By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Several Police personnel have been interdicted and transferred over the death of a woman who was in Police custody.

Accordingly, a Sub-Inspector, two Sergeants and a Police Constable attached to the Welikada Police Station were interdicted, and two Women Police Constables were transferred over the incident, revealed Police Spokesman Thalduwa.

The deceased, R. Rajakumarai, was a 41-year old resident of Badulla who served as a domestic worker at a local producer’s residence.

She was arrested on May 11, based on a complaint by her employer accusing her of stealing gold jewellery.

01. President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructs the immediate establishment of an Agricultural Modernisation Secretariat to address the issues arising in the Agricultural Modernisation Programme; further instructs to appoint additional secretaries from the President’s Office, Ministry of Agriculture, and other line ministries, along with officials of equivalent ranks, to serve in the Secretariat; assures the armed forces are also contributing to the programme.

02. The Inter-University Students Federation appoints Madhushan Chandrajith of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Peradeniya as its new Convener.

03. The Sri Lankan Army under the leadership of Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath provides essential support to the Anti-Dengue Task Force: Their activities include conducting thorough dengue inspections and contributing to the fight against the disease.

04. Four Police personnel interdicted with three others transferred over the death of a 41-year old woman who was in Police custody: The deceased was arrested on May 11, 2023 based on a complaint made by the deceased employer, claiming that she had stolen gold jewellery.

05. The AG’s Office announced that Sri Lanka will honour the compensation limit claim ruling issued by a UK Court, despite having filed a lawsuit in Singapore seeking compensation for the eco-damages caused by the X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster; adds it intends to submit a motion to the London Court concerning the compensation limit claim and seek expert advice from legal professionals in the UK.

06. Japan’s Upper House Lawmaker Mizuho Umemura dismissed from a parliamentary committee after making a controversial remark involving the death of a Sri Lankan woman at an immigration facility two years ago: The victim, Wishma Sandamali, was found dead in March 2021 at Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau after repeatedly pleading to authorities to be taken to a hospital as she was ill: Umemura without proof claimed she may have died ‘as a result of a hunger strike.’

07. State Minister Rohana Dissanayake accused of posing death threats to a manager of the SLTB depot in the Matale District over the deployment of a bus on the route that runs to Laggala, Weligama, Mahiyangana through Ratthota – Riverston, Matale: The said bus was deployed based on a request by State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon for the convenience of school children and residents of the area.

08. Sri Lanka’s tea production despite hopes of a turnaround with fertiliser records increased exports in the first four months of 2023: January – April, 2023 earnings have increased sharply by 11% to US$ 407 million compared to US$ 367 million in the corresponding period a year earlier: April earnings alone have increased by 16% to US$ 93 million compared to US$ 80 million in the corresponding period a year earlier.

09. The Indian government agrees to promote and strengthen renewable energy sector cooperation between India and Sri Lanka: Cabinet grants approval to enter into a MoU between the two nations with regard to energy sector cooperation: Public and private entities in both India and Sri Lanka to work on this project.

10. Sri Lanka Football Captain Sujan Perera says he will step down from his position after FIFA’s ban on Sri Lanka Football is lifted; accuses the past and present administrations of not focusing on protecting the players; adds his services as a player will be available until he retires and will consider his decision if the administration takes relevant steps to protect the players.

High Commissioner Veluppillai Kananathan presented the Letter of Credence appointing him as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Federal Republic of Nigeria with residence in Kenya to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria, at the State House in Abuja on May 18, 2023. The President and the High Commissioner exchanged views during the private meeting that followed the official ceremony, where at the outset the High Commissioner conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe to the President of Nigeria. While recalling the recent gathering of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth countries in the United Kingdom, President Buhari extended his friendly greetings to the President of Sri Lanka.

High Commissioner Kananathan briefed President Buhari on the current political and economic situation in Sri Lanka and the efforts being taken by the Government towards economic recovery. In response, President Buhari stated that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was severe in many countries, and his country followed the developments in Sri Lanka with keen interest while expressing satisfaction on the progress being achieved.

High Commissioner Kananathan said that the current government headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe attaches great importance to Sri Lanka’s relations with Africa, including with Nigeria, which is one of the leading economies in Africa, and to strengthening cooperation between the regions and the two countries.

As members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Global South, the G77, and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), High Commissioner Kananathan highlighted that Sri Lanka and Nigeria share common interests on global issues and he appreciated the support extended by Nigeria to Sri Lanka in international fora.  The High Commissioner expressed his desire to consolidating existing ties between the two countries to further strengthen bilateral relations.

President Buhari, in response, conveyed that there is a huge potential to develop economic cooperation between the two countries and highlighted the rewarding opportunities for investment, particularly in renewable energy, oil and gas, agro-allied industries, telecommunications, solid minerals, etc. The President added that the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), which is mandated to encourage and assist investment in Nigeria, functions as a one-stop investment center with the close cooperation of 27 governmental and state-owned agencies in order to consolidate and streamline administrative procedures for new businesses and investments.

High Commissioner Kananathan, while appreciating the excellent defence cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and Nigeria, proposed to identify other avenues for cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Further, the High Commissioner apprised the Nigerian President of his long experience and knowledge in Africa and recalled his role as a member of the International Election Monitoring Team in the recently held presidential elections in Nigeria.

In conclusion, while wishing the High Commissioner every success in promoting bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nigeria, the President assured the Nigerian government’s fullest support and cooperation towards that end.

Nigeria, a country located on the western coast of Africa, has abundant natural resources, notably large deposits of petroleum and natural gas. The Nigerian economy is one of the largest in Africa. Sri Lanka High Commission in Kenya is now concurrently accredited to Nigeria.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Nairobi

19May 2023

High Commission of India, Colombo invites applications from eligible Sri Lankan students (excluding OCI Card holders) for Undergraduate Courses in MBBS, BDS, BE, B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch, Diploma level Technical courses and Diploma in Pharmacy course under the Self Financing Scheme for academic year 2023-24.

2.     Candidates who wish to apply for MBBS/BDS courses need to have at least 50^th percentile in NEET exam and 50% each in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English in A/L.

3.    BE/B.Tech and Diploma in Engineering candidates require a minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and 50% in English in A/L. 

4.     For B.Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy, minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and 50% in English in A/L are required.

5.     B.Arch aspirants have to mandatorily clear the aptitude test prescribed by the Council of Architecture, New Delhi.

6.     Interested candidates could obtain the application forms from Education Wing of the High Commission of India, Colombo on any working day between 1400 and1600 hrs on production of G.C.E. O/L, A/L certificates and Birth Certificate.

7.     Last date of receipt of completed application forms with all supportive documents at the High Commission is June 16, 2023.

***

Colombo

19 May 2023

 
        The prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships were awarded to 300 Advanced Level school students from all 25 districts across Sri Lanka by High Commissioner H.E Gopal Baglay, Minister of Education Hon. Dr.Susil Premajayantha and State Minister of Education Hon. A. Aravindh Kumar at a special ceremony held in  Ministry of Education on 18 May 2023. 

2.     An amount of LKR 2500 per student is being provided to Advanced Level students on merit cum means basis to the top six students from each district every month under this Scholarship. This year, scholarships were awarded to two batches simultaneously due to COVID during the year 2021 – 2022. 

3.     Congratulating students for their achievement, High Commissioner stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation in education sector for bright future of youth in both the countries.  Drawing parallels between The Buddha and Mahatma, he stated that the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi hold good even in the fast-changing world.  Underlining the close cultural links between India and Sri Lanka, he called on the young students to utilize the opportunities available in India, where rapid advances are taking place in the field of education. He expressed confidence that the young students of Sri Lanka would be a great source of strength for both India and Sri Lanka in future.

4.     Minister Hon. Dr.Premajayantha thanked Government of India for providing not only Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships, but also various other Scholarships and opportunities in prestigious institutions including IITs. He said that these initiatives proved to be instrumental to the growth of Sri Lanka’s Human Resource.   Minister also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi for his ideas and thoughts about education. Further, he expressed gratitude to Government of India for extending support for text book printing in Sri Lanka for school children.

5.     Apart from Mahatma Gandhi scholarships, Government of India offers around 210 scholarships annually in various fields including Engineering, Technology, Arts, Science, Indigenous medicine etc. to Sri Lankan students. More than 400 fully paid Scholarship slots are also available under ITEC scheme for Government officials in Sri Lanka to enhance their domain knowledge.  In addition, thousands of seats are also available to Sri Lankan students in India under “Study in India” programme.  

* * *

Colombo
May 19, 2023

In a strategic move of attracting US$ 2-3 billion from the restructuring of profit making State owned Enterprises (SOE’s), which is critical in current economic context, The Government has short-listed transaction advisors to assist in the divestiture of four SOEs finance ministry souces confirmed. .

They are Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd., Hotel Developers Lanka Ltd (Hilton Hotel Colombo), Canwill Holdings Ltd (Grand Hyatt Hotel), and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd including Litro Gas Terminals Ltd (LPG retailing).

The short listing follows the evaluation of the about a dozen Expression of Interests (EOIs) received by the Standing Cabinet Appointed Consultant Procurement Committee of the State Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit, within the Finance Ministry.

The short listed for the advisory role in Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation are Asia Securities, Capital Alliance, Deloitte, PwC and CT CLSA.

For Hotel Developers, the shortlisted are Asia Securities, Capital Alliance, Platinum, Deloitte, and PwC.

For Canwill Holdings, the parties are Asia Securities, Capital Alliance, Platinum, Deloitte and PwC. For Litro the shortlisted are Asia Securities, Capital Alliance, Platinum, Deloitte, PwC and NDB.

The deadline for EOIs was extended till May6 from the original date of April 27 based on multiple requests. 

A report published by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce stated that 83% of the profit of all the SOE’s are generated by six entities, and 97% of the losses are made by five entities in 2020.

 This report went on to state that 52 SOE’s had absorbed Rs. 920 billion worth of bank credit, in addition to Rs. 75 billion worth of support from the Treasury.

The restructuring of loss making SOE’s can help curtail Government expenditure and guaranteed credit. Profitable SOE’s can be a strong source of tax revenue for the Government while boosting foreign investor confidence and, help attract more FDI, several economic experts said.  

The restructuring of loss making SOE’s can help curtail Government expenditure and guaranteed credit. Profitable SOE’s can be a strong source of tax revenue for the Government.

Political consensus is key to successful SOE reform, and broader economic reform, which are prerequisite to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. 

Sri Lankan politicians have not demonstrated the ability to build political consensus on key economic strategy, and this is a contributor to our economic destruction. 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has demonstrated his commitment to the reform process. He needs the support of his Government and the Opposition if successful economic reform is to be implemented.

After three years of pandemic travel restrictions, manmade economic crisis and skyrocketing energy costs, tourism is back with a vigor to boost Sri Lanka forex reserves as sun-seekers make up for lost time.

Early bookings suggest the island nation could receive record tourism revenues this year, helping replenish state coffers depleted by rising debt interest payments and the cost of living crisis.

What’s more, there appears to be growing demand for the luxury end of the spectrum. But Normalising Sri Lanka is likely to fail to keep the momentum of pre-crisis visitor arrivals in May. 

However, year-on-year is likely to finish better, but considering the pre-pandemic, the industry is underperforming, yourim ministry sources said. 

The industry however said the low arrivals in the months of May and June are not a new phenomenon and even during pre-COVID times this has been the same trend for tourist arrivals.

However, it is noteworthy that the numbers have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels and have not received visitors from the two countries that Sri Lanka Tourism has conducted multiple road shows in the post-pandemic years, severl senior officials at the ministry predicted. 

Sri Lanka has welcomed over 36,000 tourists during the first two weeks of the month, boosting the momentum to reach the monthly target of 75,989 arrivals.

The country received 36,100 tourists during the first 14 days of the month, comprising 18,401 during the first week and 17,699 in the second week – recording the lowest arrivals in 2023 so far.

The first two weeks’ arrivals have also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 477,277, propelling the impetus to continue in the year 2023. 

After regaining its place as the top source market last month, India continues to grow reflecting 26% or 9,323, followed by Russia with 10% or 3,686, the United Kingdom with 7% or 2,523, Germany with 6% or 2,179 and Australia with 5% or 2,075.

In addition, tourists were also received from China, Canada, the US, France and the Maldives, the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.

 Russia remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 98,233 or 21% followed by India with 75,670 or 16%, the UK with 39,377 or 8% Germany with 35,432 or 7% and France with 23,473 or 5%.

During the shoulder season, Sri Lanka Tourism is stepping up its efforts to draw more Chinese and Indian travellers. 

A team led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando along with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu will participate at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF), and conduct a roadshow in multiple cities including Kunming, Beijing and Shanghai this week. 

Tourism earnings in the first four months of 2023 were at $ 696.3 million, reflecting a 17.8% increase from the corresponding period of last year, whilst April earnings stood at $ 166.5 million, the latest Central Bank data released showed.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry accounts for close to 5% of its economy. The industry is hopeful of achieving its upwardly revised target of two million visitors and an income of over $ 3 billion in 2023.