January 20, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha has revealed significant proposals aimed at expanding Sri Lanka’s higher education sector during the ongoing education reform process. Among the key recommendations is the establishment of separate commissions to regulate State and non-State universities, as well as vocational education institutions.

Addressing the fourth graduation ceremony of the Nagananda International Institute of Buddhist Education as the Chief Guest, Minister Premajayantha highlighted the comprehensive efforts to enhance higher education, with reforms slated for implementation in four identified areas from the beginning of the upcoming year.

The Minister announced an allocation of Rs 8,000 million in this year’s budget for research across various disciplines. He emphasized that longstanding delays in the development of the higher education sector would soon be addressed through collaborative efforts involving the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Education Ministry, and all public universities. These efforts include fostering academic research relations with globally recognized high-ranking universities.

Minister Premajayantha underscored the need to reduce the time spent by students in school education by one year, providing them with expedited opportunities to attain degrees and post-graduate qualifications. He emphasized the urgency of closing the gap between Sri Lankan students and their counterparts in developed countries.

As part of the proposed higher education reforms, the Minister highlighted the intention to establish separate commissions for the regulation of public and private universities, along with vocational education institutions. Quality checks will be conducted by the National Education Commission, with relevant bills already drafted and submitted to the cabinet.

The ongoing education reform process aims to elevate Sri Lanka’s education sector, including vocational education, to internationally recognized standards of quality development.

Minister Premajayantha commended the noteworthy contributions of Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thera in establishing the Nagananda International Buddhist Educational Institute as a prestigious educational institution within a short timeframe. The graduation ceremony witnessed the conferment of degrees upon 97 students, including six foreign students. Dignitaries from Sri Lanka and abroad participated in the event alongside Vice-Chancellor Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thera.

January 20, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, Mahinda Amaraweera, has raised concerns about a potential shortage of vegetables in June, even if the current shortfall is expected to ease in the near future. The minister attributes the looming issue to the possibility of a drought later this year.

In response to this anticipated challenge, Minister Amaraweera has directed the Department of Agriculture to promptly initiate a suitable program to address and manage the potential shortage of vegetables. The proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of the predicted drought on vegetable production, ensuring the availability of essential food items in the market.

January 20, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy has successfully intercepted two fishing trawlers suspected of carrying a cache of narcotics, believed to be heroin, off the southern coast of the island. The operation, conducted by the naval intelligence unit, resulted in the impoundment of a local multiday fishing trawler and a one-day fishing trawler.

The seized vessels, along with the confiscated narcotics and apprehended suspects, are currently being brought ashore to the Galle Harbour. Further investigations will be carried out to determine the origin, destination, and individuals involved in the illicit drug trafficking operation.

1. SLPP Leader & Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says his Party had neither decided on a candidate for the Presidential election nor decided to contest that election.
2. Senior IMF Mission Chief Peter Breuer says the Property Tax will help SL to take a “quantum leap” to achieve the IMF programme’s goals: also says SL’s economic recovery is still in the infancy level & yet to reach the broader population, ahough Sri Lanka’s macro economy is stabilizing.
3. Former State Minister and CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says the Govt hasn”t been able to negotiate a single Dollar “hair-cut” from it’s external debt, although the IMF had indicated that 60% of the loans from External Bi-lateral & Private Creditors could be “cut” by USD 17bn out of USD 28bn: points out that the only the poor EPF Members had suffered a “hair-cut”although the Govt & the CB Governor had assured Local Debt will not be affected by the “Debt Re-structuring”.
4. Dissident SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga says in 2022, EPF members had been given only 9.0% interest, whereas CB employees received a staggering 29.27%: also points out that in 2020 & 2021, EPF members received 9.0% interest whereas CB employees were paid only 6.37% and 8.24%.
5. Colombo Stock Market plunges to a 6-month low as investor sentiment remains depressed: so far in Jan’24, ASPI is down by 2.1% to 10,433: average daily turnover for the week dips to a mere Rs.850mn.
6. SJB Deputy National Organiser S M Marikkar reiterates his Party will re-negotiate the agreement between SL Govt and IMF: assures the Party will “reform” the current tax regime: however, SJB’s Economic Guru Harsha Silva had previously been ardently advocating a tight IMF programme and higher taxes
7. Narammala Magistrate’s Court remands the Sub Inspector whose firearm reportedly went off accidentally, killing a lorry driver: Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon hands over Rs.1mn to the family of the lorry driver.
8. Combined Trade Union Alliance of CEB Secretary Ranjan Jayalal says the CEB Unions have convened a meeting of all state & private sector unions to decide on action against the CEB decision to suspend 15 of workers for allegedly “disrupting services” during a protest against the proposed restructuring of the state-owned electricity supplier.
9. Malwatte Chapter’s Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera says the nation is at risk of complete deterioration unless it is entrusted to a competent group during this pivotal period.
10. CB once again stresses the importance of Consolidation in the Banking and Non-bankibg sector for greater scale, efficiency & strength: rolls out a “Consolidation master plan”: the financial sector was being systematically consolidated in 2013/14, but that programme was summarily discontinued in 2015 by the Yahapalanaya Govt.

January 20, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Human Rights Office has voiced serious concerns regarding the revised Anti-Terrorism Bill currently under consideration by the Sri Lankan parliament. The proposed legislation, intended to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been criticized for perpetuating past human rights violations and failing to adhere to international standards.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that the repeal of the PTA should mark a turning point for meaningful reform in Sri Lanka’s internal security approach. However, the current proposed law raises alarms as it risks perpetuating historical patterns of rights violations.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, the bill defines acts of “terrorism” too broadly, restricts judicial guarantees, especially in challenging the lawfulness of detention orders, and limits the Human Rights Commission’s ability to visit places of detention, among other problematic provisions.

The statement issued by the UN office warned that if passed in its current form, the Bill would grant excessive powers to the executive, lacking adequate safeguards against potential abuse of these powers.

The United Nations Human Rights Office urged Sri Lankan authorities to revise the Bill and align it fully with the country’s international human rights obligations.

By: Staff Writer

January 20, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (Jan.18) highlighted how digital divide and Weapons of Mass Destruction have deepened inequalities between NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) developing states and the developed world.

Addressing the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda, Wickremesinghe also emphasized the need for a strong, united NAM, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Furthermore, the Sri Lankan Head of the State urged the reinvention of NAM to contribute to a better world, according to the PMD.

He emphasized the critical need to bridge digital divides and tackle the looming threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” the President highlighted how these issues have further widened the gap between NAM developing states and the developed world, deepening global inequalities

IMF says Swift completion of final agreements with official creditors critical for Sri Lanka.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is critical for Sri Lanka to swiftly complete the final agreements with the official creditors and reach a resolution with the external private creditors.

IMF mission team, led by Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer, was in Sri Lanka from January 11-19 to discuss recent macroeconomic developments and progress in implementing economic and financial policies under the EFF arrangement.

The delegation says the economic reform program implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities is now yielding the first signs of recovery with positive real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2023, low inflation, increased revenue collection, and a build-up of external reserves.

Commending the commendable progress made by putting debt on a path towards sustainability, the IMF mission team highlighted that execution of the domestic debt restructuring was an important milestone.

However, swift completion of final agreements with official creditors and reaching a resolution with external private creditors remain critical, the statement underscored.

January 20, Colombo (LNW): Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media, announced that development projects are scheduled to commence in February after the finalization of agreements related to debt restructuring and ongoing discussions with foreign creditors in Sri Lanka. During a media briefing at the Presidential Media Centre, Minister Gunawardena highlighted that Rs. 150 million has been allocated to the District Development Committees for road development, and an additional Rs. 50 million through the Ministry of Rural Affairs for the development of small roads.

The minister underscored the importance of careful consideration of income and expenditure in the challenging year ahead. In 2022, the government’s total tax revenue amounted to Rs. 1,751 billion, with significant allocations to government employee salaries, pensions, and support for the less privileged. Minister Gunawardena acknowledged the challenge of balancing expenses, including interest payments on loans and capital expenditure.

He reported earnings from various government departments and outlined the financial landscape for 2023, where expenses outpaced revenue, resulting in a deficit. Looking ahead to 2024, Minister Gunawardena revealed that development schemes are slated to begin in February after the restructuring of debt and finalizing agreements with creditors. Notably, a USD 60 million loan from the World Bank and financial assistance from the Samurdi Fund will be utilized for road repairs.

Despite financial challenges, significant allocations have been made for District Development Committees, with Rs. 150 million for road development and an additional Rs. 50 million for small road development. The restructuring of foreign debt has reached its final stages, paving the way for the resumption of paused development projects in Sri Lanka.