The Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union (CEBTESU) have voiced strong objections against recent statements made by the President in Parliament concerning electrical engineers, alleging their involvement in commission dealings related to coal and fossil fuels.

Joint Secretary Janaka Lakmewan announced plans to deliver a formal letter of protest to the President’s Office on Friday (15), vehemently refuting the President’s assertions and emphasizing the adherence of CEB engineers to policy guidelines.

Lakmewan underscored the need for clarity and requested an investigation into any discrepancies or irregularities that may have prompted the President’s statements, highlighting the union’s commitment to transparency and ethical conduct within the Ceylon Electricity Board.

Showers will occur at times in Southern, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Matale and Polonnaruwa districts. Several spells of showers will occur in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Anuradhapura districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.

Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Southern, Uva, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern provinces.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces in the morning.

The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom will visit Sri Lanka from 10 -13 January 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today (14).

She will be accompanied by her spouse Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Her Royal Highness has been invited by the Government of Sri Lanka to participate in events connected with the 75^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the UK. 

Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal has ordered for the provision of enhanced security measures to Shani Abeysekera, the former director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), citing imminent threats to his life.

The order supplements the current security arrangements in place for the ex CID director. This decision was rendered in response to a writ petition filed by Mr. Abeysekera.

During the proceedings, Abeysekera’s legal representative conveyed to the court that his client currently benefits from the presence of only one police officer and one motorcycle as part of his security detail.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal has mandated the augmentation of his security provisions to ensure his safety and well-being.

Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (14) issued an order mandating Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other Police officers to personally compensate an individual with Rs. 2 million for violating his fundamental rights (FR) during detention at the Mirihana Police Station twelve years ago.

The Court concluded that Tennakoon and three other police officers infringed upon the fundamental rights of petitioner W. Ranjith Sumangala through his illegal arrest, detention, and torture at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011, which fell under Tennakoon’s supervision.

Additionally, Ajith Wanasundera, a retired Sergeant Major of the Army involved in the incident, was deemed liable and directed to pay compensation. The State was also instructed to provide Rs. 100,000 in compensation to the petitioner.

In a broader directive, the Supreme Court mandated various authorities, including the National Police Commission, to take disciplinary action against all implicated police officers, including Acting IGP Tennakoon.

The petitioner was represented by Senior Counsel Viran Corea, along with counsel Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Vidanagamage. Senior State Counsel Induni Punchihewa appeared on behalf of Tennakoon and the Attorney General. Justice S. Thurairaja delivered the judgment, with concurrence from Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando.

Colombo (LNW): A token strike organised at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo set to commence this (14) morning has been called off, after a discussion with Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Palitha Mahipala.

The planned token strike was in response to the perceived lack of action from the Hospital Director and the Ministry of Health regarding the unprofessional conduct of the Administrative Officer at the National Eye Hospital.

Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers’ Association, announced that the trade union action has been temporarily halted.

This decision was made after the Health Secretary assured them that the matter would be addressed, and an investigation would be conducted into the issues raised.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Now that the immediate economic crisis is over and Sri Lanka has secured the second tanche of US$337 million, the government has to seek more international funding which includes access to IDA and access to the IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a part of World Bank that lends to middle-income countries).

Extended Fund Facility from the IMF is quite essential in times like this, where the country has lost access to the market for finance.

In this context President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that Sri Lanka’s success in securing the necessary funds from international financial institutions in recent months would provide a significant boost to the country’s financial sector, ensuring its complete security.

With the International Monetary Fund approving the second tranche and the World Bank extending US $ 150 million for deposit insurance, Sri Lanka is poised to receive additional funding for the development process from the other key financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and JICA, at low-interest rates and favourable terms, he said.

World Bank lending has supported Sri Lanka’s development for several decades and its outstanding loan portfolio tops 2.4 billion dollars across 17 projects. However when Sri Lanka’s economic crisis hit the bank repurposed around 14% of its undisbursed loans to help pay for imports of LP gas and fertiliser.

“This approval reinstates the confidence of foreign investors, who can now invest in Sri Lanka without hesitation. Our international letters of credit are once again recognised, providing us with the opportunity to expand our market more easily and gain global recognition. It is imperative that we strive to maximise these opportunities for the benefit of our country,” he said.

Although the country has bagged some wins, President Wickremesinghe said it is crucial to acknowledge that achieving this victory does not signify perfection.

“According to President Wickremesinghe, as Sri Lanka progresses forward, it is imperative to advance steadfastly along the path while exercising caution to prevent the recurrence of past errors that led the nation towards financial insolvency.

“The commitment to these principles will unequivocally influence the security or jeopardy of our country’s future,” he said.

President Wickremesinghe pointed out that the journey towards revival and growth is marked by several paramount objectives—minimising the foreign exchange deficit, achieving trade balance, narrowing the income and expenditure gap, optimising the surplus in the primary budget account and upholding stringent financial discipline.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister Nalin Fernando threatened egg producers to reduce the egg prices or face stiff competition in the market with imported eggs, as the government will be importing import 15 million eggs from India.

Sri Lanka imports 30 million eggs monthly after the prices hit 65-70 rupees per egg after the government slappped price controls on eggs, amid maize import controls, leading to culling of the layer chick population and parent birds in hatcheries.

Minister Fernando said the egg prices have come down to as low as 35 rupees in government-owned Sathosa super markets.

“We will be importing until December 31. If we haven’t imported eggs, they have estimated the price to hit 90-100 rupees,” Fernando said.

The Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation said an order was placed for another 15 million eggs from India.

Its Chairman Asiri Walisundara noted that Sri Lanka is due to receive the eggs by Monday (18).

The quality inspection reports of another 10 million eggs that were imported are due from the Department of Animal Production and Health on Saturday (16).

The Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation said the distribution of eggs has also increased, adding that 1 million eggs were released daily for Sathosa outlets.Its Chairman added that the number will be increased to 2 million.

Sri Lanka’s eggs were around 20 to 25 rupees before the rupee collapsed in April last year from 200 to 360 to the US dollar.

Sri Lanka’s chicken meat and egg prices are generally higher than the world due to import licensing on maize which has pushed up production costs.

Maize taxes are only cut to make triposha, a supplement for children facing malnutrition which was started during severe import controls and money printing by macro-economists running government and central bank policy in the 1970s.

In August 2023 Sri Lanka lowered the so-called maize mafia tax, which allows politically connected collectors and farmers to make large profits to 25 rupees from 75 rupees a kilogram.

The maize tax, among the worst regressive protectionist food taxes on the island that used to drive self-sufficiency (autarky) as well as the linked import licenses have been blamed for firing corruption and childhood malnutrition by some critics.

Sri Lanka’s daily egg output is estimated to have dropped to about 4 million a day from the normal 7 million after farmers killed layer chicken for meat in the wake of price controls imposed by the Consumer Affairs Authority last year.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): In an unprecedented move several US Senators have introduced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution calling for accountability in Sri Lanka.

These U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Jim Risch, Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Bill Johnson, have introduced this resolution recently.

The resolution urges the Government of Sri Lanka to listen to and respect the rights of the Sri Lankan people by addressing corruption, ensuring justice and accountability for human rights abuses, and holding free and fair local and provincial elections without further delay.

The resolution recognizes that the people of Sri Lanka have faced a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis which has had devastating human impact.

It also notes that this crisis is exacerbated by government corruption, financial mismanagement, failures in the rule of law, and predatory lending associated with the People’s Republic of China.

The Sri Lankan government is not doing enough to address endemic corruption and impunity, and has weakened Sri Lanka’s democracy by indefinitely postponing local elections.

Many of those responsible for this crisis are also implicated in human rights abuses against Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims across Sri Lanka dating back to the civil war.

“The people of Sri Lanka deserve peace, prosperity, and justice,” said Chair Cardin addding that “Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic, governance, and humanitarian crises – which have had crippling impacts on the Sri Lankan people.

These factors are exacerbated by the Sri Lankan government’s unwillingness to meaningfully address the devastating legacy and impacts of its civil war and provide justice to those who suffered serious human rights abuses.

He said “This resolution makes clear that the United States stands with the people of Sri Lanka in their effort to form a more inclusive, just, democratic, and economically sustainable future.”

“Strengthening Sri Lanka’s democracy supports a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This resolution urges the government of Sri Lanka to hold free and fair local elections as soon as possible and to strengthen good governance, rule of law, corruption, justice, accountability, and human rights measures,” said Ranking Member Risch.

“The United States will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka in their pursuit of peace, prosperity, and democracy.”

“The people of Sri Lanka have experienced decades of war, economic crisis, and political suppression that have led to this moment of inflection in the nation’s history.

As a result of our resolution, the U.S. House of Representatives will express its strong support for the Sri Lankan citizenry and their ongoing efforts to bring about a peaceful, democratic society that will ensure prosperity for the nation and accountability for the tragic actions of the past,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi.