June 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s cricketing legend Muttiah Muralitharan on Tuesday met Indian Industries Minister MB Patil and discussed his plans to increase investments in his soft drink manufacturing unit at Badanaguppe industrial area in Chamarajanagar.

Muralitharan, who runs a soft drink business in Sri Lanka , is expanding his venture with a greenfield unit in Chamarajanagar district at an investment of Rs 1000 crore, said an official statement from the industries department.

The former cricket star, the statement added, also told the minister that he remained committed his project in Dharwad to manufacture beverage cans.

The cricketer turned businessman now wanted to scale up his investments at the Chamarajanagar unit to Rs 1400 crore, the statement said. Tuesday’s meeting focused on coordination with Industries department officials to speed up the project.

S Selva Kumar, Principal Secretary, Industries and Industries Commissioner Gunjan Krishna were present at the meeting.

Sri Lankan beverages company Ceylon Beverage Can Pvt Ltd, headed by Muttiah Muralitharan, has already set up a full-fledged plant in Mummigatti off Dharwad in Karnataka, official sources said. 

The company had earlier sent a proposal to the state government for setting up an “aluminium cans and beverages filling plant” in the area. It had asked for 26 acres of land with an investment of Rs 440 crore. It is expected to generate jobs for 500 people.

The Sri Lankan company currently manufactures eight different sizes of slim, sleek and standard cans with a range of customer labels. It is setting up a plant in India owing to huge demand from this region

 Heavy and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said that famous Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is starting a soft drink and sweets business in Badanaguppe of Chamarajanagar district and will gradually invest a total of Rs 1,400 crore. 

The minister held talks in this regard with Muttiah, who met him here on Tuesday. Speaking later, the Minister said that Muralidharan was starting his business in Badanaguppe under the brand name ‘Muttiah Beverages and Confectioneries’ and initially a plan was made for an investment of 230 crore rupees. 

Then it is now touching thousand crores. He explained that Muttiah told him that it would be Rs 1,400 crore in the next few days. 

For this they have already been given 46 acres of land. There were some minor complications with this. The authorities concerned have been instructed to rectify them immediately.

 He said that the production activity will start in Badanaguppe in coming January. The minister said that in the coming days, Muttiah will set up a unit of his business in Dharwad as well. 

Tax policy measures last push to get revenue to 15% of GDP IMF Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer says policies are only a “small adjustment”

Asserts key causes of SL’s economic crisis is lack of revenue, which the programme is looking to address

While businesses and individuals in Sri Lanka are likely to witness more pain as plans are underway to bring in more taxes, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asserted the measures are essential to increase the island nation’s reserves.

The Fund acknowledged that developments are seen in this regard, however the ground reality is that the general public is under greater financial distress having left with lesser disposable income.

Significant progress has been made in 2023 as well as in 2024. And it is sort of one more push to get revenues to the region of 15 percent of GDP in 2025, said IMF Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer referring to the new tax policy measures. 

According to the lender, the policies are only a “small adjustment”. “In some economies, when the economy is in a downturn, then you think about stimulating the economy, and so you would adjust fiscal policy accordingly. 

In Sri Lanka, however, the cause for the crisis is the collapse in fiscal revenue that led to the fact that Sri Lanka was not able to service its debt anymore and it went into default. 

“So in Sri Lanka, one of the key causes of the crisis is the lack of revenue, and that is, you know, being addressed with the programme,” said Breuer addressing an online press-briefing following the approval of the second review. 

The IMF pointed out that Sri Lanka between 2019 and 2022 had general government revenues on average of about 9.3 percent, and that compares to an average of these other countries of 26 percent of GDP. 

“So again, almost three times as much. So this is really what, what this programme is seeking to address,” Breuer stressed.

Meanwhile, with regard to comparability of debt treatments, this is a concept that is important for Official Creditors, the Fund said.

The Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka noted that the concern is whether the debt relief offered is in line with that offered by other creditors.Breuer noted it is not something that is relevant for the IMF, at least not directly. 

“It is indirectly in the sense that we need all creditors to participate in the debt restructuring in order to restore debt sustainability. “But from the IMF’s perspective, what matters is whether the debt restructuring targets are being met, he added. .

KPMG in India, a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.has made all arrangements to host its 31st All India Partners Meet in Colombo, from 20-22, June.

The annual meeting of the India Firm is one of the largest meets to be hosted in Colombo, with over 600 India Partners and their families attending it, to celebrate achievements for the  past year and discuss future plans. Several Partners from other member firms of the KPMG Global network will also join this meet.

The conference will be addressed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and other leading Indian business and industry luminaries.

KPMG in Sri Lanka Managing Partner Priyanka Jayatilake said that the collaborative efforts between KPMG in Sri Lanka and KPMG in India are poised to drive sustainable growth and provide expertise in addressing current challenges.

It will be capitalising on future opportunities, and KMPG Colombo looks forward to driving this collaboration through strategic initiatives designed to innovate and drive value to clients he said adding that ultimately making a meaningful impact to the overall economic development of Sri Lanka.

KPMG in India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla said: “As a firm, they celebrate relationships with clients and people that are based on the foundation of mutual trust and respect.

The same holds true for India and Sri Lanka, as nations having deep rooted social, cultural and political relations. We are driven by the prospect of shared prosperity, and have been proudly collaborating on sustainable agriculture, waste-water technologies, renewable energy, and environmental conservation.”

He recalled that at the recent swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India and Sri Lanka leaders signed a series of tech, energy, connectivity and other agreements that are aimed to further accelerate mutual cooperation across trade, tourism and higher education.

KPMG in India has extensive experience in facilitating investments and enabling ease of doing business, having supported the Central Government of India and several State Governments in similar endeavours.

 In addition to this, KPMG is also engaged in several flagship projects – both in India and overseas – across multiple sectors, including tourism, agriculture, health, skilling, and public finance management.

 We value our long-term relationship with KPMG in Sri Lanka, which is the oldest Chartered Accountancy firm in the country, celebrating more than 126 years of existence he said..

June 19, Colombo (LNW): oPresident Ranil Wickremesinghe issued an apology for the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to enforce cremations during the COVID-19 pandemic, a policy that disregarded the religious beliefs of Muslim and Christian communities. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, the President emphasized that every citizen should have the right to choose how their final rites are conducted.

“In this country, any person should have the right to determine whether he or she is buried, cremated, or given to the medical faculty,” President Wickremesinghe stated.

The President referenced the controversial mandate implemented by the previous Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government, which required the cremation of COVID-19 victims, including Muslims and Christians, despite their religious objections. This decision faced widespread criticism from the United Nations and various human rights organizations.

In February 2021, following sustained protests from Muslim and civil rights groups, the Government rescinded the regulation initially introduced in March 2020. President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the suffering caused by the policy, particularly among the Muslim community, but also among Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians who prefer burial rites.

“During this time, there was a lot of pain, witnessed mainly by the Muslims, but there are also Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians who also like to bury. We would like to apologize to them for what has happened,” he said.

President Wickremesinghe recounted that many countries initially halted burials as a precautionary measure, and the World Health Organization (WHO) subsequently reviewed the practice. In Sri Lanka, a committee recommended against allowing burials, and the Supreme Court upheld this decision, leaving the Government no choice at the time.

“But now all this is over,” the President affirmed.

With the issue now resolved, the Government plans to introduce legislation that will guarantee the right to burial, cremation, or body donation to medical institutions. President Wickremesinghe expressed his hope that the House will support the implementation of this Bill, ensuring respect for the diverse religious and cultural practices regarding final rites.

June 19, Colombo (LNW): A minor tremor was reported in the Vavuniya area late last night, according to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). The tremor, which measured 2.3 on the Richter scale, occurred between 10:55 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. on the 18th of June.

Residents in Vavuniya and Medawachchiya felt the tremor, which was recorded at seismic stations in Pallekele, Mahakanadarawa, and Hakmana. No significant damage or injuries have been reported as a result of the tremor.

June 19, Colombo (LNW): Japan is experiencing a record surge in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), a dangerous and highly fatal bacterial infection. As of June 2, the Health Ministry has reported 977 cases, surpassing last year’s record of 941 preliminary infections, marking the highest numbers since statistics began in 1999. This year alone, 77 deaths were recorded between January and March.

STSS, with a mortality rate of up to 30%, is a rare but severe infection that can escalate rapidly, causing fever, muscle pain, vomiting, low blood pressure, swelling, and multiple organ failure. Despite treatment, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that as many as three out of ten individuals with STSS may die from the infection.

Most cases of STSS are caused by group A streptococcus (GAS) bacteria, commonly responsible for fever and throat infections in children. In rare instances, the bacteria can produce toxins that enable it to invade the bloodstream, leading to severe illnesses like toxic shock. Strep A can also result in necrotizing fasciitis, a “flesh-eating” disease, which may necessitate limb amputation. Patients with compromised immune systems, such as those with cancer or diabetes, are particularly at risk.

The surge in invasive group A strep infections follows the relaxation of Covid-19 control measures like masking and social distancing, which had previously helped curb such infections. Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported 97 deaths from STSS last year, the second-highest in the past six years. Experts have yet to determine the exact cause behind the recent rise in cases.

June 19, Colombo (LNW): Rizly Illyas, former president of Sri Lanka Rugby, asked the Sports Ombudsman to take action against the officials who illegally facilitated the issuance of passports to three foreign rugby players Fijian Emori Vakaulagi, Joseph Dunn, and Apisai Nakaliwa in order to represent Sri Lanka. It is reported that a request has been made to Chulananda Perera.

Since Chulananda Perera is a former immigration controller who understands the seriousness of this legal offense, internal sources at the Ministry of Sports indicate that the Minister, along with officials from the Sports Ministry and the Sports Development Department, will also be informed about the actions to be taken regarding this offense. Asanga Seneviratne (then President), Lasitha Gunaratne (Vice President), Nalin De Silva (Secretary), and Rohan Gunaratne (Executive Director) of the Sri Lanka Rugby Union were involved in issuing the licenses at the time and are held responsible for this offense. These names were also mentioned by Illyas. In this regard, no legal action has yet been taken by the parties involved in the rugby field or at the level of the Sports Ministry. Illyas indicated in his complaint that the International Rugby Federation imposed a fine of £50,000 for the offense of preparing passports to falsely represent Fijians as citizens of Sri Lanka, allowing them to play for Sri Lanka. Additionally, the officials responsible for this violation have not taken action to settle the fine. Therefore, since Sri Lanka Rugby was unable to pay the fine, World Rugby deducted the fine proportionately over the years from the annual grants or funds allocated for the island’s development activities. This further hampered the progress of the country’s sport, as Illyas points out, referring to the impact on the game of rugby.

Rizly Illyas also points out that the debt load on rugby is 55 million rupees, relating to the season under Asanga Seneviratne and Lasitha Gunaratne. He requests that the allegations presented to the ombudsman be directed to a forensic audit. Rizly Illyas, who expects justice to be served by presenting these allegations, points out that Sports Minister Harin Fernando has made good progress since taking over the Sports Ministry. Rizly Illyas, who views the appointment of the ombudsman as a quality measure, has submitted his allegations in anticipation of a fair decision regarding the irregular administrative decisions and poor financial management that have affected the existence and growth of Sri Lanka Rugby. However, the ombudsman does not need to emphasize the gravity of bringing the country into international disrepute by contributing to the violation of immigration laws outlined in this indictment. It is also unnecessary to underscore the seriousness of misleading immigration control and engaging in improper actions that undermine the department’s processes as part of this scandal. It is unnecessary to elaborate on the course of action in this regard, as the ombudsman holds the position based on his tenure as a controller who implemented significant reforms within the immigration department.

However, it is a bitter truth that due to the intertwined relationship between Sri Lanka’s politics and high society, there exists a social classification where some people are affected by numerous legal matters while others are not. Hence, those who have violated immigration laws in rugby have not been punished but privileged so far. The official appointed to facilitate the rehabilitation of the disbanded rugby administration is the same official targeted by these accusations. But in recent times, we have seen court rulings coming to the effect that even a minister who supported the government under this law lost her parliamentary representation. Therefore, the request for this intervention presents an opportunity to instill some hope, given the esteemed responsibility of someone who has extensive experience as an immigration controller and understands the situation very well.

June 19, Colombo (LNW): State Minister for Indigenous Medicine, Sisira Jayakody, announced that the internship training for Ayurveda graduates, which had been halted due to the ongoing crisis in the country, has recommenced. He shared this update at a press briefing titled ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the President Media Centre (PMC) on June 18.

Jayakody highlighted that the internship program provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 67,500, with the government allocating Rs. 320 million to support this initiative. He revealed that, as of June 3rd, internship training has started for 207 graduates of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine. Furthermore, training for an additional 153 graduates is scheduled to begin by August 12th, bringing the total number of graduates receiving training to 418.

The State Minister also mentioned that the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine and the Department of Ayurveda are actively working on expanding the registration of traditional and indigenous medicine in the country. Applications for registration are open until June 30th.

Jayakody also addressed the issue of trade union actions, criticizing some unions for prioritizing their privileges over national duties, which he argued contributes to the country’s bleak future. He remarked on the inconsistencies in public expectations, pointing out that while some advocate for emulating Japan’s work ethic and Australia’s education system, they often resist implementing similar standards in Sri Lanka. He noted that many parents are willing to sell their properties to fund their children’s education abroad, citing disruptions caused by student unions and protests as barriers to educational reforms.

He urged the public to approach these issues with greater understanding and cooperation.

June 19, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted the critical need to protect wetlands as a vital resource to address future flood prevention challenges in Colombo. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the First Wetland Link International (WLI) Asia-Oceania Conference 2024 at Water’s Edge, the Prime Minister stressed the collective responsibility of safeguarding urban wetlands.

Addressing the conference attendees, the Prime Minister urged academics to develop common solutions for wetland management, recognizing the universal nature of the issues affecting urban wetlands.

“This conference is of utmost importance as wetlands are fundamental to the well-being of residents in major cities, and Colombo is no exception. Even the most degraded wetlands provide a range of benefits that contribute to human well-being in the city. The Colombo wetlands complex spans six local authorities, including the Municipal Councils of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Colombo, Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, Maharagama, and Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia,” the Prime Minister stated.

He noted that urban wetlands in these areas have been integrated into the city’s development planning. The 150-year-old wetlands have been reclaimed and managed to ensure their sustainability for another 150 years. As both the Minister of Local Government and the Prime Minister, Gunawardena expressed his special interest in this subject.

The First WLI Asia-Oceania Conference began at Diyasaru Park on June 16 and will continue until June 22 under the theme “Wetlands and Wetland Centres for Ecotourism.” The event features representatives from wetland centers in over 15 countries, including members of the Ramsar Regional Centre East Asia (RRC-EA) and the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) from the UK.

The conference is organized by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) in collaboration with the Western Province Tourist Board and the Climate Change Office of the Presidential Secretariat.