Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation Industries and Minister of Industries, stated that action will be taken to establish an Agriculture and Plantation Research University by merging all institutions connected to the plantation industry and agriculture sector, as per President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s concept.

The fundamental draft related to this has already been prepared, the Minister noted, and it is intended to complete the basic work this year.

He expressed these views today (24) during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC).
Dr. Ramesh Pathirana further commented;

A year ago, plantations and agricultural centres faced a severe crisis due to the shortage of fertilisers. Due to this, the tea industry and other plantations also suffered some collapse. Soon after taking office, President Ranil Wickremesinghe launched a program to provide fertilisers to the farmers.

Therefore, the farmers are getting the fertilisers they need in a systematic way. All the fertilisers required for tea, coconut, rubber and other crops are available in the market at competitive prices. Fertiliser prices, which have increased in the world market due to the war situation, are currently decreasing. As a country, the agricultural and plantation sectors are now showing some effectiveness due to timely availability of fertiliser to the farmers.

251 million kilos of finished tea was produced in 2022. As a result, it is expected that 280 million kilograms of finished tea would be ready by the end of this year. Last year, the price of tea increased drastically due to the decrease in production. Currently, the rupee is strengthening, which has resulted in a fall in tea prices. Tea exports have been adversely impacted by global conditions, the Russian-Ukrainian war situation, and civil wars in countries like Iran, Libya, and Syria, which are our top buyers.

An agreement was recently signed to supply tea for nearly 500 million dollars worth of crude oil purchases from Iran. Accordingly, arrangements are made to provide tea according to the value of the relevant amount. Arrangements have also been made to re-export Sri Lankan tea to the Iranian market under the concept of ‘Tea for fuel’. Due to this, we will be able to re-export more tea to the Iranian market, which was lost to some extent in the past.

Also, it has been possible to get an income of nearly one billion dollars last year through the export of rubber. Its biggest value was 1.1 billion dollars in 2021. During Covid, rubber-related products received high demand in the world market. Sri Lanka is considered to be the hub among the main tyre producing countries. It is believed that the export of rubber-related products will be able to reach between 900 million dollars and 1 billion dollars this year as well.
With the world economic deviation, the export of every product has experienced a decrease. Economists predict that normalcy will return after the third quarter. Due to this, it will be possible to reach the export targets of plantation crops again in the future.

In recent times, apart from tea and rubber, coconut-related products have seen the highest growth. Compared to 2020, the market has expanded by approximately 15%-20% in 2021 and 2022. Accordingly, in 2022, it was able to earn an export income of 836 million dollars. It can reach a value close to that this year as well. Within the next five years, there is a high probability of increasing the export income of coconut-related products to 1.5-2.00 billion dollars.
In order to improve the country’s coconut industry, a law will be brought in the near future that states that a special permission must be obtained to divide coconut lands of more than one acre. For that, we hope to follow up again on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Additionally, the law requiring the authorisation of the Divisional Secretariat and the Grama Niladhari shall be enforced if more than two coconut trees are to be cut down.

In addition, it is believed that nearly 400 million dollars will be earned this year by exporting cinnamon and other spices.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe presented a new proposal to establish an Agriculture and Plantation Research University in Sri Lanka by integrating all research institutes related to the plantation industry and agriculture.

There are seven institutions related to the plantation industry in this country. Agricultural institutions are also to be integrated into this. The basic draft related to this has been prepared by now. This is a very complex project. But the basic work is expected to be completed this year.

However, through the available resources of the country, children are able to get better educational opportunities. Also, efforts are being made to focus on upgrading to university standards.

It is anticipated that the plantation industry’s backwardness will be reduced, allowing it to go forward more vigorously in the future. The government is prepared to offer the assistance required to expand the plantation industry’s value chains. It will step in as a Ministry in situations involving technological know-how and financial resources.

Colombo (LNW): Reyaz Mihular, new Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC assured that the recent changes in the company’s Board of Directors had nothing to with the divestment of shares by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL).

In a statement, the SLT Chief emphasised that they as a Director Board have a sole responsibility to ensure SLT-Mobitel is run professionally, and the shareholders, therefore, cannot be expected to be told any conditions for selling shares. In this case, the decision can only be made by the GOSL itself, Mihular added.

The SLT Chairman further noted that the changes made in the company are solely “to ensure that SLT-Mobitel is managed properly following good governance practices.”

Full Statement:

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of finance has relaxed certain limitations/suspensions imposed on outward remittances of foreign exchange to maintain financial system stability.

New order has been issued by President Ranil Wickremasighe in his capacity as the country’s finance minister under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 (FEA) since 02.04.2020.

The restriction order earlier issued was aimed to temporarily suspend/limit certain outward remittances with a view to assist and maintain the financial system stability by minimizing the pressure on the exchange rate and preserving the foreign currency reserve position of the country.

This decision was taken by the. Minister of Finance, with the recommendation of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank and the approval of the Cabinet by considering the current and expected developments in the domestic foreign exchange market and with a view to further facilitate international transactions.

It has relaxed certain limitations on outward remittances for capital transactions and removed the restrictions on current transfers of emigrants, while continuing the other suspensions/limitations which were imposed under the previous Order. The new Order is effective for six (06) months from 28.06.2023.

First time claim of migration allowance of up to a maximum of US$ 30,000 has been changed up to a maximum of $50,000* under the new order.

Subsequent claims after the initial claim of migration allowance.u p to a maximum of $ 10,000* has been increased to a maximum of $20,000*.

Repatriation of current income or accumulated current income of the emigrants to a maximum of $30,000*has been removed.

Overseas investments through Outward Investment Accounts (OIAs) by eligible resident are now changed from a maximum of 415,000* to a maximum of $30,000*.

Invest in ordinary shares of a company outside Sri Lanka, for the purpose of expanding their core business in overseas. and Companies listed in the Colombo Stock have been exempted from the suspension with a limit of $200,000 and $ 100,00 respectively.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Shenhong praised Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process in the last twelve months.

The meeting was called on by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who expressed gratitude to China for its continuous support to Sri Lanka.

Chinese Ambassador congratulated Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and commended the country for impressive progress in overcoming the economic crisis during the first year of the new Government.

Prime Minister Gunawardena also expressed his gratitude to China for its most recent kind act of generosity for Sri Lanka’s educational system.

The Chinese Government offered school bags, stationery, clothing for school uniforms and educational equipment to schools countrywide.

The assistance will lead to a positive impact on the educational landscape and facilitate a conducive learning environment for Sri Lankan students.

With Sri Lanka striving to boost its economic recovery, Prime Minister Gunawardena emphasized the country’s openness to welcome direct private investments, particularly for sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, irrigation, and water supply.

These investments are envisioned to provide long-term solutions to the economic challenges faced by the country.

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake was also present during the meeting, underscoring the importance of the discussions and highlighting the collaborative efforts between Sri Lanka and China.

China’s support and cooperation have been instrumental in various development initiatives in Sri Lanka, and their continuous engagement with the country underscores the strong bilateral ties shared between the two countries.

This support comes at a time when the country is navigating a severe economic crisis that is having devastating impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods and which demands deep reforms to stabilize the economy and protect the poor and vulnerable.

Sri Lanka’s poverty rate is estimated to have doubled from 13.1 to 25 percent between 2021 and 2022—an addition of 2.5 million poor people—and is projected to increase by another 2.4 percentage points in 2023.

The government lays out a two-phased approach that starts with a focus on urgent macro-fiscal and structural reforms and support to protect the human capital and most vulnerable population.

After the first 18-24 months, and subject to successful implementation of the reform program and international debt relief and financial support, the focus will gradually shift to investments in longer-term development needs that will help promote private sector job creation—particularly for women and youth—and boost resilience to climate and external shocks.

The Sri Lanka resilience, stability and economic turnaround (RESET) development policy operation ($500 million) will support reforms that help improve economic governance, enhance growth and competitiveness, and protect the poor and vulnerable.

It will provide budget support in two equal tranches against agreed prior actions.

The Social protection project ($200 million) seeks to support Sri Lanka in providing better-targeted income and livelihood opportunities to the poor and vulnerable and improving the responsiveness of the social protection system.

Samuel Osborne

Sky News: BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died at the age of 67, his agent has said.

The Sri Lanka-born journalist – the face of BBC One’s News At Six since 2007 – was diagnosed in 2014 with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

He endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.

In October 2015 he announced his treatment was over and returned to BBC News At Six on 10 November.

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and spent many years as one of the corporation’s leading foreign correspondents before moving to presenting.

In a statement, his agent Mary Greenham said: “I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

“George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

“George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

“My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.”

‘One of the best and bravest journalists of his generation’

BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

“He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “Deeply saddened by the news of George Alagiah’s passing.

“A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary-pushing reporting.

“British journalism has lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

The BBC’s world affairs editor John Simpson said: “Deeply, deeply sorry to hear about dear George Alagiah.

“A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague would be hard to find. I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.”

Podcast host Jon Sopel, former North America editor of BBC News, said: “Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster – but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.”

Sky News presenter Mark Austin said: “This breaks my heart. A good man, a rival on the foreign correspondent beat but above all a friend.

“If good journalism is about empathy, and it often is, George Alagiah had it in spades. He understood injustice and the power of good reporting to highlight it, if not correct it.”

An illustrious career as a print reporter, author, foreign correspondent and presenter

Alagiah first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

He was previously a prominent foreign correspondent, often as a specialist in Africa with coverage of civil wars in Somalia and Liberia, as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

Throughout his career, he interviewed central political figures, among them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UK’s mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

Battle with cancer

Alagiah’s cancer returned in December 2017 and he underwent further treatment before again returning to work.

He took another break from studio duties in October 2021 to deal with a further spread of cancer, before returning in April 2022.

Alagiah announced he was taking a break from presenting the BBC’s News At Six in October last year following another scan.

He spoke openly about living with cancer, joining a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 in which he said he sometimes felt he had the “easy part” – living with bowel cancer while his loved ones had to watch.

“Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves,” he said.

“In some ways, I’ve felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part… my job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.”

Alagiah is survived by his wife, Frances Robathan, and two children.

Source: Sky News

Colombo (LNW): The Railway Engine Drivers’ Association has decided to call off the strike action this (24) afternoon, following discussions with the authorities.

The trade union action was launched in objection to an issue pertaining to the engine drivers’ roster, and a number of train trips were cancelled since yesterday (23).