Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Wasantha Samarasinghe addressed concerns over the current red rice shortage, attributing it to mismanagement by previous governments. He assured the public that measures are underway to stabilize supply, especially with the Thai Pongal festival approaching.

“We understand that red rice is a staple for many, particularly during cultural celebrations like Thai Pongal. The shortage has understandably raised concerns, and I want to shed light on its causes,” Samarasinghe said.

The Minister explained that red rice cultivation is traditionally concentrated in areas such as Matara, Galle, Hambantota, and other parts of the Southern and Eastern provinces. In 2024, 277,315 hectares were cultivated during the Yala and Maha seasons, yielding 1.1 million metric tons of paddy. However, resource mismanagement and inefficient distribution policies by prior administrations have led to the current scarcity.

He detailed that the Maha season of 2024 produced approximately 706,000 metric tons of paddy from 277,000 hectares, while the Yala season yielded 403,097 metric tons. Despite adequate production figures, inefficiencies in distribution have left the market undersupplied with red rice.

Looking ahead, Samarasinghe provided reassurance about the 2025 Maha season, which has already seen 161,067 hectares cultivated, with an expected yield of 648,200 metric tons. “We anticipate no shortage in 2025,” he stated.

Criticizing previous policies, the Minister highlighted a pre-election initiative that distributed 20 kilograms of red rice per family without consideration for consumer preferences. “This indiscriminate distribution disrupted the market. By providing red rice to those who do not typically consume it, they inadvertently caused a shortage for those who rely on it,” he explained.

Efforts are now focused on rectifying the situation. “We have conducted extensive surveys in paddy-growing areas, mills, and warehouses to gain better insights into supply chain issues and prevent future shortages,” Samarasinghe concluded.

Journalist groups in Sri Lanka have voiced strong concerns over the government’s decision to enter agreements with Chinese media institutions during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to Beijing.

According to a report by Anidda Newspaper, several media forums criticized the government’s announcement last week, which revealed that proposals for partnerships with Chinese media outlets, focused on capacity building, had been approved.

Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Duminda Sampath, questioned the timing and transparency of the agreements. “Chinese media are predominantly state-controlled entities, not independent outlets. At a time when Sri Lankan journalists are advocating for reforms to ensure media independence, especially within state-run media, this move is deeply troubling,” Sampath said.

He cautioned that such partnerships might enable foreign influence in Sri Lanka’s media landscape, potentially undermining the country’s press freedom. Sampath also criticized the government for failing to consult local media stakeholders, labeling the process as lacking transparency.

Lasantha De Silva of the Free Media Movement echoed these sentiments, calling for the agreements’ contents to be made public. “Media should operate with social responsibility, not as tools of government propaganda. The public deserves to know what these agreements entail and their potential impact on the country,” he stated.

Details of Proposed Agreements

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media is reportedly preparing to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) and the state-owned Xinhua News Agency. These agreements aim to facilitate capacity-building programs for Sri Lankan officials and journalists.

The partnerships include collaborations between Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) and Xinhua News Agency, as well as agreements involving the Department of Government Information, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation with China Media Group.

Call for Transparency

Media organizations are urging the government to disclose the terms of these agreements and engage with local media stakeholders before proceeding. Critics fear that without transparency, these collaborations may compromise the independence of Sri Lanka’s media, which is already under scrutiny for state influence.

The government’s next steps on these agreements will be closely watched, as concerns grow over their implications for press freedom and the broader media landscape in Sri Lanka.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is set to intensify its efforts to combat money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).

Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe announced that the Central Bank plans to broaden its scope, enabling the reporting of tax evasion, tax-related crimes, and suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for immediate investigation. This initiative aims to enhance the nation’s financial transparency and strengthen its legal framework.

Dr. Weerasinghe emphasized the importance of creating more legal provisions for key institutions, including the Customs Department, Inland Revenue Department, and Excise Department, to swiftly share relevant information with the FIU. This step is expected to accelerate investigations and improve the efficiency of law enforcement.

The FIU has already signed agreements with several government agencies, granting access to national-level information to facilitate comprehensive investigations into suspicious activities. This collaborative approach strengthens Sri Lanka’s capability to combat financial crimes effectively.

The Governor revealed that amendments to three key legal acts are in the final drafting stages to align the legal framework with international standards. These changes will bolster the country’s AML/CFT regime and ensure compliance with global expectations.

Dr. Weerasinghe underscored the broader implications of these efforts, noting that a robust AML/CFT system will enhance the credibility of Sri Lanka’s financial system, attract foreign direct investments, improve access to international financial markets, promote good governance practices, and contribute to national security.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times over most parts of the island and cloudy skies are expected. Fairly heavy showers about 100mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district.

Fairly strong winds of (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, Eastern, North-central, North-western and Uva provinces and in Matara and Hambantota districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

By: Staff Writer

January 14, Colombo (LNW): The recent appointment of former High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake as the Director General (DG) of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, based on recommendations from the Constitutional Council, has sparked significant debate within Sri Lanka’s legal community.

Legal professionals have raised concerns about the legality of this appointment under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 09 of 2023. According to legal activist and attorney Namal Rajapaksa, the Act clearly specifies the qualifications required for the position of DG.

Legal Provisions and Concerns

Section 17 of the Anti-Corruption Act outlines the qualifications for the DG role, emphasizing the necessity for a minimum of 15 years of experience in handling criminal prosecutions and extensive legal expertise.

Furthermore, Section 19(A) mandates that the appointee must be a legal professional with proven experience in managing criminal cases. Rajapaksa contends that the inclusion of these provisions in the Act was aimed at addressing the inefficiencies of past CIABOC leadership in managing high-profile corruption cases.

Ranga Dissanayake, while widely regarded as a competent and honest High Court judge, lacks the required 15 years of experience in managing criminal prosecutions. Rajapaksa asserts that this makes the appointment non-compliant with the law.

Counterarguments in Favor of the Appointment

Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, a legal analyst and former commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, refuted these claims. He argued that Dissanayake’s extensive judicial career, including his tenure as a Magistrate and later as a High Court Judge, provides him with substantial experience and knowledge of criminal law and case management.

Magistrates, he noted, handle a significant volume of criminal cases, which equips them with expertise in this domain.

Mahanamahewa also highlighted that the DG operates with the support of a legal team within CIABOC, suggesting that Dissanayake’s appointment does not violate the law.

Implications and Potential Legal Challenges

Despite these arguments, Rajapaksa maintains that the appointment is legally contentious and could be challenged in court.

He pointed to a precedent involving former DG Kanishka Wijerathna, whose appointment as DG while serving as a High Court Judge was deemed unlawful due to non-compliance with the qualifications outlined in the law. Wijerathna subsequently resigned, citing these legal concerns.

Rajapaksa warned that similar challenges could arise regarding Dissanayake’s appointment, potentially undermining the validity of indictments signed by the DG. He cited ongoing legal disputes, such as the Greek Bond case involving former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, where the validity of indictments signed by the previous DG has already been contested.

 Future Implications

If legal challenges against Dissanayake’s appointment succeed, it could cast doubt on the legitimacy of cases initiated under his tenure. This includes the risk of indictments being invalidated, potentially leading to the dismissal of critical corruption cases.

The debate underscores the importance of adhering to legal frameworks in appointing officials to key institutions tasked with upholding integrity and accountability in Sri Lanka.