A person was killed by gunfire at Hanwella last (18) night.
The victim, 48 and a father of three children, is a businessman who ran a hotel at Hanwella Crossing.
The shooting follows a series of events, where two people arrived at the hotel in a motorcycle at about 10 pm last night, and one person, who knocked on the door, asked for a cigarette, while the other barged in opening the door and shot the owner, who was at the counter at the time, four times on the chest.
The hotel owner who was injured by the shooting was admitted to Panadura Hospital but was already pronounced dead prior to being admitted.
Hanwella Police are conducting further investigations.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed the officials to take immediate steps to develop the Ella tourist area according to a grand comprehensive plan.
The President also informed the officials to prepare the relevant development plan within 4 months together with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Environment and submit it to him.
The President issued these instructions during the discussion held with the Ella Businessmen’s Association three days ago (16).
The President pointed out the need to plan the Ella tourism zone formally and according to a proper plan and also pointed out the importance of carrying out its construction activities in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid disturbing the tourist attraction.
The President pointed out the need to plan the Ella tourism zone formally and according to a proper plan and also pointed out the importance of carrying out its construction activities in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid disturbing the tourist attraction.
The President pointed out the need to plan the Ella tourism zone formally and according to a proper plan and also pointed out the importance of carrying out its construction activities in an environmentally friendly manner without obstructing the tourist attractions.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further stated that under the first phase, the Ella tourism zone will be developed through a formal plan, and then steps will be taken to make the entire Uva Province a preferred destination for tourists.
Expressing his views, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said,
Ella is a tourist area created by the people of this area. It now contributes widely to Sri Lanka’s economy. We hope to develop this tourist zone according to a new comprehensive development plan. I have instructed the officials to take steps to provide short-term solutions to the problems that have arisen in this area.
Today, tourists visiting the Maldives spend about $500 a day. However, tourists who come to the Ella area spend twenty dollars a day. We must change this situation.
Trained workers are needed for the promotion of the tourism industry. Experienced tourism workers left the country during the last Covid epidemic. They were very experienced workers.
Tourists, who spend $500, come expecting good service. We need trained employees to provide such a service.
Steps should be taken to create a good tourism service under this massive development program. Those tourists who arrive in the Uva Province should spend at least 07 days there. We need to make new plans with that objective in mind.
We have to arrange to attract the tourists visiting the Eastern Province to Ella thereafter. This new development plan should include a program to develop the Mattala Airport and bring tourists directly from Mattala to Ella. These plans would be effective for the country’s development both in the short term and in the long term.
We must work to maintain the banking sector in the country without letting it collapse while developing the tourism sector. If the banking system collapses, tourists will not come to our country. Therefore, the government has a program to protect both the tourism and banking sectors. As we would implement it, I request you all support it.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe solved many of the issues raised by the Ella Businessmen during the meeting with them and the prompt action taken by the President to address their issues was highly appreciated by the Ella business community.
Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Harin Fernando, State Ministers Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Governor of the Uva Province A.J.M. Musammil, Chief of Presidential Staff and President’s Senior Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Badulla District Secretary Damayanthi Paranagama and several others were present at the event.
The government has taken prompt action to expedite the process of filing a case to claim compensation for damages caused by the X-press Pearl ship disaster after more than one year of finalising relevant documents and the environmental damage assessment report.
The Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) says that the environmental damage assessment report prepared for claiming compensation for the environmental damage caused by the X-press Pearl ship disaster will be submitted to the Attorney General before January 15.
The MEPA had previously informed the Cabinet of Ministers that it is advisable to file a case in a Sri Lankan court to obtain the relevant compensation.
More than a year since the sinking of the cargo ship the X-Press Pearl in the island nations territorial waters , Sri Lanka is still grappling to claim compensation of US$ 7 billion from the ship owners which was brought down to $ 4 billion due unknown reasons amidst the delay in finalising relevant documents and proceed with the case.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has further discussed the matter during the Cabinet meeting held recently and instructed to file a case before a Singapore Court to obtain compensation for the environmental damage caused by the X-press Pearl ship.
The Chairperson of the MEPA, Attorney-at-law Sudarshanee Lahandapura mentioned that the assessment of the environmental damage has not been completed so far.She further emphasized that no payment or compensation has yet been made for the environmental damage caused by the ship.
The MEPA chaIrperson’s statement was mind boggling because of the conclusion of the report devised by an expert committee investigating the extent of damage caused to the country’s marine and coastal environment.
The X-press Pearl ship disaster is supposed to be the worst in terms of chemical and plastic pollution of the sea.
That’s according to Ajith de Alwis, co-chair of the X-Press Pearl damage assessment committee and a professor of chemical and process engineering at the University of Moratuwa.
The committee has submitted its assessment report to the Attorney General’s Office sometimes back for use in claiming compensation from the Singapore-based operators of the ship.
Therefore Lahandapura’s MEPA environmental damage assessment report on the ship disaster came in to the limelight after the President’s directive issued at the cabinet meeting raised eyebrows of many environmental activists
The subject minister Prasanna Ranatunge said some 11,061 fisher families from Gampaha District, 3050 families from Colombo and 701 families from Kalutara were affected by the tragedy. “Some 4888 fishermen have lost their livelihood as a result of the disaster,”
“Some 1726 metric tons of rubble pellets from the ship have been collected till this date, while arrangements have been made to salvage the ship from the sea. The company which owns the ship has given this task to a foreign company.
Also the Minister revealed that former state Minister Nalaka Godahewa and the then Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jayanath Kolambage should take the responsibility of their failure to take prompt action to claim compensations damages caused to Sri Lanka following ship disasters of New Diamond and X-Press Pearl with in the past two years.
Showers will occur at times in Eastern, Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Central and North-western provinces, and showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere over the island during the afternoon or night, said the Department of Meteorology in a statement today (19).
Heavy showers above100mm are likely at some places in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts. Fairly heavy showers about75mm are likely at some places elsewhere over the island.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
The low-pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal lay over Central parts of South Bay of Bengal. It is likely to move slowly West-northwestward towards the coast of Sri Lanka during next three days.Wind speed will increase up to (50-60) kmph at times and showers or thundershowers can be expected in deep sea areas of Central and South West Bay of Bengal. Therefore, Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant while engaging in marine activities in the above sea areas.Fishing and naval community are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Puttalam, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Pottuvill.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Puttalam, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Pottuvill will be rough at times. Other sea areas around the Island will be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Transport Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardane begins pilot project to plant cinnamon trees on both sides of the Southern Expressway: says the cinnamon plants have been donated to the Road Development Authority by Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana.
MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena says the SLPP is ready for an election at any time: refutes Opposition claims the Govt is trying to postpone the Local Government Elections: also says the SLPP has already called for applications for candidates.
National Chamber of Commerce President Nandika Buddhipala laments previous governments had not been serious about implementing reforms: claims Sri Lanka has 527 SOEs and labour costs of such SOEs are around 70% higher than in private firms: says present govt is serious about restructuring and has to be encouraged.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe promotes Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera to rank of Vice Admiral: appoints him the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.
China’s Embassy in Sri Lanka tweets that 75 years ago on 18th December 1952, China and Sri Lanka signed the historic Rubber-Rice Pact: says the Pact alleviated the rice and foreign reserves shortage and opened doors to diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara says over 300,000 Sri Lankans have left the country this year for foreign employment: claims this is the highest number of Sri Lankans leaving for foreign jobs since independence.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says there are about 100,000 acres of paddy lands that have not been cultivated and that the Govt will “take over” those lands in 2023 for 5 years: asserts the Agricultural Act will be amended for this purpose.
Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Assn notes apparel industry is facing huge setbacks: employees compelled to quit with no allowances and limited work-days: industry facing 25% drop in orders: SME sector providing garments to the larger apparel corporates on the brink of closure.
New electricity tariff rates to be submitted to the Cabinet by January 2023, by-passing Public Utilities Commission: Cabinet paper being prepared setting the average selling price at Rs 42 per unit.
Dasun Shanaka remains skipper for the white-ball Cricket series against India starting in January 2023: two vice captains also appointed – Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga.
The board of Directors, dignitaries, Ladies & Gentlemen, Friends, Colleagues and all others.
First of all let me thank the board of directors of the TIC for offering me their prestigious “Human Rights Award of 2022”, for my contribution to human rights for the last thirty two (32) years. In fact, I have spent half of my life from 1990 until today, participating and contributing to various human rights forums of the UN in Geneva, regarding to the suffering of the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka..
I knew late Mr VarathaKumar, one of the founders of the TIC from my childhood. In fact, I have participated in some of the events of the TIC in the past.
I have been honoured and appreciated for my human rights work by some others, but the TIC’s award is something special. TIC is the oldest diaspora organisation on the globe. TIC’s longstanding contribution to the Tamil-speaking people on Socio-politico, human rights and community affairs are neutral and remarkable.
These days, being a human rights defender or activist is not an easy task. The new phenomenon of aggressive states is that they label any action against their state as “terrorism” and brand the human rights task as support of terrorism – forgetting they themselves are practicing state terrorism. Another behaviour of those who practice State terrorism is that they brand Human Rights organisations as “Front Organisations” and “Outfits”!
Being a Tamil and human rights defender and activist, I have personally experienced all of these but never gave-up my task because of this bullying.
Since independence from the British in 1948, the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka have been, living without any meaningful political rights. Day by day, we are losing our traditional home land the north and east. The Sinhala Buddhist governments in power are determined to grab our lands, damage our economy and decimate our population in the ground.
I would like take this opportunity to say a few words about the UDHR which today celebrates its 74th anniversary.
Many historians and scholars agree that the concept of human rights was not born in the West.
They trace its origin in ancient Greece and Rome. However, the “Cyrus Charter of Human Rights” was discovered in 1878 during the excavation of the site of Babylon. Many historians have considered this as the first declaration of human rights.
The history in brief – on 4 October BC 539, Iranian (Persian) soldiers entered Babylon then the capital of Iraq (Babylonia). It was said that this bloodless war freed all the captive nationalities held as slaves for generations in Babylon. On 9 November Cyrus of Iran (Persia) visited Babylon and issued a declaration, inscribed on a baked clay barrel (cylinder), known as “the Cyrus Charter of Human Rights”. Even today, one can see this in the British Museum in London, UK.
However the concept and mechanisms of human rights were institutionalised and internationalised only after the birth of the United Nations. Human Rights are interdependent and based on freedom, dignity, equality and justice.
The United Nations Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by 50 countries in a UN conference in San Francisco. But the UN officially came into existence only on 24 October 1945 when all five major powers ratified the Charter. To commemorate this occasion, 24 October is United Nations Day. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on 10th December 1948 by the United Nations at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris.
Generally, Human Rights guarantee freedom, dignity, equality and justice for everyone irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality and any regional differences.
The UDHR contains thirty articles. Articles 1 and 2 outline the philosophical claim of the UDHR and emphasise that human beings are born free in equal dignity and are entitled to all rights and freedoms without any kind of discrimination. Articles 3 to 21 deal with Civil and Political rights and articles 22 to 27 deal with Economic, social and cultural rights. Concluding articles 28 and 29 stress the duties and responsibility of the individual in a democratic society. Finally, article 30 gives cautionary notice that the UDHR may not be interpreted as implying that a person or group has any right to do anything aimed at destroying the rights and freedoms set forth in the UDHR.
Once again I whole heartedly thank TIC for honouring me with their ‘human rights’ award of 2022. It is a great privilege. Thank you.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, in collaboration with the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCESL) organized a visit of a 12-member Business delegation from Sri Lanka to the UAE from 05 – 09 December 2022. The business delegation consisted of Sri Lankan companies representing the product and service sectors of Ceylon Tea, Spices, packaging, Coconut based products, IT Solutions, Food products and Rubber based products.
During the visit, a comprehensive programme for the visiting delegation was organized by the Consulate General office in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A briefing session on the UAE market to enhance awareness of the visiting delegation was held on the 05 December 2022 at the Consulate General premises with the participation of the Consul General Nalinda Wijerathna, Secretary General of the National Chamber of Exporters Shiham Marikar, Chairman of Sri Lanka Business Council (SLBC) in Dubai Riza Mohammed and board members of the SLBC. The Consulate General Office, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Business Council, also organized a number of B2B meetings with targeted business ventures in the UAE to facilitate networking among the business communities of the two countries.
The visiting delegation took part in a Business Forum and B2B meetings organized at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on 06 of December 2022. The Sri Lankan delegation was received by Director-General of SCCI Mohammad Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, and, Assistant Director General for Business and Communication Sector of the SCCI Abdulaziz Shattaf.
The delegation took part in a business forum and B2B meetings in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah on 08 December 2022. This programme was held at the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the participation of the Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohamed Ali Musabbeh Al Nuaimi, and first Vice Chairman of the RAK Chamber and members of the Chamber Board of Directors. The delegation also joined the Business Forum organized by the RAK Chamber in collaboration with several government institutions and the business community.
During the official level meetings in the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Ras A; Khaimah Chamber of Commerce, both sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation and to create linkages between the business communities of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirate of Sharjah and Sri Lanka. The Chairmen and the officials of RAK Chamber and Sharjah Chamber re-assured their fullest cooperation and collaboration with the Sri Lankan Consulate General Office and the Sri Lankan Government in future bilateral promotional activities which include a proposed Sri Lankan trade exhibition in Ras Al Khaimah.
The visit of the Sri Lankan delegation and the programmes in the two emirates provided the visiting delegation with a platform to discuss potential collaborations in a range of industries while establishing avenues to explore new trade and investment opportunities to further promote trade between the business communities of the two countries.
The Grade 05 Scholarship Examination held at 2894 examinations islandwide today (18) has successfully been concluded and no problematic situations had occurred during the conduct of the examination, said the Commissioner General of Examinations L.M.D. Dharmasena.
334,698 students have sat for the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination this year.
The Commissioner General asserted that the examination results will be out within a period of about one and a half months or two.
Meanwhile, the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will commence on January 23, 2023 and the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination in May next year, he added.
Centralising powers with the Sports Minister, the Sports Ministry has introduced a series of intrusive and restrictive regulations compromising the autonomy and independence of registered national sports bodies in the country. These changes came into effect on December 14, 2022, and see many current officials being barred from contesting at elections next year due to a term-limit and age-limit introduced.
The Sports Minister will retain full powers to overrule any of the sections of the new amendments of the Sports Law under ‘special circumstances’
Under the new regulations, no one over the age of 70 is eligible to contest elections. Also ruled out are those who have completed four two year terms in office, those who have been found guilty of corruption and financial irregularities, those with dual citizenship, Sports Ministry officials and those who failed to declare their assets and liabilities for three years before the nominations.
However, the Minister has retained full powers to overrule all of the above under “special circumstances”—a clause viewed as detrimental to the development of sports in the country.
“This is direct political interference,” commented lawyer Panduka Keerthinanda, a sports law expert.
“If the minister can overrule the regulations and permit, what’s the whole purpose of amending the regulations in the first place?”, he questioned.
“We took this clause out as it was viewed as a direct influence on the independence and autonomy of sports bodies by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other international bodies and we are going backward now. This is really a depressing situation,” said Keerthinanda, who was behind several regulations introduced in the past.
According to him, this will lead to a culture of impunity with sports administrators going behind politicians to hold office.
Separately, associations argue that the regulations are not only a violation of human rights, they are a direct interference in the affairs of voluntary, non-profit and mostly self-financing sports bodies. They say it discourages volunteerism.
The regulations have effectively limited the term of a president to a maximum of two two-year terms in all sports associations other than the National Olympic Committee (NOC). NOC President, Secretary General and Treasurer can hold office for a maximum of two four-year terms.
This is in violation of the Olympic Charter and the governing statutes of most of the international sports bodies which put no restriction on term of office and is likely to be condemned.
In 2013, Sri Lanka agreed in principle to review its archaic sports law to make it compatible with the basic principles that govern the Olympic Movement. The IOC has repeatedly warned of repercussions if Sri Lanka fails to introduce changes to minimise political interference, and to safeguard the autonomy and independence of sports associations.
However, after years of repeated calls by the IOC, Sri Lanka came up with a new amendment that removed some of the major intrusive elements. They have now been reintroduced through the regulations promulgated this week.
On the plus side, the regulations have amended the voting structures of sporting bodies with each district, provincial, clubs and other associations only getting one vote at an election of office bearers at their respective national sports body.
Sri Lanka’s economy has fallen deeper into recession, as tight monetary policy and Asia’s fastest inflation further aggravated the nation’s economic crisis, latest official statistics indicated.
Gross domestic product probably contracted about 10 percent between July and September compared to the same period last year, according to an analytical report on recent available official data.
The reserve money increased compared to the previous week mainly due to increase in the currency in circulation.
Reserve Money increased to Rs 1,341.7 billion in October 2022 from Rs 1,378.6 billion of the same month last year, Central Bank data shows.
The total outstanding market liquidity was a deficit of Rs. 370.842 bn by the end of this week, compared to a deficit of Rs. 397.503 bn by the end of last week.
During the year up to 16th December 2022, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against the US dollar by 44.8 percent.
Given the cross currency exchange rate movements, the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against theEuro by 41.4 percent, the pound sterling by 39.0 per cent, and the Indian rupee by 38.5 percent and the Japanese yen by 34.3 per cent during this period.
Official Reserve Assets stood at US$1,804 billion as of end November reflecting some forex exchange inflows into the country.
Earnings from Tourism have dropped to $107.5 million last month $ 15.4 million posted in November last year.
Workers’ Remittances (Inflows) recorded an increase to $384.4 million in November this year compared to $ 271.4 million in the same month last year.
This data shows that the country’s economy has shrunk by about 10 percent between July and September of this year compared to last year. The economy shrank by 8.4 percent between April and June.
Senior finance ministry official points out that higher inflation and weak reliability have further dampened the situation.
Meanwhile the Government will introduce a new program to protect both tourism and the banking sectors, whilst highlighting the need to work collectively on the directions of President Ranil Wickremasinghe.
It will help to maintain the banking sector in the country without letting it collapse while developing the tourism sector.
Subsequent to the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April 2019, initially a financial moratorium servicing of borrowed capital and related financial cost was arranged for six months from July to December 2019.
Thereafter, due to the COVID pandemic, the financial moratorium was extended on three occasions till 30 June.
Thereafter, the leading industry associations urged for the extension of the Rs. 500 billion debt moratorium by additional six months till 31 December, noting it was critical for the 3 million-dependent industry and to tap prospects for more forex-boosting visitors in the upcoming winter season.
