January 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has recently signed a significant agreement concerning the Hajj pilgrimage for the year 2025, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was finalised in Jeddah, with the Sri Lankan delegation led by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Sunil Senevi.

On the Saudi side, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat, the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, represented the Kingdom.

The agreement underscores the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing the Hajj pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims.

Minister Senevi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was arranged at the invitation of Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and is seen as a crucial step towards streamlining Hajj operations in the future.

In discussions preceding the signing, Minister Senevi highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s dedication to improving the Hajj journey for its citizens.

He outlined plans for making the pilgrimage process more efficient and seamless, a sentiment that reflects the broader ambitions of the Sri Lankan administration to enhance its international partnerships and ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims.

As part of his official visit, Minister Senevi is scheduled to meet with Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and various Hajj service providers to discuss future developments in Hajj arrangements.

The delegation will also make visits to key religious and cultural sites, including Madinah, the holy city of the Prophet, and significant landmarks in Jeddah. Furthermore, Minister Senevi took time to engage with the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Jeddah, strengthening ties between the two nations.

The Sri Lankan delegation accompanying Minister Senevi includes a range of senior officials, such as Deputy Minister of National Integration Muneer Mulaffar, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul General Mafusa Lafir, and Hajj Coordinator Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.

The primary role of Local Governments in Sri Lanka is to offer essential services that improve the quality of life for citizens, including regulatory functions, public health promotion, and providing infrastructure to enhance the comfort and well-being of communities. However, these bodies often face challenges in service delivery, resulting in public criticism.

A key issue has been the misuse and mismanagement of state resources, highlighted by a government initiative to track down official vehicles misappropriated by former politicians and officials. 

The investigation uncovered that hundreds of vehicles, including 201 motorcycles, were unaccounted for under the Southern Provincial Council. An audit report confirmed the disappearance of 201 vehicles registered to the Southern Provincial Council, while sources indicated that over 2,000 vehicles from provincial councils are missing across the country.

The missing vehicles, many of which are luxury cars and jeeps, raise concerns about the improper use of state property. An investigation is ongoing to determine the whereabouts of these vehicles. 

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abeyratne, has directed officials to locate the missing vehicles and has acknowledged past misuse of these resources, particularly by lower-ranking officials with political connections.

Further audit findings show that 31 vehicles from the Central Provincial Council remain unaccounted for, and the physical existence of 201 vehicles from the Southern Provincial Council remains unverified. 

These developments highlight the need for stricter measures to ensure accountability and prevent future mismanagement of public resources.

Local Governments in Sri Lanka also face broader issues, including lack of resources, political interference, outdated regulations, human resource management problems, and inefficiencies in procurement processes. 

The effectiveness of service delivery is influenced by factors such as employee commitment, leadership, the use of technology, citizen participation, and performance evaluations. Policy measures are needed to address these challenges and improve public service delivery across the country.

Former Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, accused unscrupulous importers of exploiting import permits meant for Nadu rice by smuggling other grains, such as basmati rice, mung beans, cashew nuts, and urad dal. 

He claimed these items were hidden in stock warehouses, where a tax evasion scheme allowed basmati rice (which carries a higher tax) to be imported under the guise of Nadu rice, attracting only a tax of Rs. 65 per kilogram. 

This practice contributed to artificially low market prices for these grains, allowing large-scale traders to repackage and sell imported rice at inflated prices. Amaraweera emphasized that there was no shortage of red raw rice, which was available in mills but intentionally held back to manipulate prices.

 He defended the previous government’s rice distribution efforts to low-income families, asserting it did not contribute to the current crisis. Furthermore, Amaraweera claimed to know the locations where red rice stocks were hidden and was willing to expose them if necessary.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, Wasantha Samarasinghe, countered Amaraweera’s claims, attributing the shortage of red rice to resource mismanagement by past administrations. 

Samarasinghe presented data from 2024, highlighting that 277,315 hectares were cultivated across the Yala and Maha seasons, producing 1.1 million metric tons of paddy. However, due to inefficient distribution policies, market shortages of red rice persisted. 

Samarasinghe noted that while the 2024 Maha season produced 706,000 metric tons of rice from 277,000 hectares and the Yala season yielded 403,097 metric tons, poor planning and distribution led to scarcity in the market. 

He assured the public that the 2025 Maha season would address future shortages, with 161,067 hectares already cultivated and a projected yield of 648,200 metric tons.

Samarasinghe criticized the previous government’s rice distribution initiative before the elections, where 20 kilograms of red rice per family were given indiscriminately, including to those who typically consume white rice. This, according to him, disrupted the market and exacerbated the shortage for those reliant on red rice. 

He highlighted that ongoing surveys of paddy-growing regions, mills, and warehouses were being conducted to identify inefficiencies and improve resource allocation to prevent future crises. He concluded by reassuring the public that proactive measures were being taken to prevent similar issues in the future.

The unfolding rice crisis is seen as a reflection of systemic governance issues, including import irregularities, resource mismanagement, and poorly thought-out policies. 

These challenges have strained Sri Lanka’s rice market, affecting both consumers and farmers. Samarasinghe also addressed the lack of “Kekulu Rice” for the Thaipongal celebration, attributing the shortage to the previous government’s distribution of free rice. However, Matale District MP Rohini Kawirathna dismissed this statement as an unfounded rant.

Sri Lanka has produced 46 million metric tons of rice in recent years, with 29 million metric tons coming from the Kekulu rice variety. 

In the Southern Province, Kekulu rice accounts for 85% of the total rice produced. Despite the large scale of production, the distribution of 54,000 metric tons of rice to 27 million families, including 75% Kekulu rice, did not cause a shortage, as it represents only 14% of the country’s total Kekulu rice production. 

The argument that the rice distribution led to a Kekulu rice shortage was refuted by experts, who viewed it as a fabricated claim to avoid responsibility for addressing future food security needs.

The decision to distribute rice was a collective one, supported by a report from the “Parliamentary Committee for Children” that highlighted the growing issue of child malnutrition, with 36% of children suffering from malnutrition. 

The report called for midday meals for schoolchildren and food for impoverished families, which was acted upon by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Parliament. The rice distribution was a necessary response to national needs, driven by the parliamentary committee’s recommendations, Kaviratne said. .

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.