September 18, Colombo (LNW): Highways, Transport, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana lauded Basil Rajapaksa for his instrumental role in forming the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) after the first electoral defeat of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speaking at a public meeting in Korathota Junction, Kaduwela, organized by PS member Saman Kumara, Gunawardhana emphasized that despite various opinions, Basil Rajapaksa’s Mahinda Sulanga program helped rebuild the party.

Gunawardhana also spoke highly of Professor G.L. Peiris, acknowledging his continued leadership as SLPP chairman and his vital role during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. Peiris chaired the Cabinet Sub-Committee responsible for selecting foreign agencies like Lazard and Clifford Chance to manage the country’s foreign debt crisis. Despite avoiding damage during the political struggles, Peiris supported Dullas Alahapperuma for the presidency and advocated for Sajith Premadasa as Prime Minister during the crisis.

The minister also highlighted the contributions of Nalaka Godahewa, the chief economic advisor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and architect of the SLPP’s economic agenda, and noted that he, along with Jagath Wellawatta, shaped the core of the party’s economic policies. Gunawardhana revealed that he had disagreements with parts of Gotabaya’s manifesto, especially in education, and had worked with academics to amend it.

Looking ahead, Gunawardhana hinted at potential cabinet appointments in a future Sajith Premadasa government, with promises of key portfolios such as Foreign Affairs for G.L. Peiris, Education and Culture for Alahapperuma, and Finance for Godahewa.

The political landscape is shifting, with several SLPP leaders, including Susantha Punchinilame and Lakshman Wasantha Perera, signaling their intention to join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) after the 18th, fueling speculation of an SLPP exodus to the SJB. Meanwhile, prominent SJB figures such as Dr. Harsha de Silva, Kabir Hashim, and Eran Wickremaratne have taken a step back, allowing new political alignments to unfold.

September 18, Colombo (LNW): During a series of high-level discussions in Jaffna, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders Sasikala Raviraj, Kalaiamuthan Mavai Senathirajah, and Charles Nirmalanathan expressed confidence in President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership to resolve the longstanding issues of the Tamil community.

The talks, held at Jetwing Hotel, focused on comprehensive development and investment strategies aimed at addressing economic and infrastructure challenges in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. Kalaiamuthan, recently elected to the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, alongside Sasikala Raviraj, emphasized the need for improving infrastructure, job creation, and sustainable growth for the Northern Tamil community.

Kalaiamuthan, son of TNA leader Mavai Senathirajah, has been instrumental in driving these initiatives. Following a separate meeting at Senathirajah’s residence, Senathirajah reaffirmed his confidence in Wickremesinghe’s ability to address Tamil grievances and promote economic rejuvenation in the region.

President Wickremesinghe also visited ITAK party leader and TNA MP Charles Nirmalanathan at his Mannar residence. Nirmalanathan and other local leaders pledged their support for Wickremesinghe’s reelection efforts.

September 18, Colombo (LNW): At a recent Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) election rally in Anuradhapura, Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa announced key relief measures for the agricultural sector and other affected communities. He promised that an SJB-led government would write off farmers’ crop loans and provide a fuel subsidy to farmers, fishermen, three-wheeler drivers, school bus operators, and rice mill owners.

Premadasa also stated that farmers would receive 50 kg fertilizer bundles at a subsidized price of Rs. 5,000. Additionally, he outlined plans to implement a sustainable solution to the ongoing elephant-human conflict.

“We will formulate a national land usage plan, focusing on community-centered wildlife conservation, while also ensuring that tourism development is in harmony with these efforts,” Premadasa emphasized.

September 18, Colombo (LNW) Sri Lanka’s economy expanded by 4.7% year-on-year (YoY) in the second quarter of 2024, marking consistent growth since September 2023. However, quarter-on-quarter growth slowed from the 5.3% seen in the first quarter of 2024.

The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) attributed this growth to a strong performance in the industry sector, which accounted for 25.5% of the GDP and grew by 10.9%. 

The service sector, representing 55.4% of GDP, expanded by 2.5%, while the agriculture sector, constituting 10% of GDP, grew by 1.7%. Taxes, less subsidies on products, which accounted for 9.1% of GDP, also saw an increase of 2.8%.

Several factors contributed to this economic expansion, including lower inflation, declining interest rates, and eased import restrictions, which made it easier for businesses to access working capital and raw materials. Additionally, while heavy rainfall negatively impacted key crops such as paddy, tea, and rubber, it boosted hydroelectric power generation, benefiting the energy sector.

Tourism played a crucial role in sustaining economic growth for the fourth consecutive quarter, following a rise in tourist arrivals since the third quarter of 2023.

In agriculture, growth was seen in sectors such as cereal production (22.7%), animal production (8.6%), marine fishing (7.7%), and vegetable cultivation (3.8%). However, some agricultural activities faced challenges, including a decline in plant propagation (-23.7%), rubber cultivation (-18.7%), and tea production (-8.8%).

The industry sector experienced significant recovery, with overall growth of 10.9% in Q2 2024, reversing the 11.7% decline seen in the same period of the previous year. The construction industry and mining and quarrying sectors posted notable growth rates of 15.5% and 21.5%, respectively.

Manufacturing also grew by 7%, with standout performances in metal fabrication (31.6%) and chemical products (24%).

The services sector, which grew by 2.5% in Q2 2024, recovered from the 0.5% contraction in the same period in 2023. Key service industries, such as accommodation and food services (21.1%), insurance (14.1%), and IT services (14%), showed robust growth. 

Meanwhile, public administration and health services were the only sectors that contracted, declining by 3.1% and 2.3%, respectively.

In summary, while Sri Lanka’s economic growth in Q2 2024 was slightly lower than in Q1, it continued its upward trajectory, driven by industry and services sectors and supported by easing inflation and rising tourism

September 18, Colombo (LNW) Sri Lanka’s railways are set for a comprehensive modernization, focusing on upgrading stations and enhancing services through public-private partnerships (PPP), according to Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana. This transformation is crucial as the 159-year-old railway department faces financial difficulties, operational losses, and a lack of investment.

Gunawardana emphasized the importance of revitalizing the railway system to meet modern needs. A key component of this effort is the Railway Efficiency Improvement Project, a five-year, Rs 28.5 billion initiative funded by the Asian Development Bank. 

The project is set to be completed this year, with Rs 1.21 billion earmarked for final-phase capital expenditure. The initiative aims to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency, offering benefits for the thousands of commuters who rely on Sri Lanka Railways daily.

As part of this transformation, the government has invited private investors to participate in the development of six key railway stations in Colombo, including Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte, Kompanyaweediya, Dehiwala, and Mount Lavinia. 

These developments will be pursued under the PPP model, where private investors will lease railway department properties on a long-term basis and modernize the stations into “station plazas.” These modern facilities will improve infrastructure, provide better amenities for commuters, and generate revenue for the government.

Gunawardana shared that several expressions of interest (EOIs) have already been submitted, signaling investor interest. One prominent example is the redevelopment of Ella station, a popular tourist destination, which is being undertaken by Laksala, a state-owned enterprise. 

The project has proven profitable for the government, generating not only land rent but also a percentage of the station’s turnover. This model highlights the potential profitability of the station plaza concept, which will be replicated across the railway network.

Gunawardana also pointed out that maintaining the railway department as a state entity has become financially burdensome. To make it profitable, the department should be transformed into an Authority, with governance managed by a board of directors rather than the current bureaucratic system. 

He reassured employees that their job security and pensions would be protected, drawing a parallel to the successful partial privatization of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Sri Lanka Telecom.

An initial step in the transformation will involve enhancing revenue by leasing spaces above strategic railway stations, addressing illegal land occupancy, and increasing goods and parcel transport. 

Additionally, the redevelopment of land around railway stations will include the creation of commercial facilities, such as shopping malls and cafeterias, directly integrated into the stations.

These modern facilities will be operated by the private sector, providing busy commuters with convenient access to shopping and dining options. The Ministry of Transport has called for EOIs from both local and foreign investors interested in leasing upper floors of railway stations for projects like super malls. 

Proposals will be opened on July 15, and railway land occupants and new applicants have been requested to register with the railways department to confirm the legal status of their land usage.

This ambitious modernization project represents a crucial step in transforming Sri Lanka Railways into a more efficient, revenue-generating system, while improving the experience for daily commuters across the country

September 18, Colombo (LNW) Campaigning for the upcoming presidential election will officially conclude at midnight tonight, marking the start of the mandatory silent period, which will last until election day on September 21.

The Election Commission has instructed all candidates and citizens to cease any campaign-related activities during this period. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake warned that strict legal action will be taken against those who continue to campaign, including through social media, after the midnight deadline.

September 18, Colombo (LNW): Independent Presidential Candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on Sri Lankan citizens to give him a mandate to further develop the country, emphasizing the dire state of the nation when he assumed office two years ago. Speaking to a large crowd in Mannar, Wickremesinghe recalled the severe shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and gas that plagued the country at the time.

“When I took over two years ago, there was no food, medicine, fuel, or gas. Neither Sajith [Premadasa] nor Anura [Dissanayake] stepped forward to address these crises. Where were they? What did they do when you were suffering?” Wickremesinghe asked, criticizing his main opponents for their absence during the critical period.

He emphasized his role in stabilizing the economy and restoring essential supplies, adding, “Today, gas, fuel, medicines, and fertilizer are available again. The economy has restarted. Now, those who avoided responsibility are demanding to take charge. They must be chased away with a broom.”

Acknowledging the hardships faced by the people due to tough decisions, Wickremesinghe praised their resilience and questioned the necessity of elections called by his opponents in the midst of ongoing challenges. He emphasized the improvements in the economy, including a stronger rupee and lower prices of goods, and appealed for a mandate to continue his work.

“We must continue to honour our agreements with the IMF,” Wickremesinghe stressed, countering claims by opposition leaders that breaking these agreements would help the country move forward. He urged the public to stay informed about the complexities of the current economic situation and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the nation through its recovery.

September 18, Colombo (LNW)The final campaign rallies for this year’s Presidential Election are taking place today, both in Colombo and across outstation locations.

Five “Ranilta Puluwan” (Ranil Can) rallies in support of independent candidate and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be held throughout the day. The schedule includes rallies at 1 PM at Matara’s Uyanwatta Stadium, 2 PM at Galle’s Samanala Stadium, 3 PM at Kalutara Public Stadium, 4 PM in Homagama town, and the final rally at 5:30 PM at Kosgas Junction in Colombo.

SJB presidential candidate and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa will hold his final rally at 2 PM in front of the Panchikawatta Tower Hall Theatre. Similarly, NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake will address supporters at 2 PM at Nugegoda’s Ananda Samarakoon open-air theatre.

SLPP presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa will wrap up his campaign at Piliyandala Somaweera Chandrasiri Stadium, also at 2 PM. Meanwhile, “Sarvajana Balaya” alliance candidate Dilith Jayaweera will hold his final rally at Kottawa Bus Stand, starting at 2 PM.

The Police Media Division has announced a special traffic plan to manage congestion in areas where these rallies will be held.