November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to present a more robust proposal for lowering electricity tariffs, deeming the initial reduction insufficient.
The CEB has until 8 November to deliver an updated plan.
The initial proposal, submitted by the CEB on October 24 October, suggested tariff cuts between 4 per cent and 11 per cent.
However, stakeholders, including consumer advocacy groups, have raised concerns that these reductions fall short, particularly in light of the CEB’s improved financial performance in recent months.
Critics argue that the utility provider’s profitability should translate into more significant relief for consumers facing high electricity costs.
PUCSL Communications Director Jayanath Herath highlighted that, following the submission of a revised proposal by the CEB, the PUCSL will work on a counter-proposal.
This will aim to ensure that the final tariff adjustments are better aligned with both consumer expectations and the utility’s recent financial outcomes.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates slight appreciation against the US Dollar today (04) in comparison to last week, as per the official exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 288.55 from Rs. 288.59, and the selling price to Rs. 297.60 from Rs. 297.64.
Meanwhile, the LKR indicates depreciation against several other foreign currencies, but indicates appreciation against Gulf currencies.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): Shashi Prabha Ratwatte, wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, was taken into custody following a court appearance at Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court in connection with the discovery of an unregistered luxury vehicle at her residence in Mirihana, Nugegoda.
The Nugegoda Magistrate subsequently ordered her remand until November 07.
The incident originated on October 26, when police located a high-end vehicle lacking registration plates at a three-storey residence owned by Mrs. Ratwatte.
This search, conducted following a tip-off received at police headquarters, uncovered the vehicle in the Embuldeniya neighbourhood.
Lohan Ratwatte, who was also arrested in Katugastota, Kandy, on October 31, reportedly informed police that the unregistered vehicle had been brought to the Mirihana house by his private secretary about three weeks prior to the search.
According to Ratwatte and his wife, his mother-in-law was residing at the property.
In a tragic turn, the private secretary in question was recently found dead from gunshot wounds in Kandy’s Katugastota area, casting further complexity on the case.
Since his arrest, Ratwatte was initially admitted to the Prison Hospital on November 02 due to what prison authorities described as “sudden illness” and was later transferred to Colombo General Hospital for further treatment.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC has resolved to appoint Dr. Mothilal de Silva, as an Independent, non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC with effect from 04 November 2024.
With a career spanning over many decades, Dr de Silva is a result oriented multidisciplinary C-level executive in the telecommunication industry having experience in Sri Lanka and multiple countries in Asia and Pacific regions. He is a turnaround specialist and a strategist.
He was also the Group Chief Strategy Officer and Group Chief Corporate Officer of Dialog Axiata, General Manager (Sales, Marketing and Customer Service) of MTN Networks Pvt Ltd and Vice President Process Excellence and Group Operations of Axiata Group Malaysia.
Under his leadership as Group Chief Executive Officer, he turned around the Fiji’s state-owned telecommunication company Telecom Fiji Ltd sustainably after 5+ consecutive loss-making years.
During his tenure at Telecom Fiji, the company registered consistent growth in profit, dividend and investment for network modernisation. He sat on the Board of Directors of Lanka Communication Services Pvt Ltd, a telecommunication service provider for enterprises in Sri Lanka.
As a C-level executive at Dialog, Mothilal set up Corporate Planning, Strategy, MIS, Business Intelligence, Performance Management, Quality, Process Reengineering, Enterprise Program Management and Corporate Development divisions from scratch while apprenticing young set of managers who had progressed to become leaders in Dialog and Axiata Group subsidiary companies. He was also instrumental in winning GSMA awards, International Asia Pacific Quality Award, Asia CSR award for Dialog Axiata and many national awards.
Mothilal obtained Doctor of Business Administration from PPA Business School, Paris, with a distinction for his dissertation “Corporate Venture Capital as an engagement model for co-creating 5G ready services”. He has a MSc in IT from Keele University UK, MBA from PIM, SL, BSc (Engineering) SL, Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management from Maastricht School of Management, Netherland and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from PIM SL.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Litro Gas Company has announced that it will not increase the prices of its domestic LP gas cylinders for November 2024, maintaining current rates to support consumers amidst rising global gas costs.
Channa Gunawardena, Chairman of Litro Gas, confirmed that the company decided to absorb the impact of global price hikes, prioritising consumer relief over potential profits.
This decision, he noted, was made possible through effective stock management and operational efficiencies within the state-owned enterprise.
As a result, the prices for domestic Litro LP gas cylinders will remain as follows:
12.5kg cylinder – Rs. 3,690
5kg cylinder – Rs. 1,482
2.3kg cylinder – Rs. 694
Litro’s move to stabilise prices offers some financial reprieve to households, especially as global energy markets experience fluctuations.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has dismissed a fundamental rights petition that sought to challenge the scheduled date for the upcoming general election, set for November 14, 2024.
The decision was reached today (04) by a three-judge panel, following a thorough examination of the arguments presented.
The petition was brought forth by H.M. Priyantha Herath, the Secretary of the Api Sri Lanka National Organisation and a civil rights activist.
Filed on October 21, the petition claimed that the announcement of the election date and the related nomination processes contravened the provisions outlined in the Elections Act of Sri Lanka.
In his arguments, Herath contended that the timing and manner in which the election date was declared were unconstitutional, posing potential implications for the electoral process.
However, the court found insufficient grounds to support these claims, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the petition.
The dismissal of this challenge clears the way for the electoral process to proceed as planned, ensuring that preparations for the election can continue without further legal hindrance.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The political landscape in Sri Lanka is on the cusp of significant change, with the upcoming Parliamentary Election on November 14. One of the most noteworthy developments in this evolving scenario is the emergence of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the National Peoples Power (NPP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
Looking from the perspective of marginalised communities of the country, significantly the eyes of the Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ community, this marks a potential beacon of hope for them, in the backdrop where Dissanayake and his team have taken a groundbreaking stance in Sri Lankan politics by categorically recognising the rights of individuals from diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
This historic commitment marks a significant departure from the conservative political norms that have historically dominated Sri Lanka’s governance.
The NPP’s political manifesto prominently features a pledge to decriminalise consensual same-sex relations between adults. This move not only acknowledges the existence of the LGBTQIA+ community but also signals a potential shift towards a more inclusive and progressive political framework.
Such a change is particularly significant in a country where consensual same-sex relations are deemed a criminal offence since colonial times, despite having no definitive provisions in the legal framework to prosecute them for, leaving the queer community vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, violence and marginalisation.
By recognising these rights, the NPP has positioned itself as a forward-thinking party, setting a precedent for future political discourse in Sri Lanka.
Despite this encouraging stance, the NPP faces formidable challenges in realising these aspirations. The recently dissolved Parliament held only three seats for the NPP, hence the interim-Cabinet being managed by the trio, which limits its capacity to influence legislative change effectively. Dissanayake and his team are currently operating in an interim government, navigating the complexities of governance whilst preparing for an election that could reshape the future of the country.
The previous Parliament, which is largely contesting this year’s elections, has been characterised by a conservative majority that has historically resisted liberal ideologies and mocked the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. This backdrop poses a significant hurdle for Dissanayake’s ambitious plans to secure their rights.
For the queer community in Sri Lanka, the prospect of a government that actively advocates for their rights has generated a palpable sense of hope, one activist told LNW. She emphasised that many community members view the NPP’s commitments as a validation of their struggles and aspirations.
There is a growing recognition that the new government could potentially provide a platform for the voices of queer individuals, allowing them to participate actively in decision-making processes that affect their lives. This involvement is crucial, as it fosters a sense of agency and empowerment within a community that has often felt sidelined in political discussions.
In 2023, the Supreme Court delivered a very crucial determination affecting this population, asserting that a bill proposing decriminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual relations between adults do not violate the Constitution, and, therefore, can be made into law by the approval of the simple majority in Parliament.
This response came in countering the fundamental rights (FR) petitions brought forward by certain political groups against a private member’s bill presented by former Ruling Party MP Premnath Dolawatta proposing decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relations. Upon query, the NPP responded to the bill, stating that they back it, despite sharing political rivalry with Dolawatta’s party.
The bill, however, was subjugated to lagging despite being taken in for parliamentary debate due to the dissolution by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election, and remains behind closed doors, pending an uncertain approval.
The engagement of LGBTQIA+ voices in politics is vital for creating a more inclusive society. Dissanayake’s leadership and the NPP’s willingness to address queer rights can pave the way for policies that are more reflective of the diverse needs of the population.
This inclusion would not only benefit the queer community but also enrich the political discourse in Sri Lanka, fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding. The hope is that the new government will create spaces for dialogue, allowing queer individuals to share their experiences and challenges directly with policymakers.
Dolawatta’s bill proposed amendments to the Penal Code’s Sections 365 and 365A, which prohibit carnal intercourse against ‘the order of nature’ between persons, and acts of ‘gross indecency,’ respectively, despite failing to provide elaborative definitions for either.
365: “Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be punished with fine and where the offence is committed by a person over eighteen years of age in respect of any person under sixteen years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than ten years and not exceeding twenty years and with fine and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for injuries caused to such person.”
365A: “Any person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of, any act of gross indecency with another person, shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be punished with imprisonment of either the description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both and where the offence is committed by a person over eighteen years of age in respect of any person under sixteen years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than ten years and not exceeding twenty years and with fine and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for the injuries caused to such person.”
Neither of the clauses mention people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions or sex characteristics, but the law enforcement authorities have long been known to have abused the aforementioned sections for the persecution of queer individuals in Sri Lanka.
The Attorney General’s Department on four consecutive occasions (2014, 2017, 2019 and most recently, 2022) asserted before the United Nations that the provisions of Article 12 of the Constitution do recognise LGBTQIA+ rights, and any law criminalising them, therefore, would be unconstitutional.
The discussion of LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka shall not be omitted from the national political dialogue, and recognising and protecting the rights of marginalised communities, including those of queer individuals, shall become a priority of the new regime, another activist said.
As the election date approaches, the hope amongst the queer community remains palpable. Many are cautiously optimistic that a vote for the NPP is a vote for a more inclusive Sri Lanka, one that recognises and celebrates diversity rather than suppressing it. In recent rallies, Dissanayake did promise legislative changes assuring equality for all marginalised communities. Nonetheless, activists do level criticism against the current regime’s low-key pitch about the queer issue.
A future Dissanayake-led administration must act in the interest of the public and shall not forget that 1.5 million people of the population have recognised themselves within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and are registered voters. For many, this year’s election represents not just a chance for a change in the corrupt political system, but a critical opportunity to assert their identity and rights in a society that has often overlooked them.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): Fewer than 1,000 out of 8,888 candidates vying for seats in the upcoming parliamentary elections are currently involved in active campaigning, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
This revelation was made by the executive director of PAFFREL during an appearance on a radio programme.
The local election monitoring group expressed concern over the lack of engagement among the majority of candidates, highlighting that many of them lack prior political experience or a strong political background.
This situation raises questions about the candidates’ preparedness to address the pressing issues facing their communities and to effectively represent their constituents in parliament.
The upcoming elections are critical for the country, as they will shape the future political atmosphere and determine the direction of governance in Sri Lanka.
PAFFREL’s findings suggest that a significant number of candidates may not be adequately prepared to connect with voters or articulate their policies and visions for the nation.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): In a recent address at a public gathering in Badulla, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake proclaimed the commencement of a transformative journey aimed at revitalising the nation.
He confidently asserted that this movement towards recovery cannot be impeded.
Emphasising the importance of comprehensive planning, President Dissanayake outlined several ambitious initiatives designed to restore and enhance the country’s economic and social framework.
He announced a significant digitisation plan, aiming to make Sri Lanka a leader in digital innovation and service by the year 2025, particularly in the tourism sector, which he hopes will see record visitor numbers.
Additionally, the President introduced the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, which seeks to foster a culture of virtue and discipline among citizens.
This programme will focus on creating a more law-abiding society and improving public facilities, including a comprehensive system for clean public toilets nationwide.
President Dissanayake also indicated the establishment of a new centre dedicated to scientific research, reflecting a commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation within the country.
Furthermore, he reiterated plans to revive the manufacturing sector by reopening shuttered factories and constructing new ones, emphasising that this marks a renaissance period for Sri Lanka.
“Our first challenge has been to manage the economy in a structured manner,” he stated, outlining the government’s determination to tackle economic issues head-on.
November 04, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (04) will review a fundamental rights petition disputing the scheduled date for Sri Lanka’s 2024 general election.
A five-member judicial bench will hear the case, which has sparked considerable attention concerning electoral regulations and constitutional integrity.
This petition was filed by H.M. Priyantha Herath, Secretary of the Api Sri Lanka National Organisation and a prominent civil rights activist.
Herath’s submission, made on October 21, contests the decision to hold the election on November 14, arguing that both the announcement of the date and the nomination process contravene Sri Lanka’s Elections Act.
Herath’s case specifically requests the Court to declare the election date as unconstitutional, stating that the timing and procedural approach conflict with established electoral laws.
The apex court’s decision may carry significant implications for the scheduling and governance of Sri Lanka’s electoral processes.
