Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is expecting to send its first consignment of organic sour (Embul) bananas to Dubai this week, as part of the government’s initiative of establishing banana processing via the Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project, the Agriculture Ministry announced.
In a statement, the Ministry said 12,500 kg of sour bananas will be exported to the Dubai market every Saturday from the Rajanganaya Sour Banana Project, adding that simultaneously, arrangements have been made to export 25,000 kg of organic sour bananas from Jaffna each week.
Harvesting and processing activities will commence tomorrow (03) morning, the Ministry said.
“The Ministry has decided to establish two banana processing zones aimed at export as there is extensive banana cultivation in the Embilipitiya and Sevanagala areas.
Currently, two banana export model villages, Rajangana and Jaffna, have been established by the Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project under the Ministry. In addition, the ministry has instructed the establishment of these two banana export model village projects at the request of banana farmers in Sevanagala and Embilipitiya.
“Accordingly, plans have been made to cultivate the Cavendish banana species in the Sevanagala area and the sour banana species in the Embilipitiya and Hambantota areas. Both of these plantations will be planted on 400 acres of 200 acres initially, and then the Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project plans to expand them to 800 acres,” the statement said.
The Ministry also announced that arrangements had been made to promote the Jaffna sour banana project as an organic crop.
Currently, two sour banana processing centres for export have been established in Rajangana and Jaffna.
The Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project is planning to establish a banana export processing centre in Barawakumbuka or nearby areas after the Embilipitiya and Sevanagala sour banana and Cavendish Banana Projects have started.
PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing the United National Party May Day celebrations held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo yesterday (01) through electronic technology, said that the country should not focus on short-term politics; instead, we should think about the future, specifically 2048, and work towards making Sri Lanka a developed country.
He extended an invitation to all UNP members to transform the party into one that breaks free from traditional politics and charts a new path towards progress for the country.
The President also spoke about the importance of addressing the ethnic problem and reaching an agreement by the end of the year. He emphasized the need for all parties to come together and work towards a resolution that benefits all communities in Sri Lanka.
In his address, President Wickremesinghe also reflected on Sri Lanka’s history as a country with the second strongest economy in Asia. He credited the progress made by leaders such as Mr. D.S. Senanayake and J.R. Jayawardene who took the country forward with the open economy.
Furthermore, the President highlighted his commitment to rebuilding Sri Lanka according to President Jayawardene’s program. With the support of the UNP and its members, he is determined to make Sri Lanka a stronger and more prosperous nation.
He emphasized that the UNP is a party that always prioritizes the country’s interests and engages in policy-based politics. The President also highlighted that the party’s policy is to always be truthful with the people.
President Wickremesinghe recalled that the UNP was the first party to state in its election manifesto the need to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to address the economic crisis, while other parties were making promises that they could not keep. The President acknowledged that the UNP had to face criticism for its stance, but stood by its policy.
The President stated that he expects to reach an agreement by the end of the year to solve the ethnic problem that has been a long-standing issue in the country. With the UNP’s commitment to policies that benefit all communities in Sri Lanka, President Wickremesinghe expressed his optimism about achieving a resolution that is beneficial for everyone.
Following is the full speech delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe virtually; “After assuming the presidency, I have had the opportunity to address the United National Party and all of you who support the party.
When I took office as president, the country was experiencing its worst economic crisis in 30 years. The economy had completely collapsed, and people were suffering from shortages of food and fuel, leading to protests on the streets. Additionally, some individuals attempted to exploit this crisis to undermine the democratic system and the parliament.
Today, the country’s economy has achieved stability, with no shortage of food, and a functional democratic system where the parliament operates without any threats. Furthermore, everyone has the opportunity to carry out their work without hindrance.
Prior to assuming the presidency, I reflected on one thing: the United National Party prioritizes the welfare of the country. The United National Party is a political party that is close to my heart. In fact, in the United National Party’s 2020 election manifesto, we explicitly stated our intention to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, with a goal of securing $7 billion. As a party, we were the only ones who mentioned these critical points. On the other hand, other parties made empty promises they could not fulfil despite knowing the existence of the country’s economic problem.
After honestly sharing our party’s policies, the United National Party ended up in the national list. Our policy is to be transparent with the people, even if it means conveying unpleasant truths. We announced our goals for 2020 and 2021 without hesitation. As the economic crisis deepened in 2022, I met with the former President, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and recommended that he seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
During the discussions on this matter, the former President summoned a meeting of the party leaders in parliament. While other opposition groups refused to attend, I, along with the Tamil National Alliance, actively participated in the discussions.
My motivation was not rooted in politics, but in properly managing the country’s economy and alleviating the burdens on its citizens. For this reason, I took on the role of the presidency, as I had faith in my ability to revive the economy and work alongside supportive ministers to achieve these outcomes.
My self-assuredness stemmed from my previous experience in successfully rebuilding the country’s economy after the government’s collapse in 2001. During that time, I not only managed to revive the economy but also strengthened it. Similarly, in 2015, when the country’s economy faced a setback, I saw an opportunity to bolster it and achieve a primary budget surplus.
With this confidence in mind, I accepted the responsibility to face the current economic crisis head-on. By now, we have been able to stabilize the country’s economy and establish a sense of political stability. The parliament is functioning smoothly, and many individuals are working within the frameworks of democracy and law. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the ministers, MPs, political parties, organizations, and, most of all, the United National Party who have supported me throughout this process.
Our progress thus far has been made possible through our agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which was recently approved by a majority vote in parliament last Friday. I would like to express my gratitude to MP Wajira Abeywardena, who represented the United National Party, as well as Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara, for their unwavering support in this matter. Without their contributions, we would not have been able to move forward.
Our next step is to execute the IMF agreement and put in place the necessary rules and regulations to restore the country’s economy to a stable state by 2024. However, I am not content with just returning to the status quo.
It is imperative that we move beyond our current economic system and establish an economy that can achieve a rapid GDP growth rate of 6% – 7% annually. To illustrate this point, I have two examples: one is from the time of DS Senanayake, where we had the second strongest economy in Asia and were even able to lend to England. The other is from the tenure of JR Jayawardena, where we advanced with an open economy, and Sri Lanka became the second country in Asia to adopt this system. After our success, China followed suit.
Therefore, I am determined to pursue a new economic model that will elevate Sri Lanka’s economy to new heights and foster continued growth and prosperity for our citizens.
Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka must forge ahead once again. It is futile to compete with Afghanistan to determine who has the weakest economy. Instead, we must focus on building a robust and developed economy. Similar to the approach taken by J.R. Jayawardene, we must pursue numerous new projects and embrace the new economy to achieve our goals. Failure to do so will leave us with no future to look forward to.
We must not only consider our own future but also that of our country’s youth. It is our responsibility to ensure that they inherit a prosperous and thriving Sri Lanka. Therefore, let us work together to implement new strategies and policies that will lay the foundation for a thriving economy and a better future for our citizens.
As we approach the centenary of our independence in 2048, our goal should be to become a country with a developed economy, just like India aims to achieve in 2047 and China in 2049. Let 2048 be the year of development for Sri Lanka. We are not only building this economy for the present generation but also for the youth and children of the future. Our economy should be highly competitive, open, and based on social justice. It should incorporate a green and digital economy, as well as a competitive export market. We are making efforts to reach that stage, and we seek the support of everyone to make it a reality.
Do not focus on short-term politics; instead, let us think about the future, specifically 2048, and work towards making Sri Lanka a developed country. We must not repeat the mistake of making false promises to win support for today and tomorrow. Instead, we must adopt a new path towards a competitive, open, green, and digital economy that is socially just, especially focused on the export market, and built for the benefit of today’s youth and children. To achieve this goal, we must break away from the old political system and embrace change. As members of the United National Party, we must become a party of the future, thinking anew and striving to transform Sri Lanka. This is my appeal to all of you.
My intention is to address the ethnic problem in the country while implementing the agreement with the International Monetary Fund. We are currently in discussions and I hope to reach a mutually agreeable solution by the end of this year. It is important for us to move forward while respecting and protecting the rights of all communities including the majority Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher minorities without marginalizing anyone. We are all committed to achieving this goal.
Another issue that we need to address is the growing demand for change in our political and economic systems, particularly from the youth. As leaders, it is our responsibility to listen to their voices and take action. To this end, we have decided to appoint five youth representatives to both the Selection Committees and Monitoring Committees of the Parliament, which will be completed by May. Additionally, we plan to submit the Jana Sabha draft to the Parliament, following former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s proposal.
Let us work together towards building a new, competitive, and sustainable economy that is inclusive and just for all communities in Sri Lanka. As we strive towards this common goal, we must also move forward with a new constitution that reflects our shared values and aspirations. I call on everyone to join hands and build a better future for our beloved country.
Hence, I urge all members of the United National Party to embark on this new path. During the last election, some MPs from the SJB chose to abstain from voting. We all share the same goal of building an open economy. Therefore, let us unite and work together by forming a parliament and a government.
To the Tamil parties, I say that it is futile to distance oneself from this endeavor. If we are to address the issues faced by the Tamil community in this country, let us collaborate within this system, particularly in the Parliament as part of the government.
After sharing the Cabinet proposals on the new program with the parties and discussing them with the National Councils of the Parliament, we have now achieved a broad consensus on the matter. This twenty-five-year program is an ambitious one, but with the support and cooperation of all, we can move forward without fear. It is our commitment to implement this program and develop our country to its fullest potential. As we embark on this journey, I hope to have the support of all of you.”
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places over most parts of the island after 2.00 pm, and fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Matara, Mannar and Jaffna districts, announced the Department of Meteorology in a statement today (02).
A few showers may occur in coastal areas of Western and Southern provinces in Jaffna and Mannar districts during the morning too, the Dept’s statement added.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly over sea area around the island and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambanthota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambanthota will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Census and Statistics Department data shows the electricity bill of a household in Colombo increased by Rs.10,192 YoY and living expenses rose by Rs.46,169 YOY in April’23: food increased by a further Rs.12,929 YOY, with milk powder increasing by Rs.1,887, fresh fruit by Rs.1,371, sea fish by Rs.1,367, chicken by Rs.1,058, bread by Rs.569, and rice by Rs.552.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe says he would work to create the political and economic changes called for by the youth in the country: also says 5 youth would be appointed to the Parliament Select Committees and the Sectoral Oversight Committees in May: asserts he expects to reach an agreement this year to solve the country’s long-drawn ethnic issue.
Investigators who are probing the claim of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe that a bribe of USD 250mn had been deposited at a UK bank over the MV X-Press Pearl disaster, directed to the conclusion that the so-called account holder is a fake and the whole drama is a distractor: Investigators also suspect that this was a tactic used by those who allegedly acted to deny the damages for Sri Lanka.
Two of the foreign companies that are planning to enter SL’s retail fuel market, China’s state-owned Sinopec & US-based RM Parks-Shell propose to set up all-purpose fuel stations complete with car wash, service areas, shops and motels: also to be entitled to provide fuel without QR code systems.
Former Consumer Affairs Authority Executive Director Thushan Gunawardena alleges that the Ministry of Trade has informed the Lanka Sathosa to sell canned fish unfit for human consumption through its outlets in 2021.
Chairman of China Merchants Group, China’s largest diversified conglomerate, Miao Jianmin says the Group intends to increase its accumulated investments in Sri Lanka to nearly USD 2 bn: participates at signing ceremony held at the Hambantota International Port for 15 projects, including an investment of USD 400mn to build a modern logistics centre.
SriLankan Airlines says it has recorded a net profit of USD 3 mn for the financial year 2022-23, the first time the airline has made a net profit after Emirates left the management in 2008: admits however that the airline recorded a loss in Rupee terms of Rs.69bn, mainly due to exchange losses.
Police arrest 3 youth between ages 18 & 20, who allegedly released a Tiktok video showing them stealing pigeons kept in a cage as pets at a house in Aluthgama and killing and eating the meat after barbequing them.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe suggests the blocking of share transfers of privatized plantations companies, without the consent of the Govt as they have been given land by the Govt: critics say the move may undermine private property rights and curtail the benefits of private ownership.
Mass Media Ministry and ITN initiate formal inquiries into allegations by a popular woman news caster of ITN Ishara Devendra who claimed via social media that she was subjected to sexual harassment by a senior (journalist) official.
A delegation of Tamil MPs comprising Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan, MP, President of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Mr. G Karunakaran, MP, Member of TELO, Mr. D. Sithardthan, MP, President of People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Mr. Suresh Premachandran, President of Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Mr. G. Surenthiran, Spokesperson of TELO and Mr. Venthan, President of Democratic Crusader’s Party (DCP) called on the High Commissioner to convey the New Year greetings and held discussions on the current situation in Sri Lanka.
2. The delegation apprised the High Commissioner on the aspirations of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and progress on the related matters.
3. High Commissioner reciprocated the New Year greetings and reiterated India’s commitment towards the full implementation of the 13th Amendment and early conduct of Provincial Council Elections in Sri Lanka.
1. On the milestone occasion of the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat, High Commission of India, Colombo hosted the live broadcast of the radio programme as it was aired worldwide on 30 April 2023 at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Colombo.
2. The 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat saw the Prime Minister recollecting the journey of the radio broadcast in its celebration of people’s participation and positivity. Prime Minister shared the transformative impact the programme has had by inspiring mass movements aimed at societal changes. The milestone episode revisited some of the popular stories on the themes of women empowerment, promotion of local handicrafts and nature preservation. It also featured a conversation between DG UNESCO and Prime Minister on the ways in which India is attempting to put culture and education at the top of the international agenda, especially in the context of holding the Presidency of G20.
3. The live broadcast was followed by a Special Panel Discussion on the theme of ‘Mann Ki Baat: A Leader’s Connect, A Nation’s Voice’. The distinguished panelists comprised High Commissioner of India, H.E. Gopal Baglay; Chairman, Liberty Publishers (Pvt) Ltd & Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Dilith Jayaweera; Director of International Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat, Mr. Dinouk Colombage and Chairman of FCBkl.lk, Mr. Santosh Menon.
4. The panelists discussed the platform’s ability to integrate the power of the individual for collective good. They underscored the value of emotional connect for effective communication. High Commissioner emphasised that the participatory approach of Mann Ki Baat brings people at the centre of India’s growth story. It provides a platform for sharing, learning and creating people’s movements to achieve national goals.
5. The programme was attended by members of the Indian community, local dignitaries and friends of India in Sri Lanka.
6. Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme hosted by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, where he interacts with citizens of India on various contemporary themes and issues. These include government policies and reforms, India’s cultural legacy and diversity, extraordinary achievements of citizens as well as global events of relevance, among others.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government is filing a lawsuit in Singapore for compensation nearly two years since the worst maritime disaster in the country’s history. But activists say it waited too long and would have stood a better chance of adequate compensation had the lawsuit been filed in Sri Lanka.
“The decision to lodge the lawsuit in Singapore courts was done in consultation with a group of independent local and international lawyers as Singapore’s legal system is better equipped to handle this type of complex maritime legal battles,” Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe said.
The sinking of the fire-gutted ship, carrying tons of plastic pellets and toxic chemicals, is considered Sri Lanka’s worst maritime disaster to date.
The plastic pellets, known as nurdles, fouled an extensive arc of Sri Lanka’s southwestern shore, with volunteer crews hard at work cleaning up the billions of grain-sized pellets for months on end.
A 40-member expert committee convened by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to assess the environmental damage issued its second interim report in January this year, in which it put a price on the disaster: US$6.4 billion.
Maritime rules require a claim for compensation to be filed within two years of the occurrence of the accident.
The Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl caught fire in Sri Lankan waters on May 20, 2021, and sank several days later. But the long wait without filing action has caused anxiety among activists, who have criticized the government for not moving fast enough.
Part of the delay was due to the complexity of the environmental assessment. There was very little baseline data for the expert committee to compare against, especially in the maritime context, which required them to assess damage scenarios over the short, mid- and long terms, said Dharshanie Lahandapura, former chair of the MEPA.
The group of experts continues to monitor the impacts of pollution caused by the disaster. The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) is also monitoring impacts to the marine environment, while the Department of Wildlife Conservation is assessing the fallout on marine life, Lahandapura told Mongabay.
Based on the future findings, there could be more claims, given that the nurdles and other chemicals are likely to have long-lasting effects, Lahandapura said.
But waiting until just weeks before the two-year deadline “is unacceptable as the strategy should be to file it first without waiting for the outcome of the expert committee evaluation,” said Ravindranath Dabare, a lawyer and chair of the Centre for Environmental Justice, a Colombo-based NGO.
“Within the first week of the X-Press Pearl disaster, CEJ filed the first case in local courts to push the authorities to take necessary actions, and subsequently two more cases to expedite the proceedings as the work was lagging,” Dabare said.
Colombo (LNW): Veteran cinema and tele-drama actor and theatre personality G.R. Perera has passed away, at the age of 83.
His demise was confirmed at his residence this (01) morning.
Perera was well known for many works in the industry, including over 600 tele-dramas. He made his debut appearance in the hit stage drama “Boarding Kaarayo.”
Perera is also credited for many Sinhala movies as well as six foreign movies.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is set to enter the Artificial Intelligence international race integrating this extraordinary technology espionage with the country’s ongoing digitization program, top level official sources divulged.
A presidential task force will be formed to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in the country while the government is planning to allocate RS 1 billion for AI technology next year.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has commented on the potential of the most modern technology to contribute to the country’s development, during a recent discussion at the President’s Office.
He has instructed officials from the Ministry of Technology to form a presidential task force comprising AI experts and prepare a concept paper to promote AI usage in the country.
The President noted that the current annual contribution to Sri Lanka’s gross national income through computer and information technology is around US$ 1.9 billion, with an undisclosed amount from AI technology.
He instructed officials to develop a system to track AI contributions. Additionally, he stressed the importance of taking prompt action to increase AI’s contribution to the gross domestic product in the coming years, according to the Presidential Media Division.
“The government has identified the modernization of agriculture and fisheries, tourism, and improvement of supply centers as urgent areas for development in the economic reforms, the President claimed.
As we see the world progressing with artificial intelligence, it is crucial for Sri Lanka to focus on this technology and invest in it.
The government is aiming to create a digital economy and it will require a lot of effort in the coming months.
Fortunately, the government has already prepared the necessary plans. However, it is important to note that only 2500 engineers are produced in the
The President has suggested producing at least 10,000 engineers to meet the demands of the digital age.
When it comes to artificial intelligence, we should consider Singapore and India as role models. It is true that East Asia, South Korea, Japan, and China are making progress in artificial intelligence, but no country in West Asia has reached that stage yet, he added.
This presents a clear opportunity for us, and we must have strategies in place to implement this program promptly. In order to achieve this, we should start by improving university research departments. He pointed out
During the discussion on the integration of AI technology into the wider model of digitization in Sri Lanka, the Minister of State for Technology, Kanaka Herath, and the Secretary of the Ministry, Niranjan Gunawardena, a Senior Professor, shared their views.
The participants focused on the development of infrastructure necessary for related research activities and the latest trends in the field. The scholars who attended the discussion also expressed their views on future steps that need to be taken for the advancement of the field, the PMD said.
Colombo (LNW): Since last April, when Sri Lanka declared sovereign default, the country has gone through one crisis after another, the disbursement of US $ 333 first tranche of the US$ 3 billion International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility was the only sum of forex received by the country one year after seeking IMF facility.
The Government plans to raise a sum of US $ 3 billion from this facility for the next four year period keeping faith on multilateral international financial agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank and donor countries to pour more millions of dollars into Sri Lanka coffers .
The WB and ADB have pledged over $500 million while unlocking its development project assistance which was suspended immediately after the infamous declaration of preemptive debt default by Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe on April 12 2022.
Since then all bridging financing and other financing arrangements have dried up completely and the country had been trapped in a serious forex shortage making it difficult to provide dollars to import basic essential commodities even after defaulting on around $3 billion forex debt, comprehensive analysis revealed.
Since seeking IMF bail out loan, Sri Lanka inflation has risen to over 50 percent while treasury bill interest rates have soared past 30 percent per annum, official data showed..
In the period from April 2022 to December 2022, the additional interest that the government has had to bear because of the rise in interest rates has been computed at an astronomical Rs.840 billion.
The Sri Lanka Rupee will depreciate and the exchange rate will face serious pressure, particularly when the currently restricted imports are allowed.in keeping with the IMF agreement.
When the Government and the CB announce the time table on lifting exchange restrictions and multiple currency restrictions and multiple currency practices on June 30, 2023, the uncertainty will further escalate, the risk analysis report revealed.
Forex reserve accumulations will be under severe pressure and it is likely to fall short of the targets. Further if the CB is unable to stabilize the exchange rate the exchange rate will encounter wide fluctuations, making it impossible for local enterprises to do business, the report predicted.
However, it is vital that the government recognize the short-term implications of this ongoing tax restructuring as it imposes further burdens on the poorest households in society during a time of soaring energy and food prices.
The IMF statement addresses the need for social safety nets but a greater emphasis is required to ensure that the benefits of the EFF program reach those struggling most with the economic crisis.
Several analysts argue that all an IMF bailout does is encourage capital markets and foreign investors to resume the flow of funds into the country.
They contend that Sri Lanka’s economic problems are much deeper than its lack of access to capital via these avenues, and observe that, if the country is to recover fully, it must prioritize essential imports, cut back wasteful expenditure and promote food security.
