Colombo (LNW): A severe data loss affecting all government offices using the ‘gov.lk’ email domain has recently occurred, confirmed the The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) in a statement.
A number of government offices using the ‘govt.lk’ email domain including the Cabinet office was affected by the data loss, and the crisis is believed to have been caused by a large-scale ransomware attack between May 17 and August 26, the Director for Strategic Communications of ICTA said in a statement.
Approximately 5,000 email addresses were impacted by the ransomware attack, and as there was neither an offline nor online backup system for a critical period of two months, several emails that were lost due to the attack are now irrecoverable, the statement added.
In the backdrop, ICTA has taken a measure to institute daily offline backup process, with other application processes being upgraded to the latest version with enhanced defences against malware attacks.
Efforts are being made to recover the lost data in a joint effort by ICTA and the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT).
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled by the mistreatment in detention of two Vietnamese journalists who both received heavy sentences in 2021, and urges the authorities to release them immediately.
On 3 September 2023, Vietnamese freelance journalist Lê Trong Hungbegan a hunger strike to protest against his detention conditions in a prison in Nghe An province, in the north-central part of Vietnam. A week prior, freelance journalist Pham Chi Dung informed his family that he had also stopped eating in protest to the mistreatment inside his prison in Dong Nai province, in the south of the country.
“These two journalists did not commit any crime and have instead courageously risked their lives to expose the corruption within the Vietnamese regime. They should never have been arrested, let alone subjected to a harsh prison sentence. We call upon the international community to step up pressure on the regime to obtain the release of the 41 detained journalists and press freedom defenders in Vietnam.”
Cédric Alviani RSF Asia-Pacific Bureau Director
It is not the first time Pham Chi Dung has gone on hunger strike. In January 2023, he was hospitalized after having stopped eating for eight months to protest against the lack of access to medical care in detention. As the president of the outlawed Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam (IJAVN), he was arrested in November 2019 and sentenced two years later to 15 years in prison for spreading “anti-state propaganda”, a criminal charge regularly used by the Vietnamese regime to suppress journalists.
Lê Trong Hung, a freelance journalist who investigated corruption and contributed to the creation of the media Chân Hung Viêt Nam TV (CHTV), was arrested in March 2021 and sentenced nine months later to 5 years in prison, under the same charge of spreading “anti-state propaganda”.
In Vietnam, jailed journalists are almost systematically subjected to mistreatment and denied medical care. On August 2 2022, Do Cong Duongdied in detention, at the age of 58, as a result of mistreatment in the detention. More recently, in August 2023, the family of detained journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan revealed that he is 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)
The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard too into discussion the current setup of establishing a drug destruction center.
This was taken up for discussion when the said committee met in Parliament recently under the Chairmanship of the Tiran Alles, Minister of Public Security.
Ministry Of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Ministry of Fisheries, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Customs, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Postal Department and Prison
Department were called before the Committee where the measures taken by these departments to control the drug menace in this country were discussed.
Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force appointed to control narcotics, stated that a drug destruction center will be built in Kalpitiya area and if the Committee intervenes to get water, electricity and road facilities for this purpose, this center could be prepared by the end of this year. In light of the said, the Committee Chair, Hon. Tiran Alles, mentioned that necessary interventions will be made for this purpose.
Furthermore, Members of Parliament who were present inquired about the delay in Government Analyst’s reports and the officials present mentioned that in the past it took about 9 months for this and now it only takes about 3 months. The officials present mentioned that the lack of officers has affected this and accordingly, they will take steps to recruit the necessary officers in the future.
Drugs being sold through cash transactions through ez cash and the measures that can be taken by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission regarding this was also discussed.
Furthermore, the State Minister Sisira Jayakody, suggested to the Ministry of Health to seek the support of the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine for the task of controlling drugs.
The measures taken to prevent the arrival of drugs through mail, the measures taken to reduce the spread of drugs related to schools and the measures taken to prevent the arrival of drugs through sea routes were also discussed here.
Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, also joined this Committee and he mentioned that controlling the menace of drugs is directly related to national security and necessary steps should be taken for this purpose.
State Ministers Sisira Jayakody, Dr. (Mrs.) Seetha Arambepola, MPs Buddhika Pathirana, Jayantha Samaraweera, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Major Sudarshana Denipitiya, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha were present at the Committee meeting held.
Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly decided to appoint a committee to probe into the allegations levelled by British television network Channl 4 on the Easter Sunday Massacre, which took away more than 250 lives in April 2019.
The committee will be chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, to inquire into the Channel 4 allegations.
Meanwhile, the government has reportedly decided to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the allegation levelled by a former Attorney General on the existence of who he described as ‘a mastermind’ behind the Easter attack.
Upon the completion of the two investigations into the attacks, the reports from the PSC and the Presidential Commission on the attack will be presented to Parliament before any final decisions are made, the President noted.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Parliament has approved an anti-corruption bill, aimed at improving governance in the crisis-hit country and meeting requirements linked to a $2.9bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs & Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, pertaining to the new Anti-Corruption Act.
Accordingly, as per the relevant gazette, issued on Friday (08 Sep.), the new Act will be deemed effective from 15 September.
The new Anti-Corruption Act aims to enhance transparency in governance and public confidence in the government, and to establish an independent commission to exercise and perform the powers and functions under the legislation.
It also seeks to give effect to obligations under the UN Convention against corruption and any other international convention on prevention of corruption to which Sri Lanka is a party and recognize international standards and best practices in order to establish a culture of integrity in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a press briefing regarding the new legislation on Thursday afternoon (07 Sep.), the Minister explained that although the existing laws pertaining to bribery are only applicable to the public sector and politicians, the new Anti-Corruption Act will allow these laws to be enforced against the private sector as well.
He further stated that in the event the current Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is found to have given a wrong verdict or withdrawn certain cases for various reasons, the new Commission is authorized to re-investigate the matters and take due action, by way of the new Act.
The authorities are upgrading the anti-corruption legislation to ensure harmonization with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), supported by IMF CD.
The legislation aims to strengthen the asset declaration system, including the coverage of officials and public access to the declaration results. It also creates a new anti-corruption independent commission with strengthened investigative power.
The draft legislation, which does not cover comprehensive asset recovery provisions, is currently under review by a government review committee before final approval by the Cabinet, with Parliamentary approval expected by June 2023 (structural benchmark).
To ensure full compliance with UNCAC, the draft law should also clearly delineate a transparent and merit-based process for the selection of independent commission members.
Moreover, comprehensive asset recovery provisions in compliance with the UNCAC standard are expected to be developed in consultation with IMF staff and incorporated into a separate draft legislation by March 2024.
In parallel, the authorities will step up efforts to reduce opportunities for corruption by expanding the reliance on digitalization in areas such as revenue administration and procurement.
Colombo (LNW): The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has revealed that in the event the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) participates in the Domestic Debt Optimisation (DDO) process, the opportunity loss to the EPF bond portfolio will amount to 4%.
He noted, however, should the EPF choose not to participate, the opportunity loss to the bond portfolio increases to 21% due to the higher tax rate of 30% as per the latest amendment to the Inland Revenue Bill.
Speaking before the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) in this regard on Thursday (07 Sep.), Dr. Weerasinghe further stated that all superannuation funds not eligible for the DDO will be subjected to a 30% tax increase, potentially discouraging the formation of new superannuation funds in the future.
The COPF, chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva, approved the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill by a majority at the Committee meeting held in Parliament on Thursday, following which the relevant discussion took place.
As COPF Chair, Dr. de Silva, however, abstained from voting while committee member MP Patali Champika Ranawaka also abstained.
The CBSL officials clarified that the 30% tax increase, as stipulated by the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, applies only to the interest income on the bond portfolio.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that in the event that superannuation funds do participate in the DDO, this will be reversed to 14%.
The Committee also questioned the ability of the CBSL to guarantee the proposed rate of a 12% return until 2025 and 9% thereafter to the superannuation funds participating in the DDO. In response, the CBSL Governor stated that it is not possible to guarantee the return to each member; however, he assured them that they will strive to achieve the proposed return.
He further mentioned that in the event that this rate cannot be maintained, there is an ongoing discussion for the treasury to step in to ensure the proposed return until 2025.
A contentious issue pertaining to superannuation funds that include the giant in the sector, Employees Provident Fund or EPF, is the tax treatment of their gross earnings.
These funds are subject to a tax of 14% on their gross income minus the cost that they have incurred in producing that income.
In fact, the superannuation funds had not been subject to tax till 1989. In that year, the Government which had been faced with a severe revenue shortage due to the JVP insurrection in the South and LTTE war in the North had chosen to tax the working population’s meagre savings by imposing a tax of 10% on their gross income.
Colombo (LNW): A Chinese delegation led by Fujian Province Aquatic Products Wholesale Industry Association explores potential investments in Sri Lanka›s burgeoning fisheries sector.
Chairman of the association Yushu Huang called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Parliament complex,and held discussions on ways and means to enter into Sri Lanka fisheries sector in a joint partnership.
He expressed keen interest in establishing a state-of-the-art fish processing facility close to coastal harbours dedicated to the processing and export of high-quality fish products.
Huang emphasised their association›s status as the leading exporter of fish production in China during the meeting on Wednesday (6).
Secretary Huang Jincheng provided further insights into the ambitious project, assuring the utilisation of cutting-edge technology, including the deployment of modern multi-day fishing vessels for sustainable fishing practices, state-of-the-art methods for fish processing, and adherence to the highest industry standards.
Sri Lanka is bracing to re-enter the $ 15 billion Chinese seafood market following a resolution of issues connected to mandatory health certification.
The General Administration Customs of China (GACC) recently approved the amended health certificate, thereby enabling the import of fisheries and aquatic products from Sri Lanka.
With the involvement of the Export Development Board (EDB) Department of Fisheries and the Sri Lanka Embassy in China, the certificate was upgraded to meet the quarantine requirements of the GACC – Import and Export Food Safety Bureau.
Prime Minister Gunawardena commended the potential for substantial investments in fish processing and exports.
He underscored that this opportunity transcends borders, extending not only to China, but also to key foreign markets in Europe and North America. The collaboration holds promise for mutually beneficial economic growth.
The Prime Minister urged the Fujian Province Aquatic Products Wholesale Industry Association to lend their expertise to the Government›s ongoing initiative aimed at developing small fishing harbours across Sri Lanka.
The Chinese delegation readily agreed to this request, with a commitment to foster sustainable growth in the sector.
In response, Minister of State for Fisheries Piyal Nishantha expressed willingness to provide the necessary facilities and support for the establishment of the proposed fish processing factory.
He was optimistic of the positive impact this venture could have on the local economy and broader industry.
State Minister Anuradha Jayaratne, with representatives from prominent Chinese companies, including Zubu Huang of Wuxi Kaushi Foods Company, Xinxing Huang of Beijing Catering Management, and Dongsheng Chen of Ocean Times International Company, participated in the discussions.
President Ranil Wickremasinghe says the Govt expects to provide medical insurance to every citizen in the country.
Ministry of Defence refutes the allegations by UK’s controversial TV channel, Channel 4 over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks: reiterates the Govt’s unwavering commitment to the truth, justice & well-being of the Nation.
Cardinal Ranjith says almost 15,000 persons were said to have had knowledge of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks even though the Church was not informed of the attacks, according to the Report of the Special Presidential Commission: meanwhile, critics point out that even Cardinal Ranjith did not say Holy Mass that morning as was customarily done by the Cardinal.
Indrajith Coomaraswamy (former CB Governor & Director of Galleon, the firm of disgraced US inside dealing convict Raj Rajaratnam) who is also widely considered as being responsible for Sri Lanka’s massive Forex borrowing spree from April’18 to June’19 which has led to the present debt crisis, says “the country will be hit by a fresh crisis far worse than any before if Sri Lanka allows elections to distract from the path of recovery, stabilization and growth”.
COPE instructs CID to probe former Public Utilities Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake’s claim that petrol and diesel could have been sold at a price of approximately Rs.250 per litre, in 2022.
Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says Govt is planning to introduce a new Act to make it mandatory for Employers to pay EPF & ETF for plumbers, security guards and domestic aides: laments there are only 2.4mn workers contributing to EPF now: critics point out that present EPF Members are highly agitated that the Govt and Central Bank are now getting ready to substantially deprive the EPF Members’ of their rightful dues under the proposed Debt Re-structuring Process.
Southern Province Irrigation (Hydrology) Director S Sugeeshwarathe warns that the overall hydro catchment situation remains dire and reservoir water levels are stagnating at just 26%, notwithstanding rain in other areas: urges residents to conserve spring water resources for agricultural needs, given the continued scarcity.
Worker remittances record USD 499mn in Aug’23, up 53% from August’22, but down 8% from USD 541mn in July’22: nevertheless, cumulative figure for Jan-Aug’23 records USD 3,863mn, up 74% compared to Jan-Aug’22.
Indian Cricket captain Rohit Sharma visits aging SL Cricket supporter Percy Abeysekera (Uncle Percy) at his residence in Ekala: the video of the visit goes viral on social media.
Sri Lanka beats Bangladesh in the Asia Cricket Cup 2023 – Super 4 stage match, by 21 runs: SL – 257/9 (50): Sadeera Samarawickrama 93, Kusal Mendis 50, Pathum Nissanka 40: Bangladesh – 236 all out (48.1): Dasun Shanaka – 28/3, Mahesha Pathirana – 58/3, Mahesh Theekshana – 69/3.
The officials representing the Ministry of Finance disclosed that they intend to lift all restriction on imports except for private vehicles by the end of 2023. The officials stated the aforesaid when the Committee requested for a time frame as to how long such restrictions will be in place post advertently considering the duopolies such restrictions have caused, especially governing wheat flour and tile.
The discussion pertaining to the said was held at the Committee on Public Finance held today (05) in Parliament, Chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva.
Accordingly, the Committee took into consideration the Regulation under the Imports and Exports (Controls) Act, No. 1 of 1969 published in the Gazette Extraordinary 2341 / 38 of 20.07.2023 and was approved by the Committee.
The Order under the Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 was also considered during the Committee on Public Finance Chaired by Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva and approved.
Accordingly, the eligible migration allowance for the emigrants who are claiming the migration allowance for the first time was increased from USD 30,000 up to a maximum of USD 50,000 or equivalent in any other designated foreign currency.
The Committee questioned the position of equity for those who migrated the year prior to such order. The officials present stated that emigrants who have already claimed migration allowance could claim the remainder up to a maximum of USD 20,000.
Moreover, the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill was also considered by the Committee on Public Finance and was approved. Accordingly, the said Bill intends to amend the said Act to exempt any motor vehicle liable to the excise duty under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989 on the importation in considering excise duty is a composite tax introduced to simplify the tax structure, previously included in the Act.
Furthermore, it also intends to exempt equipment used by persons with disabilities to lower the tax burden on such persons, rough unprocessed gem stones imported for re-exporting after cut and polishing to maintain the competitiveness of such Sri Lankan business in the global market by lowering the tax burden and any items sold at duty free shops, similar to other import taxes.
However, the Committee questioned the officials present regarding the motive, effectiveness and the impact of to exempt equipment used by persons with disabilities to lower the tax burden when access for persons with disability is not being facilitated.
State Minister Dr. Suren Raghavan, MPs Chandima Weerakkodi, Wajira Abeywardana, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Nimal Lanza, Isuru Dodangoda, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Madhura Withanage were also present at this Committee meeting held.
