Sri Lanka will adopt first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security with support of Japan and UN Women.
Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki and UN Women in Sri Lanka Head Ramaaya Salgado recently presented Sri Lanka’s first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) to State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe.
“This action plan provides a clear road map to provide targeted support for women who have been affected by conflict and crises. Its adoption is a critical step forward in ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in recovery efforts,” said State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe.
As the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security goes into its 22nd year, its reach – both globally and regionally – has grown significantly, with an increasing number of countries formulating and implementing National Action Plans developed in consultation with G7 countries’ representatives in Sri Lanka including Japan, women’s groups and civil society.
With its own National Action Plan now ready for Cabinet adoption, Sri Lanka stands poised to join the number of states committed to implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda which calls for greater participation of women in peace building and recovery efforts.
Emphasizing this, UN Women Sri Lanka Head of Office Ramaaya Salgado noted, “Peace and development can only be sustainable when women have an equal seat at the table and when their voices are included in decisions that affect their lives.”
The National Action Plan is based on consultations in each of the 25 districts with women who were directly and indirectly affected by conflict, local government officials, and representatives from civil society and local activists.
It was developed with technical support from UN Women as part of a three-year joint partnership between the Government of Japan, the Government of Sri Lanka and UN Women on the ‘Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Sri Lanka’ funded by the Government of Japan.
Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi emphasized, “The Government of Japan encourages the timely adoption of this National Action Plan by the Cabinet and hopes its implementation to ensure practical measures for protection and empowerment of women in Sri Lanka.”
The adoption of the National Action Plan will provide a key framework to address issues affecting women and girls in Sri Lanka, as it is very much relevant to how Sri Lanka adapts and responds to the crisis and its challenges.
SL adopts National Action Plan on Women with Japanese assistance
Cabinet grants approval for proposal on strengthening laws against sexual harassment
The Cabinet has reportedly granted approval to strengthen legal provisions against sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual sexual bribery, and to include severe punishment for those found guilty of such acts.
The Cabinet approval was granted to a proposal presented by the Justice Minister.
Accordingly, the proposal suggests that the legal draftsman be instructed to prepare a bill to include articles in the Penal Code criminalising sexual assault and all forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is recognised as a violation of fundamental human rights, which is categorically stated in Section 345 of the Penal Code.
The proposed bill also calls for introducing a new section to serve severe punishment for those committing sexual offences and also make sexual bribery an offence.
The move comes in following many reports of sexual violence and harassment in the country despite such legal provisions being already enacted.
MIAP
CB warns SL public not to be caught in internet and social media scams
Public awareness in relation to defrauding individuals through scam calls, text messages, email messages and social media networks.
In recent times, a rapid increase in the number of complaints filed by aggrieved parties has been observed in relation to defrauding money from individuals by giving false information through fraudulent phone calls, text messages, e-mail messages and social media networks, promising to direct them to foreign employment or asking them to pay customs duties to receive parcels containing various valuable goods.
Therefore, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) hereby emphasizes to the public not to deposit money into the bank accounts of unknown parties or remit money through other means based on the above information, without proper verification.
Further, the scammers who engage in such practices, may request the following information from you in order to proceed with such transactions: • Personal Identification Number (PIN); • Card Verification Values (CVV) used to authenticate payment cards as stated on the back of the cards; • One-Time Passwords (OTP) used to authenticate transactions; • User IDs, Passwords and OTPs used in mobile banking/internet banking.
Therefore, the FIU further emphasizes to the public that such confidential information should not be shared with any third party and to be vigilant of such scams. Also, providing such details will surely make you/your family member/your close friend, a victim of a financial scam. If you receive these types of phone calls or text messages, please inform the FIU through 011-2477125 or 011-2477509.
The Central Bank has received information regarding several types of financial frauds and scams being operated through social media, and Internet-based applications. Recently, an increase of these types of scams has been observed.
Most of these scams are conducted through easy loan schemes that attract the public. During such fraudulent loan approval processes, the fraudsters lure the public to share confidential customer information such as their bank account numbers and the customer’s personal identification numbers.
The fraudsters then use such confidential information to access customer accounts and steal customers’ money.
The public is reminded to obtain real-time notification services, such as SMS alerts from their Banks or non-bank financial institutions such as finance companies, so that they would become aware of any fraudulent activity that takes place using their accounts, instantly.
The Central Bank strongly advises the public to be vigilant about these frauds and scams and not to share any confidential information, especially account usernames, passwords, PINs, OTPs or other information required for account verification, with anyone.
Such information must be used only by the customer who owns the account. Customers must also carefully read the terms and conditions of any financial product or service, before accepting them.
Education Ministry makes announcement on enrolment of students for Grade 01 and Advanced Levels
The enrolment of Grade 01 students is carried out by each school and the Ministry of Education has no involvement in the process, the Ministry said in a statement.
In the meantime, students applying for Advanced Levels based on their 2022 Ordinary Levels Examination results from schools that have no Advanced Level Education ought to submit their applications directly to schools that do have Advanced Level Education, and no application shall be sent to the Ministry given that the Ministry of Education makes no interference in the application process, it added.
The enrolment of students for intermediate classes in 2022 has stopped effective from 05.12.2022 which commenced the third term of this year. Accordingly, the enrolment of students for intermediate classes in 2022 will be carried out by considering the applications sent to fill out vacancies in schools after the end of the third term of 2022 on March 24, 2023.
As of now, the aforementioned affairs are being carried out solely based on the circulars issued by the Ministry in this regard, the announcement added.
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Parliament to meet on Jan 05 next year
The Committee on Parliamentary Business concluded yesterday (12) that following the Parliament sitting today (13), Parliament will convene again on January 05, 2023, revealed Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake.
Accordingly, Parliament is scheduled to meet on Thursday, January 05, 2023 at 9.30 am and the time from 9.30 am to 10.30 am has been allotted for Questions for Oral Answers.
Subsequently, from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, it was also decided to hold the second reading debate of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill and the Recovery of Possession of Premises Given on Lease Bill, the Parliament Secretary General said.
Following the aforementioned events, according to the motion to be moved by government, the debate at the adjournment time, will be held from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Meanwhile, as previously decided, today (13) from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm has been reserved for Questions for Oral Answers.
Then, it has been decided to present the motion for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament to investigate in to incidents of infringe of privileges of the Members of Parliament and of the Parliament and to make suitable recommendations in that regard will be presented. The committee has also decided to present the motion to appoint a Select Committee on Parliament to make suitable recommendations over the expansion of higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka.
The selection of youth representatives required for the Sectoral Oversite Committees (SOCs) has also been discussed in the committee.
The Secretary General added that it is expected to prepare a data bank of young representatives who are interested in joining the Sectoral Oversite Committees and who have expertise in each subject area. The committee also agreed to complete and publish the necessary translations of newspaper advertisements related to the calling of applications from the youth community, he noted.
After the formation of the Sectoral Oversite Committees, youth representatives are expected to be called from the data bank as needed, Dasanayake further said.
MIAP
Public awareness on defrauding individuals through scam calls, text messages, emails and social media: CBSL
A public awareness event will be held in relation to defrauding individuals through scam calls, text messages, email messages and social media networks, said the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in a statement.
In recent times, a rapid increase in the number of complaints filed by aggrieved parties has been observed in relation to defrauding money from individuals by giving false information through fraudulent phone calls, text messages, e-mail messages and social media networks, promising to direct them to foreign employment or asking them to pay customs duties to receive parcels containing various valuable goods, the statement said.
It added that therefore, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has emphasised to the public not to deposit money into the bank accounts of unknown parties or remit money through other means based on the above information, without proper verification.
Full statement: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/press/pr/press_20221212_e_scams_e.pdf
Veteran Singer Nihal Nelson passes away
Veteran Singer and Songwriter Nihal Nelson has passed away aged 76.
His demise was reportedly due to an accident occurred at his home this morning (13).
Nelson was known for many Sinhala hits, including Kiridunne Daruwantai, Lassanata Pipunu Wanamal, Salli Miti Ganan, Gune Aiyage Bajaw Daana Kaamare, Paththarawala Wistharawala and Kavadi Baila.
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Northern and Eastern Provinces to meet showers or thundershowers
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern and Eastern provinces and in Anuradhapura and Puttalam districts during the afternoon or night, and mainly fair weather will prevail most parts of the Island elsewhere, said the Department of Meteorology in a statement today (13).
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 off the coast extending from to Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar, Kankasanthurai & Mullaitivu. |
| Winds: |
| Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. The wind speed can increase up to 40 kmph at times in the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar. |
| State of Sea: |
| The sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar will be moderate. Other sea areas around the island will be slight. |
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Ten Year National Tourism Policy to revitalize Sri Lanka Tourism
Sri Lanka Tourism now implements a strategic plan to double the arrivals to 1.5 million and to generate an income of over $ 5 billion highlighting the sector as a major economic driver. Tourism Minister Harin Fernando disclosed.
The tourism ministry has set an ambitious arrival target of 1.5 million tourists for next year and a 3 million arrivals target for 2024.
He also expressed confidence in achieving the 800,000 arrivals target of this year, banking on Sri Lankan diaspora who will come to visit their friends and family after two years post-COVID pandemic.
Minister Fernando said Sri Lanka is aiming to generate over 5 billion in income next year with high-end travelers who spend over $ 400 per day from the current $ 200.
He noted that the authorities along with private sector players are ramping up collective efforts to exploit all available opportunities to boost foreign exchange earnings via the tourism industry for a speedy economic revival.
The Tourism Development Authority will explore new markets such as Japan, Korea, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe countries, adding that plans are also underway to attract the many US tourists coming from India to Sri Lanka.
“It has identified 49 Tourism Zones and of that 14 have been gazetted and whilst the others will also be gazetted before the end of the year,” he said.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando said a 10-year national tourism policy will be introduced in early January.
The tourism industry is off to a promising start in December with the average daily arrivals exceeding 2,300 as opposed to 1,900 in November, marking it the highest since April.
Sri Lanka has welcomed 16,169 tourists during the first week of the month, largely driven by Russian travelers, the provisional data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.
The first week of December arrivals has also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 644,168, boosting anticipation among the tourism industry for a good start in the winter season which continues till the end of March 2023.
The daily average arrivals have picked up by 31% to 2,310 in the first week of the month, compared to 1,776 recorded in the first week of November.
Russia emerged as the top source market, reflecting 21% or 3,404 of total arrivals during the first seven days followed by India with 18% or 2,856, the United Kingdom with 10% or 1,519, Australia with 6% or 1,016, and Australia with 4% or 683.
The arrival of the luxury cruise liner, Azamara Quest, the resumption of many new international airlines and charter flights as well as the global promotions at the ITM Paris, Indian and WTM were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.
Sri Lanka, tax revenues surge 35 percent up to September 2022 in inflation
Sri Lanka’s tax revenues have surged 34.8 percent percent to RS.1.28 trillion up to September 2022 amid high inflation and non-tax revenues also brought in 119 billion US dollars, up 63 percent from a year ago, finance ministry data shows.
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to inflate to around 23.8 trillion rupees in 2022 from 16.8 trillion in 2021 as the currency depreciated and prices soared in an ‘inflationary blow off’ which is technically known as High Inflation Financial Repression (IFR).
The tax revenue increased by 34.8 percent to Rs. 1,283.4 billion mainly due to the receipts of the one-off Surcharge Tax.
The notable increase in tax revenue from income tax by 106.1 percent to Rs. 431.8 billion, VAT by 38.6 percent to Rs. 310.5 billion, Excise duty on liquor and cigarettes by 32.4 percent to Rs. 207.2 billion, and Ports and Airports Development Levy (PAL) by 18.7 percent to Rs.135.4 billion helped surge total government revenue, finance ministry mid year final report disclosed.
In the same vein, non-tax revenue increased significantly by 66.8 percent to Rs. 165.1 billion during the first nine months of 2022 reflecting the increase of sales and charges and Central Bank profit transfers.
The revenue generated from domestic consumption-based taxes increased by 38.1 percent to Rs. 401.0 billion in the first nine months of 2022, compared to Rs. 290.5 billion recorded in the same period of 2021.
This was mainly due to the increase in VAT on domestic activities by 44.7 percent to Rs. 193.8 billion.
Meanwhile, revenue from the tax on liquor increased by 32.2 percent to Rs. 124.6 billion reflecting the increase in excise duty rates on liquor introduced by the Budget 2022 and the successful implementation of the security features and security features management system with effect from January 2022.
Revenue generated from cigarettes increased by 32.6 percent to Rs. 82.6 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due to the revision of excise duty on cigarettes in November 2021.
Revenue from import-based taxes increased slightly by 3.3 percent to Rs. 425.6 billion in the first nine months of 2022, compared to Rs. 411.9 billion recorded in the same period of 2021 mainly due to the increase in import-based VAT by 29.5 percent to Rs 116.7 billion and increase in Ports and Airports Development Levy (PAL) by 18.7 percent to Rs. 135.4 billion amidst the contraction in tax collection by Customs Import Duty (CID) and Special Commodity Levy (SCL).
Revenue from CID declined considerably by 29.4 percent to Rs. 36.6 billion in the first nine months of 2022 mainly due to the import restrictions imposed by the Government as a response to the foreign exchange crisis.
Revenue collection from SCL also declined considerably by 30.5 percent to Rs. 29.2 billion in the same period of 2022 due to the downward revisions of SCL rates on selected commodities to provide a cushion for stabilizing domestic prices.
Revenue collected from Commodity Export Subsidy Scheme (CESS) Levy also fell marginally by 6.5 percent to Rs. 52.8 billion in the first nine months of 2022.