January 14, Colombo (LNW): The Public Health Inspectors’ Union has accused the Sri Lankan government of seeking to amend the permissible limit of ‘Aflatoxin’ in food supplements intended for small children.

Such a decision, if implemented, poses a significant threat to the health of children in Sri Lanka, Union Treasurer Roshan Kumara asserted addressing a briefing recently held in Colombo.

In a related development, on November 21, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers made a decision to adjust the permissible Aflatoxin levels for local food supplement programmes to align with globally recognised standards for food supplements.

This adjustment in the permissible levels of Aflatoxin primarily pertained to the Thriposha programme, which is part of the Maternal and Child Health Programme administered by the Ministry.

The proposal arose from the challenges faced by the Ministry of Health in sourcing maize for Thriposha production, attributed to the stringent Aflatoxin limits specified in the existing regulations under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980.

To address this issue, it was suggested that the Aflatoxin limits imposed on internationally accredited food supplements (5ppb for type B1 and 10ppb for total Aflatoxin) be applied to local food supplement programmes.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage anticipated the revitalisation efforts to attract two million tourists in 2024, pumping an estimated revenue of US$ 6 billion, the President’s Media Centre (PMC) said citing her comments during a briefing held at the Centre recently.

Addressing the briefing, Gamage shared optimistic predictions for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

She highlighted the current positive trajectory, emphasising a significant 106 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to the preceding year.

The Minister noted the success to effective measures implemented to promote tourism after a three-year downturn.

Gamage further expressed satisfaction with the tourism industry’s revival, with over 700,000 tourists visiting the country this year and more than 1.4 million in 2023, marking a noteworthy growth of 106 per cent compared to 2022.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Tourism is actively working on further tourism development initiatives to attract more visitors. The ambitious target for 2024 is set at 2 million tourists, with an expected revenue projection of US $6 billion.

Notwithstanding this positive outlook, the Ministry is addressing challenges such as reported ticket price increases at popular tourist attractions.

The Ministry is investigating these price hikes at the ministry level and denies responsibility for alleged arbitrary actions by some government agencies.

Minister Harin Fernando, actively engaged in promoting the tourism industry, is in discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to promptly address issues affecting tourists. Efforts are underway to develop a relief programme for tourists facing challenges.

The Ministry is also planning special projects to enhance tourist convenience in cultural sites, waterfalls, Ella, Bandarawela, and other tourist areas across the country.

This phase signals a resurgence in the tourism industry, underscoring the commitment to its development and contributing to foreign exchange earnings for the country, the President’s Media Centre (PMC) further said.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) encountered a 15-month delay in obtaining approval for a proposal aimed at enhancing the department’s revenue, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara disclosed.

In a statement, the Minister noted that the approval delay did not deter the subsequent achievement of a remarkable 300 per cent increase in the revenue of the DMT.

It is noteworthy that no blame is assigned to the officials responsible for the prolonged approval process, as this strategic measure contributed to the reduction of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) percentage, he asserted.

Nanayakkara further highlighted another proposal put forth, allowing individuals to obtain custom vehicle number plates by paying a designated fee.

Under this proposal, individuals could invest up to Rs. 1.5 million to personalise their number plates, incorporating their names if desired.

Despite the passage of several months, the treasury is yet to grant approval for this proposal.

Expressing his concern, the Minister remarked that such delays in obtaining approvals indicate a deliberate attempt by certain officials to place the government under duress.

He emphasised that there is a need for legations against these officials to recoup the income lost due to the prolonged approval processes of these proposals.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): Commencing the following week, consumers in Sri Lanka will bear the brunt of increased prices in imported milk powder, with a notable surge of Rs. 30 for the 400g packet and a substantial hike of Rs. 75 for the 1kg packet, the Milk Powder Importers Association disclosed.

This development has sparked concerns among citizens who are already grappling with economic challenges, and the significant price increments are expected to have a direct impact on household budgets, particularly affecting those on fixed incomes.

Critics argue that such escalations in essential commodity prices reflect poorly on the government’s ability to manage economic stability and mitigate the financial burdens faced by its citizens.

The move comes at a time when the public is already contending with various economic challenges, including rising living costs.

The decision by the Milk Powder Importers Association to impose these substantial price hikes is likely to fuel discontent among the populace and raise questions about the government’s effectiveness in safeguarding the economic well-being of its citizens.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy recently intercepted three Indian trawlers engaged in illegal fishing within Sri Lankan waters near the Kovilan Lighthouse in Karainagar, Jaffna.

The operation resulted in the apprehension of 12 Indian fishermen.

The Navy emphasising their commitment to enforcing maritime regulations conducts regular patrols and operations to counteract unauthorised fishing practices by foreign trawlers.

This proactive approach considers the potential adverse impact of such activities on the livelihoods of local fishermen and the marine resources of the nation.

In response to the observed violation, the Northern Naval Command promptly deployed its Fast Attack Craft to deter and expel the group of Indian poaching trawlers.

Subsequently, three Indian trawlers with 12 fishermen were seized during this operation off the Kovilan Lighthouse.

The apprehended Indian fishermen, along with the confiscated trawlers, were transported to the Kankesanthurai harbour.

Further legal actions will be pursued, as they are handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for due process.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s temporary absence, the responsibilities of the Defence Ministry have been entrusted to Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon.

Appointed as the Acting Defence Minister, Tennakoon will assume the duties of the position until President Wickremesinghe’s return to Sri Lanka.

January 14, Colombo (LNW): Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshbandu Tennakoon has issued a directive instructing all police divisional OICs, district OICs, station OICs, and crime OICs to actively engage in Operation “Yukthiya” (Justice), commencing today (14).

This instruction was conveyed during an awareness programme organised for the officers.

The Ministry of Public Security has provided essential information for the operation, encompassing details on 35,505 warrants issued, identification of 4,258 suspects through fingerprints, and the pursuit of 2,485 known suspects wanted for prior offenses.

The Acting IGP underscored the need for an intensive deployment of all crime branch officers, ensuring 24/7 coverage for the next month across all police divisions involved in Yukthiya.

Simultaneously, the National Police Commission has released a statement outlining corrective measures for the Acting IGP in connection with Operation Yukthiya.

These measures are said to have detailed instructions on the imperative for all officers to adhere strictly to the existing legal framework, upholding the principles enshrined in the constitution, particularly those pertaining to the protection of basic human rights.

The Acting IGP has been instructed to clearly communicate these requirements to all participating officers and promptly report back to the Commission on the implementation of these directives.

These directives appear in the backdrop where international human rights watchers and local activists critise the Sri Lankan government’s approach to Operation Yukthiya, raising concerns about potential human rights violations targeting civilians in the pursuit of narcotics and underworld operations.