By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has handed over the complete report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe the Easter Sunday Massacre to the Catholic Church.

Accordingly, the complete PCoI report has been handed over to the Chairman of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Rev. Fr. Harold Anthony Perera.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet has approved the amendment proposed for the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act, announced Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena speaking at the briefing held in announcing Cabinet decisions this (25) morning.

Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed to prepare an Amendment Bill, making the SLBFEA No. 21 of 1985 more adaptable and relatable to the current requirements.

On 24th April, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, H. E. Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka, launched the 2 new livelihood projects that address the economic crisis in Sri Lanka at Temple Trees.

The ongoing socio-economic crisis has had serious impacts on the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. The rising energy costs and evolving climate change impacts have further exacerbated due to the situation. In response, the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, will provide approximately LKR 1,175 million (approx. USD 3.8 million) to support vulnerable smallholder farming families in the Dry Zone districts, namely North-Central, North-Western and Eastern Provinces, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and adoption of green agricultural technologies.

Funded by the Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB) and working together with the Government of Sri Lanka and relevant stakeholders, the intervention aims to achieve its objectives through two projects; the first focusing on diversifying livelihoods and introduce entrepreneurship programmes, targeting women-led MSMEs. The second aims to strengthen energy and food security, through the revival of the rural agricultural economy by providing access to innovative markets, value and supply chain improvements along with the adoption of modern, green agricultural technologies which will increase productivity and efficiency.

A total of 58,000 women and youth will directly benefit from these projects, while indirectly impacting over 132,000 vulnerable community members from the North-Central, North-Western and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

To mark the beginning of these projects and to recognize the Government of Japan’s support to the interventions, a launch event was held today with the participation of Prime Minister Gunawardena, H.E. Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka, Mr. Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative of JICA in Sri Lanka, Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Hon. Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Power and Energy, senior government officials and development partners.

Gracing the occasion, Prime Minister stated, “Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the continuous support extended by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme towards country’s efforts to recover from the socioeconomic crisis. We believe this is a significant step towards creating a food and energy secure Sri Lanka, both vital sectors to the fabric of the country’s economy.”

Highlighting Japan’s commitment to the people of Sri Lanka in crisis recovery efforts, Ambassador Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka stated, “Japan has been working together with the Government of Sri Lanka and relevant UN agencies for economic and social empowerment of women in Sri Lanka, including the formulation of National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security. These new projects will provide for practical means to uplift lives of vulnerable communities. Especially, we recognize the special needs of women-headed household in conflict-affected areas. It is a great opportunity to create positive synergy with UNDP’s expertise and JICA’s technical assistance for supporting livelihood and vulnerable communities.”

Commenting on the role of UNDP in bringing together stakeholders and facilitating such processes in times of need, Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “these are times when multiple-solutions through multiple-partnerships are required because we are faced with compounding and complex challenges. I am grateful for the commitments demonstrated by a wide range of actors present today. We must join hands to address the needs of the most vulnerable and affected segments of the society – particularly women-headed households. And investing in them will have visible, long-term benefits for the families and communities.”

PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed that the 73rd Upasampada Vinaya Karma festival of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya will be fully sponsored by the state.

The President stated that the government is obligated to safeguard Buddhism, and that the government is aiming to strengthen all sects led by the Bhikkhu community.

President Wickremesinghe made this comment while addressing the discussion on the preparations for the ’73rd Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ festival of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24).

This ‘Upasampada Vinaya Karma’ Festival, which is held every two years, will be held from July 21st to July 27th at the Sudu Ganga Udakukkhepa Seema Malakaya connected to the Mahaweli River and centred around the Purijjala Sri Sanghabodhi Pirivena in Matale, with President Ranil Wickremesinghe scheduled to attend the opening ceremony in keeping with tradition.

The Rāmañña Maha Nikāya began on June 13, 1863, with the Upasampada Vinaya Karma Festival held at the Galle River Udakukkhepa Seema Malakaya, and the Upasampada Vinaya Karma Festival, which lasted for 160 years, was totally state sponsored. The first Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya Nikayarakshasa Sabha was the late Mahamanya D. S. Senanayake.

Two-hundred Samanera (novice monks) will receive higher ordination (Upasampada) during the 73rd Upasampada Vinaya Karma Festival on July 21st at the Sudu Ganga Udakukkhepa Seemamalakaya in Matale.

The next discussion regarding the organizing of this year’s Upasampada Vinaya Karma Festival will be held on May 18 at the Matale District Secretariat, and the President’s Secretary, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, instructed the authorities to present the progress of the tasks assigned to all government institutions.

The President’s Secretary advised the relevant officers to be in contact with the President’s Office and instructed the officials to take all necessary action to ensure the success of this event.

The Chief incumbent of Sri Lanka Rāmañña Maha Nikāya Venerable Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera, Venerable Anunayakes of the Rāmañña Maha Nikāya including Venerable Matale Dhammakusala Thera, Venerable Nadagamuwe Wijayamaithri Thera, , Minister of Buddhasasana , Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister Ramesh Pathirana, State Ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Janaka Wakkambura, Ashoka Priyantha, Chairman of the Rāmañña Maha Nikāya Sabha Deshbandhu Karu Jayasuriya, Treasurer Mervin Gunawardena, Senior Vice President Kesara Lal Gunasekara and Defence Ministry Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Ministerial secretaries and government officials, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage and representatives of the security forces participated in this discussion.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The government is set to commence the provision of welfare benefits to about two million families from July 01, 2023 within specified time frames, announced State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

The government’s welfare programme has recognised families in Sri Lanka under categories ‘extremely poor’, ‘poor’, ‘endangered’ and ‘transitional’, for the implementation of this distribution.

Accordingly, 400,000 families recognised under ‘extremely poor’ category will be provided a monthly subsidy of Rs. 15,000 for a period of three years.

About 800,000 families recognised under ‘poor’ category will receive a monthly subsidy of Rs. 8,500 for three years.

About 400,000 families under ‘endangered’ category will receive a monthly benefit of Rs. 5,000 till March 31, 2024.

Another 400,000 families under the ‘transitional’ category will receive a monthly subsidy of Rs. 2,500 till December 31, 2023.

Minister Siyambalapitiya added that Parliament has the power to increase period during which these benefits are provided to the said families and the number of families included in it.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): There is no threat of the occurrence of a tsunami following the earthquake at the Indian ocean, and the coastal area of Sri Lanka, therefore, is declared safe, announced the National Tsunami Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology today (25).

In a statement, the Centre said that the public is further informed that this message is announced in consultation with national and international agencies.

1. Former Attorney General Dappula de Livera files Petition before the Appeal Court over Police calling him to record a statement: Court issues interim order preventing the arrest or record of statements from him.
   
2. Former Foreign Minister and Freedom People’s Congress Member Prof G.L. Peiris says Sri Lanka need not sink millions of dollars to initiate litigation for the X-Press Pearl marine disaster, in Singapore: also says the disaster took place in the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, and that the local courts have complete jurisdiction in respect of this matter.
   
3. Former Chairperson of Marine Environment Protection Authority Dharshani Lahandapura questions why Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe does not reveal the name of the person who has allegedly received a USD 250 million bribe to scuttle the legal proceedings seeking compensation from the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.
   
4. Met Dept says the prevalent hot weather conditions in the country will continue for the next few days.
   
5. Inland Revenue Dept says it has collected Rs. 316 bn as tax revenue during the 1st Qtr of 2023: as per IMF’s stringent targets, the VAT and Income Tax to be collected in 2023 is a massive Rs.1,824 bn, and the 1st Qtr collection is 17% of the annual target.
   
6. Appeal Court issues stay order preventing the implementation of the letter sent by the Attorney General to the CID asking to name Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as a suspect in the “Gotagogama” assault case.
   
7. Tamil Political Parties led by the TNA organize a hartal protest campaign in the North and Eastern Provinces: demand solutions to several issues and protest against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act: all shops to be closed the entire day and public transport services also expected to come to a halt.
   
8. Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella says all political parties of the opposition have agreed to form a new alliance under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa.
   
9. Chief Govt Whip Prasanna Ranatunga says the ruling SLPP wouldn’t replace incumbent PM Dinesh Gunawardena: alleges a canard to that effect is being spread by the Opposition.
   
10. Govt to gift 2 elephants to Pakistan, following the tragic death of an African mammoth, Noor Jehan, at the Karachi Zoo: Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka Yasin Joyia says both will be female, with one being sent to the Karachi Zoo and the other to Lahore: news well received by animal lovers in Pakistan.

Colombo (LNW): The gold prices have dropped in response to the recent appreciation of the Sri Lanka Rupee against the US Dollar, local merchants revealed.

Accordingly, the price of a 22-karat gold sovereign has dropped to Rs. 145,000 in the local market.

A 24-karat sovereign is sold for between Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 155,000, according to merchants.