July 18, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has introduced a Cabinet paper to establish a committee dedicated to conducting threat assessments on Presidential candidates and former Presidents.

This initiative aims to ensure the safety of candidates during the forthcoming Presidential elections.

The proposal includes the appointment of a Deputy Inspector General of Police to manage security arrangements, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

July 18, Colombo (LNW): The Wildlife Department announced today that unlawful fishing methods, such as bottom trawling, have led to the deaths of marine creatures, including turtles and dolphins, in the nation’s coastal waters.

Officials reported that bottom trawling, an illegal fishing technique, indiscriminately kills marine life, including protected species like dolphins and turtles.

In the past week alone, the Department has discovered ten dead turtles along the western coast.

Postmortem examinations by wildlife veterinarians indicated that these turtles succumbed to breathing difficulties, injuries, and damaged flippers.

Some turtle carcasses were found in advanced stages of decomposition upon reaching the shore, complicating postmortem efforts.

These illegal fishing practices not only harm sea turtles but also pose a significant threat to dolphins and other marine mammals.

The Wildlife Department urges the public to stay vigilant against illegal fishing activities and report any suspicious behaviour to the relevant authorities to help safeguard marine life.

July 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, Kana Kananathan, held a significant meeting with Liberian President Joseph Boakai at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia on Tuesday (16).

This event marked the first official bilateral engagement by a Sri Lankan diplomat in Liberia, highlighting a commitment to strengthening political, trade, and investment relations.

President Boakai noted the historic nature of the meeting, which coincides with 15 years of diplomatic relations between Liberia and Sri Lanka.

He praised President Ranil Wickremesinghe for his effective efforts in stabilising Sri Lanka’s economy after the 2022 crisis, commending his leadership and strategic measures that have been pivotal in the country’s recovery and the restoration of public trust.

Boakai expressed that Wickremesinghe’s actions serve as a commendable example for other nations facing similar challenges.

Ambassador Kananathan reaffirmed his dedication to boosting economic cooperation, promoting trade and investment, and enhancing people-to-people connections between the two countries.

The meeting aimed to deepen the friendship and collaboration between Sri Lanka and Liberia. Both President Boakai and Ambassador Kananathan agreed on the importance of building mutual trust and cooperation.

President Boakai also recalled the invitation extended to Ambassador Kananathan by the Liberian Government to serve as an election observer for the Presidential Elections in October 2023, noting that such engagements further strengthen the ties between the two nations.

July 18, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of an oil tanker capsising off the coast of Oman, search and rescue efforts have successfully saved nine crew members, including a Sri Lankan national, the Indian Express reported citing sources.

The rescue operation, carried out by the Indian warship INS Teg, also saved eight Indian crew members.

Efforts to locate the remaining crew members are ongoing.

The Indian Navy spokesperson posted on X, asserting that the search and rescue mission, involving both Indian and Omani resources, is being conducted under challenging weather conditions, including rough seas and strong winds.

In addition to INS Teg, the Indian Navy has deployed a P-18 long-range maritime surveillance aircraft to search for the 16 missing crew members, which includes 13 Indians.

The oil tanker, named MT Prestige Falcon, capsised around 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, near the port town of Duqm, on Monday.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively coordinating with Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operations.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre reported that the vessel, a Comoros-flagged oil tanker, remains submerged and inverted.

The centre did not confirm whether there has been any oil leakage from the tanker or if the vessel has stabilised following the capsising.

According to shipping data from LSEG, the tanker was en route to the Yemeni port of Aden when it capsised off the coast of Duqm, an industrial port located on Oman’s southwest coast.

July 18, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman announced a review of water tariffs is underway in light of the recent electricity tariff revision, with a decision anticipated by the end of the week.

The Minister noted that the Water Supply Board, which had been incurring monthly losses of LKR 2.8 billion, is now generating a profit of LKR 6.2 billion.

During the ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), Minister Thondaman stated:

“We commend Minister Kanchana Wijesekera for initiating the reduction of electricity tariffs. Given the close linkage between the water supply sector and electricity tariffs, this revision is likely to result in lower water tariffs as well.

Water availability is influenced by various factors. We previously committed to lowering water tariffs alongside reductions in electricity charges. Currently, the Ministry is not only focusing on electricity but also assessing the impact of reduced interest rates, down from 26% to 11%.

Additionally, we are studying the potential reduction in water tariffs based on changes in the dollar exchange rate. The cost of chemicals procured by the water supply board is influenced by the dollar exchange rate.

A decision on the extent of the reduction in water tariffs is expected by the end of this week. When I took office in January 2023, the Ministry faced challenges, unable to provide even 1,000 new water connections.

Moreover, I inherited a Ministry burdened with an USD 800 million debt and a Water Supply Board experiencing monthly losses of approximately LKR 2.8 billion. The board’s monthly recurring expenses of LKR 4.5 billion had a significant national impact.

Since then, we have delivered on our commitments. The number of new water connections has increased to 113,000, with plans to add approximately 30,000 more connections in the coming weeks.

We have successfully transformed the Water Supply Board’s monthly loss of LKR 2.8 billion into a monthly profit of LKR 6.2 billion. With a recurring expenditure of LKR 4.5 billion, we have ensured the sustainability of the water supply sector by allocating the surplus towards debt servicing.

Through the Ministry of Power and Energy, we secured a USD 100 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Preparations are also underway for a sub-programme within the water supply sector.

Cabinet approval has been obtained for the final two issues of the ADB’s reform proposals: the water tariff formula and the investment framework criteria. Upon approval by the Asian Development Bank Executive Board, an additional USD 100 million is anticipated.

We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable and economically disadvantaged communities from the impact of water tariffs. Measures have been implemented to provide subsidies to hospitals, schools, and religious institutions classified as charitable entities.

We are also pleased with the success of the ‘Aswasuma’ programme and the President’s focus on increasing wages for plantation workers and granting land rights. The Upcountry communities have gained confidence in the President’s initiatives.

Despite challenges faced by Upcountry communities, we are optimistic about the direction we are heading. Many longstanding issues affecting Upcountry communities have been resolved.

Next month, discussions will be held with the Ministry of Industries and Estate Companies aimed at finding a lasting solution to the plantation workers’ wage issue. In response to our longstanding request, the President submitted a cabinet paper on land rights last Monday.

In Upcountry areas where numerous families reside, there is often only one Grama Sewa Officer, leading to inadequate distribution of government welfare benefits. This is exacerbated by historical land demarcation issues affecting Upcountry residents.

These challenges have impeded the development of Upcountry communities. To address this, the President’s cabinet paper proposes formally recognising Upcountry areas as villages.

Additionally, there is widespread agreement that priority should be given to providing housing rights to Upcountry people. Securing land rights enables individuals to build homes, fostering community development.”

July 18, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing windy conditions over the island are expected to continue further, due to the active South-west Monsoonal condition, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, and fairly heavy showers about 50 mm are likely at some places.

Several spells of showers will occur in Western and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Monaragala and Hambantota districts. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.

Marine Weather:

July 17, Colombo (LNW): Qatar has donated a consignment of drugs worth Rs 120 million to Sri Lanka for the treatment of heart and respiratory diseases.

This stock of medicines was handed over to Health and Industry Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana by Qatar’s Country Director S. Mahmoud Abukhalifa at the Medical Supply Division.

The Health Minister emphasized that such donations are vital for a country like Sri Lanka, which provides free healthcare services to all citizens.

Highlighting the long-standing cordial bilateral relationship between Qatar and Sri Lanka, Qatar’s Country Director Abukhalifa expressed Qatar’s willingness to further support Sri Lanka’s health sector.

The event was attended by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Medical Supplies Deputy Director G. Wijesuriya, Medical Supplies Division Director Dr. Dedunu Dias, and a group of officials representing the Health Ministry and the Qatar Embassy.

July 17, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has granted its consent to the proposal on the criteria for minimum qualifications for enrolment of foreign students in 26 degree-awarding institutions in Sri Lanka, Cabinet Spokesman Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana announced. He was speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday.

The Minister highlighted that five percent of the annual enrolment has been allocated for foreign students in the 17 universities under the University Grants Commission. This move aims to transform Sri Lanka into a knowledge hub by widening opportunities for foreign students to join the 26 degree-awarding institutions recognized under Section 25(A) of the University Act.

It has been identified that there is no definitive procedure to determine the minimum qualifications for university admission required by each country. To address this, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Education Minister. The new criteria will consider the minimum qualification recognized for university admission by the 193 United Nations Member countries as the standard for enrolling foreign students in degree programs offered by institutions under the University Act in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, approval has been granted to validate exceptional opportunities not covered by the aforementioned qualifications through the UK NARIC institution.