Closing the implementation gap between law and practice is important to see the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill becoming a success, the Government and Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), who took part in a roundtable discussion, jointly emphasized.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) organised the High-Level cross-party discussion with Party Leaders, Party Secretaries and their representatives on the Anti-Corruption Bill at the Parliament premises on Thursday (25) with the intention of eliciting their support for its improvements and timely passage in Parliament. The MPs were briefed on the required improvements to the legislation which can be incorporated in the Committee Stage (Third Reading) of the Bill. The event was conducted with due regard to and respect for the fact that the Bill is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court.

While agreeing that the proposed Bill has many progressive provisions, which are a timely need in the country, MPs of both the Government and Opposition benches highlighted that the real challenge is to make sure that the anti-graft mechanisms proposed in the Bill are able to break the existing corruption chain, so that “business as usual” is not possible thereafter.

Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam and SLPP MP Madura Vithanage attended the discussion representing the Government, while Opposition Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB MPs Eran Wickremaratne, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Mayantha Dissanayake, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader MP Rauff Hakeem, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. A. Sumanthiran, PC, and MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Chandima Weerakkody and Weerasumana Weerasinghe participated representing the Opposition and other independent groups in Parliament.     

TISL Executive Director Nadishani Perera urged the cross-party support to pass the best possible version of the Anti-Corruption law in Parliament, and to create an enabling environment for its full implementation, reminding that it is a call of the people. “Now the responsibility of this Bill is with Parliament and you have a historic opportunity to demonstrate your commitment towards a system change by taking this Bill as an important step to reform the anti-corruption legal framework in Sri Lanka,” she underlined.

Commenting on the new system of the Declarations of Assets and Liabilities (DALs) proposed in the Bill, MPs Chandima Weerakkody and Madura Vithanage pointed out that verifying the information given in DALs is an onerous task that requires a lot of time, coordination and financial investment. TISL Advocacy and Research Manager Janithrika Jayasundara explained that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is allowed to cross-check information in the DALs with other relevant institutions and the electronic system, as suggested in the Bill, should automatically raise red flags on illicit enrichment. 

The lack of means to prevent grand collusion in corruption was questioned by Deputy Minister Tharaka Balasuriya. The proposal to establish an Independent Public Prosecutors’ Office was floated by MP Eran Wickramaratne, when TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran pointed out that the Attorney General’s Office withdrawing indictments filed before the Court for criminal offences has become a problematic practice in recent times.

Responding to the issues raised by the MPs, TISL Deputy Executive Director Sankhitha Gunaratne pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Bill does not address the whole gamut of the issue of corruption, but it would be a good start, as the prevailing Anti-Corruption laws in the country are outdated. She pointed out that more legislation, especially for stolen asset recovery and government procurement, would need to be passed after this Bill.      

TISL Advocacy and Research Officer Lasanthika Hettiarachchi apprised the MPs on the new offences coming under the purview of the Bill.

People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, National Peace Council Executive Director Dr. Jehan Perera and Nishantha Prithiraj of the Sarvodaya Movement attended the meeting representing civil society organizations.

The Sri Lanka Navy on 25th May 2023 held a special meeting at SLNS Gotabaya in Mullaitivu, to make the fishing communities in Mullaitivu aware of prevailing issues in the industry.

The meeting was chaired by Commander Eastern Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

In response to a request made by fishing communities in the locality, the awareness programme had been organised and it was participated by personnel from the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Police, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and 28 Presidents of Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies.

During the meeting, the local fishing communities raised their concerns over poaching by foreign fishermen in their waters as well as illegal fishing practices of a handful of local fishermen. In the meantime, the Navy provided a clarification to the fishing communities regarding the collaborative efforts undertaken by the Navy, Coast Guard, and Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to combat those illegal fishing practices.

Source: SL Navy

The Indian Express: India has done more for Sri Lanka than the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar stressed on Saturday. The Modi government, he underlined, is working on developing an “extended neighbourhood” that involves islands in the Indian Ocean, Gulf countries and nations in South-East Asia.

“What we are also trying to do today is for a bigger, influential and ambitious India. We are trying to expand what should be our neighbourhood. We look at what this extended neighbourhood should be. It could be islands in the Indian Ocean, nations in South-East Asia and Central Asia, or Gulf countries. The relationship with the UAE and Saudi Arabia has undergone an enormous transformation. From what was a traditionally much more constricted view of our neighbourhood, we have undertaken something much more ambitious,” said Jaishankar during a talk on “Modi’s India: A Rising Power” at Anant National University in the city.

Pointing out how the world has become more uncertain, volatile and turbulent, Jaishankar underlined it was time to use the “complex global landscape” for the betterment and growth of India. The pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict has helped to build “resilient and reliable supply chains”, “domestic capacities” and “trusted relationships,” he highlighted.
A Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Jaishankar also spoke about the “linkages” and “perception” India has developed in the last nine years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“If you are the biggest in your neighbourhood, then it is in our interest that our other neighbours have a share in our prosperity, happiness and are linked to us. That will happen if we are generous and have a non-reciprocal way of engagement. Many of our neighbours like Bangladesh or Nepal and Bhutan are today linked with us through roads, railways, and waterways. We have electricity grid connections; there are fuel supplies. In many ways, they benefit from the scale and economy of India,” Jaishankar said while addressing an audience largely composed of students and faculty members from the private university.

“The linkages and perception today of India in the neighbourhood has changed. Nothing illustrated that more dramatically than what happened to Sri Lanka. Last year, when they went through a very deep economic crisis, we stepped forward in a way we ourselves have never done before. What we have done for Sri Lanka is bigger than what the IMF has done for Sri Lanka. If any of you have visited Sri Lanka recently, then you will note the popular perception that has accrued from this action,” he added.

Speaking about India’s relationship with China, the Union minister said, “The challenge from China is complicated. But in the last three years, it has been particularly visible in the border areas. There are clearly responses that are required and those responses have been undertaken by the government and a lot of it is to ensure that no attempt is made to unilaterally change the status quo in the border areas. We will ensure peace and tranquillity. It is the basis of our relationship. If peace is disturbed, it cannot be that the relationship remains unaffected.”

Both India and China, he said, will have to find some “kind of equilibrium” where there is mutual respect, sensitivity and recognition. “Today, if we see that respect, sensitivity and recognition, we can have a better relationship with China. But if we do not, then we have to stand up for our rights. We need to be firm in asserting our positions. That is unfortunately the current situation,” he added.

“Modi’s India is different from its predecessors. It is different in its outlook,” he said while speaking about the decisive mandate and vision the Prime Minister has secured. “Modi’s India is a return to a political dispensation that has a majority in Parliament,” Jaishankar emphasised, pointing out that such a majority did not exist from 1989 to 2014.

Source: The Indian Express

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): With over five decades-long diplomatic and trade ties between Japan and Sri Lanka since 1952, the present government takes all diplomatic efforts to rebuild Japanese businesses lost confidence due to the abrupt and arbitrary policy changes.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently highlighted the importance of Japanese investments to push the revival of Sri Lanka while affirming commitment to stabilizing and liberalizing the economy and actively inviting new foreign ventures.

He shared the government’s interest to attract Japanese enterprises and discussed the various measures and reforms being implemented to create a conducive business environment for potential investors.

Sri Lanka’s intentions were shared at the business roundtable ‘Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival and Opportunities for Japanese Enterprise’, which was jointly organised by the JETRO, Japan-Sri Lanka Business Co-Operation and Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan.

The event was aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations.Recognising Japan’s significance as a vital economic partner, President Wickremesinghe emphasised the mutual benefits that can be derived from increased collaboration between the two nations.

Sri Lanka’s strategic location and skilled workforce were highlighted as key advantages, providing a gateway for Japanese companies to expand their operations in the region and leverage the country’s emerging economic opportunities.

As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward economic revival, President Wickremesinghe’s active participation in the roundtable underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to attracting foreign investment and driving sustainable economic progress, a statement by the President’s Media Division said.

He also met with the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association, and Japan’s Minister of Digitization.

With the latter, Sri Lanka President emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, in their respective digital transformation endeavours.

The Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki stated: in Colombo “On the governance and transparency of the economic policies, in the past, there have been very frequent changes of policies that have caused the loss of trust by Japanese businesses.”

He further emphasized that other than the improvement of policies related to rooting up corruption and narrowing of the income gap, improving the efficiency of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to become investor-friendly, is looked forward to by Japan since Sri Lanka’s government permission procedures are “slow”.

“It hinders the appetite for Japanese investments,” said Ambassador Hideaki adding that on building Japanese confidence by the private sector of Sri Lanka, the sincerity of the Sri Lankan partners and sound communication play a key role in making business decisions.

He stressed that Japan supports and prioritizes the sustainable development of Sri Lanka along with improvement in the investment environment in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Government of Japan supports Sri Lanka’s efforts in order to meet the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

        Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy organized an event on 26 May 2023 for launching the special logo to mark 100 years of establishment of Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI), Kandy.

2.     High Commissioner of India H.E. Gopal Baglay virtually launched the logo at the event. Hon’ble M. Velu Kumar, MP was the Special Guest. Various other dignitaries including representatives of several social and cultural organizations, members of the Indian Diaspora and friends of India attended the event.

3.     Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner thanked the Sri Lankan authorities for extending support to AHCI in its various forms for the past 100 years. He noted that 2023 is very significant for bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka as it not only marks 100 years of establishment of AHCI Kandy but also 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. In addition, 2023 also marks 200 years of arrival of Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) to Sri Lanka. He recalled the contributions made by the community in the overall development of Sri Lanka and reiterated India’s commitment to work together for the well-being of people of both countries.

4.     The logo was selected through a logo design competition held by MyGov in which there were 470 participants. The design-winning logo by Mr. Rayees Ahamd Bhat reflects the central theme by blending the vibrant colours of the national flags of India and Sri Lanka and their national symbols.

5.     It may be recalled that the office of “Agent of the Government of India” was established in Kandy in 1923 to look after the welfare of the Indian Origin migrant labourers working in tea plantations of Sri Lanka. After India’s Independence in 1947, late Shri V. V. Giri headed the office as Visa Officer, before becoming the first High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and later, the President of India in 1969. In September 1965, the office was renamed as Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy.

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Colombo

27 May 2023

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs learns with deep sorrow of the passing away of eminent Sri Lanka Foreign Service officer Deshamanya Jayantha Dhanapala and conveys its profound condolences to his family.

The late Mr. Dhanapala joined the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 1965 and had a distinguished career as a public servant during which he served his country with integrity, dedication and the highest professionalism which has inspired succeeding generations of Foreign Service officers.

In his Foreign Service career, he served in Sri Lanka Missions in Beijing, New Delhi and London and as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and as Ambassador to the United States. He was also Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Secretary General of the Secretariat established to Co-ordinate the Peace Process in Sri Lanka and as Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Dhanapala was also a distinguished international civil servant who held many positions of international distinction. He was Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and later Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs from 1998 to 2003. He later served as President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs and Vice President of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The late Mr. Dhanapala is renowned globally for chairing the 1995 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference and for his expertise and dedication to a world free of weapons of mass destruction including disarmament and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. He wrote several books and articles notably on the topics of international security, nonproliferation, disarmament and multilateral diplomacy.

The late Mr. Dhanapala was deeply admired and respected in Sri Lanka and internationally for his humanity, competence and warm personality. He was a role model and beacon to all through his dedication and commitment to public duty and wider intellectual interests and dedication to the arts.

He leaves behind his devoted wife Maureen who was his pillar of strength both in his professional career and as a friend in life’s journey right to the end. He is deeply missed by his son Sivanka and daughter Kiran.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Service and the Foreign Ministry mourns his loss.

May he rest in peace!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

27 May 2023

Nalanda University in India is inviting applications from Sri Lankan nationals for following programmes under the BIMSTEC Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2023-24.

•       MA and PhD in Historical Studies

•       MA and PhD in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions

•       MA and PhD in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma)

•       MSc and PhD in Ecology and Environment Studies

•       MBA in Sustainable Development and Management

•       MA and PhD in World Literature in English

2.     The Scholarship Scheme covers admission fee, tuition fee of the course, residential charges and a monthly stipend in addition to a one-time to and from travel fare.

3.     Details regarding the Scheme are available on https://nalandauniv.edu.in/admissions/. Further details may be obtained by emailing [email protected]. The priority deadline for submission of applications on the website (https://nalandauniv.edu.in/admissions/) is 10 June 2023.

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Colombo

26 May 2023