Colombo (LNW): The Badulla Provincial General Hospital in a strategic move to elevate the provision of medical education and services in the country has been officially upgraded to the status of a teaching hospital, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena disclosed today (26).

This development marks the addition of the 22nd teaching hospital in the island nation, and is coincided with the commencement of construction for a ten-storey building designated as the Professorial Unit of the Faculty of Medicine at Uva Wellassa University.

The construction project, allocated a budget of Rs. 2.26 billion, is scheduled to conclude in December 2025.

The new building, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is anticipated to play a crucial role in the training of the next generation of doctors and healthcare practitioners.

Colombo (LNW): In a survey conducted by Verité Research, 34 per cent of respondents were aware of the government’s introduction of the Online Safety Bill to regulate behaviour on social media.

Among those familiar with the bill, 56 per cent expressed concerns that it would restrict the freedom of using social media, while 25 per cent believed it would have no significant impact, and 19 per cent thought it would help reduce misuse.

The Online Safety Bill, published in the government gazette on September 18 and presented to Parliament on October 3, aims to establish an Online Safety Commission with defined powers and functions.

However, the Supreme Court has identified 31 clauses requiring amendment for it to pass with a simple majority, as opposed to the current requirement of a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Conducted in October 2023, the survey gathered responses from 1,029 Sri Lankan adults in a nationally representative sample, with a maximum error margin of ±3% at a 95% confidence interval.

Part of the Syndicated Surveys by Verité Research, the poll was carried out in collaboration with Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd.

Verité Research welcomes other organisations to utilise this polling instrument to gauge public sentiments in Sri Lanka.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The government is to implement plans to restructure and modernize existing agricultural research institutes including the establishment of the Agro-Technology University of Sri Lanka. This institution aims to support extension services and further innovation in the sector.

President Ranil Wickremasinghe outlined a multi-pronged approach to agricultural development, targeting both small and large-scale farmers.

He stressed the importance of providing financial support for smallholders to embrace agro-technology, aiming to enhance productivity.

Additionally, plans were revealed to grant freehold status to individuals holding land development permits, fostering a sense of ownership and incentivizing further development.

In a bid to create opportunities for large-scale agriculture, President Wickremesinghe announced the allocation of previously undeveloped areas, including portions of the Mahaweli scheme and lands owned by government plantation corporations, for agricultural purposes.

President Wickremesinghe positioned the revival of Sri Lanka’s agricultural exports as a requirement for the nation’s economic turnaround.

By combining support for smallholders, large-scale agricultural initiatives and strategic planning for export diversification, the President set forth a comprehensive vision aimed at harnessing Sri Lanka’s rich agricultural legacy for a prosperous future.

The ambitious plans outlined by President Ranil Wickremesinghe signal a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, offering a roadmap for economic revitalization and a renewed focus on export-driven growth.

This strategic move is expected to bring approximately 300,000 acres of land under cultivation within the next few years, requiring significant capital investment.

To ensure the success of these initiatives, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for extension services, collaboration with the private sector and the establishment of an agro-technology university.

He outlined plans to review the performance of regional plantation companies and shift towards contract farming in the tea and rubber sectors.

Turning to broader economic challenges, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the country’s lack of growth and opportunities over the past two years.

He attributed these issues to a historical imbalance in the trade and emphasized the critical need to address the budget deficit and balance of trade and highlighted the urgency of increasing exports.

The President elaborated on measures to improve the country’s fiscal situation and the availability of funds for small and medium industries affected by the economic crisis.

In a global context, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the challenges posed by international competitors such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia in the export-oriented industries.

Despite this, he stressed the urgency of the current export drive, emphasizing the need to secure the country’s future and prevent further brain drain.

President Wickremesinghe reiterated Sri Lanka’s historical strength as an exporter of agricultural goods.

Colombo (LNW): At least 40 individuals, including four women, were apprehended in Sinhapura, Wellampitiya, in possession of illicit substances and weaponry, reports claimed.

The arrests transpired during a coordinated pre-dawn operation conducted on Sunday (26) by the Police, Special Task Force (STF), and the Sri Lanka Army.

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the vital role of strengthening the agricultural export economy as a key element in the broader strategy to rejuvenate the nation’s economy.

In alignment with this directive, the President unveiled plans for a specialised programme to enhance the cultivation of minor export crops. The initiative includes efforts to promote cocoa cultivation in Kandy, Matale, and Kurunegala districts, along with the reinstatement of coffee and cinnamon cultivation in the near future.

During a Special District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting at the Matale District Secretariat on the 25th, President Wickremesinghe announced the implementation of a budget proposal granting freehold deeds to licenced landowners nationwide, coinciding with Independence Day on February 4th.

President Wickremesinghe also emphasised the allocation of Rs. 10 million to a specific regional secretariat dedicated to the development of underdeveloped villages under the upcountry development programme for the next five years.

Addressing concerns about revenue generation, the President stressed the need for officials to present new proposals for revenue collection in the district, emphasising that solving the country’s economic problems requires a focus on both expenditure and revenue.

The President highlighted the potential for transforming the Matale district into an agricultural hub and stressed the importance of executing this programme through a well-structured plan, involving collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The meeting, attended by political authorities and government officials of the Matale district, saw the President’s direct intervention in resolving long-standing issues, including the drinking water problem for kidney patients, allocation of land for displaced people, highway development, consolidation of specific areas, and the management of wild elephants.

While addressing the meeting, the President expressed increased government focus on education and inquired about the absence of education-related issues. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritise and address educational concerns, including implementing a programme to encourage greater student participation in the G.C.E Advanced Level Examination. Additionally, the President announced the upcoming establishment of a formal initiative offering vocational training to young individuals after completing the Advanced Level Examination, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the national economy.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s full statement:

As a consequence of the COVID-19 epidemic and the recent economic crisis, numerous projects came to a halt. We anticipate the retrieval of funds by the end of this year following the receipt of the bankruptcy discharge certificate. Consequently, all suspended projects are scheduled for implementation starting from the upcoming year.

Particular emphasis should be placed on the strategic development of the Galewela-Dambulla-Habarana areas, especially in light of the on-going plans for the Hingurakgoda airport. The anticipated rise in tourist numbers to these regions necessitates a comprehensive development plan for these three cities to ensure systematic and sustainable growth.

Furthermore, all land licenses issued under the Land Development Act are scheduled to be converted into freehold deeds. As part of the foundational programme, 10,000 land deeds will be distributed at the Dambulla stadium. Additionally, there are plans to grant freehold rights for lands allocated by the Land Reforms Commission in Colombo.

In every District Committee meeting, the predominant query pertains to the allocation of funds, yet my concern lies in identifying the means to acquire the necessary funds for these expenditures.

In accordance with the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the option to print money has been prohibited, as stipulated in the amended Central Bank Act. Concurrently, accessing credit has become a challenge due to existing debt obligations. Consequently, our path forward entails a concerted effort towards income generation to navigate the financial landscape in the foreseeable future.

Furthermore, addressing the budget deficit and trade balance deficit has been a challenge due to a lack of comprehensive strategies. Particularly starting next year, it is imperative to focus on these two sectors with the aim of bolstering state revenue at the district level.

To achieve this, a pivotal shift towards reinstating an agricultural-based economy is essential. Since 1972, the emphasis on the agricultural economy has diminished, with minimal development seen beyond the small tea plantation sector. Immediate attention is required to initiate an agricultural modernisation programme to rejuvenate and diversify our agricultural sector.

While acknowledging that these objectives cannot be realised instantly, a strategic timeline of 5 to 10 years has been envisioned to attain these goals. The transformation of Agrarian Service Centers into Agricultural Modernisation Centers, in collaboration with the private sector, is part of the proposed plan. The emphasis will be on augmenting the production of existing crops and introducing new crops into the agricultural landscape.

The Matale district, recognised for its agricultural potential, offers favorable conditions for the cultivation of both upcountry and Rajarata crops. As such, there are plans to systematically develop this area according to a novel and comprehensive strategy.

Various institutions have already indicated their interest in investing in cocoa cultivation, highlighting Sri Lanka’s potential to produce premium-quality cocoa second only to Guatemala. Despite the current absence of cocoa in Sri Lanka, there are plans to revitalise and popularise cocoa cultivation in the regions surrounding Matale, Kandy and Kurunegala. The implementation of this programme is envisioned as a collaborative effort involving both the public and private sectors.

Following the rejuvenation of cocoa cultivation, the focus will shift to coffee cultivation. Additionally, dedicated efforts are underway for cinnamon cultivation, with the overarching objective of promoting the cultivation of minor export crops through an innovative and comprehensive plan.

This initiative is not confined to government efforts alone; active participation from the private sector is integral to its success. A long-standing proposal to lease government corporation-owned land to these entities is now in motion. The proposed lease periods are envisaged to be 60 years for coconut plantations and 40-50 years for other agricultural activities.

The intention is to allocate these lands to young farmers, enabling them to implement modern agricultural methods. The government is committed to supporting the endeavors of these young farmers, underscoring its overarching goal of establishing Matale as a prominent agricultural district.

Efforts to enhance education are of paramount importance. There is a concerted focus on increasing the number of students participating in the General Education Certificate Examination (GCE). Following Advanced Level Examination, a strategic direction will guide youth towards vocational training, fostering the creation of a skilled workforce within the country. To facilitate this, a comprehensive plan is underway to consolidate the 400 vocational training centers across the island into a singular institution.”

State Minister for Defense Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rohana Dissanayake, Governor of Central Province Lalith .U. Gamage, Members of Parliament Janaka Bandara Thennakoon and Rohini Kaviratne, Matale District Coordinating Committee Chairman Member of Parliament Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Chairman of the Central Provincial Council L D Nimalasiri and Matale District Secretary Tejani Thilakaratne, along with other officials attended the event.

Colombo (LNW): On November 23, 2023, Rohitha Bogollagama, the designated High Commissioner, formally presented the Open Copy of his Letter of Credence to Vice Marshal and Director of Protocol at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, Victoria Busby OBE, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London, UK said in a statement on Friday (24).

This occurred prior to the official presentation of Credentials to His Majesty King Charles III in a formal and ceremonial setting.

Expressing gratitude, High Commissioner designate Bogollagama thanked Vice Marshal and Director Busby for the early opportunity to present the open copy of his Letter of Credence. He conveyed his anticipation of strengthening the close and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

Additionally, Bogollagama conveyed warm greetings from President Ranil Wickremesinghe to His Majesty King Charles III, wishing for the continued progress and prosperity of the United Kingdom.

In his discussions, Bogollagama also appealed for greater understanding from the UK Government on matters related to Sri Lanka, emphasising that such comprehension would pave the way for broader and more profound engagement between the two nations.

Vice-Marshal Busby extended best wishes for success to High Commissioner designate Bogollagama in his new role as the Envoy of Sri Lanka to the Court of St James’s. Furthermore, Busby assured the fullest cooperation of the UK Government during Bogollagama’s tenure.

The meeting included the presence of Counsellor Hiruni Rajapakse from the High Commission accompanying the High Commissioner designate.

1. Defence State Minister Pramitha Bandara says SL has started “right sizing” its military to reach 150,000 by 2030: says the reduction won’t have any impact on national security since the forces would be strengthened with modern technology: reductions to be – Army to 100,000, Navy to 30,000, & Air Force to 20,000.
   
2. CB weekly data shows that foreign “hot-money” investment in Govt T-Bills & Bonds is continuing its rapid exodus: records a massive reduction from Rs.159.2 bn (USD 492mn) on 30th Sep’23 to Rs.130.6bn (USD 397mn) on 24th Nov’23: currency depreciating pressure expected to escalate as more nervous “hot-money” investments continue to flee, after having made massive profits and gains.
   
3. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene says a decision was taken at the Party Leaders’ meeting to carry on the Committee on Public Enterprises inquiries on Sri Lanka Cricket without Professor Ranjith Bandara as the Chairman.
   
4. Foreign news report says 20,000 SL workers are getting ready to fly to Israel in December’23 to work as farmhands for nearly 10 times the pay, despite Israel’s war with Hamas: also says SL is desperate for dollars and remittances.
   
5. Muslim Congress Leader MP Rauff Hakeem says SL expatriate workers who are sent to Israel are to be given military training: Minister of Labour Manusha Nanayakkara denies the allegation.
   
6. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says the CEB received an additional income of Rs.16bn last month as hydropower generation took place at full capacity due to heavy rains: also says a similar or higher income is expected this month as reservoirs have reached full capacity and hydropower is generated at full capacity.
   
7. Police sources report that IGP C D Wickramaratne had announced he will retire from the position, effective from 25th November’23: albeit having to retire from the police service on 26th March’23, Wickramaratne’s tenure had been extended 4 times.
   
8. Four police officers arrested in connection with the death of a person who was in remand custody at the Jaffna Prison: remanded until 4th Dec’23.
   
9. Police Constable Krishnamoorthi Prathapan, 26, who drowned after having jumped into a canal in Ja Ela in pursuit of a suspect, promoted posthumously to the rank of Sergeant.
   
10. Feud between SL Cricket and Ministry of Sports escalates after SL Cricket accused the Ministry of misleading the public over how funds of the SLC board were spent, and interference in World Cup 2023 selection.