidData report said.

Despite frequent speculation about Chinese bases in the works, Beijing has established just one overseas military facility, in the East African nation of Djibouti. AidData said China invested $466 million in the Djibouti facility from 2000-2021, placing it No. 12 on its list.

Still, the Pentagon has raised concern that it was considering more overseas military logistics facilities in locations including Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan.

The US also identified a military facility in Cambodia that it says will be China’s first overseas base in the Indo-Pacific region, something the government in Phnom Penh has repeatedly denied.

The Defense Ministry in Beijing didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the AidData report.

Commercial imagery company BlackSky, said this week that recent photos showed a China-funded naval base in Cambodia has neared completion. The facility includes new piers able to support aircraft carriers.

Leaders in Colombo have said they won’t allow the Hambantota port to host any foreign armed forces. A Chinese entity took over the facility in 2017 when Sri Lanka couldn’t repay the loans that helped build it.

AidData also said that China could pursue a base in Gwadar, Pakistan, citing the two nations’ close ties. The report also found a high concentration of Chinese port investments in Africa, ranking Bata, Equatorial Guinea, as the second most likely spot for a naval base after Beijing committed $659 million to a port there.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) anticipates a significant milestone in July 2023, with the highest number of tourist arrivals reported so far this year. As of the 27th of July, a total of 123,503 tourist arrivals have been recorded, with three more days to go before the month concludes.

Notably, the highest number of arrivals for the year was previously reported in March, reaching 125,495 tourists. However, July is set to surpass that figure, signaling a promising trend for the country’s tourism industry.

Analyzing the source markets, India leads the way with 20,779 tourist arrivals, followed by the United Kingdom with 15,126 arrivals, China with 8,446 arrivals, Germany with 6,842 arrivals, and Russia with 6,374 arrivals, forming the top five countries contributing to the July 2023 influx of visitors.

Other nations, including France, the Maldives, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia, have also contributed to the robust number of tourist arrivals for the month.

Cumulatively, Sri Lanka has welcomed a total of 748,377 tourists in 2023, showcasing a notable increase from the 719,978 tourist arrivals recorded in the previous year of 2022. This growth reflects the country’s continuous efforts in promoting its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and tourist attractions to a global audience.

In a significant diplomatic encounter, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa paid a courtesy call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo just a short while ago. The President’s Media Division (PMD) confirmed the meeting, underscoring its importance in fostering bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.

Minister Hayashi’s official visit to Sri Lanka commenced on Friday night (28 July) and is slated to span two days. During this visit, he is set to engage in crucial talks with President Wickremesinghe, as well as with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ali Sabry, with a focus on bolstering bilateral ties.

Accompanying the Japanese Foreign Minister on this momentous occasion are esteemed officials from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The delegation includes Murakami Manabu, the Senior Foreign Policy Coordinator; Arima Yutaka, the Director General of Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs; Endo Kazuya, the Director General of International Cooperation; and Okano Yukiko, the Deputy Press Secretary. Alongside them are 22 other officials representing various departments within the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

This diplomatic meeting between Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and President Ranil Wickremesinghe holds the promise of further enhancing cooperation and understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka, forging a path towards mutual prosperity and regional stability.