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Johnston Fernando long-faced over Rohitha Rajapaksa’s arrival

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Johnston Fernando long-faced over Rohitha Rajapaksa’s arrival

The opening of the coordinating office due to be established by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Kurunegala District has reportedly been postponed again, due to the interference of Highway Minister Johnston Fernando.

Mahinda Rajapaksa contested the General Election in both 2015 and 2020 from the Kurunegala District and promised the establishment of a coordinating office in the district to directly serve the people of Kurunegala who stood loyal to him and gave him a record number of preferential votes. Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son of the Prime Minister, will be heading this office for the political affairs.

Rohitha attended a large number of political rallies in the Kurunegala District on behalf of his father during the 2020 General Election and even represented him on many occasions in the district after the polls.

Although no official confirmation has been made on his arrival in politics to date, Rohitha’s ignition has severely erupted the pleasure of Minister Johnston Fernando, who is the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader of the Kurunegala District, driving him to thwart Rohitha’s activism in the belief that he may be a political threat to him in the future, sources disclosed.

Accordingly, Fernando on many occasions had intervened on postponing the opening of this office and his latest strike was reported yesterday (27), as the opening of the District Coordinating Office of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has once again been postponed till March 05, sources added.

Fernando’s approach towards his other political colleagues is seriously being debated within the SLPP, in the event that he does not allow even the son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who among many SLPPers is the ‘Leader of the Heart’, to engage in politics, according to sources.

Gemunu Wijeratne urges government to supply diesel (VIDEO)

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Gemunu Wijeratne urges government to supply diesel (VIDEO)

Gemunu Wijeratne, President of the Private Bus Owners Association, speaking to media today (28) stated that the government is requested to provide diesel at least through the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in the event that the operation of private buses has been restricted due to the shortage of diesel.

Expressing confidence with the subject minister that he would intervene in providing diesel for private buses as promised yesterday, Wijeratne added that the fuel stations, nonetheless, should be acting in giving priority to private buses as well.

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I handed over a beautiful country with no problems: Sirisena

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I handed over a beautiful country with no problems: Sirisena

Former President MP Maithripala Sirisena addressing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) District Convention in Polonnaruwa stated that he had handed over a beautiful country with no problems.

Pointing out that blaming the government for the situation befallen the country at the moment provides no solution, the former President suggested that all those who are involved and not involved in governance must be getting up on one stage for the country.

“Following my term end I handed over a beautiful country with no problems. People had their meals, farmers cultivated well. I am not saying there were no problems in my time, but the daily life of the citizens and the people of this country was not as it is today. This problems will not be solved by blaming the government. This is a moment where all those who are involved or not involved in governance must be getting up on one stage. It is time for all the political parties and leaders of the country to come together on one platform and come round to one table to save the country, stop the country from falling apart and lift it up. Although rocks are thrown at our direction, our characters are being defamed and I am being called a thief and insulted, we will not fall. In the 54 years of party politics in my life, I am well adapted to defamation, insults and slander. There are many problems in our country today. The farming community lives in tears. I have been talking about the sorrows of the farming community for about a year in Parliament. Other than me, there are three government ministers and MPs in Polonnaruwa who have been elected by the people of Polonnaruwa. Have you ever asked even one of them whether they have spoken about the suffering of these farmers on or off Parliament? No. They say, “Yes Sir, No Sir” to everything. That’s all,” Sirisena added.

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49th UNHRC Session commences today. Report on SL on March 03

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49th UNHRC Session commences today. Report on SL on March 03

The 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) commences in Geneva, Switzerland today (28).

The session commences under the patronage of United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet today and runs till April 01, 2022.

The report on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is due to be tabled on March 03, after which a debate on the report will also be held on the same date.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris will be the Sri Lankan delegation to the event.

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Bus operations drop by 50 per cent from today amid fuel crisis

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Bus operations drop by 50 per cent from today amid fuel crisis

The operations of private buses will be dropping by 50 per cent from today (28) due to the ongoing diesel shortage, said the Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association.

Accordingly, buses will operate only in the essential time periods including office times and advanced level examination times, said Union President Gamunu Wijeratne, speaking to media yesterday (27).

Measures will be taken to completely restrict unnecessary travels as well as bus operations during the day time as well, he added.

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We have no problem in the country’s economy: Johnston Fernando

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We have no problem in the country’s economy: Johnston Fernando

The current government has no problem with the country’s economy and only a temporary dollar crisis has occurred, said Chief Organiser of the Ruling Party Minister Johnston Fernando, speaking to a women’s authority board of the SLPP held yesterday (27).

“We have no problem with the economy of this country. We have only one problem left. We have the dollar problem. Dear mother and father, we recalled 168,000 patrons overseas. So the foreign exchange we received stopped. Now, nearly 200,000 have left for foreign countries. 100,000 more will be sent. Opportunities are being opened in powerful countries of the world for Sri Lankans to go and work. This is a temporary problem,” he said.

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Opposition Leader sits for final exam for his MSc

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Opposition Leader sits for final exam for his MSc

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday (27) sat for the final examination of his Masters of Sciences (MSc) degree in Environmental Science. The Opposition Leader revealed that he sat for the exam in a Facebook remark.

It should be appreciated without argument that Premadasa has set an example before the youth of this country in his commitment to completing his masters degree while leading a very busy life as the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of a newly formed political party on and off Parliament. The Opposition Leader has also reaffirmed his interest and commitment to the field of education in Sri Lanka.

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SLFP ready to leave government upon any conclusion by Central Committee

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SLFP ready to leave government upon any conclusion by Central Committee

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would be ready to leave the government upon any conclusion made by the Party Central Committee, said Party Secretary General State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, addressing the ‘Pannaraya Hari Athata’ the SLFP Polonnaruwa District Convention yesterday (27).

“Some people are raising various opinions. Some say that we should leave the government. Some say that we should stay in the government. There are two-or-three contradictory opinions among us. I would like to remind all of you with love and respect that we are not hesitated to leave the government upon any approval of the Party’s Central Committee in order to drive our program strongly in the village, strengthen our program in the village, and strengthen the party organisations. This has to be a decision taken by the involvement of all you together with the Central Committee,” Jayasekara said.

The SLFP Secretary General added: “Therefore, we have given the strength to these villages in our capacity, as well as we have given the strength to the government in this process. Just because we are in a government, we have not been given such a huge programme. Roads are being built in other districts, but neither our former president nor I have been given even 10 metres. So, do not worry.”

“One cannot win by merely working, may you keep that in mind,” the State Minister went on, “if that was the case, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa would not have lost on January 08, 2015. Why you elected Mr. Maithripala Sirisena in 2015? In 2014 millions of rupees were distributed to the electorates, carpet roads were built even over dams in Gampaha District. But they lost Gampaha District by 15,000 votes. Therefore, keep in mind that mere development cannot win the people’s power in the country. Above that, the political power should be strengthened. May you keep that in mind.”

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France to expand economic relations with Sri Lanka

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France to expand economic relations with Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has met with France’s Minister Delegate for Trade and Economic Attractiveness Franck Riester at the Foreign Ministry in Paris to discuss French support for the expansion of economic relations with Sri Lanka in a variety of sectors. 

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two Ministers at the conclusion of their discussion, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Minister attended several meetings at the Chamber of Commerce of France and also met with Counsellor Bernard Quinet and Head of International Business Networks Estelle Gillot at the Chamber of Commerce. 

The main focus of discussion was networking arrangements between French and Sri Lankan companies and French expertise for educational programmes in entrepreneurship, business management and related subjects, the statement said.

Prof. Peiris held discussions with Francois Corbin of MEDEF International, the largest association of companies in France. 

Among the other representatives of the corporate sector he met in Paris were Secretary General of the company M21 Life Sciences Christian Leroux and Vice President of Marketing Strategy Thales DIS Jean-Claude Perrin.

The Sri Lankan and French authorities maintain regular dialogue on political and economic issues. France’s leading import remains the textile and clothing sector with nearly 59% of total imports.

France maintains dynamic cooperation with Sri Lanka for development with a key aim being to rebuild the infrastructures in regions affected by the civil war. 

In 2005, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) committed €89 million to rebuilding infrastructures damaged by the December 2004 tsunami. 

Since 2010, the AFD has been working in Sri Lanka under a mandate to promote green and inclusive growth in the sectors of water and sanitation, energy and urban development. These commitments total €360 million.

The network of four Alliance Française branches on the island (in Kotte in the Colombo suburbs, in Kandy in the central region, in Matara/Galle in the south and in Jaffna in the north) is a special partnership for major annual events celebrating French culture: 

Fête de la francophonie and “French Spring”. French is the leading European language taught at secondary level after English in Sri Lanka, 150 teachers teach French to 11,000 students.

India approves US$ 1Bn financing deal for Sri Lanka

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India approves US$ 1Bn financing deal for Sri Lanka

The much delayed US$ 1 billion financing deal of India with Sri Lanka will be released soon following approval given by the Cabinet of Ministers India to disburse the loan facility, diplomatic sources revealed.

This was confirmed by the Secretary of the Finance Ministry of Sri Lanka S.R Artygalle adding that the relevant agreement will be signed soon.

India will release the requested financial assistance to the Government of Sri Lanka. However, it is difficult to give the exact dates of the disbursements,” the source noted. 

When questioned about the delay in disbursing the financial assistance, the oreign ministry official explained that the Indian Government had stopped credit lines for commodities and had to recommence the process once the Sri Lankan Government had presented such requests to the Indian Government. “This is the main reason for the delay,” he said.

The $ 1 billion facility sought by the Government will take more time due to the documentation process, it is learnt. However, the source downplayed whether the Indian financial support was being delayed pending a positive nudge from the Sri Lankan Government, like the agreement to jointly develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila announced that Sri Lanka and India would jointly develop the oil tanks while the lease of the Lanka Indian Oil Company tanks was also extended by another 50 years.

 Apart from the $ 400 million swap facility, Sri Lanka has sought a $ 500 million credit line for fuel and a $ 1 billion credit line for food and medical purchases.

Sri Lanka’s dangerously low foreign reserves last week received a boost with the receipt of a Yuan 10 billion (equivalent to $ 1.5 billion) facility that was signed last March. The Chinese facility is to be utilised to pay Chinese import bills.

Household Economy, Microfinance, Employment and Business Development State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, confirmed that discussions are currently ongoing with India to borrow further US $ 1 billion.

“Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will finalise this facility soon,” he said. 

India has promised Sri Lanka a US $ 500 million credit facility for oil and another US $ 1 billion facility for essential goods such as food and medicine. 

Meanwhile, Semasinghe said that in addition to the Indian credit lines, the government is seeking funds from certain Middle Eastern banks. 

“The government is seeking credit facilities to the tune of US $ 2 billion from a number of Middle Eastern banks,” he disclosed. 

Commenting on the government’s plans to bolster its foreign reserves position, Semasinghe expressed confidence in Sri Lanka recording US $ 15 billion in exports this year and said plans are afoot to send 300,000 Sri Lankans abroad with a view of increasing foreign remittance.

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