Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has secured a position at the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the term 2023-2027, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The election took place during the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris this week (Nov 15).

During the election, Sri Lanka garnered 144 votes out of 188 member states participating, securing the third-highest vote count in the region, alongside Bangladesh.

Out of the nine candidates from the Asia-Pacific Region, six were elected to the UNESCO Executive Board, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, and Australia. Sri Lanka had previously served on the Executive Board from 2015 to 2019.

UNESCO plays a crucial role in promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information, contributing to peace, security, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

Sri Lanka’s membership in UNESCO since 1949 underscores the country’s steadfast commitment to the organisation’s values and principles, fostering collaboration among nations through education, science, and culture while promoting universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms.

Throughout its history with UNESCO, Sri Lanka has actively contributed to advancing the organisation’s mandate. The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, operating under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, serves as the government arm for implementing UNESCO’s Agenda in the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Paris and the Ministry of Education (National focal point), expressed satisfaction in leading the successful effort to secure Sri Lanka’s election to the UNESCO Executive Board.

The Foreign Ministry highlighted the noteworthy achievement that, in recent months, Sri Lanka has consecutively secured positions in three UN bodies/committees: the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW), and the UNESCO Executive Board.

Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal is set to consider the petition regarding the Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee on Monday, November 20, 2023, under a new panel of judges.

The decision follows the recusal of three judges from the case, including Justice Neel Iddawela and President of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, who cited unfair criticism by the Sports Minister and others.

Subsequently, the petition was transferred to another court for consideration, but Justice Dhammika Ganepola also recused himself, necessitating the formation of a new judge bench to hear the case.

Colombo (LNW): Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he does not accept the recent Supreme Court ruling on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

Speaking in Kandy on November 15, MP Rajapaksa stated that they will respond to the matter when granted an opportunity by the court.

The Supreme Court held former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other officials, including Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa responsible for mishandling the economic crisis in response to a petition filed by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and activists Chandra Jayaratne, Jehan Canagaretna, and Julian Bolling.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has ramped up their commitment to achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and has outlined targets in an Implementation Plan till 2030.

It will be focusing on an integrated, holistic approach to enable transformative impact across sectors, the Ministry of Environment and UNDP said in a joint statement.

The NDC Implementation Plan sets out a blueprint for immediate climate action. With the first global stocktake of progress on the Paris Agreement scheduled for discussion at the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai later this year.

It is an opportunity for all countries to course correct and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis, the joint statement said.

Sri Lanka annually spends LKR 50 billion on climate-induced post-disaster contingent liabilities that arise through floods, droughts, landslides, and storms including relief assistance for damages incurred to housing, infrastructure, agricultural crops, and businesses.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment stated, “Sri Lanka accelerated its climate action through the launch of the Climate Prosperity Plan at COP27.

The revised National Policy on Climate Change (2023) and 2050 Carbon Net Zero Road Map and Strategy are expected to be launched at COP28 this year.

The NDCs act as the base for these strategic interventions and implementing the NDCs will lead to increasing Sri Lanka’s share of renewable energy, adopting adaptation interventions and increasing our coping capacity and resilience to climate disasters”.

Sharing progress on Sri Lanka’s NDCs, Dr. Jayathunga, Additional Secretary (Environment Development), Ministry of Environment highlighted,

“The NDCs are a nexus and linking point through which we can reinforce our national sustainable development targets including the targets laid out in our National Environment Action Plan and National Adaptation Plan”.

From record-breaking temperatures to increasing extreme weather events, in 2022 alone Asia recorded 81 weather, climate and water-related disasters which directly affected more than 50 million people, costing USD 36 billion in economic damages, according to the World Meteorological Organisation’s State of the Climate in Asia report.

The global landscape is changing dramatically with the climate crisis becoming the new normal. Sri Lanka too is reeling from multiple crises and with climate change impacts already being experienced, recovery comes at a high cost.

The Paris Agreement lays out a collective framework for all countries to address climate change. But reports come in that there is still limited progress in reducing the emissions gap by 2030, and there is a global call to scale up climate action to keep the 1.5°C objective within reach.

Colombo (LNW): An inquiry has been initiated by the police into the tragic shooting incident that occurred last night in the Lunugamwehera forest reserve.

The victim, a 31-year-old resident of Tissamaharama, sustained serious gunshot injuries and succumbed to them after being admitted to Lunugamwehera hospital.

The incident unfolded as officials from the Kataragama, Karawila Wildlife Office were engaged in a raid within the protected area. The operation was intensified after nearby wildlife offices reported the escape of individuals from the reserved area.

Consequently, a search operation was launched to apprehend the fugitives in Zone No. 06, Left Bank Zone of Yala Park.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the shooting occurred during the execution of the search operation.

A wildlife controller responsible for the shooting has been apprehended after voluntarily surrendering to the police along with his firearm.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The US has expressed its concern to Sri Lanka about a Chinese research ship likely to dock in the island country next month, a development India too finds concerning.

A special representative of Chinese President Xi Jinping Mrs. Shin Yi Chin is scheduled to visit the island on the 18th amidst reports of another research ship to reach Colombo port early next year.

The Chinese President’s special representative’s visit to the island nation is significant following the Chinese leader’s promise given to his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickreamsighe to provide assistance for Sri Lanka without any political motives, to buy more of the island’s exports and to increase investments.

President Xi also assured that China would provide friendly, practical and timely support for Sri Lanka’s debt optimization program.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Mrs. Shin Yi Chin will stay in the country until the 21st.

During that time, Ms. Shin Yi Chin is scheduled to hold discussions with high-ranking representatives of Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile China has sought permission from Sri Lanka for another one of its state-of-the-art research vessels to engage in research and survey in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Sea of Sri Lanka.

China is now requesting clearance for a vessel identified as Xiang Yang Hong 3.

Chinese officials have informed their Sri Lankan counterparts that the Xiang Yang Hong 3 is expected to engage in research within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

According to reports, the Xiang Yang Hong 3 is to engage in the research and survey from January 5th to February 20th, next year.

The Xiang Yang Hong 03 is owned by the Third Institute of Oceanology, of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources.

Xiang Yang Hong 03’s home port is listed as Xiamen, Fujian Province, is 99.6 metres in length, and falls under the General survey vessel.

At the same time, the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 which reached the Port of Colombo in October in the midst of strong concerns from India, has once again indicated that it will be heading to Colombo.

However, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said that it was not informed about the arrival of the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6.The Shi Yan 6 continues to navigate in the Indian Ocean.

Over the years, over 17 state-of-the-art Chinese Research/Survey vessels reached the Sea of Sri Lanka since 2017.

The Xiang Yang Hong 3 had visited Sri Lanka for the first time on the 13th of December 2017, and remained in Colombo and Trincomalee for a period of 18 days.

The Xiang Yang Hong 3 returned to Sri Lanka on the 22nd of December 2019 and remained in Sri Lankan waters until the 5th of January 2020.

The Xiang Yang Hong 19 Scientific Research Vessel reached Sri Lankan waters on the 11th of February 2020 and was anchored for nine days.