The total number of covid deaths confirmed so far in the country has risen to 16024.
That comes with the 30 covid deaths announced yesterday (21).
By the beginning of 2022, the daily covid death toll was close to 10 and has now risen to the 30s.
The health department urges the public to follow regular health advice and take booster dosage to prevent the spread of covid.
Major functions including financial transactions of the Colombo Port City will be taken over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in accordance with the powers vested in him.
Cabinet Memorandum was to seek the approval of the ministers to directly bring Colombo Port City and three major functions of the project under the purview of the President to streamline its services in a sustainable manner, Cabinet MOU revealed.
All financial provisions and transactions of the Project management unit of Port City will be coming under the initiative with the approval of the cabinet, Finance Ministry sources said.
Urban development of the Port City area, disposal of waste (Garbage) and community cleaning in the relevant area will also be handled on the directions of the President.
President Gotabaya Rajapksa signed the documents relating preliminary activities of this initiative on February 15, sources said.
Port City Colombo has opened its promenade to the public. People can take a whiff of the Indian Ocean breeze from the Port City side, by walking across Galle Face Green towards the newly constructed bridge and taking a stroll on the two km stretch of beach belonging to the newly reclaimed land.
It also marks new beginnings this year with the commencement of vertical constructions in the first quarter.
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Browns Investments PLC said their joint venture – the Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC) in 2020 and the development work will commence within the next few months.
The CIFC Mixed Development Project will be the first of many landmark development projects planned for Port City Colombo. Port City Colombo can be termed as one of the pet projects for the Government to boost its much-needed foreign reserves.
A top official of the project said that the new city would promote services such as IT, maritime services, financial services, professional/ knowledge services, corporate headquarters and so on and ease of doing business to create a destination appeal for trade and commerce.
He added that industrial or manufacturing will not be permitted within the Port City although it will complement activities in the rest of the country including BOI Zones and Hambantota Industrial Zone. This is due to the negative implications on the wider real estate of Colombo and also the negative aesthetic appeal.
“Strengthening the institutional framework, in this case the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, and removing or minimising political interference is crucial for the success and longevity of this Special Economic Zone.
Ideally, Port City should be an exemplary city from an administrative and governance perspective and such policies, once tested and proven, should be selectively rolled-out in the rest of Sri Lanka,” he added.
Apart from investment, Port City Colombo also aims to attract city tourism, a concept which had not been tried out to the full extent. Although city tourism is offered in other countries, Colombo does not cater to this due to the lack of resources and initiative.
Sri Lanka’s Justice Reform (JURE) Programme is to be launched by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with funding from the European Union, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF.
This new flagship initiative, funded by the EU for EUR 18 million (approx. Rs 4 billion) and the UN for EUR 1 million (approx. Rs 225 million), will be implemented during four and a half years in close partnership with all relevant actors from the justice sector.
The Programme contains a holistic package of support to strengthen inclusive access to justice,improve transparency and accountability in the sector as well as enhance quality and efficientservices delivery, Lustice Ministry sources revealed.
It will build on the ambitious justice reform agenda of the Ministry of Justice. Close attention will be paid in particular to foster access to justice for women and children, to support alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to deal with commercial matters and to maximize the potential of digital technologies to improve efficiency.
The Justice Reform (JURE) Programme will contribute to building a modern, efficient and inclusivejustice sector in Sri Lanka through innovative reforms, digital transformation and strengthened institutions, paving the way towards enhanced social cohesion and a more peaceful and just Sri Lankan society.
Speaking at the Justice Reform (JURE) Programme launch held this morning, Minister of Justice, M.U.M. Ali Sabry P.C. stated: “An efficient, inclusive and independent justice system is a core requirement for the Sri Lankan republic to move forward.
Sri Lanka needs to strengthen the administration of justice to uphold the rule of law whilst ensuring an independent judiciary.
This task would be difficult to achieve without a modern mechanism and support from development partners. This programme will certainly pave the way, he said adding that he is happy that European Union, UNDP and UNICEF are partnering with the ministry in achieving this goal”.
Commenting on the EU engagement in the sector, Ambassador to the European Union in Sri Lanka, Denis Chaibi stated: “A modern, efficient and inclusive justice sector is critical for social cohesion and to strengthen trust between the State and its citizens.
The European Union’s funding is significant and shows how crucial it considers its partnership with Sri Lanka, UNDP and UNICEF to support home-grown reforms and institutions. To enhance access to justice for all will increase the quality and efficiency of justice service delivery”.
Speaking on UNDP’s longstanding support to the justice sector in Sri Lanka as a trusted partner,Resident Representative for UNDP in Sri Lanka, Robert Juhkam stated, “The JURE Programme isdesigned to be catalytic to improving access to justice, putting people with needs and capabilities at the centre of policies, institutions and programmes.
Crucially, UNDP will ensure that JURE provides a platform for bringing together stakeholders across the board, including sectoral state institutions, independent commissions, professional bodies, academic institutions, and civil society into supporting a national effort, without which reform progress would be fragmented.
The platform will facilitate consultation, consensus and innovation in judicial reform which is consonant with international standards and best practice, thus strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts in achieving the SDG-16 targets on peace, justice and strong institutions.”
UNICEF will play a leading role in the implementation of reform to improve the legal framework for the child justice sector in the country.
“This partnership offers a real opportunity to make positive changes for every child in contact with the law in Sri Lanka, whether as a victim, witness or offender.
Children will have access to legal support and a more timely and appropriate response to their case and, most importantly, be given opportunities for rehabilitation and a fair chance in life” said Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Handloom and Local ready made garments are to be promoted in foreign countries with assistance lankan foreign missions overseas.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued a directive to discontinue the importation of handlooms and Batik textiles to the country while promoting such apparel overseas. .
The decision was taken with the expectation of boosting the local production and attracting new producers to the industry.
This was stated during a discussion into the issues encountered by those who are engaged in the garment industry and textile industry at the Presidential Secretariat.
Finding additional market opportunity for locally produced readymade garments over apparels manufactured using imported materials was discussed in length.
The promotion of locally manufactured garments will reduce the amount of foreign exchange that goes out of the country.
President further stressed the importance of providing accessibility to those who are willing to enter the garment industry which at present is limited to a few.
In addition, the establishment of a broader market for readymade garment manufacturers and local traders through decisions taken in unison and the requirement of a base center conveniently accessible for the international market to purchase locally manufactured garments in bulk were highlighted during the discussion.
The Foreign Ministry and the State Ministry of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products held a joint session today (Friday) at the Foreign Ministry to promote Sri Lankan batik, handloom and local apparel products through Sri Lankan Missions worldwide.
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who chaired the event reiterated the importance of economic diplomacy initiatives and emphasized that Sri Lankan indigenous products are the outcome of creativity of the people and their promotion abroad will directly uplift the economy at grassroot level.
State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products, Dayasiri Jayasekara requested Sri Lankan diplomats to vigorously promote Sri Lankan batik and handloom products in their respective countries of accreditation and presented samples to display at Missions and events.
He also explained the various initiatives being taken to promote them in foreign countries.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage praised the beauty of the work of art from the cottage industry of Sri Lanka and suggested observing a weekly batik day to reenergize the sector.
Following the conclusion of its successful listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange, Hela Apparel Holdings has expanded its global footprint by formally commencing operations at its latest factory in Egypt recently.
The much-awaited expansion will enable the company to provide an attractive nearshore manufacturing offering, strengthening the organization’s focus on providing the world’s leading apparel brands with innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions, company officials said.
The 275,000 square foot manufacturing facility is situated in the Alexandria Governorate, an area with a well-established skill base in apparel manufacturing that also hosts one of Egypt’s largest ports.
The facility is equipped to accommodate up to 2,500 workers during a single shift, with the potential for significant further expansion. With this new addition, Hela has increased its global footprint to 12 directly-operated manufacturing facilities, reaffirming its position as one of the leading apparel manufacturers in Africa.
Commenting on the expansion, Sanath Amaratunga, CEO of Hela Kidswear said, “they have had an extremely positive response from both existing and a range of new customers on expansion into Egypt.
It offers an immediate solution to the growing demand for speed in apparel sourcing. The well-established skill base and integrated supply chain in Egypt allow the sri Lankan company to offer a range of product types at competitive rates.
Egypt offers a range of advantages for apparel manufacturing – most notably its geographic proximity to major markets, with shipping times as little as 3 days to Europe and 12 days to North America.
This addresses the increasing demand for speed and nearshoring solutions from global apparel brands, which has become more pressing as a result of the logistics disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Egypt also has a well-established textile supply chain, which drastically reduces the need to ship raw materials from Asia, bringing down lead times further, as well the overall environmental impact of production, which is another key benefit for apparel brands.
In addition, Hela’s foray into Egypt will allow indefinite duty-free access to both the EU and UK market, through Egypt’s bilateral free trade agreements – as well as to the US via the Qualifying Industrial Zone initiative.
Hela Apparel Holdings is a social capital-focused company built on a culture of inclusivity, equality, and sustainability with a strong focus on strategic partnerships with long-standing customers, providing responsive and dynamic end-to-end supply chain solutions to global apparel brands.
The company is a leader in ethical and sustainable apparel manufacturing, having received numerous global accolades in this regard and recently becoming a signatory to the UN Global Compact.
Through its global expansion initiatives, the company has also emerged as a leader in Africa’s apparel manufacturing revolution.
The Group provides manufacturing solutions to some of the world’s top luxury apparel brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and VF Corp, through its 12 manufacturing facilities located in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Entrepreneurs can rectify misconceptions : President
: Entrepreneurs propose
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa invited local entrepreneurs to invest in local industries and join in the process of nation building.
The President made these remarks at a discussion held with large scale entrepreneurs in various fields at the Presidential Secretariat today (21).
The discussion was convened with the objective of obtaining the assistance of the private sector in the development process. There were discussions on a number of areas including foreign exchange generation, state fiscal policy, foreign employment promotion, investment incentives, increasing exports, renewable energy, agricultural products, adequate supply of fertilizers and tourism promotion.
The President said that large-scale investments in a number of sectors, including renewable energy, green agriculture, technology parks and greenhouses, would open up a great opportunity to control foreign exchange.
Appreciating the support of local entrepreneurs to build the country, the President said that the business community has the ability to rectify the misconceptions that some are spreading to achieve their narrow goals, in an environment where the government is trying to rebuild the economy in the face of a global epidemic.
Minister Basil Rajapaksa pointed out that the shortage of cement has arisen due to the increase in demand for cement with the revival in the construction sector during the past two years and said that the government is focusing on manufacturing cement in the country in future.
Pointing out that there is no shortage of essential commodities in the market, the Minister urged the traders not to take undue advantage of the decision taken to remove some of the price controls except for medicinal drugs.
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the government would take steps to maintain fuel reserves in a manner that would not harm the development and industries, despite the challenge of obtaining fuel on ready cash.
The Central Bank Governor said that the country is losing foreign investment opportunities due to false propaganda about the country’s economy, and added that the government has the ability to repay all foreign loans and will take steps to attract investments into the country.
The entrepreneurs who praised the government’s Covid-19 control programme said that their businesses were safeguarded due to the success of this programme. They pointed out that Sri Lanka received a large number of orders due to the failure of some countries to effectively control the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country is witnessing a large revival in the tourism sector in the post-COVID-19 period. The entrepreneurs noted the need to enhance the facilities to promote tourism.
The entrepreneurs also requested the President to take measures to prevent the students from leaving the country to pursue higher education and to set up a mechanism to create such educational opportunities within the country.
Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle and many entrepreneurs from various fields were present at the meeting.
As the trend of dismissing court cases of national importance involving the Attorney General’s Department in search of political advantage is on the rise these days, the Case of Malwana Mansion would be the next chapter of such a legal swing following the acquittal of former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando.
Commonly known as ‘Basil’s Case on Malwana Mansion,’ Court Case HC/27/17 the Democratic and Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka A. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa and Tirukumar Nadeshan under the Attorney General’s Number CR5/14/2016 is currently being heard in the Gampaha High Court, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of public funds by purchasing a 16 acre land at Mapitigama Gangabada Road, Malwana, Dodampe, building a large mansion and a swimming pool and running an animal farm, at the expense of about Rs. 100 million by Muditha Jayakody Associates.
The case was taken up on January 07, 2022 to refer Muditha Jayakody for further cross examination. Responding to the cross examination by Saliya Peiris PC appearing for Defendant Tirukumar Nadeshan, Jayakody raised amusement in the Chamber by making rather a funny disclosure.
A Letter of Amusement
The mansion in question believed to be owned by Basil Rajapaksa was built at a cost of about Rs. 100 million by Muditha Jayakody Associates. With no hesitation, he has transferred the funds in his bank account for the conduction of the project.
Jayakody had written to the Commission of Taxes stating that the money for the purchase and development of the aforementioned land had been given to him by ‘another party’ and that he ought to recover the Nation Building Income Tax paid on the purchase. The letter dated 25.07.2015 reveals he had forwarded a letter to the Inland Revenue Department under the heading ‘My Income after the Audit’ dated June 05, 2015, and produced a statement to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on 22.04.2016.
According to the letter, Jayakody has invested the following amounts of money in the construction of the Malwana Mansion in three consecutive years (2012 – 2015).
2012/2013 – Rs. 2,500,000/-
2013-2014 – Rs. 26,972,975/-
2014-2015 – Rs. 74,655,199/-
Jayakody, however, now goes on saying that these monies do not belong to him and the income tax paid for the purchase, therefore, must be recovered in his name.
“Accordingly, I declare that the aforementioned amount of money reserved for each assessment year does not belong to me or my company at all and that the money was handed over to me by the aforementioned outsider at his request, in order for me to make the payments to the relevant parties for the expenses incurred in the construction of a mansion on the said property,” Jayakody states in his letter.
Below is the first copy of the letter.
It is in this point has the notoriety of Jayakody made a public appearance through the letter’s description upon the questioning of Saliya Peiris PC in Court.
Jayakody has produced statements to the FCID on several occasions regarding the money and even signed on declaring them to be authentic. However, Jayakody told Court that he has produced ‘both truths and lies‘ to the FCID.
Jayakody shamelessly admits that he also lied to the Inland Revenue Department and produced counterfeit documents. Had he been given money for this project in question by another party, it should be disclosed before Court. However, Jayakody’s notoriety continued to play as he was being careful not to disclose any name at all times.
On the other hand, the letter forwarded to the Inland Revenue Department reveals that Jayakody himself has acknowledged that he was involved in money laundering.
The repetition of evidence suggests that the construction of the Malwana Mansion believed to be owned by Basil at a cost of about Rs. 100 million was a project of Muditha Jayakody Associates. But Jayakody is playing a rather dangerous game as the ‘star witness’ to this criminal conduct.
Jayakody’s claims are likely to be the biggest joke in Sri Lanka’s history of criminal cases, for he is clearly wasting valuable time in the honourable Court of Law, raising the uncertainty whether he would tell the truth in Court at all.
According to Jayakody, he has been a taxpayer of this country since 1989. At one point he says, “I’m not like others, your honour, I pay taxes on time.” Be it true, then Jayakody in a berserk claim goes on saying that he had paid taxes on income that was not his and demands the Inland Revenue Department for a refund.
If put correctly, the Inland Revenue Department should have sued this man for producing counterfeit information involving a matter of national importance.
Chances are high that all of us may soon see the end result of the attempt to try a case based on the testimony of an unreliable witness like Muditha Jayakody.
The petition filed by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka today seeking an injunction over the hearing of the case filed against him in connection with a road accident that happened in Rajagiriya in 2016 has been called today before the Appeal Court Bench comprising Justices Menaka Wijesundara and S. Kumaranratnam.
The Bench decided to adjourn the hearing of petition stating that whether a notice should be issued in this regard will be announced on March 29.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris appearing for the Attorney General’s Department told the Court that investigations into the incident had revealed a number of evidence of how the petitioner had attempted to mislead the investigation.
Stating that the petitioner was acting with intent to adjourn the case filed in the High Court in connection with the incident, the Senior Deputy Solicitor General added that he was opposed to the issuance of an injunction. He thereafter presented the written submissions on the petition to the Court.
Lawyer appearing for the petitioner told the Appeal Court that the High Court Judge had denied the preliminary objections that the case could not be continued and proceeded to hear the case, pointing out that the High Court Judge’s action was against the law, thereby seeking the Appeal Court to issue an order suspending the hearing at the High Court.
Upon considering the submissions of both parties, the Appeal Court Bench adjourned the hearing till March 29, stating that it would decide whether a notice should be issued to hear the petition on the designated date.
The United National Party has raised concerns over the allegations levelled by former CID Director Shani Abeysekara in his Fundamental Rights petition filed in the Supreme Court.
During a meeting with party seniors, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the Government must be pressured to initiate a new independent investigation into the claims made by Abeysekara. It was discussed that along with Abeysekara’s claims, the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 also concluded that further investigations were required. However, to date these investigations have not been completed by this Government despite electoral pledges to do so. The UNP members were also adamant that a transparent investigation into this matter would highlight the extent to which the party was hamstrung by the President who controlled the security apparatus in the country at the time.
The UNP had faced heavy criticism in 2019 from the public, who claimed that the then Government was aware of the threats but failed to take action.
According to the petition filed by Abeysekara, members of the intelligence service had been aware of the growing threats, but had blocked investigations carried out by the CID into Zahran Hashim and his group. Furthermore, Abeysekara has claimed that he had informed President Maithripala Sirisena of the need to brief the National Security Council regarding their investigations in January 2019, but were not provided the opportunity to do so.
The time table on power cuts has been amended today (21) making it a power cut of two hours in between the time of 4.30 pm and 10.30 pm, revealed the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL).
The Commission yesterday told media that only a one-hour power cut will occur today.
MIAP
