On 08^th February 2022, the Council of Ex-Muslims of Sri Lanka submitted its proposals to the ‘One Country One Law Presidential Task Force’ appointed by His Excellency president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. CEMSL thanked the president for the step taken by appointing the Task Force to take the country forward with one law for all. CEMSL stressed that if the government implements one law for all, that will be a historic juncture in the history of Sri Lanka.

Council of Ex-Muslims of Sri Lanka’s document contains 21 key proposals for the consideration of the Presidential Task Force in submitting its report to the president. All existing parallel legal systems, including personal laws, acts, and clauses, should be abolished. Suppose any beneficial laws, acts or clauses are found in the parallel legal systems, they should be accommodated into the country’s common law for the benefit of all the Sri Lankans were one of the proposals of CEMSL. The organization for those who dissented Islam in Sri Lanka has stressed in its proposal that any materials containing and promoting violence, terrorism, hatred discrimination should not be allowed to be taught, recited, printed, digitalized, displayed or distributed within the country in any language and in any formats such as textbooks, religious books or holy scriptures.

CEMSL has requested the Task Force to ensure LGBTQIA+ rights and recognize their gender and sexual identity and their right to choose partners. CEMSL has further requested the Task Force to call proposals from LGBTQIA+ right organizations and groups. One of the other proposals was abolishing the present school segregation system. While proposing to abolish ethnic and religious-based segregation of the school system, the council requested Tamil and Sinhalese languages be taught to all the students from grade one in an equal manner as compulsory subjects to strengthen the unity among Sri Lankans.

Legal and state recognition for atheists and irreligious people was one of the main proposals of CEMSL. Banning of genital mutilation known as circumcision in minors irrespective of their gender and religious or ethnic background, banning of the regular usage of loudspeakers at religious places, legalizing abortion rights, setting a minimum age for the enrolment to religious institutes, clergy and monkhood, setting 18 or above as minimum age of marriage for all Sri Lankans and treating domestic violence, sexual harassment and verbal harassment as punishable criminal offenses were some of the other proposal submitted.

The Council of Ex-Muslims of Sri Lanka expressed its gratitude to the Presidential Task Force at its official premises in BMICH for receiving the proposals.

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

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.

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.”

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Colombo
09 February  2022