The Committee on Parliamentary Business two days ago (21) granted approval to the proposal presented by Narendra Fernando, Serjeant-at-Arms of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, to give school children the opportunity to visit Parliament and observe debates on the days Parliament is in session.
Accordingly, school children have the opportunity to observe the Parliament debates live from the public gallery from the Parliament Chamber.
Restrictions on visiting Parliament due to the Covid-19 pandemic and security reasons, were eased from last September 20th, but the opportunity was not made available on days when Parliament is in session.
Accordingly, school authorities can apply by way of forwarding a letter to the Serjeant-at-Arms, via fax (0112777473/ 0112777335) or online through the website www.parliament.lk
The President as a philanthropic democratic leader has set a great example to the world – Chancellor of the Ruhuna University, Ven. Dr Akuratiye Nanda Thera
As a democratic leader, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has set a valuable example to the world by passing the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, said Ven. Akuratiye Nanda Thera, Chancellor of the Ruhuna University.
He said during a sermon of the Katina Maha Punyotsavaya of the Sedawatta, Veragoda Purana Viharaya, which was held this morning (22) under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He also noted that this action taken by the president to relinquish the dictatorial powers of the presidency to the parliament will surely lead to the development of the country.
This annual Katina Pinkama was organized on the directives of Ven. Ambanwela Gnanaloka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the temple.
The Katina Cheevaraya was brought to the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (21) in a procession and placed there for the staff members of the Presidential Secretariat to pay their respects.
President Wickremesinghe participating in the Katina Pinkama rituals this morning, also took part in the Katina Cheevara Pooja and offered almes to the monks.
Ven. Akuratiye Nanda Thera further said, “Today, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is respected globally as a benevolent democratic leader. Today the whole world is watching us.
It is a very important process at a time when the President is preparing to start a new era in this country, by transferring his powers to the Parliament in a democratic framework and having the 22nd Amendment passed by a 2/3 majority. It is very important because all the democratic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank etc. are watching us today.
By February and March of 2022, the future of this country was looking bleak. The people of the country were in a dilemma. At that challenging time, our President rose to the challenge and accepted it with the will the blessings of the ruling party and the opposition.
During that time the country was facing food shortages, food production was reduced due to the lack of fertilizer. There were fuel queues and gas queues. However, President Wickremesinghe took on all these challenges and won and today the people of this country have been given some relief.
Further, due to the constitutional amendment passed by the majority vote in parliament, it has paved the way to ensure a democratic society and by empowering the parliamentary committees, it has paved the way to render great service to the nation. Today, a number of organizations including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have promised the President to support Sri Lanka in overcoming these challenges.
We are all passing a very difficult period. However, when we look at our past, these are not novel situations. During the rule of King Walagamba, due to the arrival of Baminithiyasaya, the Buddha sasanaya was under threat. But, just as the country was saved then by the grace of the Triple Gem, the country will be saved even now. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has accepted the challenge of taking this country out of this dire predicament, which is like the silver lining of a dark cloud. Therefore, the people can now breathe a sigh of relief.
It is because of the support of those people who were in the opposition party for a long time that today, the President is being admired by everyone and is working as the president of this country.
This action taken by him by decentralizing the dictatorial powers of the presidency and giving it to parliament, will undoubtedly lead to the development of this country.
Also, our president is a very religious person and an avid reader. A person who lives according to the Dharma, he devotes 18 hours of the day for the country, his service to the country must be appreciated. I wish the President good health.”
The Maha Sangha led by the Chief Prelate of the historical Somavathi Rajamaha Viharaya and the registrar of the Malwatu Temple, Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Thera, Ven. Palpola Vipassi Thera, the Chief Sanghanayake of Japan, State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, former Minister Daya Gamage, former State Minister Anoma Gamage and other dignitaries from the area and a group of devotees including the Donor Council of the Viharaya were present on this occasion.
A mega musical concert will be held with artists from Bangalore, India in Sri Lanka in a move to promote the island nation’s tourism sector and recover the dollars lost, said State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage, speaking to a briefing held at the Department of Government Information yesterday (22).
“The initial launch will be in Bangalore on the 12th of next month. That being said, there will be a cricket match between our artists and artists from Bangalore. Its second phase will be held in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, we are hoping to hold the event in Jaffna on December 08. We have already reserved the Dureiappa Stadium in Jaffna in this regard. A mega musical concert will be held in Jaffna,” Gamage revealed.
The Minister continued: “The concert will be held in a collaboration between our singers and singers from their country. A massive crowd will come from India to witness the event. We are doing all these to recover the dollars we lost.”
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, and heavy showers above 100 mm may be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (23).
Showers or thundershowers may occur elsewhere over the Island during the afternoon or night.
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 times over the sea areas around the Island.
Winds:
Winds will be North-westerly or westerly. Wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara will be fairly rough at times and other sea areas around the island will be moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Air France and Royal Dutch Airlines to resume 4 flights to Sri Lanka from 4th November: previously, Russia’s Aeroflot also resumed flights to Sri Lanka after halting flights due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Central Bank “prints” another Rs.29 bn last week to bring the total T-Bills issued during Gov. Weerasinghe’s 196-day tenor so far to a staggering Rs.683 bn, at an average of Rs.3.5 bn per day: in comparison, during Gov. Cabraal’s tenure, the average was Rs.2.2 bn per day: increase – 59%.
Chancellor of Ruhuna University Ven Akuratiye Nanda Thera says President Wickremesinghe has set an example to the world by the 22nd Amendment which relinquishes dictatorial powers of the Executive Presidency and empowers Parliament.
Tissamaharama Rice Producers Association Chairman W H Gamini says the rice mills have decided to stop buying paddy because of the additional 2.5% social security tax: warn that, as a result, around 75% of small and medium scale rice mills will close.
Fitch Ratings warns forex reserves are currently insufficient to cover even 1 month of imports: says shortage will not ease in the next 12-18 months: Forex reserves were USD 1,917 at end March 22, but has dropped to USD 1,777 at end September, even after defaulting on debt, rationing fuel and stopping “on-account” payments.
Presidential Debt Advisor Dr Shantha Devarajan says the government must not treat tax policies as a “complicated” matter: says people should be consulted about taxes: previously, he recommended Sri Lanka’s debt default and said it will be a “soft” default if announced earlier.
Professor of Geology at the Peradeniya University Atula Senaratne says the 5-km long bund of the “Yoda Wewa” in Mannar has a number of cracks, some of which were as wide as 3 inches.
Expert in Maritime Law Dr. Malika Gunasekera says Sri Lankan authorities should claim further pollution damages from the MV X-Press Pearl disaster: also says DG of Merchant Shipping should obtain a bank guarantee for the full claim before the wreck is released to the salvage company.
College of Oncologists say 4,447 breast cancer cases were identified in 2019: approximately 12 cases and 2 deaths per day, on average.
Colombo Stock Market investors skeptical over prospects, last week: ASPI declines 408 points (4.49%): daily turnover drops to an average of Rs.1,620 mn from Rs.2,564 mn the previous week.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium conducted an event on 18 October 2022 to celebrate the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status granted to Ceylon Cinnamon specifically for Ceylon Cinnamon quills, Ceylon Cinnamon powder, Ceylon Cinnamon leaf oil, and Ceylon Cinnamon bark oil by the European Union (EU) in February 2022, and to promote Ceylon Cinnamon in Belgium. The event was attended by officials of the European Commission’s Directorates-General, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the Belgian government, as well as representatives of business entities that are engaged in importing or using cinnamon in their various products in Belgium and media agencies.
Director, International Affairs of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) of the European Commission, John Clarke, who handles the PGI status for products, attended as a special guest. The objective of the event was to create awareness of the Ceylon Cinnamon with PGI status, which has been recognized as true cinnamon of high quality in the world cinnamon market. The European region largely uses Cinnamon Cassia, which is a cheaper substitute for Ceylon Cinnamon.
Ambassador Grace Asirwatham provided an introduction to the PGI status for Ceylon Cinnamon and the benefits that it presents to the producers, exporters, importers, and consumers in the EU region. The Ambassador said that Ceylon Cinnamon was a legacy and pride of Sri Lanka and added that while promoting Ceylon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka would like to share the inspiring story of Ceylon Cinnamon with the world. Further, the Ambassador said that Sri Lanka, being the true home of Ceylon Cinnamon, which holds 80% of the world market for Ceylon cinnamon, was confident that it would use the PGI status to penetrate into niche market segments in the EU and international markets.
The highlight of the Ambassador’s presentation was the detailed explanation of the differences between Ceylon Cinnamon and Cinnamon Cassia, stressing Ceylon Cinnamon’s high quality, distinctive production process, unique flavor and aroma, slender-thickness of cinnamon quills, delicate taste and properties that contribute to many health benefits, and the important characteristic of the ultra-low level of coumarin, which makes it a healthier choice for consumers. In his address to the gathering, Director John Clarke congratulated Sri Lanka and appreciated the efforts being made to make maximum use of PGI status to increase exports of Ceylon Cinnamon to the EU region.
During the business promotional event, profiles of thirteen (13) Sri Lankan companies were shared and their product samples were displayed for promotion among the potential importers and distributors in Belgium. The Sri Lankan companies associated with the event as coordinated by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce include Verger Naturals (Pvt) Ltd., Elpitiya Plantations Plc, Lak Cinnamon Planters & Exporters Group (Pvt) Ltd., A. Baur & Company (Pvt) Ltd., Samagi Organics (Pvt) Ltd., Diamond International Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Sanjeewaka Ayurvedic Products (Pvt) Ltd., Hddes Extracts (Pvt) Ltd., New Lanka Cinnamon (Pvt) Ltd., Silvermill, Ceyla Organics (Pvt) Ltd., Cinnamon One (Pvt) Ltd, and Enrich Tea & Food Exports (Pvt) Ltd.
Sri Lanka exports around 18,000MT of Ceylon Cinnamon to the world market, of which 45% is imported by South American countries and 14% by the US. The European region imports as little as 10% of Ceylon Cinnamon as it has been accustomed to using Cinnamon Cassia. The EU PGI status for Ceylon Cinnamon is a significant tool to differentiate Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU market from its substitutes of lower quality. It will act as a source of competitive advantage, which will help to increase market differentiation and product turnover and allow for a premium price from the consumer. A coordinated and intense action plan is needed to promote EU PGI quality-certified Ceylon Cinnamon in all EU countries in order to develop a competitive position and enhance Ceylon Cinnamon’s market share in the European market.
At a formal ceremony held on 19 October 2022 at the Mexican Cultural Centre in Washington D.C., Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe presented copies of his credentials to the Ambassador of Mexico to the US Esteban Moctezuma, as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Mexico with residence in Washington D.C.
At the meeting held after the presentation, Ambassador Samarasinghe conveyed his strong determination to work hard and reinvigorate the relations between the two countries to a greater height for mutual benefit. He mentioned that currently, Mexico is the 15th export destination for Sri Lankan products with a favorable trade balance towards Sri Lanka, and in the future a greater focus will be given to further expanding the investment and trading opportunities between the two countries.
Explaining the ongoing financial constraints and related developments in Sri Lanka, Ambassador Samarasinghe emphasized the GoSL’s commitment to overcoming the current challenges with the support of its trusted bilateral and international partners, including Mexico. Furthermore, given that Mexico is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, the Ambassador briefed his counterpart on recent developments relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights and steps taken toward reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Moctezuma stated that a formal occasion to present credentials by Ambassador Samarasinghe to the President of Mexico will be arranged soon, and in the meantime, from today onwards, Ambassador Samarasinghe will be able to freely operate in executing his duties as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Mexico. He stated that Mexico, with a robust supply chain, maintains a strong economic partnership with the US and several key economies in the region and requested Sri Lanka to take advantage of Mexico’s bilateral and multilateral trading platforms to expand its presence in the region.
Senior Diplomatic staff attached to the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mexico in Washington DC were also present at the occasion.
The Secretary General of the Parliament says that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Sarath Weerasekera has voted against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in the third reading.
After the third reading vote held yesterday (21) evening, the speaker announced the result as 174 votes in favor of the bill, 0 votes against and one member who did not vote.
According to the new statement of the Parliamentary Secretary General, the result changes to 174 votes in favor of the bill and one against it.
