By: Isuru Parakrama

October 20, Colombo (LNW): As the final negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty approach, the United Nations is expected to focus on tackling plastic pollution from maritime disasters, such as the devastating Xpress Pearl incident.

The final discussions will take place in November in Busan, South Korea, as part of efforts to establish the first comprehensive global treaty aimed at addressing plastic waste.

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen, speaking ahead of the negotiations, indicated that the treaty would prioritise measures to “prevent” nurdle spills, a type of microplastic pollution that has wreaked havoc on marine ecosystems.

Nurdles, which are small plastic pellets used in manufacturing, were heavily released into Sri Lankan waters during the Xpress Pearl disaster, causing significant long-term damage to the marine environment.

Although Andersen clarified that the treaty may not directly address specific past incidents like the Xpress Pearl, she noted that its language would target broader concerns related to “legacy plastics” and “accidental releases.”

This signals a strong commitment from the United Nations to preventing future plastic pollution from maritime sources.

The Global Plastics Treaty will mark a milestone in international environmental policy, bringing together member states to confront the growing threat of plastic pollution.

It is expected to include measures aimed at reducing plastic waste across global supply chains, as well as addressing accidents like nurdle spills, which have previously lacked international regulation.

Environmental advocates hope that the treaty’s outcome will lead to stricter preventive measures and greater accountability for industries contributing to plastic waste.

With global awareness of plastic pollution on the rise, the upcoming treaty discussions represent a crucial step towards safeguarding marine environments and promoting sustainability.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 20, Colombo (LNW): Over the past 24 hours, four individuals, including a woman, tragically lost their lives in separate road accidents across different regions of Sri Lanka, Police said.

The incidents occurred in Moronthuduwa, Kopai, Karandeniya, and Kadawatha, marking a concerning rise in fatal road crashes.

In Moronthuduwa, a 21-year-old motorcyclist lost his life after losing control of his bike on the Moronthuduwa-Horana road.

The young man collided with a culvert, sustaining severe injuries. Despite being rushed to Gonaduwa Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

In another incident in Jaffna’s Kopai area, a three-wheeler struck a 68-year-old woman from Kattapirai while she was crossing the road.

The victim was immediately transported to Jaffna Hospital, where she was treated for critical injuries.

In Borakanda, tragedy struck when an 81-year-old cyclist was involved in a fatal head-on collision with a motorcycle.

The elderly man sustained life-threatening injuries and passed away at the scene of the accident.

Meanwhile, on the Kandy-Colombo main road near Kadawatha, a 74-year-old motorcyclist lost his life when a lorry struck his vehicle.

The collision caused the man to fall under the rear wheels of the lorry, resulting in his death on the spot.

The Police have urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to avoid such tragic accidents, especially given the recent increase in road fatalities across the country.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 20, Colombo (LNW): The closing ceremony of a three-month STEM teacher-training initiative, funded through Indian grant assistance, was recently held at the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, and Plantation Infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

The programme was designed to improve the quality of education in plantation areas by equipping teachers with advanced knowledge in key STEM subjects.

The event saw the participation of several distinguished figures, including the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Environment.

This initiative, a response to a request from the Sri Lankan Government, was part of India’s multi-sectoral grant of INR 750 million, commemorating 200 years since the arrival of the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

The programme commenced in July 2024 with the arrival of 19 Indian educators specialising in STEM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and Biology).

After an orientation hosted by Sri Lanka’s National Institute of Education, these teachers began their work in plantation schools, offering training to over 2,000 local teachers across 40 centres in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Western provinces.

Spanning 10 weeks, the initiative aimed to modernise teaching approaches and enhance the quality of STEM education in under-resourced schools.

The trained teachers and schools expressed great satisfaction with the programme’s impact and called for its continuation in the future.

During the closing ceremony on 18th October 2024, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara, praised the effectiveness of the programme, noting its significant contribution to improving the education system in the region.

She extended heartfelt thanks to the Indian Government for its support.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha remarked that this teacher-training initiative further strengthened the historic ties between India and Sri Lanka, adding to a long list of India-supported development projects in sectors such as education, housing, healthcare, and renewable energy.

He highlighted that such collaborations reflect India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s national priorities and positively influencing the everyday lives of its people.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 20, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has publicly revealed his decision to deny a request from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe for an extensive array of privileges.

These included an unusually large number of staff and resources, such as 16 chefs, 163 security personnel, 30 umbrellas, and more than 20 vehicles.

Addressing a public gathering, President Dissanayake made it clear that future entitlements for former Presidents would be strictly regulated, starting with Wickremesinghe’s allowance being reduced to just three vehicles, in accordance with current government policies.

Dissanayake further announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at curbing excessive privileges for former Presidents, ensuring that public funds are used more responsibly.

He emphasised that the government should not be burdened with providing lavish benefits to those who have left office, especially during times of economic difficulty.

In addition to scaling back vehicle entitlements, the President also ordered the retrieval of two ambulances that had been stationed at the residences of both Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

These ambulances should be part of the national healthcare infrastructure, not treated as personal property by former leaders, according to Dissanayake.

However, the standard privileges entitled to former presidents under the Constitution will remain unchanged.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 20, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern province, and several spells of showers may occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (20).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces during the evening or night.

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:

1. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announces the 2025 Budget proposal will be presented in February or March 2025, focusing on increasing state sector salaries, schoolchildren allowances, and support for underprivileged and differently-abled communities: Additionally, a Vote on Account will be presented by the new government in December 2024 to manage interim expenses.
   
2. Former Deputy Minister Vincent Dias criticises former MP Harin Fernando for neglecting the Badulla district for five years and expresses disappointment with his political choices: claims Harin’s alliance with the UNP and leader Ranil Wickremesinghe undermined SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and will cost Harin politically in the upcoming election.
   
3. The ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance, led by entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera, launches its election campaign in Anuradhapura: seeks blessings at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweli Maha Saya: emphasises self-funded politics and highlighted the upcoming election as a significant opportunity, suggesting its outcome could be surprising.
   
4. The Central Bank mandates banks to establish business revival units to aid customers in reviving failed businesses: These units will offer services like financial grants, reduced loan interest, and extended repayment periods: CBSL has previously lowered policy interest rates, encouraging banks to pass on benefits to customers: The Bank of Ceylon has already launched 12 such centres across the country.
   
5. EU Ambassador Carmen Moreno meets Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to reaffirm strong ties between the EU and Sri Lanka, with discussions focusing on the GSP+ trade scheme and attracting foreign investment: The Prime Minister also met with Asian Development Bank representatives, expressing gratitude for their support in Sri Lanka’s development projects and seeking continued collaboration for future goals.
   
6. The People’s Action For Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) recommends that general election candidates appoint an individual to manage their expense and income reports: Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi highlights that failing to do so could lead to difficulties, as seen in the last presidential election: Appointing someone promptly after the election could minimise financial reporting challenges, ensuring smoother compliance with regulations.
   
7. Indian Navy ship INS Kalpeni arrives in Colombo on 19 October, warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy: The visit, part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aims to enhance naval cooperation: The ship, specialising in coastal surveillance and anti-smuggling, brought technical support tools for the Sri Lanka Navy: The crew will engage in local visits during their stay until 21 October.
   
8. The Government Information Department clarifies former Presidents’ privileges have not been withdrawn, contrary to media reports: Only additional vehicles provided to them have been returned: Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned 8 of 16 vehicles, while former President Ranil Wickremesinghe retains 11 vehicles: The statement reaffirms that ex-Presidents still hold their privileges.
   
9. An emergency was declared at Bandaranaike International Airport after a bomb hoax on a Vistara flight from Mumbai, minutes before landing: The captain received a non-specific threat, triggering a protocol response: All 96 passengers and eight crew members landed safely and were evacuated as authorities conducted a thorough search of the aircraft, ensuring safety.
   
10. Pathum Nissanka is expected to be rested for the first ODI in Pallekele today due to an injury from the recent T20I series: Kusal Mendis is likely to open with Avishka Fernando, while Kamindu Mendis will bat at No. 3: Star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga returns from injury to bolster Sri Lanka’s spin attack, joining Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage.

October 19, Colombo (LNW) The implementation of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Individual Registration Programme for Income Tax has resulted in a substantial increase in income tax registration files for the 2023/2024 tax year, as compared to the previous year. Inland Revenue Commissioner General Sepalika Chandrasekara announced that the number of income tax reports submitted for the 2022/2023 assessment year was 333,313, but this figure has surged by 868,009 during 2023/2024.

The expansion of income tax registration has targeted various groups, with increased focus on businessmen, professionals, and individuals who own assets. Those registered are required to submit their income reports through the online system. Payment slips have also been mailed to taxpayers for use if any payment is due.

Chandrasekara noted that individuals who are registered for income tax but do not have sufficient income or profits due to reasons like business closures or lack of income sources can request deactivation of their registration. This process requires submission of supporting documents to the nearest inland revenue office.

As per the tax regulations, individuals earning more than Rs. 100,000 per month or Rs. 1.2 million annually are required to pay income tax.

October 19, Colombo (LNW) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a directive to all banks to establish dedicated business revival units aimed at helping customers revive failed businesses. These units offer a range of services, including financial grants, reduced loan interest rates, and extended loan repayment periods to support business recovery.

It was noted that some banks had already set up such units prior to the CBSL’s directive. These existing units are now being upgraded to enhance their efficiency and provide more customer-friendly services. New systems are being implemented to further improve the effectiveness of these units.

The CBSL has also reduced its policy interest rates on several occasions, emphasizing the responsibility of banks to pass on the benefits of these reductions to their customers. CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has urged banks to use the lower policy interest rates to reduce loan interest rates, providing relief to businesses and encouraging economic recovery.

In response to the CBSL’s directive, many banks have already begun offering loans at lower interest rates. For instance, Russell Fonseka, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), confirmed that BOC currently operates 11 such business revival centres across provincial levels, with one additional centre located at the BOC headquarters in Colombo.