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The government that came to power to eradicate poverty is now eradicating the poor – Harshana

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The government that came to power to eradicate poverty is now eradicating the poor – Harshana

Although the present government came to power claiming to eradicate poverty, they are now eradicating the poor, says Samagi Jana Balawega MP Harshana Rajakaruna.

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“They came to eradicate poverty, but the people of this country did not think that they would eradicate the poor like this. The increase in fuel prices has led to an increase in the prices of all goods and services. What has Minister Basil Rajapaksa done when he came to power? What relief was provided? One thing has happened in the end. Whatever it is, he has been acquitted of his charges. We have to force this government to do nothing but provide relief to the people. ”

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Harshana Rajakaruna was speaking to the media during a protest in Dompe yesterday (24) against the increase in fuel prices.

03 police officers attached to the Thirukkovil Police Station shot dead by a police sergeant!

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03 police officers attached to the Thirukkovil Police Station shot dead by a police sergeant!

The Police Media Spokesman’s Office stated that three other police officers attached to the Thirukkovil Police Station were shot dead by a police sergeant last night (24).

The OIC of the Thirukkovil Police Station and another officer were injured in the shooting and were admitted to the Kalmunai Hospital.

The other injured officer is in critical condition and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

The shooter had surrendered to the Athimale police station about 80 km from the Thirukkovil police station with two firearms and ammunition. The motive for the shooting has not yet been revealed.

It is illegal to demand salary increments at this point. This is not the time to raise salaries – SB

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It is illegal to demand salary increments at this point. This is not the time to raise salaries – SB

SB Dissanayake, Member of Parliament for SLPP says that the current situation in the world is not an opportunity to increase salaries but to reduce them.

“The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a special report on Monday stating that global inflation, rising commodity prices have put a lot of pressure on two – thirds of the world’s population, and that people around the world are suffering from a shortage of goods. Prices of goods and inflation have now risen in Great Britain after 10 years. 

The World Bank says this crash was the worst in the world since 1870. J.P. Morgan, a world-renowned research firm, predicts that the world will face a major food shortage and consumer shortage next year. 

I also tell the government not to allow slogans, demands, pay rises and other such things to come to the fore at this time. Because this time in the world is not a time to raise wages, it is a time to reduce wages. It is illegal to do such things. That fact must be taken into account. “

SB Dissanayake stated this addressing a media briefing held at the SLPP Headquarters yesterday (24).

Selendiva Investments calls for EOIs to develop GOH, York Building

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Selendiva Investments calls for EOIs to develop GOH, York Building

Selendiva Investments Ltd. has called for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from foreign and local investors for the development of the over 150-year-old colonial heritage properties, the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH) and the York Building, which are part of the integral development in the proposed ‘Heritage Square’ in Colombo.

The objective of the initiative to refurbish and restore York Building which houses the famed and historically renowned GOH is to pay tribute to its former glory.

As per sources from the Finance Ministry, the refurbishment project is expected to have 110 luxury rooms, five conference rooms and five food and beverage (F&B) outlets. The building will also have 26 high-street retail outlets and 30 branded residents/suites.

The prospective investors should have a proven track record of investments in developing assets in the hospitality sector and the desire to partner with SOEs for its development. Interested investors should submit their EOIs on or before 10 January 2022.

Selendiva Investments Ltd. is a State-owned Enterprise (SOE) and has the Treasury Secretary of the Finance Ministry as the sole shareholder.

It was formed in 2020, following approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to restructure selected assets in the hospitality industry under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Selendiva Leisure Investments Ltd. – by attracting investors and operational experts.

The government has begun the surveying and assessing some of the 17, valuable land and property located in Colombo which is now up for long term lease under public private partnership for foreign and local investors to implement mega mixed development projects.

The aim is to make maximum use of buildings and lands surrounding the Colombo Port City as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Government is set to lease out hundred acres of prime land to Chinese companies in the Colombo Fort and Slave Island areas, as Beijing continues to seize strategic control of Sri Lanka’s capital city, its major highways, and ports, informed sources claimed.

The properties classified as the Colombo Fort Heritage Square investment portfolio include;Grand Oriental Hotel and York Building,Gafoor Building,Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Postal Department Head Office, the Hilton Colombo,Grand Hyatt Cinnamon Lakeside Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.. M.O.D. Cyber Operation Centre,and Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regiment Headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Cey Nor Restaurant along D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, the mega mixed development project of the Waters Edge Hotel and the International Coordination Centre in Kankesanturai in Jaffna and Police Headquarters are classified as the immovable property development investment portfolio.

Manager of the Cey Nor restaurant has said that some groups have visited the property, as it has been identified for an investment project.

It has already been revealed that valuable properties in Colombo are to be handed over for investment projects under an entity named Selendiva Investments.

“A paper tabled before the cabinet recently proposed to vest these real estate properties, through a Special Purpose Vehicle under an entity named Selendiva Investments.

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Rubber based export sector becomes one-billion-dollar Industry this year

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Rubber based export sector becomes one-billion-dollar Industry this year

Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 55.11% to US$ 1,215.6 Million in November 2021 compared to November 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs.

Exports maintained above one billion dollars for the fifth consecutive month in November this year.

EDB Chairman & CE, Suresh D. de Mel said, “Sri Lanka’s exports continued its remarkable achievement in November 2021, registering USD one billion monthly revenue.

The growth in exports was not only due to the effective prevention and control of the pandemic in Sri Lanka, but the commitment of exporter community to support the national economy by bringing in the much-needed foreign currency. I commend the exporters for their resilience and commitment at this time.

For the period of January to November 2021, merchandise exports increased by 22.39 % to US$ 11,116.68 Million compared to the corresponding period of 2020, following increased exports of almost all the major product sectors; Apparel & Textiles, Tea, Rubber-based products, Coconut based products, Electronics & Electronic Components, Spices and Concentrates, Food & Beverages, Seafood and Ornamental fish

Earnings from export of Apparel & Textile increased by 23.5% to US% 4,884.86 Mn during the period of January to November 2021 compared to the same period of 2020, export of apparel and woven fabrics expanded by 26.66% and 101.86% while exports of Made-Up Textile Articles and Yarn and other Textile Articles were down by 45.69% and 9.15%, respectively.

Export earnings from Tea increased by 7.6% to US$ 1,213.75 Mn during the period of January to November 2021 compared with the corresponding period of 2020. Exports of all the sub categories of tea sector; Tea packets, Bulk Tea, Tea bags, Instant Tea and Green Tea increased by 11.28%, 3.19%, 83.33%, 19.74% and 27.76% respectively during the period of January to November 2021 compared with the same period of 2020.

In parallel, export earnings from Rubber & Rubber finished products increased by 35.62 % to US$ 999.1 Mn in January – November 2021 compared with the same period of 2020 attributed to higher exports of Industrial & Surgical Gloves of Rubber (53.31%) and Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (40.41%).

For the period of January to November 2021, export earnings from Coconut & Coconut based products expanded by 25.77% to US$ 766.81 Mn from the same period last year.

Earnings from all the major categories of Coconut based products increased in the period of January – November 2021 compared with the corresponding period of 2020.

Meanwhile earnings from export of Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) increased by 31.6 % to US$ 384.5 Mn in the period of January to November 2021 compared to the corresponding period of 2020.

Export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils increased by 36.6% to US$ 412.9 Mn in the period of January to November 2021 compared to year 2020 due to the better performance in all the sub categories; Cinnamon (11.8%), pepper (139.5%), cloves (149.7%), nutmeg & mace (10.6) and Oleoresins (73.3%), etc.

Strong export performance were recorded for the 10 major export markets, which accounted for 63% of total merchandise exports during the period January to November 2021.

During the period of January to November 2021, exports to United States of America, Sri Lanka’s single largest export destination, increased by 22.1 % to US$ 2,768.67 Mn compared to the same period of 2020.

Private sector jointly expresses concern on currency shortage impact

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Private sector jointly expresses concern on currency shortage impact

Ten chambers of commerce and industry in a joint statement expressed serious concern over the impact of the foreign currency shortage in the country.

The organisations are Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, Chamber of Young Local Entrepreneurs, ICC Sri Lanka, National Chamber of Commerce, National Chamber of Exporters, Chamber of Construction Industry, Women Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Sri Lanka Apparel.

“They draw the attention of the Government to the difficulties faced by our member companies and the broader private sector in obtaining foreign currency to finance much-needed imports due to the prevailing situation with regard to the lack of availability of foreign currency.

This will affect in maintaining the credibility of doing business with our suppliers and business associates with whom they transact in foreign currency,” the joint statement said.

“At present, entrepreneurs are facing difficulties in obtaining foreign currency to finance much-needed imports due to the prevailing situation with regard to the lack of availability of foreign currency.

These range from not being able to obtain letters of credit to the inability to clear goods that have already arrived in the port due to delays experienced in honouring letters of credit. Further, this impact is also felt by indirect exporters and firms providing support services for exports.

“The ten chambers are concerned that while the importers themselves will face immense financial costs in the form of demurrage and other logistics-related costs, it will also affect longstanding relationships built with suppliers resulting in a serious and irreversible loss of confidence.

Importers are also unable to secure orders due to the inability to agree on a firm payment schedule as required by suppliers.

This will seriously impede the availability of essential products especially during the upcoming festive period during which consumer demand is typically high for most products.

This can cause great hardship to the public at large and may result in a significant increase in the cost of living.”

The 10 chambers also warned that the banking system would face difficulties as a result of not being able to meet the needs of their longstanding customers and could eventually experience a serious loss of reputation if they were compelled to dishonour committed payments.

The Government will also experience a loss of revenue due to a drop in import duties at a time when increasing government revenue is of paramount importance, the statement added.

Australia to support Sri Lanka in becoming an educational hub

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Australia to support Sri Lanka in becoming an educational hub

Sri Lanka is gearing up to become an educational hub in the South Asian with the assistance of the Australian Government 
Plans are afoot to implement a special project in collaboration with the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research & Innovations to develop vocational and professional skillsThe amount allocated for this project is 12 million Australian dollars

Visiting .Australian Minister of Home Affairs Karen Andrews  informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that assistance will be provided to Sri Lanka to become an educational hub in the region. 

Minister Andrews pointed out that this will be enabled by establishing educational institutions in Sri Lanka which provide facilities to students from other countries who wish to pursue degrees in Australia, to study basic stages of relevant courses in Sri Lanka. 

The Minister made these remarks during the meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (20). 

Andrews stated that the Australian Government intends to bring in Australian products to Sri Lanka to add value and re-export with the objective of developing Sri Lanka’s industries. 

Commending Sri Lanka’s policy on green agriculture, the Minister said that Australia was also interested in sustainable agriculture. 

The year 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Andrews lauded the actions taken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to further strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries. 

President Rajapaksa recalled the assistance provided by the Australian Government to the Covid-19 control programme in Sri Lanka by making a donation of 11.7 million Australian Dollars. 

When the President was the Secretary of Defence, an agreement was reached with the then Australian Minister of Defence, Scott Morrison, to prevent human trafficking. 

Expressing his pleasure over Scott Morrison’s current role as the Prime Minister of Australia, the President said that he expects a strong mechanism between the two countries to curb drug trafficking, piracy and human trafficking. 

Andrews said her government would continue to support the work of maintaining the stability of the Indian Ocean and would continue to monitor the security of the region. 

Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, called on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Monday and discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation on a broad spectrum of areas. 

Minister Peiris expressed satisfaction with Australia’s significant involvement in preventing people smuggling and transnational crimes in Sri Lanka as well as in the region. 

During Minister Andrews’ visit, the Sri Lanka Border Risk Assessment Centre (BRAC) at the Department of Immigration and Emigration was ceremonially inaugurated with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. 

Earlier in the day, both Ministers also signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Return and Readmission of Persons between Sri Lanka and Australia at the State Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Referring to Australia’s experience in vocational education, Foreign Minister Peiris sought Australia’s technical assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector. 

He also expressed keen interest in the proposed establishment of a Transshipment Hub in Sri Lanka to route Australian products through Sri Lanka to the other markets which would immensely benefit the Sri Lanka economy.

A Smart revolution from the Opposition Leader Sajith!

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A Smart revolution from the Opposition Leader Sajith!

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched a pilot program to donate digital computer boards (Smart Boards) and computers to the school system in Sri Lanka with the aim of accelerating the transition to a digital economy through information technology.

Nearly 75% of students entering government schools do not have computers at home. Internet access is limited to about 35% of the population, with only 1.67 million regular Internet subscribers. A LIRNEAsia study conducted in 2020 showed that online-based educational access (even in the form of notes distributed using PDF and WhatsApp) was available to only 45% of school-age students. Although 96% of households have only one mobile phone, it can be challenging to have the device shared with the children for regular educational purposes, provided the parents own it.

The growing digital divide in Sri Lanka has been further exposed even as the epidemic began to spread. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that it will not be easy for the children of this country to deal with the modern world of technology in the future with the current situation. Hence the Smart Board and Computer Donation Pilot Program will be launched with the sole aim of creating a future generation of children.

JVP is not ready to enter into any alliance with the defeated political parties – Vijitha Herath

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JVP is not ready to enter into any alliance with the defeated political parties – Vijitha Herath

MP Vijitha Herath says that the JVP is not ready to enter into any alliance with the defeated political parties except with the people who love the country. The people have no faith in political alliances and the expectations of the people have not been fulfilled by the alliances formed in history, he said.

He was responding to a statement made by SLFP Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara regarding a SLFP-JVP alliance.

He also points out that an alliance that wins the country and the people can be formed not with the defeated political parties but with the people who respect new ideas. Therefore, they will not enter into any alliance with political parties again.

However, Vijitha Herath says that he is grateful to Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara for inviting him to a political alliance.

Earlier, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva as well as JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake had refused to form an alliance with political parties.

Ambassadors and High Commissioners of many countries to Sri Lanka appointed

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Ambassadors and High Commissioners of many countries to Sri Lanka appointed

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Ms. Dewi Gustina Tobing as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. She has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Maged Mosleh as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Charrandass Persaud as the High Commissioner of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Sri Lanka based in New Delhi. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

The Government of Hungary with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Mr. Andras Laszlo Kiraly as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Sri Lanka based in New Delhi. He has presented credentials to H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka on 21 December 2021 at 5.30 p.m. at President’s House, Colombo 01.

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