The Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) Sate Minister Hon. Lasantha Alagiyawanna stated that Department of Samurdhi Development and Sri Lanka Police have been called before COPA during the next sitting week.

Accordingly, next Tuesday, the 25 th , the Department of Samurdhi Development has been called before the Committee on Public Accounts and it is scheduled to look into matters based on the reports of the Auditor General related to the previous years and the current performance. Moreover, the COPA Chair said that the Sri Lanka Police has been summoned before COPA on the 26 th , Wednesday to examine the Auditor General's reports and current performance.

1. Sri Lanka marks four years since the Easter Sunday bombings, a massacre that took place in several tourist hotels and Catholic churches, taking away more than 270 lives: The masterminds behind the genocide are believed to be still at large: Archbishop of Colombo HE Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith invites all Sri Lankans to join a human chain protest (Jana Paura) today, supporting the Church’s quest for truth and justice over the attacks.
2. The Inland Revenue Department says those with an annual income of over Rs. 1,200,000 are required to pay income tax in Sri Lanka; adds this includes business owners, income from rental or interest-related investments, or employment with the specified annual income; urges the public to settle their accurate income tax payments on time.
3. The CBSL says investigations are underway into the Rs. 05 million that was reported missing from a safe: A statement by the CBSL reads that it is taking “necessary measures to thoroughly investigate the incident and strengthen the internal controls, processes, etc”; adds it will also continue assisting the Police to carry out its investigations.
4. The Committee on Parliamentary Business to take up the Resolution for the implementation of the arrangement under the EFF of the IMF for Sri Lanka in to debate on April 26, 27 and 28: The decision made at a Committee meeting held under Chairman (Dep. Speaker) Ajith Rajapakse.
5. The HRCSL holds a meeting with representatives of the LGBTIQ community, to discuss the well-being of LGBTIQ people and address pressing issues: The representatives present a requested letter to the HRCSL Chief, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, highlighting the issues faced by LGBTIQ people that need to be resolved: The Commission expresses its support to promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTIQ individuals, including advocating for legal reforms, raising awareness, addressing social stigma, and fostering inclusivity.
6. The Health Ministry informs all hospital directors to immediately suspend the use of Prednisolone eye drops imported from India with immediate effect, following complications being reported after use: The Ministry’s MSD says the delivery of Prednisolone eye drops to hospitals also suspended.
7. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung expresses concerns over the GOSL’s proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATA) falling outside of international standards; meets with Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on the matter; says it is important that “all voices – including civil society, academia, and lawmakers – are considered to ensure the legislation servers as an effective tool for combatting terrorism without restricting freedom of expression or assembly.”
8. Ex President of BASL Geoffrey Alagaratnam PC warns new laws are not going to help Sri Lanka if they are only going to be used against certain targeted persons who are perceived as opponents of the government; says the proposed ATA should be considered a dangerous legislation.
9. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says the highest energy demand in Sri Lanka in recent times was recorded Wednesday; adds a net generation of 49.53 GWh was required for power generation on Wednesday; reveals the actual demand recorded Thursday morning forecasts an estimated energy demand exceeding 50 GWh; asserts all CEB thermal plants, including the recently established Hambantota Diesel Powered generators, will be utilised for power generation.
10. Another consignment of one million eggs imported from India arrives in SL: Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation Asiri Walisundara says the samples will be tested by the Animal Products and Health Department; adds a report on the samples of the egg stock that reached the island on April 15 expected to be released in four days.

The Department of Inland Revenue in Sri Lanka has issued a statement mandating that individuals with an annual income exceeding Rs. 1,200,000 are required to pay income tax. The department clarified that this includes individuals who are business owners, earn income from rental or interest-related investments, or receive employment income that exceeds the specified annual income.

It is the responsibility of the respective individual to file for income tax, according to the statement released by the Inland Revenue Department. The department has also urged the public to ensure that their income tax payments are settled accurately and on time.

The announcement has come as a reminder to taxpayers to declare their income and pay taxes accordingly. The department has emphasized that failure to comply with the regulations will result in penalties and legal action.

The Inland Revenue Department has also made it clear that tax evasion is a serious offense and that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure compliance with the regulations. The department is currently working to strengthen its tax collection system and ensure that taxpayers meet their obligations.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to increase revenue and improve the country’s economy. The Sri Lankan government has been implementing several initiatives to promote tax compliance and reduce tax evasion.

The Inland Revenue Department has assured the public that it will provide assistance and guidance to taxpayers to ensure that they meet their tax obligations. The department has also urged the public to contact their nearest tax office or visit their website for more information on income tax regulations and procedures.

As Sri Lanka experiences a heatwave, the number of districts under heat alert has increased significantly. According to the latest reports, only eight districts remain unaffected by the heatwave, while the remaining districts are under a heat alert.

The Meteorology Department of Sri Lanka issued a warning on Wednesday stating that the temperature in several parts of the country could reach up to 37 degrees Celsius. The warning also stated that the heatwave was expected to continue for the next few days.

The heatwave has already caused severe discomfort to people, with many seeking relief in water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The high temperatures have also resulted in power outages in some areas, as the demand for air conditioning and other cooling devices has increased.

The Sri Lankan government has urged people to take precautions during this heatwave. They have advised people to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, to wear light clothing, and to drink plenty of fluids.

The government has also set up temporary shelters and water distribution centers in affected areas to provide relief to those in need. The Sri Lankan Army has also been mobilized to assist in the distribution of water and other supplies.

The heatwave is a result of a high-pressure system that has formed over the Bay of Bengal, which is causing temperatures to rise in Sri Lanka and other parts of South Asia.

Sri Lanka on Friday(21) marks the fourth anniversary of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings, which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds more. Multiple suicide bomb attacks targeted Catholic churches and tourist hotels across the island nation on April 21, 2019.

As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating attacks, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has called on Sri Lankans to join a human chain protest, known as Jana Paura, to support the Church’s quest for truth and justice over the attacks.

Speaking to the media, Cardinal Ranjith said, “We are still waiting for the government to fulfill its promise to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. The victims and their families have suffered enough. It’s time to bring closure to this painful chapter in our history.”

The human chain protest is expected to see thousands of Sri Lankans, including clergy, politicians, and civil society activists, link arms and form a chain across the capital, Colombo. The event is set to start at 10 a.m. local time and will be held under strict COVID-19 safety protocols.

The Catholic Church has been pushing for an independent inquiry into the Easter Sunday bombings, arguing that the government’s investigations have been inadequate and lacking transparency. The Church has also criticized the government’s handling of the aftermath of the attacks, including the delay in compensating the victims and their families.

The Sri Lankan government has acknowledged the Church’s concerns and has promised to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable. However, progress on the investigations has been slow, and many Sri Lankans have criticized the government’s response as inadequate.

The attacks shocked the nation and the world, and Sri Lanka has since tightened its security measures to prevent further terrorist attacks.

As Sri Lankans mark the fourth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings, the human chain protest is a reminder that the victims and their families are still waiting for justice and closure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 20 April 2023. Government of India is hosting the two-day Summit in collaboration with International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on 20-21 April 2023. The theme of the Summit is “Responses to Contemporary Challenges: Philosophy to Praxis”.

2.     The Summit is an effort towards engaging the global Buddhist Dhamma leadership and scholars on matters of Buddhist and universal concerns, and to come up with policy inputs to address them collectively. The Summit features eminent scholars, Sangha leaders and Dharma practitioners from all over the world including members of the clergy and officials from Sri Lanka. 

3.     Speaking at the inaugural session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Buddha is a consciousness beyond manifestation. He added that the presence of so many people from diverse areas at the Summit represents the expansion of Buddha that binds humanity in a single thread. He underscored the contemporary relevance of Buddha’s teaching and stressed that problems of modern times lend themselves to solutions through the ancient teachings of the Lord.

4.     The Prime Minister said that India has worked with dedication for the propagation of Lord Buddha’s teaching. He talked about the development of Buddhist circuits in India and Nepal, the renovation of Sarnath and Kushinagar, Kushinagar International Airport, and India International Center of Buddhist Heritage and Culture at Lumbini in collaboration with the IBC.

5.     Noting that the Summit is taking place during India’s 75th year of Independence, the Prime Minister underlined that India has a major goal for its future and new resolutions for the global good. He emphasized that the inspiration behind India achieving the recent global landmarks in various sectors is Lord Buddha himself.

6.     The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the inaugural Global Buddhist Summit will create an effective platform for the efforts of all nations.

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Colombo

20 April 2023

Civil Society Collective For Democracy: The government is presenting its proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) to be fast-tracked through parliament, in a context in which it has come under significant international pressure to repeal or amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).  The PTA has been widely criticized both within Sri Lanka and internationally due to its potential for abuse. Recently, three persons held under the PTA for 14 years were acquitted by the court which is but the tip of an iceberg of abuse over a very long period. 

While as members of the civil society of Sri Lanka we support the repeal of the PTA, we are concerned that the draft ATA presented by the government to replace it has several features that are worse than the PTA. These would impact on the democratic space and rights available to political parties, trade unions, and civic activists.

Among the worst features of the proposed ATA is its vague and broad definition of terrorism which would include theft of government property and trade union action.  It also includes legitimate democratic actions including protests, publishing material, demands for action by the government, strikes, and disputes relating to racial and religious places. The law permits police or military or coast guard personnel of any rank to arrest anyone on whom they have reasonable suspicion of being involved in acts such as those given above. Once a person is arrested, that person can be detained for up to 24 hours, and even more depending on the situation, in a place of the arresting party’s choosing.  The plight of a young person arrested in such a manner can be imagined.  Thereafter, if a detention order is signed by a more senior police officer, those arrested can be held for up to three months without being presented before a court of law. All these provisions demonstrate the enormous potential for abuse of this law. 

We the Civil Society Collective for Democracy strongly oppose the proposed ATA because it violates the Constitution and endangers the freedoms and human rights that are guaranteed in a democratic society.  This law is far too broad and leaves wide open who can be arrested, by whom they can be arrested, and for what purpose they are arrested.  The present economic situation in the country is very difficult for the masses of people with the economy set to contract by a further four percent this year in addition to the eight percent last year. Through no fault of the people, the country was made bankrupt by those that governed it.  We fear that the proposed ATA will be used to make the people bear the full weight of the economic burden by those who are responsible for the calamity, by suppressing the space to question, to expose and to dissent with Government. As such, it would create an environment of fear among trade unions, journalists and civil society, thereby intensifying the prevailing democratic deficit and violating the Fundamental Rights of Sri Lankans. 

Therefore, we demand that the Government withdraw the proposed ATA and honor its duty to protect democracy and the rights of citizens and to uphold its international obligations related to human rights and democratic freedoms.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vietnam, in close coordination with the Embassy of Vietnam in Colombo, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, was gifted a sacred Sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura to be planted at the Bai Dinh Pagoda (Temple) in Vietnam.

The Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most sacred and revered temples in Viet Nam spreading over 700 hectares and possesses the largest gold plated statue of Buddha in Asia as well as the tallest Buddha relics tower in Asia. Most Venerable Pallegama Hemerathana Thero, Chief Monk of North Central Province, handed over the aforementioned Bodhi Tree Sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the Chief Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang and Chairman of Bai Dinh Pagoda Nguyen Van Truong. The Most Venerable Eeethalawatunawawe Ganathilaka, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanwelisaya Stupa also participated at the event. Nearly 40 Buddhist Monks and Officials including the Chief Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda from Viet Nam visited Anuradhapura to receive the sacred Bodhi Tree Sapling. Once the sacred Bo Tree Sapling was ceremoniously handed over, the 40 Monks and Officials from Bai Dinh along with the Chief Monk of North Central Province and the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, along with Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks, visited Bai Dinh Pagoda for the sacred ceremony of planting the Sapling at the premises of Bai Dinh Pagoda.

In Sri Lanka, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Colombo Ho Thi Thanh Truc was also present at the handing over ceremony in Anuradhapura. During the four-day stay in Sri Lanka, the delegation from Bai Dinh Pagoda visited Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, Asgiriya Temple and several other locations of significance. The Chairman of Bai Dinh Pagoda gifted USD 20,000 to Lady Ridgeway Children Hospital as a symbolic gesture of their visit.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasooriya met with the Vietnamese delegation in Colombo and expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Buddhist delegation from Bai Dinh Pagoda. This initiative would further deepen and elevate the religious bilateral relations in the context of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions and ethos.

Secretary of Ministry of Buddhasasana Somarathna Vidanapathirana and former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam Prasanna Gamage also participated at the events and ceremonies organized by the embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo. Former Ambassador Prasanna Gamage, was instrumental in initiating the aforementioned most sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling to be planted at Bai Dinh Pagoda.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam, Prof A. Saj U. Mendis and Minister Counsellor, Mr Mahesh Premathalake, and other Officials of the Embassy participated along with a large number of Sri Lankan expatriate community in Viet Nam as well as well over 5000 Budhhist devotees in Viet Nam participated at the most sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling planting ceremony.

It is strongly anticipated since many Vietnamese devotees visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the most sacred Sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is planted at the Bai Dinh Temple, would encourage and would be an impetus for Vietnamese devotees to visit Sri Lanka as they know that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Buddha Gaya in India.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Ha Noi

20 April 2023