Indian Navy’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), arrived at SLAF base Katunayake for training of Sri Lanka Air Force Pilots and Sri Lanka Navy ships for shipborne helicopter operations on 23 March 2022.

2.     The training is planned over a week to familiarise SLAF Pilots to the ALH and provide co-pilot experience as envisioned by the then Chief of Naval Staff, Adm Karambir Singh in 2019.

3.     The training deployment is in line with the capacity building initiative of the Government of India amongst its neighbours as part of ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.  The engagement would also foster closer interoperability and seamless conduct of coordinated Maritime Operations.

4.     An SAR demonstration was conducted by the visiting training team on 25 March 2022. The demo was attended by Air Cmde Lasitha Sumanaweera, SLAF Base Commander Katunayake, who was able to wistness the diverse capability of the multi role helicopter. The training team is also scheduled to undertake extensive Deck Landing Practice onboard Sri Lanka Navy’s Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel Sayurala over the week.

5.     It may be recalled that the indigenous ALH helicopter as part of the ‘Sarang’ Aerobatic Display Team of IAF had participated last year during the 70th Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Lanka Air Force. The high level of understanding and coordination between the Armed Forces of the two countries further cement the close relations achieved through millennia old friendly ties between the two neighbours.

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Colombo

27 March 2022

The 5th Meeting of India- Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on fisheries took place on 25 March 2022 in a virtual format. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Mrs. Rathnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries of Sri Lanka and the Indian delegation by Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary (Fisheries), Government of India. Both sides reviewed the developments since the last meeting of the Joint Working Group held in December 2020.

2.     The Indian side asked the relevant Sri Lankan authorities to exercise caution so as to prevent any casualties in the course of crackdowns on fishing boats; and suggested using paramilitary to apprehend civilian fishermen. Suggesting that relevant UNCLOS clauses are fishermen friendly in spirit and letter, the Indian government requested Sri Lankan authorities to tackle the fisheries issue based on humanitarian approach.

3.     Both sides reiterated the highest priority accorded by their respective Governments to the well being, safety and security of fishermen from the two countries. Both countries agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances, and reiterated in this regard the importance of extending humane treatment to all fishermen.

4.     Both sides assessed the continuing bilateral cooperation to tackle issues related to fisheries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar. The two sides shared appreciation for the concerted efforts undertaken by both the governments to maintain safe and sustainable fishing, including the joint Naval patrols and hotline between coast guards.

5.     The Sri Lankan side raised its concerns on the methods used by fishing vessels and stressed that it is imperative for the two countries to work together in drawing up effective measures to mitigate the loss of livelihood. The Indian side took a constructive approach in its response and assured its assistance in this regard.

6.     The Indian side also elaborated on the steps undertaken by the Government to safeguard the marine environment and explained government measures to improve the fisheries order, including stationing coast guard vessels at key sea routes requested by the Sri Lankan side, creating awareness on environmentally damaging fishing operations, and providing education, financial support and guidance to Indian fishermen to migrate to long liners fishing. The Indian side had earlier dispensed dry rations to Sri Lankan fisher families reflecting continuing interest in the well being of the fishermen.

7.     The two sides noted with appreciation that they have maintained the momentum of cooperation by holding the 5th meeting on cooperation on fisheries issues even amid the COVID-19 situation and agreed to continue utilizing the meeting, as a significant communication channel for discussions on ways to improve the fishing situation and pursue joint research fisheries cooperation between the two countries.

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Colombo

26 March 2022

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has decided to suspend payments entitled to contractors engaged in project activities of the board due to the severe financial crisis befallen the state-run body.

The CEB being unable to make the payments may be facing another crisis given that this may halt the repairs and implementation of new projects undertaken by these companies.

A request made earlier to increase the electricity bill as a solution to the crisis was denied.

MIAP

The government has decided to hold a debate on the report issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Sri Lanka and a debate, accordingly, will be held on the next Parliamentary week, said Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando.

Both the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) representing the Opposition had requested a debate in this regard.

A regional IMF envoy visited Sri Lanka recently and met with the President, the Finance Minister and other government and prepared a report on Sri Lanka to be submitted to the government.

MIAP

The unloading of the LP gas consignment arrived in Sri Lanka has commenced under the debt facility by Oman. The consignment consists of 3500 metric tonnes of gas.

State-run LITRO Gas said it has received sufficient gas stocks and supplies 100,000 cylinders of LP gas to the market daily. Accordingly, the gas shortage may subdue in the next few days, a spokesperson for LITRO told media.

The Kerawalapitiya Gas Terminal does not carry out gas filling operations on Sundays, but it has been decided to continue the operation today, considering the current situation of the country.

Measures have been made to supply about 100,000 gas cylinders to the market today.

MIAP

The luxury vehicles requisitioned by the Provincial Councils are still being used by the former ministers of the Provincial Councils, an investigation into the vehicle stocks possessed by the Councils disclosed.

While some Provincial Councils are five years behind their official term, the vehicles requisitioned for official use have not yet been handed over.

The Provincial Council Election was scheduled to be held during the last Good Governance regime’s period, but the polls were delayed upon the need understood for the adaptation of a new electoral system.

At the end of the Good Governance regime’s term, the relevant amendments could not be passed in Parliament. In the case of the current regime, the Provincial Council Election has still not been held despite the two years it spent in power.

Despite the term end, some Chief Ministers and Ministers have not yet returned these luxury vehicles, while some reports divulge that these vehicles have been used even by their spouses. Some reports claim that a group of former high ranking officials attached to these Councils are still using the vehicles illegally.

A detailed report on the government figures who have not returned these vehicles has been submitted to the heads of the government, correspondents add.

MIAP

Police urge the public to refrain from making Social Media posts about any trips made during the upcoming New Year festive season. It is very important for the public to at least refrain themselves from making Social Media posts about their travels until they return home, said Senior Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana.

Any update on Social Media about private trips made can be of advantage to thievery many racketeers during the Festive Season, Rohana pointed out, adding that their tendencies to break into the houses may grow upon Social Media posts of such nature.

The Police also urge the public to pay close attention to the safety of their vehicles and luggage during the travels, given that activities of thievery and racketeering have increased in the recent times.

In the backdrop, the frequency in which raids are carried out against such acts during the Festive Seasons has also increased, Rohana revealed.

MIAP

Sri Lanka is facing its all-time worst foreign exchange crisis after the pandemic hit the nation’s earnings from tourism and remittances. The import costs of newsprint also rose remarkably since the government’s decision early this month to float …

Sri Lanka’s two major newspapers on Saturday suspended their publication over newsprint shortage and price escalation caused by the country’s all-time worst foreign exchange crisis. The Island, an English daily along with its sister Sinhala paper Divayina, ceased to print as the newsprint scarcities and price escalations hit the media organisation.

“We regret to inform our readers that we have been compelled to suspend the publication of The Island print edition on Saturday until further notice in view of the newsprint shortage,” Upali Newspapers Limited said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is facing its all-time worst foreign exchange crisis after the pandemic hit the nation’s earnings from tourism and remittances.

The import costs of newsprint also rose remarkably since the government’s decision early this month to float the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar.

The Island newspaper, which has been in print since October 1981, will now function as an e-paper.

Sri Lanka is facing an acute economic and energy crisis triggered due to shortage of foreign exchange. A sudden rise in prices of key commodities and fuel shortage forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours outside petrol filling stations. People are also facing long hours of power cuts daily.

All essentials are in short supply due to import restrictions forced by the forex crisis.

As part of its measures to tackle the crisis, the Sri Lankan government has sought India’s assistance. After months of resistance, the government is preparing to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an economic bailout.

In a related development, the Indian Oil Corporation‘s local entity LIOC effected another price hike of petrol with effect from midnight Friday. This was the LIOC’s fourth price hike since February.

India recently announced to extend a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial assistance to help the country deal with the economic crisis. New Delhi had extended a USD 500 million line of credit to Colombo in February to help it purchase petroleum products.

Economic Times