Although Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa had mentioned at a recent media briefing that he was seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund, the letter sent to the institute had stated that a delegation from the International Monetary Fund had been sent to Sri Lanka for a training program, said Samagi Jana Balawewa MP Harsha de Silva.
Dr. Harsha de Silva stated this while expressing his views to the media yesterday (03).
Sri Lanka and Denmark have both expressed interest in exploring the possibilities of collaborating on projects in the renewable energy sector. The discussion took place when the newly appointed Ambassador of Denmark to Sri Lanka Freddy Svane called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning at Temple Trees.
Ambassador Svane told the Prime Minister that there is a lot of interest in Denmark to pursue investment in Sri Lanka. He said that in addition to manufacturing and dairy sectors, the renewable energy is another sector that could be explored.
The Sri Lankan delegation briefed the Ambassador about the Government’s policy to have 70% of the country’s energy consumption generated from renewable energy sources by 2030.
The Prime Minister encouraged the ambassador to promote Sri Lanka as an investment destination among Danish investors. The Ambassador said there are already plans to bring a business delegation from Denmark to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Svane is resident in New Delhi, India, and this is his second time being accredited to Sri Lanka. He served as Denmark’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2015 as well.
This year, we celebrate Sri Lanka’s 74th Independence Day amidst many great challenges. The challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has plagued the world for two years, are not insignificant.
Whilst historically, the people of this country had lost their freedom due to foreign invasions and separatist terrorism, today we have lost our freedoms due to the Covid pandemic which deprived us of the opportunity to develop the country for two years. The economy, education and livelihoods were completely overturned. However, as a nation that has sacrificed for freedom, we cannot allow this frustration to overcome us.
Although the world faced massive setbacks, we have also used all the positive steps taken globally to recover from the pandemic. We have already taken steps necessary to provide the population with all three vaccinations as a solution to the pandemic. It is this approach that has enabled us to recover from the pandemic to a great extent and return public life to a sense of normalcy.
Freedom is not something that ends with the victory. It is something that should be won day by day, and it is this fact that we must highlight on each Independence Day. However, I firmly believe that a nation inspired by hundreds of years of relentless struggle for freedom, is fully capable of remaining undaunted and facing up to this challenge as well. As a nation accustomed to unceasingly fighting for independence, on this Independence Day, let us resolve to overcome these challenges as well.
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
A couple has been injured after falling off a train near the 31st tunnel between Ohio and Idalgashinna on the ‘Udarata’ Railway.
It is said that the French couple had met with this accident last evening (03).
The two were admitted to the Diyatalawa Hospital with serious injuries after falling from the train. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the girl had fallen while attempting to take a selfie by hanging on the door of the train and that the young man had jumped to save her.
After the accident, they were taken to the Haputale Railway Station by the same train and from there they were taken to the Diyatalawa Hospital by ambulance.
Sources say that it is not yet certain whether Ranjani Ramanayake, a former Member of Parliament for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, who was convicted of contempt of court, will be released today (04) on a presidential pardon.
The main reason for this is that businessman Nissanka Senadhipathi, who coordinated as the main intermediary, is currently receiving treatment for covid infection.
It was also reported that the government was unhappy that a large scale publicity campaign was being organized by Ranjan Ramanayake’s friends and activists to commemorate his release.
Meanwhile, an intermediary had told us a few days ago that although there was some agreement on the release of Ranjan Ramanayake, it would not happen on February 04.
However, it will be known in a few hours whether Ranjan Ramanayake will be pardoned or not today.
Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs has stated that the government has no reason not to enforce the law against the son of Arundika Fernando in connection with the incident at the Ragama Medical Faculty and that what the people expected from the President as One Country – One Law is being fulfilled today.
“Minister Arundika has also made a statement. Something has happened. Now that child has been taken into custody. So we will enforce the law. We have no reason to hide the law. He could be the child of a minister or the child of an ordinary citizen, but he will be treated according to the One Country – One Law policy, which is what people expected from the President. It is happening today.
So I think if that child has done something wrong, he will be punished for it. If the child is innocent, the child should have the opportunity to prove his innocence in court. And what caused this incident? In some places, it is said that this is a matter of ragging. So we have to make very tough decisions when it comes to incidents related to ragging. And we can never approve of ragging. But thuggery cannot be used to prevent such things. That is why if a person has been a victim of this ragging, the law should be enforced. ”
Minister Namal Rajapaksa stated this while expressing his views to the media yesterday (03).
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal on Tuesday declared that the onus to boost foreign reserves and the economy lies with all and not solely on the Central Bank.
He made this remark during his address as the Chief Guest at the ceremonial launch of the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) status of National Savings Bank (NSB).
“For Sri Lanka to overcome the foreign exchange challenge, all relevant economic parties have to take responsibility,” Cabraal said.
He emphasised that the country had to ensure “exporters, importers, those who borrow money, those who payback their loans, those who remit monies are all active in a way that would support the country’s efforts to find stability.”
He maintained that the ‘main trust and function of the Central Bank is to ensure stability’, which is considered its primary function, but also noted that without growth, the country cannot prosper and move forward.
The RGTS status granted by the CBSL will enable NSB customers and its internal operations to transfer funds seamlessly and with the security and the supervision of CBSL.
Governor Cabraal noted that a specialised bank cannot gain the RTGS status without due process and commended the NSB for the achievement.
The Sri Lankan government will meet all debt repayments in 2022 and work on a more comprehensive plan to address its dwindling foreign exchange reserves, said central bank governor Nivard Cabraal on Wednesday (Jan 12).
Sri Lanka managed to boost its reserves to US$3.1 billion (S$4.2 billion) at the end of December, thanks to a yuan currency swap with China worth US$1.5 billion.
The government is also currently in talks with India and Qatar to obtain multiple credit lines and a currency swap arrangement, totalling around US$2.9 billion.
Sri Lanka needs to repay about US$4.5 billion in debt this year, starting with a US$500 million International Sovereign Bond (ISB) maturing on Jan 18 for which fund allocations have already been made, Mr Cabraal said.
“Not paying debt will push us into bigger challenges,” Mr Cabraal said during an event organised by the Department of Government Information.
“We need a more comprehensive, longer-term plan to address debt and other issues in the Sri Lankan economy. Not honouring ISBs will get Sri Lanka into a path of pain.”
Due to the pandemic, Mr Cabraal said the country has lost about US$9 billion in tourism revenue in the last two years, but he expected a pickup in tourism in the next two to three months would help rebuild reserves.
Even before the pandemic struck, tourism had fallen off in Sri Lanka as a result of the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 that targeted churches and hotels, and killed 267 people.
Mr Cabraal said the negotiations with India were at advanced stages. Sri Lanka is seeking a US$1 billion credit line, and a US$400 million swap arrangement with India, plus a US$500m credit line for fuel involving Indian Oil Corp, which has operations on the island.
The recent sharp increase in its energy import bill, due to surging global prices for oil and gas, has exerted more pressure on Sri Lanka’s reserves.
Discussions with Qatar for a US$1 billion credit line are also under way.
Mr Cabraal said the government could also look at a fresh loan from China, which is Sri Lanka’s fourth-biggest lender, behind international financial markets, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan.
Several analysts have said Sri Lanka may eventually need to go to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout – something the government has been reluctant to do.
“Approaching the IMF is not something to be taken lightly. The monetary board has had many discussions on this matter and we only see the IMF as one of many options,” Mr Cabraal said.
“Our view is that the path we are on is the most appropriate. The IMF is not a fix-all solution; it’s not a magic wand.”
The newly appointed High Commissioner- designate of Sri Lanka to Malaysia Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias assumed duties at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on 27 January, 2022.
The assumption of duties was marked by a simple yet elegant ceremony organized by the staff of the High Commission. Following religious observances, High Commissioner- designate assumed duties while Chief Prelates of the two main Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in Kuala Lumpur chanted Pirith in the background,.
Keeping up with the Sri Lankan traditions, ‘ Kiri ithiraweema ‘ was held , followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and sharing of “ Milk-rice’ and other Sri Lankan delicacies with the staff of the Mission.
Addressing the staff of the Mission, High Commissioner-designate, extended his gratitude to the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary for the mandate given to him to represent Sri Lanka’s interests in Malaysia.
Recalling the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, High Commissioner designate outlined his priorities and expectations and the need to enhance economic, political and people to people contacts between Sri Lanka and Malaysia. He specially stressed upon the duty of the High Commission to strive to find new and innovative ways to attract investments, enhance bilateral trade relations and promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, in order to assist Sri Lanka to overcome the challenges that our motherland is currently facing.
High Commissioner-designate Air Chief Marshal Sumangala Dias was the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Malaysia
03 February 2022
New UNFPA Representative presents credentials to the Honorable Foreign Minister
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (03 February 2022): Mr Kunle Adeniyi presented his credentials on 03 February 2022 to the Foreign Minister, Hon. G.L. Peiris, officially taking office as the new Representative for UNFPA Sri Lanka and Country Director for The Maldives.
Prior to this assignment, Mr Adeniyi served as the Country Representative of UNFPA in The Gambia.
A lawyer by profession, he brings nearly two decades of experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRH), human rights, public health and public policy.
Book by S. V. KIRUPAharan released “Reaching towards justice: Reality revealed”
A book in English and in Tamil has been released by France-based human rights activist cum Freelance research analyst S. V. Kirupaharan – KIRUPA. The book’s title is Reaching towards justice: Reality revealed – a Socio-politico-historical perspective.
Due to the sudden rise of the Covid pandemic in Europe, the book launch supposed to take place in the French capital Paris on 14th January 2022 in a grand-hall with many well known human rights activists, journalists, lawyers, members of parliament, academics, educationalists, professionals, friends and others, was postponed indefinitely.
However, the book was released, after handing over the copies in English and Tamil to a few important individuals in Europe and UK.
According to Kirupaharan, his book “Reaching towards justice: Reality revealed” contains selected articles of his decades of writings in English and Tamil published in well-reputed print, as well as electronic/online media around the world.
The books are dedicated to his parents late Mr Visuvalingam, retired Education Advisor to the Education department in the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka and late Padmasani Visuvalingam. Also the book is dedicated to his wife Deirdre McConnell who encouraged and helped Kirupa to bring out this book. The cover of the book was designed by Deirdre, based on the idea and wish of Kirupaharan. It is called ‘Kirupa with his protectors’.
The books in English and in Tamil do not consist of exactly the same articles, except a few which are the same in both.
The contents of the book include: (1) UN and international affairs; (2) Concerning Sri Lanka; (3) Concerning India; (4) General Subjects and (5) Media coverage (both applauding & critical) and old paper cuttings matters including writings from his teenage years.
Kirupaharan said that this book is published to give information to the future generation, to provide further educational material for those who have knowledge about the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and to explain possible ways forward on the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
Kirupaharan is a member of many internationally reputed media and human rights associations in Europe, United Kingdom and other countries. He is the founder General-Secretary of the Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR established in France in 1990.
Endorsements were written to the English book by : Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama, (Rappoteur UN-sponsored Judicial Integrity Group; formerly Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka and Associate Professor of Law); – Prof. V. Elaguppillai, (Emeritus Professor of Carlton University, Canada; University of Penang, Malaysia; University of Zambia and Senior Scientist (Retired) Atomic Energy Commission, Canada); and Chandima Withana, (Managing Editor, LNW Media Network Ltd, London / Colombo).
The Tamil book was endorsed by Mr V Thevaraj, (well known Tamil journalist, former Editor in Chief of ‘Virakesari Weekly Section’ and Managing Director and Editor in Chief of ‘Voice of World Network Pvt Ltd); Mr Bharathy Rajanayagam, (veteran Tamil journalist and former Editor of ‘Thinakural weekly section’); and the IBC News group (IBC Tamil TV, Radio, LankaSri, Tamilwin,etc)
In his acknowledgements Kirupa thanked all the media which have published his writings and individuals who have encouraged him over many years to publish this document. Special thanks were given to all those who supported his daily routine tasks directly and indirectly from various countries.
