August 13, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has confirmed that 32 candidates have made their security deposits for the upcoming presidential election. The remaining candidates face a fast-approaching deadline, with the cutoff time for depositing their security money set for 12 noon tomorrow.

Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, announced that nominations will officially be accepted on Thursday. A specific timeframe from 9 am to 11:30 am has been allocated for raising any objections to the nominations.

After the objection period, independent candidates and those from various political parties will be assigned their symbols. Ratnayake also mentioned that within five days, candidates and their authorized representatives must engage in preliminary activities, including setting campaign expenditure limits as part of the regulatory acts.

With the security deposit process still ongoing, Ratnayake urged any candidates who have yet to complete this step to do so before the deadline on the 14th of this month at 12 noon.

1. Sri Lanka’s current recovery is due to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political experience and his strategic international relationships, said Sagala Rathnayaka, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on National Security to the President in a recent gathering held in Homagama. Rathnayaka highlighted the importance of having a well-defined plan in addition to political experience and international relations to achieve recovery.
2. The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by MP Mano Ganesan has signed the 7 chapter 48 clause document, which represents the hill country Tamil Sri Lankan community’s aspirations to be a fully integrated part of the political, administrative, economic and social mainstream of Sri Lanka.
3. MP Wimal Weerawansa has filed a case against two officers of the Immigration and Emigration Department before the Colombo District Court seeking Rs. 1,000 million as compensation for alleged defamation. The former minister says he was arrested under the Immigration and Emigration Act for no reason during the previous ‘Yahapalana’ (good governance) government and a case was filed before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, and that this had harmed his reputation.
4. The Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has endorsed the certificate on the Bill titled “Economic Transformation Bill” recently, the Parliamentary Communications Department said. The Bill with the objective of providing provisions for National Policy on Economic Transformation, was presented to Parliament on the 22 May 2024.
5. Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says several proxy candidates are contesting the upcoming Presidential Elections. He said it was obvious that several of the independent candidates were linked to one main candidate and were posing as proxies to secure votes in the elections.
6. The Wages Board has decided to provide the Rs. 1,700 daily minimum wage for plantation workers. The relevant decision has been passed in the Wages Board, with a majority of 14 votes from the plantation companies in favour of increasing the daily minimum wage.
7. Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has issued a stern warning against the misuse of public resources during the upcoming presidential election. Nadeeshani Perera, Executive Director of TISL, emphasized the critical role of public officials as stewards and trustees of public resources, which belong to all citizens.
8. The placing of cash deposits by candidates to contest the Presidential Election 2024 will end at 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, August 14, Election Commission (EC) Chairman R. M.A.L. Rathnayake said. Nominations will be accepted from candidates on Thursday, August 15, from 9.00 am to 11.30 am and the Presidential Election is scheduled to be held on September 21.
9. Cricketer M S Dhoni-backed drone technology firm Garuda Aerospace on Monday announced its entry in the Sri Lankan market where it will primarily target agricultural sector to enhance farming practices, besides exploring opportunities in homeland security and industrial applications.
10. Sri Lanka’s national cricket team has encountered a visa delay just 9 days before their test series against England, with key batsman Kamindu Mendis still awaiting his visa.

August 13, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue further due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.

Showers may occur over the eastern coastal areas during the morning too.

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

August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Government has announced that the shipping agent will be held responsible for any environmental damage and pollution caused by the explosion at Colombo Port on Sunday. The blast occurred on the MV MSC CAPETOWN III vessel at around 12:30 AM on August 11, near the Bay42 area of the port.

Following the explosion, all operational staff and crew members were swiftly evacuated. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) promptly mobilized its fire brigade, along with safety, medical, and security teams, to manage the emergency.

Due to the quick response of the Colombo Port’s fire department, the fire that ensued was successfully contained, preventing further harm to the vessel and the port. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, and the situation remains under control.

The MV MSC CAPETOWN III, owned by a Geneva-based shipping company, had arrived from Singapore and was scheduled to unload 995 containers and load an additional 880 containers before the incident. Following the blast,

Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, instructed SLPA Chairman Dr. Keith Bernard to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

SLPA Chairman Keith Bernard revealed that only one hazardous cargo container was listed on the ship’s manifest and was stored above deck. However, the explosion occurred below deck, leading to an investigation to determine the cause. Approximately 60 containers, including the hazardous cargo, had already been discharged.

At midnight, an explosion occurred below deck on the MV MSC CAPETOWN III. The SLPA’s fire brigade, navigation team, and other officers acted promptly to bring the situation under control. By around 1:00 AM, the temperature below deck had risen to 101°C but was reduced to 40°C by Sunday morning through the use of CO2.

All staff and crew were evacuated immediately, and the fire was successfully extinguished. A detailed investigation is now underway to uncover the cause of the explosion. Bernard mentioned that there were about 100 containers below deck, mostly intended for transshipment to Tanzania and other African countries.

The 60 containers above deck had already been removed before the incident. The fire was contained with all available resources, and the ship’s lashing team ensured that everyone was safely evacuated.

By: Staff Writer

August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of National Planning within Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies has crafted the nation’s first-ever National Social Protection Policy. To ensure the policy is effectively implemented, a Technical Committee has been set up under the ministry to provide the necessary technical expertise.

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena emphasized that the policy was developed through a highly participatory process, involving all key stakeholders and incorporating public feedback.

The policy defines social protection as a collection of policies and programs designed to help individuals and communities manage risks and uncertainties, shield them from poverty and inequality, and improve access to economic opportunities throughout their lives.

The core objectives of social protection are to enhance resilience, equity, and opportunity—achieved through various instruments categorized into key pillars: social assistance, social care, social insurance, and labor market and productive inclusion programs.

Social assistance supports vulnerable groups lacking adequate support.Social care involves activities and resources aimed at improving the well-being of individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Social insurance provides government-mandated coverage against risks like old age, disability, the death of the primary income earner, and various health and economic shocks.

Labor market and productive inclusion include both passive and active interventions that align with the decent work agenda.

The policy is guided by principles of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability, ensuring efficient and effective allocation of resources to reduce poverty and social exclusion, ultimately fostering a society where everyone has the chance to succeed.

The primary goal of the National Social Protection Policy is to establish a system that provides all citizens with access to appropriate social protection throughout their lives.

Additionally, the policy aims to offer strategic direction for developing a well-coordinated and harmonized social protection system, engaging stakeholders from the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations to ensure comprehensive social protection for all.

President Wickremesinghe, in his role as Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies Minister, submitted the policy for Cabinet approval, which was granted on July 15, 2024.

Historically, Sri Lanka has implemented various social protection initiatives since gaining independence. However, these efforts were neither conceptualized nor managed as a unified sector, leading to the absence of a holistic national vision, policy, or strategy for social protection.

There had not even been a standardized government definition of social protection in Sri Lanka.The lack of comprehensive policy guidance and an integrated strategic framework has been identified as a primary reason for the challenges in the current social protection system.

This has led to numerous issues, including gaps in beneficiary coverage and the adequacy of benefits. Fragmented programs, schemes, institutions, and products have also contributed to less-than-optimal developmental outcomes. The National Social Protection Policy seeks to address and rectify these weaknesses.

August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Wages Board has officially approved an increase in the daily minimum wage for estate workers in Sri Lanka’s tea and rubber sectors to Rs. 1,700.

Former Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara confirmed that this decision was made during a Wages Board meeting at the Labour Department today.

This increase follows legal challenges and opposition from plantation companies, which argued that the previous wage was unsustainable.

The Supreme Court’s intervention, which resulted in the cancellation of a previous Gazette notification, has led to today’s revised wage determination by the Wages Board.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe initiates a groundbreaking initiative to grant land rights to residents of line rooms by reclaiming plantation land from companies: Announced at a Nuwara Eliya business meeting, the plan includes housing development, public amenities, and support for local businesses: also pledges to address social justice issues for Tamil communities and plans a conference early next year.
   
2. Former MP Dr. Jayampathi Wickranaratne PC, together with his party the United Leftist Front will back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Polls: Wickranaratne had been a strong advocate for the adaptation of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which enforced restrictions to the powers of executive presidency, during the 2015-2019 Good Governance regime.
   
3. NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake formalises his candidacy for the upcoming Presidential Election: The nomination papers were signed today (11) at the JVP headquarters, witnessed by key NPP figures, including General Secretaries Nihal Abeysinghe (NPP) and Tylvin Silva (JVP): The Presidential Election is scheduled for 21 September.
   
4. Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says pensioners will receive an additional Rs. 6,000 with their October payments, comprising a Rs. 3,000 interim allowance for October and Rs. 3,000 in arrears from September: This follows a Cabinet-approved proposal presented by the President: The Rs. 3,000 interim allowance will continue monthly until salary anomalies are addressed, adding to the Rs. 2,500 extra payment already provided in April: The Finance Ministry has granted formal approval, and the Public Administration Ministry is expected to issue a circular to facilitate the disbursement, but the Election Commission objected to the allowance being distributed in September due to the election announcement.
   
5. The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) expresses concerns over a Rs. 254 million increase in the Basnagoda Reservoir project’s bid, now totalling Rs. 2,347 million, questioning the Irrigation Department’s adherence to financial regulations: also scrutinises irregularities involving Rs. 352.4 million in cheques and discussed issues with the Ging Nilwala project: Officials acknowledges errors and promised corrective measures.
   
6. Minister Ali Sabry has been appointed as the new Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms, officially taking oaths before President Ranil Wickremesinghe: The appointment adds to his current role as Foreign Minister: Sabry assumes these responsibilities following the resignation of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who stepped down from his positions to participate in the forthcoming Presidential Election.
   
7. The Election Commission reports a significant influx of complaints related to the upcoming Presidential Polls: reveals between 31 July and 11 August, a total of 337 complaints were lodged, encompassing various violations of election laws, including one instance of violence and seven other types of infractions: The National Centre for Election Complaint Management received 220 of these complaints, while 117 were recorded by the District Centres for Election Complaint Management.
   
8. Sri Lanka’s remittances rose to $566.8 million in July 2024, contributing to a total of $3.71 billion for the year-to-date, a 10.3% increase from last year: This trend highlights the role of remittances in stabilising the economy, alongside recovering tourism and eased commodity prices: The Central Bank’s currency float in March 2022 has also boosted remittance inflows.
   
9. Sri Lanka to formally adopt the Sinhala and Tamil translations of the Geneva Conventions, marking their 75th anniversary: The move aims to enhance awareness of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within the island nation: expected to reflect Sri Lanka’s commitment to disseminating the principles of the conventions, which uphold human dignity during conflicts: A commemorative event themed “75 Years of the Geneva Conventions: Global and Sri Lankan Perspectives” will be held on 14 August in Colombo, featuring a panel discussion and a public photo exhibition at BMICH.
   
10. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu wins the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July 2024, besting India’s Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma: Her outstanding performance led Sri Lanka to their first Women’s Asia Cup title: Athapaththu, now a three-time winner of the award, played a crucial role with notable innings and key wickets, inspiring future female cricketers.