Minister of External Affairs Manusha Nanayakkara has held discussions with the top management of government and private banks regarding the possibility of giving more benefits to migrant workers when sending money legally through the banking system.
The Minister requested for additional benefits in addition to the current benefits of sending money through the banking system and it is said that a positive response has been received from the bank representatives.
Accordingly, more attention has been paid to providing low-interest housing loans to migrant workers.
It is reported that the Minister of Mass Media and Transport Bandula Gunawardena has also participated in this occasion and his proposals have also been submitted to the bank representatives.
A three-judge bench of the Colombo High Court yesterday (23) ordered the release on bail of nine Army intelligence officers accused in the case of the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
Suresh, a former LTTE cadre, was also a witness in the case. The court also ordered that the member be remanded until the 27th. This is due to giving false evidence before the court.
The case was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Sanjeewa Moraes (Chairman), Damith Thotawatte and Mahen Weeraman.
It is reported that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to the request of the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to extend the tenure of the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Nandalal Weerasinghe.
The Secretary to the President had telephoned the Secretary to the Prime Minister yesterday (23) and inquired as to why the letter regarding the extension of Nandalal Weerasinghe’s service had not been sent yet. The Secretary to the Prime Minister immediately discussed with the Prime Minister and informed the Secretary to the President within an hour that the letter of extension would be sent today (24).
Accordingly, Nandalal Weerasinghe is to be re-appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank for a period of 6 years from July 2022.
Large-scale rice mill owners have been making huge profits of Rs. 33-53 per kilo of rice in recent days, said the National Organizer of the All Ceylon Agrarian Federation, Namal Karunaratne.
“Yesterday the owners of large-scale mills shouted that they all got paddy for Rs. 117. It means they have bought a bundle of paddy for Rs. 7500. If so, when you buy a bundle of paddy at 7500, a kilo of paddy is only 117. After buying a kilo of paddy at 117, the cost of making a kilo of rice is adjusted according to this formula, and it would be Rs. 207. The kilo of rice that can be given for Rs. 207 is what one mill owner sells for Rs. 270 and the other for Rs. 250. How can that happen? This is the reality. ”
Namal Karunaratne stated this addressing a media briefing held yesterday (23).
Muditha Peiris, Chairman of Litro Gas, said that two ships carrying 7,000 metric tons of gas will arrive in Sri Lanka between July 05 and 12.
Accordingly, the distribution of gas will commence as soon as the stocks are received, he said.
“A large ship is coming to the Maldivian sea from Oman between the 10th and 15th. It is a ship with a capacity of over 25,000 tons. From there, small ships continue to supply gas to Kerawalapitiya to meet Sri Lanka’s gas needs. Up to 100,000 tons ordered will be delivered in that manner, ”he said.
A bilateral meeting took place between Minister of Foreign Affairs G.L. Peiris and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Local Government of New Zealand Nanaia Mahuta, 22 June on the sidelines of the CHOGM Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
Foreign Minister Peiris briefed his New Zealand counterpart about the staff level discussions currently taking place with the IMF in Colombo and the support which the country is receiving from bilateral donors as well as multilateral institutions in respect of supplies of food, fuel and medicines. He underlined the importance of bridging finance during the next few weeks. The New Zealand Foreign Minister agreed to look into the possibility of support from New Zealand and the Commonwealth.
Minister Peiris requested the assistance of New Zealand with regard to the development of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry and agro based industries with a particular reference to the supply chain and logistics. Minister Peiris explained how the economic challenges in Sri Lanka have been aggravated by the impact of COVID-19.
The two Ministers discussed cooperation in the fields of higher education and vocational education with an emphasis on disciplines like computer and information technology intended to make education more relevant from the standpoint of livelihoods. They also discussed cooperation in ocean related issues, given the importance both Sri Lanka and New Zealand attach to matters such as climate change, global warming and conservation of ocean resources.
The two Ministers shared thoughts about the future of the Commonwealth as a force for the good of humanity in the modern world.
Foreign Minister also held bilateral discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations of Dominica Dr. Kenneth Melchoir Darroux on closer collaboration with the Caribbean region in the fields of trade, tourism and working together in international fora.
A meeting between Minister of Tourism and Lands of Sri Lanka, Harin Fernando and the Travel Agents of France was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Airlines at the Embassy Premises on 20June, 2022 to promote Sri Lanka Tourism in France.
The event commenced with a beguiling audio visual titled: “Sri Lanka at a Glance”. Welcoming the guests, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the French Republic and the Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO, Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama expressed that tourist arrivals from France breathes life to the Sri Lanka tourism industry, strengthening bilateral relations and people-to-people contact of two nations. She further added that Sri Lanka is a resilient nation which will overcome the current challenges and the friendship and solidarity extended by France was appreciated.
In his comprehensive presentation, Minister Fernando introduced Sri Lanka as a safe destination of historical monuments, natural wonders, unique lifestyles and delicious cuisine. The Minister urged a cross section of leading Travel Agents in France to encourage the friendly people of France to continue visiting Sri Lanka, which is known worldwide as one of the most exotic tourists’ destinations and assured the visitors of age-old traditional hospitality and warmth, despite the unprecedented times of difficulty.
He said that Sri Lanka is swiftly addressing all issues of concern with the assistance of its friends in the international community, and asked the visitors to have confidence in the people of Sri Lanka who would be pleased to see the solidarity of the French people at this juncture.
Aviation Manager, AVIAREPS (Sri Lankan Airlines), Philippe Boucolon made a presentation on ” Travel with Sri Lankan Airlines” covering all aspects of the national carrier.
More than Fifty Travel agents who are leading players in the tourism industry in France took part in the event. The interactive session of the event created a platform for France tour operators to sort out their issues, barriers and challenges directly and a digital screen at the venue played tourism promotion videos.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Indian Secretary to the Department of Economic Affairs Ajay Seth and Chief Economic Advisor to the Indian Government Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran.
In a Social Media remark, the Prime Minister noted that he held productive discussions with these parties and is looking forward to stronger bilateral ties between the two nations.
“I had a productive discussion with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Indian Secretary to the Department of Economic Affairs Ajay Seth and Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran. I look forward to stronger bilateral ties with India.”
I had a productive discussion with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Indian Secretary to the Department of Economic Affairs Ajay Seth and Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran. I look forward to stronger bilateral ties with India. pic.twitter.com/1Hnv5msA3q
Today, the UK government introduced plans for a British Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act. The Bill, which government claims will “strengthen freedom of speech and curb bogus human rights claims” will have a far reaching and deeply concerning impact on criminal justice rights in the country, in fact removing more rights than it will introduce.
“It’s perverse for the government to claim that it’s defending our freedoms and preserving the UK’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, when all it’s doing is removing human rights as a cornerstone of our constitution and our legal system” says Bruno Min, Fair Trials Legal Director.
“Contrary to what the government suggests, human rights obligations are not optional, nor should they be trumped by political whims. The Bill of Rights threatens the rights and freedoms of everyone, and it must be stopped at all costs.”
Based on a press release from the Ministry of Justice, the Bill will:
Ensure that courts cannot interpret UK laws in line with the ECHR where they appear to conflict with one another;
Make it optional for UK courts to choose whether or not to follow decisions by the European Court of Human Rights.
Remove human rights protections from foreign nationals convicted of crimes by making it easier to deport people who have strong family ties to the UK;
Prevent courts from placing certain ‘costly’ obligations on public authorities to protect human rights and limit the circumstances in which current obligations apply, for example, police forces having to notify gang members of threats towards them from other gangs.
Spell out that UK courts are not bound by interim measures from the European Court of Human Rights that can temporarily prevent extraditions and deportations to ensure that people’s human rights claims can be considered properly.
Min added “It’s deeply worrying that the government’s primary justification for undermining the UK’s commitment to the ECHR is its apparent disdain for criminal suspects, convicted people, and foreign nationals – people who are amongst the most vulnerable to political scapegoating and most in need of human rights protections. Human rights are for everyone, and it’s no business of the government to pick and choose who gets to benefit from them.”
On Tuesday, Fair Trials joined with Liberty and 150 other organisations to urge Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to ensure there is sufficient pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill.
