December 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has announced the official withdrawal of tri-forces personnel assigned to provide security for former presidents, effective from today (23).
This decision marks a significant shift in the security arrangements for former heads of state.
In a statement delivered during a parliamentary session last week, Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, explained that the move to scale back the security provided by the military was made after careful consideration.
From now on, the responsibility for safeguarding former presidents will solely rest with the police force. While this marks the end of tri-forces involvement, the number of police officers dedicated to this task has also been reduced.
However, the government reassured the public that sufficient personnel would remain in place to ensure the continued protection of former presidents.
The decision to decrease the security detail comes as part of broader cost-cutting measures, with the government citing the significant financial burden of maintaining such extensive protection for former leaders.
In response, the authorities have promised that the security arrangements will be periodically reviewed, with reassessments conducted every six months.
If deemed necessary, additional security measures will be implemented to guarantee the safety of the former heads of state.
Despite the reduced presence of military personnel, the Ministry of Defence has assured the public that the security of the former presidents will not be compromised.
The government is confident that the police, with their expertise in domestic security, will be able to manage the protection of former presidents effectively.
December 23, Colombo: The Sanchi Maha Bodhi Festival has been added to the National Festival Calendar issued by the Government of India by naming the various religious and cultural festivals held in India as National Festivals from this year.
Accordingly, the Sanchi Mahabodhi Festival, based on the annual exhibition of the relics of Saryut Mughals, which has been held for 72 years, is considered a national festival in India from this year. It was held recently (November 30 December 01) with the participation of a large number of Buddhist devotees from India, Sri Lanka and other foreign countries.
The two-day event was centered around the Sanchi Chetiyagiri temple built in the Sanchi Stupa complex. The Chetiyagiri temple had been bult by emperor Asoka. Mr. Prahalad Singh Patel, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Sabha, along with Mr. Kiran Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of India, attended the Sanchi Maha Bodhi Festival with the special greetings of the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, in his congratulatory message to Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero on the occasion of the Sanchi Maha Bodhi Festival said, “The Sanchi Maha Bodhi Festival showcases our civilizational roots and rich traditions held annually to allow Buddhist devotees and pilgrims from all over the world to worship the relics of two great disciples of the Buddha, Sariputta Maharahat and Mahamogallana Maharahat.
The Mahabodhi Society’s efforts to preserve and popularize the Dharma buddha and playing an important role in bringing our culture and values to the youth.Also The eternal teachings of the Buddha connect many nations and societies with others. A strong example of this is the Sanchi festival, which brings together people of different races”
I congratulate the Mahabodhi Association for the success of the Sanchi Mahabodhi Festival. I am sure that such events will strengthen our cultural heritage and inspire future generations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi further stated in the message.
Buddhists led by Dr. Supachai Verapuchong from Thailand, Vietnamese devotees including Bodhi Chitta Theraniya from Vietnam, Japanese Buddhist monks and nuns, Buddhist monks and devotees from Sri Lanka joined this event.After centuries of forest cover and ruins, it was discovered in 1918 by Alexander Cunningham and General Macy in 1851 First time at Sanchi shrine.
Excavations were made and then in 1912, Sir General John Marshall restored the ruins and restored the sanctum sanctorum to its present venerable state after the excavations, the relics of the great Mughals, who had been taken to England, built the Sanchi Chetiyagiri temple and worked with irresistible courage to bury it there.Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thero, President of Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara, President of Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, said that Hadigalle Pannathissa Thero.
As the chief guests of this year’s event, Venerable Vihara of Sanchi Chetiyagiri Vihara, Kandy Wattegama Maliadeva International Buddhist Center Director of Vietnam Bodhichitta Theran, Central Government of India Panchayat Sabha and Rural Development Minister Prahalad Singh Patel (Sri Prahalad Singh Patel).Dr. Supachal Verapunchong, one of Thailand’s foremost Buddhist leaders, Member of Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly) Dr. Prabhuram Chaudhary Raisan District Collector Aravind Kumar Dubey – Collector & District Magistrate – Raisan District) participated.
Cultural groups including famous Japanese singer MyU, Sri Lanka’s Thushara Hettiarachi, and Buddhist artists representing various parts of India joined the cultural concert held in conjunction with the Sanchi Mahabodhi Mahotsa.Also, nearly 100,000 Buddhist devotees from Orissa, Andhra, Telangana, Ladakh, Uttar and Uttarakhand, Assam, Kerala, Himachal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and other states participated in the Mahabodhi festival on these two days, Chetigiri vihara resident Udugama Tapassi Thero said.
The relics of Saryut Mughal Agrasravaka, which were kept in the fragrance chamber of the crypt of Chetiagiri Vihara, were brought to the upper floor from that chamber on the 30th of November (30), and after being placed in the temple building, the people were given the opportunity to pay obeisance.Presbyter Banagala Upatissa said that the request of the late Prime Minister of India, Sir Jazablalala Nehru, was fulfilled 72 years ago.
A special alms giving was held at the Maha Bodhi Vandana Niketan premises for the Indian monks coming to this event, and a large number of dansals were organized for the pilgrims.
December 23, Colombo (LNW): The All Ceylon Poultry Traders’ Association has reassured the public that there will be no shortage of chicken or eggs during the upcoming festive season.
Chairman Ajith Gunasekara confirmed that sufficient stocks are being distributed to meet the anticipated demand throughout the holidays.
He further emphasised that the poultry industry has been actively managing supply chains to ensure consistent availability of products in the market.
As of today, frozen chicken with skin is priced at under Rs. 1,000 per kilogramme, offering affordable options for consumers.
Eggs are currently being sold at prices ranging between Rs. 30 and Rs. 33 each, remaining accessible for the majority of households.
Gunasekara also noted that the poultry sector has been monitoring the market closely and adjusting supply accordingly, ensuring that there will be no disruption in the availability of these essential items during one of the busiest periods of the year.
In addition to addressing concerns over potential shortages, the association has assured customers that quality standards are being upheld across the board, with rigorous checks in place to maintain the integrity of poultry products.
December 23, Colombo (LNW): In anticipation of the Christmas season, the Sri Lankan authorities have announced enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of worshippers and the general public during festive celebrations.
Special security arrangements will be put in place at churches across the country, with police, the Special Task Force (STF), and the military standing by to provide support as necessary.
According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed all senior officers and Officers-in-Charge (OICs) to make comprehensive security preparations for the upcoming Christmas services.
As part of this initiative, over 6,500 police officers will be deployed in the Western Province alone, focusing on maintaining safety in areas with the highest concentration of worshippers.
Reports indicate that over 2,000 churches nationwide are expected to hold Christmas services, and local police officials, including Senior Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), and OICs, will work closely with church authorities and civil committees to coordinate security measures.
The authorities aim to ensure a safe environment for all attending the religious services during this important time.
Additionally, the Special Task Force will be actively involved in securing high-risk areas, and should the need arise, the police will seek support from the Sri Lankan Army or other security forces to maintain peace and order.
The Police will also conduct special operations aimed at curbing reckless driving and other traffic-related offences, which often increase during the holidays.
To further bolster safety efforts, more than 500 plain-clothes officers will be stationed near religious sites and busy commercial areas, such as shopping centres, to monitor potential criminal activities and ensure the public’s safety during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The authorities have assured the public that these measures are part of a comprehensive programme fostered to ensure peace and security for all during the holiday season.
December 23, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has engaged in a productive meeting with Takafumi Kadono, the Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Sri Lanka, to discuss ongoing and future collaborations between the country and the international development organisation.
The talks were centred on strengthening the partnership between Sri Lanka and the ADB, which plays a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s development goals.
A key point of the discussions was the focus on the education sector, with the Prime Minister emphasising the critical need to improve school infrastructure, enhance teacher training, and refine assessment systems to ensure a high standard of education for all students.
These areas, she stressed, are essential for the future development of Sri Lanka and for addressing the educational challenges the country faces.
The ADB reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to the Sri Lankan education sector, pledging continued support through various projects aimed at improving educational outcomes.
The bank highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling these challenges and providing sustainable solutions to enhance the quality of education across the island.
December 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has officially announced that rice imports into the country will be prohibited until a relevant Gazette notification is published.
The move comes in the wake of the expiration of the rice import period allocated to the private sector on December 20, during which 67,000 metric tons of rice were brought into the country.
While the government recently extended the rice import period until January 10, 2025, Sri Lanka Customs has made it clear that imports cannot be processed or released into the local market until the Gazette notification is formally issued.
This means that, even with government intervention, no rice imports can be approved or distributed without the necessary legal framework in place.
Meanwhile, a government-imported stock of 52,000 metric tonnes of rice is expected to arrive in the country within the next few days.
This stock, which is being imported through government channels, aims to address the ongoing rice supply concerns.
However, Customs has reiterated that these imports cannot be released into circulation until the official Gazette notification is made public.
Government sources have indicated that the much-anticipated Gazette notification, which will provide the legal basis for rice imports, is expected to be issued after the Cabinet meeting scheduled for today (23).
December 23, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Southern and Uva provinces and in Rathnapura district during the evening or night, with mainly fair weather being expected to prevail elsewhere, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (23).
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, and Uva provinces during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the afternoon or night.
Winds:
Winds will be Northerly to North-westerly in the sea areas around the island and speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle and from Mullaittivu to Batticaloa via Trincomalee.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle and from Mullaittivu to Batticaloa via Trincomalee may be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to implement urgent legal reforms to restore the rule of law: In a written appeal, the AHRC emphasised the need to address judicial delays, introduce anti-corruption legislation, and reform the Attorney General’s Department for improved independence, efficiency, and transparency in governance.
The Democratic People’s Front (DPF) appointed Barath Arulsamy as its new Vice President during a politburo meeting led by Party Leader Mano Ganesan in Colombo: The meeting focused on reviewing the party’s progress, discussing strategies for upcoming Local Government elections, and strengthening its organisational structure: Ganesan emphasised enhancing the party’s political and international engagement while reaffirming its commitment to advocating for Tamil and minority rights.
Former State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe praised the former government’s efforts in steering Sri Lanka from crisis to growth, citing the Fitch Ratings upgrade of the country’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘Restricted Default’: He highlighted this milestone as a success of debt restructuring, strengthening both local and global confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
The Election Commission will provide the Police with a list of candidates who have failed to submit their income and expenditure reports since contesting the general election: The Police will take legal action against these candidates: Meanwhile, the names of those who have submitted their reports are displayed at district secretariats and election offices.
The Education Ministry has instructed all government schools to avoid organising programmes on Sundays to prevent conflicts with Sunday school activities: A letter from the Additional Secretary, P.R. Kariyawasam, noted a request from the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry to allow children to participate in Sunday school: Schools were advised to schedule any necessary programs outside Sunday school hours.
The Central Bank (CBSL) has announced relief measures for SMEs affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent economic conditions: These measures include rescheduling non-performing loans based on the borrower’s ability to repay and a revival plan, with final agreements due by June 15, 2025: SMEs may also receive interest waivers, and new loan applications should not be rejected solely based on adverse CRIB records: SMEs must engage with their bank’s Business Revival Units by March 31, 2025, to qualify for relief.
The Police will launch a nationwide special traffic operation starting today (23) focusing on passenger buses and other vehicles to reduce road accidents: The operation, continuing through the festive season, will prioritise inspections for alcohol or substance-impaired driving, reckless driving, and technical defects in buses: Traffic officers will conduct 24-hour surveillance, and the public can report violations via hotlines, police stations, or WhatsApp.
A gazette notification issued on December 20, 2024, extends the compulsory retirement age for various government medical officers to 63 years: This includes Medical Specialists, Grade Medical Officers, Dental Officers, Medical Administrative Grade officers, and Dental Specialists: The new provisions, effective from January 1, 2023, were announced by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government.
An extraordinary gazette signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has delegated the authority to borrow and issue debt securities, both domestically and internationally, to the Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka: The Treasury Secretary is also authorised to sign agreements for foreign loans and government guarantees for state corporations or public enterprises seeking foreign loans, as well as any related contracts, bonds, or promissory notes.
The 13th Defence Services Taekwondo Championship 2024/2025 was successfully held at the SLAF Base Katunayake Gymnasium from December 17-20, 2024: The Sri Lanka Air Force Women’s Team claimed the Women’s Championship with five Gold, two Silver, and nine Bronze medals: The SLAF Men’s Team secured second place with four Gold, one Silver, and one Bronze: Aircraftman Prabashwara DPGAM was named ‘Best Player’: The awards ceremony was attended by Air Vice Marshal Chaminda Wickramaratne and senior officers from the tri-services.
December 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has begun establishing a Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) to centralize and streamline the management of government borrowings and obligations of state enterprises and sub-national bodies. Officially launched on December 2, 2024, the PDMO is set to be fully operational by January 2026, replacing functions previously handled by multiple agencies, including the Central Bank, the Department of External Resources, and the Department of Treasury Operations.
The PDMO’s primary objectives are to enhance public debt transparency, improve accountability, and ensure sustainable borrowing practices. Its responsibilities include managing government debt, issuing loan guarantees, overseeing on-lending operations, and maintaining comprehensive records of public debt.
Additionally, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), local authorities, and provincial councils are now required to report quarterly outstanding debt and obtain written approval for borrowings.
Key tasks of the PDMO will involve preparing a medium-term debt management strategy, negotiating domestic and foreign loans, and publishing government securities auction calendars. The agency will also assess credit risks, manage debt-related cash flows, and oversee liability management operations.
As part of ongoing economic reforms, Sri Lanka has successfully restructured its domestic and foreign debts. Local bondholders received eight tranches of floating-rate rupee bonds worth LKR 155.7 billion, maturing between 2023 and 2043.
These bonds, primarily held by banks, avoided principal reductions and offer a coupon rate 50 basis points above the Central Bank’s Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR). The rate is calculated as a six-month historical average before the payment date. Foreign bondholders were also provided options to convert holdings into local-currency bonds, subject to limits.
Internationally, Sri Lanka has restructured $12.5 billion in sovereign bonds, most of which were accumulated during repeated currency crises between 2015 and 2019. These crises were driven by expansionary monetary policies that led to forex shortages and unsustainable debt levels.
The government’s efforts aim to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 90% by 2028, down from pre-default levels, while bringing the interest-to-revenue ratio to 42%, a significant improvement despite remaining above the average for similarly rated economies.
Despite these gains, analysts warn that inconsistent monetary policies, such as those involving soft pegs and flexible exchange rates, could trigger recurrent inflation and currency crises. They liken Sri Lanka’s challenges to the United Kingdom’s economic difficulties in the 1970s, underscoring the need for robust monetary policy frameworks to achieve sustainable economic stability.
While debt restructuring marks progress, Sri Lanka must address deeper structural issues, including fiscal discipline and growth-oriented reforms. Ensuring monetary stability and avoiding policy conflicts will be crucial for fostering long-term resilience and preventing future crises.
December 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Government has decided not to revise the Special Commodity Levy Act No. 48 of 2007, keeping the levy rates on essential goods unchanged until January 1, 2025. This decision was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers, following a proposal from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who serves as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
The Special Commodity Levy Act was introduced to streamline the taxation system on 63 essential items, including staple foods, by consolidating various taxes into one levy. In March 2024, the Cabinet had approved a proposal to revise the Act and introduce additional taxes, such as Value Added Tax (VAT), on these goods. However, after considering concerns about the potential negative impact on local farmers and market prices, the Government decided to retain the current levy structure.
Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa explained that maintaining the existing levy was essential for balancing the needs of consumers and local producers. He emphasized that introducing VAT could harm local farmers by exposing them to unfair competition, and the resulting price hikes could further burden consumers. The decision to keep the levy intact aims to protect farmers while ensuring that essential goods remain affordable for the public.
Despite this, Sri Lanka is under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to phase out the Special Commodity Levy and replace it with VAT. The previous government had planned to replace the levy with more stable taxes as part of its commitment to IMF reforms. According to senior Ministry officials, the decision to reconsider the levy was influenced by concerns over the revenue losses that could result from abrupt policy changes.
The Special Commodity Levy is unique in that, when it applies, no other indirect taxes, such as VAT or excise duties, are levied on affected goods. However, it has faced criticism for its lack of stability, as the rates can be changed with the signature of the Finance Minister, sometimes with little notice. An example of this occurred in October 2020, when the levy on sugar was drastically reduced overnight, leading to significant revenue losses and windfall gains for certain importers. This move raised questions about the transparency and intent behind such policy shifts.
The IMF’s technical report also highlighted that the ease with which the levy can be altered could conflict with Sri Lanka’s constitution, which requires Parliament to have full control over public finances. Despite these challenges, the Government has chosen to preserve the current tax structure, at least until 2025, as it seeks to balance fiscal reforms with the protection of local agriculture and the welfare of consumers.
