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Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris concludes successful visit to New Delhi

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Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris concludes successful visit to New Delhi

Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L. Peiris concluded a successful, two- day official visit to India from 06-08 February 2022. The Foreign Minister undertook his maiden visit to New Delhi after assuming office as the Foreign Minister in August last year, on an invitation extended by the External Affairs Minister of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. 

During the visit, Foreign Minister Peiris met with his counterpart Dr. Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Doval. Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla also called on the Foreign Minister. 

The meeting between the two Ministers, followed by delegation level talks was held on 07 February at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. During the meeting, Minister Peiris thanked the External Affairs Minister of India for the invitation and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Observing that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka has evolved from a transactional relationship into a strategic partnership, Foreign Minister Peiris stated that it is increasingly recognized by the people of Sri Lanka that India is a true friend whom Sri Lanka can rely on at all times. In this context, Minister Peiris appreciated the financial assistance that the Government of India has extended to Sri Lanka to the tune of 2.4 billion USD at this critical juncture. Minister Jaishankar assured that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will always be a source of support to Sri Lanka. 

The bilateral talks focussed on a wide range of matters of mutual interest, which included economic cooperation, power and energy cooperation, connectivity, people to people contact etc. Particular attention was drawn to the energy security of Sri Lanka, and referring to the recently inked Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm agreement, Foreign Minister Peiris stated that it signals a closer integration between the two countries, resulting in substantial benefits; a win-win situation for both. The prospects for renewable energy cooperation, particularly in wind and solar power sectors were also discussed at the talks.  

Focussing on the economic development in Sri Lanka, the discussion centred on the potential for Indian investments in priority sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing and manufacturing for which Minister Peiris invited Indian investments. The ways and means to harness the growing Indian outward tourism to revive the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, were also discussed.

With a view to maintaining the momentum of the trajectory of the Indo- Sri Lanka relationship, the Ministers agreed on the early finalization of several agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, culture and education, that are pending between the two countries.

During the talks, Foreign Minister Peiris also raised the fisheries issue with the Indian External Affairs Minister. Terming it as a ‘flashpoint’, the Foreign Minister pointed out that it has become a recurring issue, assuming a different complexion. The two sides agreed on the urgent need to convene all bilateral mechanisms in this regard.

Minister Peiris extended an invitation to Minister Jaishankar to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka in March this year. He also stated that Sri Lanka is very much looking forward to a visit by the Prime Minister of India to Sri Lanka to attend the forthcoming BIMSTEC Summit in March 2022.

The meeting between Minister Peiris and National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Doval was held on 08 February. The National Security Advisor of India and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka discussed a range of issues pertaining to the mutual strategic interests of the two countries. The status of the bilateral relationship was reviewed and priority areas for future cooperation were discussed.

The Foreign Minister, during his visit to New Delhi, had a number of interactions with prominent Indian print and electronic media as well.

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris was accompanied to these meetings by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda and senior officials of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and the Foreign Ministry.  

High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi 
08 February, 2022

Indian coal magnate Gautam Adani becomes Asia’s richest person after solar energy drive

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Indian coal magnate Gautam Adani becomes Asia’s richest person after solar energy drive

The Indian coal mining tycoon Gautam Adani has become Asia’s richest person thanks to a push into green energy that has boosted his fortune to $88.5bn.

Adani has overtaken fellow countryman Mukesh Ambani to enter the top 10 of the world’s richest people, according to figures from Forbes and Bloomberg, after seeing his personal fortune rise by $12bn in the past year.

Among the mega-rich whom Adani has leapfrogged to reach the world top 10 are Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who slipped down the table several places last week after losing $30bn of his personal fortune.

Although Adani has become the face of big coal around the world with its pursuit of the hugely controversial Carmichael mine project in Australia, the mogul’s ascent into the top echelons of world billionaires is down to his expansion of green investments.

His Adani Group controls the port of Mundra, India’s largest, in the mogul’s home state of Gujarat and he also owns 74% of Mumbai international airport.

But his push into green energy has paid off handsomely in the past year with the listed company Adani Green Energy now his most valuable after its share price almost doubled in the past 12 months.

The group is in the process of ploughing $70bn into green energy projects by 2030 with the aim of becoming the world’s largest renewable-energy producer.

Adani found his ambitions dovetailed with those of Indian prime minister and fellow Gujarati, Narendra Modi, who leveraged India’s huge uptake in solar power to map out more ambitious goals for cutting carbon emissions at the Glasgow climate conference in November.

India plans to reach a target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and that 50% of electricity capacity would come from renewables by the same point. It plans to be net-zero by 2070.

Overseas investors in Adani and India’s solar revolution include the French oil company Total, which last year bought 20% of Adani Green Energy.

“The Adani Group has spotted and entered all the happening sectors at the right time, which has appealed to a select band of foreign portfolio investors,” Deepak Jasani, head of retail research at Mumbai-based brokerage HDFC Securities Ltd, told Bloomberg. “The sectors are capital-intensive and the company has faced little difficulty in raising funds to expand.”

Despite the greener outlook for Adani, the group is still pressing ahead with the giant Queensland mine in the face of fierce resistance from a rainbow coalition of anti-fossil fuel activists, biodiversity conservationists and Indigenous groups.

The bitter battle over the mine has seen a succession of on-site protests, legal battles, and the use of a private investigator by the company to secretly photograph the family of activists.

The Guardian

A hundredweight of urea Rs. 20,000: Former Agriculture Director

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A hundredweight of urea Rs. 20,000: Former Agriculture Director

The farming community has severely been troubled due to the soared prices of fertiliser, said former Director of Agriculture K.B. Gunaratne. As of now, the price of a bag of urea has surged up to Rs. 20,000, he revealed.

This is mainly due to the importation of fertiliser at a time when the price of fertiliser in the world market has gone up, the former Agriculture Director noted speaking to a briefing held in Kandy today.

He went on saying that this situation should be changed with the government’s intervention and that the farmers who are vulnerable should be given the opportunity to purchase fertiliser at a concessionary price.

Statement on auctioning of Indian fishing vessels in Sri Lanka

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Statement on auctioning of Indian fishing vessels in Sri Lanka

High Commission of India – Colombo

In response to a query by Virakesari regarding auctioning of Indian fishing vessels in Sri Lanka, the following statement is being issued:

“High Commission of India has seen several reports and statements regarding auctioning of Indian fishing vessels in Sri Lanka.

At the outset, it is stressed that there is an existing bilateral understanding between the Government of India and Government of Sri Lanka on the matter. In accordance with this understanding, a team from the State of Tamil Nadu, India was to visit Sri Lanka regarding modalities to finalize disposal of unsalvageable Indian fishing boats in Sri Lanka. The High Commission has recently again sought necessary clearance from Government of Sri Lanka for the visit.”

***
Colombo
09 February  2022

President addresses SLPP rally in Anuradhapura, reminds paddy price up by 100%

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President addresses SLPP rally in Anuradhapura, reminds paddy price up by 100%

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking to the public rally “Janatha Reliya” organised by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the Salgadu Grounds, Anuradhapura today (09) reminded that he had promised the country that he would provide a guaranteed price for paddy at the very first SLPP rally held before the Presidential Election.

Accordingly, the farmer’s income has been increased up to 100 per cent today, with or without fertiliser, the President said, addressing the crowd.

He added that politicians who had provided no relief to the farmer then are now criticising the government’s programme for organic farming. The country’s national security has been assured and all attempts to betray the country before the international community have been defeated, Rajapaksa added.

The rally was held under the patronage of the President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and was endorsed by a large crowd.

Lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah returns home

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Lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah returns home

Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah who was released on bail has left the Puttalam High Court today.

The Appeal Court ordered the release of Hizbullah, who was arrested and remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), on bail on February 07. Accordingly, the lawyer was released by the Puttalam High Court today.

Hizbullah was prosecuted by the Attorney General in accordance with the PTA and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

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This is how corrupted Kimarli pays millions of public money to her private lawyers!

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This is how corrupted Kimarli pays millions of public money to her private lawyers!

LNW have earlier explained about how SLTDA and its Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, who has been ordered to appear in person before the next court hearing over contempt of court, have misused public funds.

Meanwhile, we have received sufficient documentation evidence to establish that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, which Kimarli thinks is her own, has paid millions of public money to private lawyers.

We have no concern or argument on the amounts of payments made to Kimali’s Private lawyers including PC Romesh de Silva who represented SLTDA. It’s their professional service charge they charged for such a difficult case. Our premise is how Kimarli is spending public money despite the Attorney General’s advice. According to the law, this is a collective decision not only of Kimarli but also of the Board of Directors of the SLTDA.

The Establishments Code contains the provisions relating to accountability in a case filed against a public servant of official status under Chapter XXXIII – ‘Legal Assistance and Procedure’.

Its Article 6.1 clearly states that the Attorney General should be consulted immediately in the case of an official case filed against a public official who is an official head of the institution. In that case, either the Attorney General will accept the answer to the case or the case will be heard and answered. Apart from that, there is no provision in the Establishments Code for arbitrary hiring of private lawyers to represent their institutions and paying legal fees spending public funds.

Despite this, SLTDA has sought the assistance of private lawyers on several occasions in Supreme Court Case No. 314/2020 against Kimali Fernando and the SLTDA. As well illustrated in its court proceedings, lawyers representing SLTDA on 19.02.2021 seek permission before Supreme Court Judge, PC Yasantha Kodagoda to file limited objections at the next hearing. However, those limited objections have not been filed on the next date ie; 19.03.2021, and Romesh de Silva, PC, on the instructions of Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardene, appeared before the court on 25.03.2021. On that day, they again sought permission to file limited objections.

Here below is the invoice sent by Sanath Wijewardene to SLTDA on behalf of his The following is the invoice sent to SLTDA on 20.02.2021 by Adviser Sanath Wijewardena on behalf of his legal team. The invoice value is Rs. 2.525 million.

Following are the cheques issued by SLTDA 10 months later than the invoice date. These millions are paid with public money, not from Kimarli’s own pocket. At a time when the entire tourism industry in Sri Lanka is at stake in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kimarli, who seems to be thought that the SLTDA is just another legacy of her wealth, power, and family, may not see any wrongdoing here. However, the SLTDA, headed by her, has misused the public money beyond a reasonable doubt. It is a serious violation of not only the Establishments Code (ER), but also of the government’s Monetary Regulations (MR).

Kimarli and her board of directors are facing charges over contempt of court on disregarding the injunction obtained by Lanka Realty Leisure (Pvt) Ltd against SLTDA. According to the order issued on February 2, 2022, she has to appear before the District Court in person. As usual, the team was represented again, by PC Romesh de Silva and colleagues.

Meanwhile, the following is a letter sent by the Minister of Tourism regarding the official tenure of Kimali Fernando. According to it, her term of office has ended on 19.01.2022 and as far as we know this appointment has not been renewed. Accordingly, we have a reasonable doubt as to whether Kimali is conducting these things without any official authority.

We do not wish to emphasize the number of fees paid to private lawyers by SLTDA. What we are pointing out is that Kimarli has no right to seek assistance from a private lawyer and pay the fees through public money. She is violating the Establishments Code as well as the Financial Regulations, putting the entire Board of Directors in trouble and pushing the apex body of Sri Lanka Tourism into a labyrinth of corruption.

CORRECTION

We have mentioned that Supreme Court Judge, PC Yasantha Kodagoda, represented SLTDA on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department in the first edition of this article due to an error. We apologize for that error which has been fixed in this edition.

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http://128.199.126.103/archives/3777/district-court-orders-kimarli-fernando-to-appear-in-person-over-contempt-of-court/

SJB divulges five forensic audit reports ‘endangering’ EPF

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SJB divulges five forensic audit reports ‘endangering’ EPF

The government is in an attempt to conceal five forensic audit reports involving the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) related to the Central Bank (CBSL) Bond Affair, alleged the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Speaking to a briefing held today (09), SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne stated that no one is vocal about these five forensic audit reports as they are being covered up.

The government is now preparing to tax the EPF in another round, the MP alleged, adding that they are against the conduct of looting people’s money.

Grenade probe: Worker at Church released

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Grenade probe: Worker at Church released

One suspect arrested in alleged connection with the hand grenade recovered at the All Saints Church, Borella has been released.

The suspect, Muni, who is a worker at the Church and was named as the seventh suspect to the case, was produced before the Colombo Magistrate Court today (09).

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) produced the suspect and told the Court that there are no substantial evidence to keep him in custody further.

Accordingly, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya ordered the release of the suspect.

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Health Sectors urge to limit Rapid Antigen Tests amid shortage of test kits

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Health Sectors urge to limit Rapid Antigen Tests amid shortage of test kits

There is a shortage of test kits used for rapid antigen tests conducted to identify Covid-19, revealed the Health Sectors. This has led the health sector to limit the conduction of rapid antigen tests only for those considered essential.

The situation has arisen in the circumstance that the stock of test kits provided the suppliers to the Health Ministry is running out.

Speaking to a briefing in Colombo today (09), Deputy Director General of Health Services Specialist Dr. Hemantha Herath noted that the supply of test kits has not been suspended completely. The stocks received from the suppliers are limited and as a result the stocks received by the Ministry in millions have been reduced to 50,000, he revealed.

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