Colombo (LNW): Embark on a journey of intellectual exploration with “Critical Conversation” (Savivara Sanwada), a profound dialogue delving into the realms of colonial violence, struggles of the colonial era, and the intricate geopolitics of West Asia.
The discussion is set for Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 8:00 pm Sri Lanka time, unfolding its narrative via Zoom technology.
This immersive conversation unfolds in two enthralling acts. In the inaugural segment, the stage will be graced by the intellectual prowess of Jude L. Fernando, Saman Pushpakumara, and Rohitha Bhashana Abeywardena. The second act beckons you to step into the spotlight of discourse as the floor is open to a lively public discussion.
The discussion is moderated by Thilak Kodagoda.
Critical Conversations | விமர்சன உரையாடல்கள் | සවිචාර සංවාද
Join ‘Critical Conversations’ Zoom discussion via following link:
President & Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe unveils a plethora of relief & reforms in the 2024 Budget: urges all political parties to join to usher an “economic revolution”: gives increase in allowance for 1,300,000 public servants, 700,000 pensioners & 2,000,000 “Aswesuma” beneficiaries: removes almost all exemptions from VAT & increases the rate to 18%: retains the cascading Social Security Contribution Levy.
President Ranil Wickremasinghe says SL will establish a new technology university in Kandy & expand the capabilities of other higher education institutions: also says 20% of shares of the 2 large state banks will be divested to investors & depositors.
Budget data shows that Govt’s Actual Tax Revenue for 2023 is expected to plunge by a massive Rs.534bn, compared to the Budgeted Revenue for 2023: Govt Revenue loss to be over 17% for the year 2023: Income tax – down by 5%, Tax on Goods & Services – down by 22%, & Tax on External Trade – down by 22%.
SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa asserts many initiatives that were announced in the last budget have not been implemented & therefore those have been presented again in this year’s budget as well: further asserts the President has come as the Finance Minister of the “Pohottuwa” Govt, & that “fairytales are useless”.
Ceylon Electricity Board Media Spokesman Engineer Noel Priyantha confirms the CEB has disconnected the electricity supply of over 500,000 customers as of Oct’23 due to their failure to settle outstanding bills: asserts that has been done according to CEB regulations: adds the supply will be restored when payment is made.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe receives 3 names to fill 2 vacancies in the Court of Appeal: Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has nominated the 2 senior-most High Court Judges Gihan Kulatunga & Damith Thotawatta: Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam has nominated Senior Deputy Solicitor General Mahen Gopallawa: President is due to submit 2 names to the Constitutional Council for approval.
Former Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority Supun S Pathirage who was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.10mn, granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court: other 2 suspects further remanded until 24th November.
Govt’s T-Bond Auction of 13/11/2023 fails miserably: 3-Year Bonds – amount offered was Rs.60,000mn, and accepted Rs.60,000mn (100%): 4-Year Bonds – amount offered was Rs.110,000mn, but accepted only Rs.4,557mn (4.1%): 7-Year Bonds – amount offered was Rs. 80,000mn, but accepted only Rs.8,667mn (10.8%): Total T-Bonds offered was Rs.250,000mn, but accepted only Rs.73,224mn (29.3%): analysts warn a massive financial & interest rate crisis is looming in the horizon.
Former Cricketing great Aravinda de Silva is to be inducted into the ICC “Hall of Fame”: he would be the 4th Sri Lankan to join the elite group, after Kumar Sangakkara, Muthiah Muralidharan & Mahela Jayawardena: Aravinda will be honoured at the Wankhede Stadium during the World Cup Semi-final, along with Virender Sehwag and Diana Edulji.
Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe files a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department regarding the Sri Lanka Cricket crisis: informed sources say the complaint is pertaining to matters revealed in the SL Cricket audit report & the death threats against him.
Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka yesterday (13) declared former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s regulations on the Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalisation from holding violent extremist religious ideology) invalid.
The court ruled that these regulations violated fundamental rights under Articles 10, 12(1), and 13 of the Constitution.
The three-judge bench comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Murdu Fernando and Mahinda Samayawardhena ordered the State Party to pay Rs. 25,000 to each petitioner, including the Centre for Policy Alternative and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.
The court observed that amending the regulations to align with fundamental rights was impractical.
The petitioners argued that the regulations allowed executive detention without proper judicial evaluation, violating constitutional safeguards and international human rights norms.
Senior Counsel Viran Corea, Luwie Ganeshathasan and Thilini Vidanagamage appeared for the CPC, Counsel Suren Fernando with K. Wikramanayake appeared for Shreen Saroor and Pulasthi Hewamanna with Harini Jayawardena appeared for Ambika Satkunanathan.
Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle and Deputy Solicitor General Awanthi Perera appeared for the Attorney General.
Colombo (LNW): Thirteen post offices within the Western Province-South, covering the regions of Colombo and Kalutara, are set to provide round-the-clock services for accepting fines associated with traffic offenses during the night.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Indika Hapugoda said this innovative initiative was discreetly conveyed to Divisional Officers in specific areas of Colombo (North, South, Central), Nugegoda, Mount Lavinia, Kalutara, Seethawakapura, Kelaniya, and Gampaha as part of a pilot project.
These specified post offices are located in Slave Island, Havelock Town, Wellawatta, Borella, Kotahena, Battaramulla, Nugegoda, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, Moratuwa, Panadura, Kalutara, and Seethawakapura and have been specifically designated to operate 24/7, including during the nocturnal hours, for the purpose of fine collection.
This covert collaboration between the Department of Posts and law enforcement ensures the seamless provision of this service.
Additionally, the DIG discreetly instructed traffic duty officers to subtly communicate this initiative to drivers while handling cases related to traffic offenses.
Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s announcement of selling a 20 per cent stake in People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon injected vitality into the stock market during a lackluster day, analysts pointed out.
The government aims to sell the stake to strategic investors or the public to enhance capital and support future growth, reducing taxpayer burden.
The 2024 budget proposes stringent measures, including legal action against non-filers and mandatory submission of Taxpayer Identification Number certificates for certain transactions.
Despite these challenges, the stock indices rose, with the All-Share Price Index up by 10 points and the S&P SL20 increasing by 7.6 points.
The turnover reached Rs 559 million without any crossings, and notable contributors were Capital Alliance, JKH, and Ceylon Grain Elevators.
In the retail market, 19.2 million shares changed hands in 8570 transactions. The day saw the rupee opening flat against the US dollar at Rs 327.00/40.
Bond activity was subdued as investors adopted a cautious stance before the budget reading.
Colombo (LNW): DFCC Bank has reported a strong performance for the third quarter of 2023, recording an Operating Profit Before Taxes on Financial Services of Rs. 10,693 million, Profit Before Income Tax (PBT) of Rs. 8,305 million, and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 5,498 million.
This marks a significant improvement from the third quarter of 2022. The Bank’s Return on Equity (ROE) increased to 11.66 per cent, and Return on Assets (ROA) before tax for the period ended September 2023 is 1.76 per cent, compared to 0.46 per cent for the year ended December 2022.
The Net Interest Income (NII) increased by 26 per cent, reaching Rs. 23,655 million, and fee and commission income rose by 40 per cent to Rs. 2,848 million.
The impaired loan ratio increased to 6.13 per cent, and the Bank made impairment provisions to address additional risks in the economic environment.
Operating expenses increased to Rs. 8,370 million, primarily due to inflation. Other comprehensive income includes fair value gains on equity securities and fixed-income securities.
The Bank remains committed to providing high-quality, customer-centric banking services amid unprecedented challenges in the banking industry.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s leading private sector bank, HNB PLC, is directing efforts to revive the grassroots economy by allocating Rs. 10 million as a grant fund for 100 microfinance entrepreneurs under its ‘Oba Venuwen Api’ initiative.
Established by the HNB Sustainability Foundation, the grant aims to provide financial assistance of up to Rs. 100,000 to selected microfinance customers, enabling them to strengthen and rebuild their businesses, ultimately working towards achieving SME status.
The initiative, focused on providing support during challenging times, has disbursed Rs. 30 million to 300 microfinance customers across the island since its inception in 2020, with 70 per cent of the grant fund going to entrepreneurs in agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries.
HNB envisions long-term growth and resilience for customers through this initiative, fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
“In a year marked by extraordinary challenges, this initiative is essential for businesses seeking capital to re-establish their operations. With our decades-long commitment to microfinance and the SME sector, we recognise the importance of scaling up our support, providing financial assistance and enhancing financial literacy to uplift grassroots entrepreneurs. We expect our customers will make optimal use of this grant, whether for working capital, recapitalising their business, or getting back on their feet,” HNB MD/CEO Jonathan Alles said.
Colombo (LNW): The low-level atmospheric disturbance over the island still persists, and therefore, showers or thundershowers will occur at times over the coastal areas of Northern, North-Western, Western and Southern provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (14).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in other provinces of the island after 02.00 p.m, the statement added.
Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-central and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the Island.
Winds:
Winds will be North-easterly or variable in direction and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota can be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): In a notable Cabinet reshuffle in the United Kingdom Monday (13), the country’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed former PM David Cameron as the new Foreign Secretary.
Cameron, recently involved in promoting the Colombo Port City on behalf of the Sri Lankan government, takes over from James Cleverly, who now assumes the role of Home Secretary, succeeding Suella Braverman.
Braverman faced dismissal after days of speculation surrounding her criticism of police actions during pro-Palestinian protests in the UK.
Additionally, Under-Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health Neil O’Brien and Schools Minister Nick Gibb have announced their intentions to step down for reasons unrelated to the Cabinet reshuffle.
Colombo (LNW): A Sri Lankan father, visiting Ballarat, Australia, with his differently-abled daughter, faced assault and racial abuse, prompting him to reconsider returning to the city, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported in a staggering revelation.
The Nugagahakumbura family, navigating challenges due to 12-year-old Anuli’s cerebral palsy, blindness, and wheelchair use, encountered an unsettling incident, according to ABC report.
After a day of sightseeing, a group of boys subjected the family to verbal abuse and threw a metal chain at Anuli’s face as they were returning to their car.
Full Report:
A father who was assaulted and racially abused while visiting Ballarat with his young daughter, who lives with a disability, says he may never return to the regional Victorian city.
The Nugagahakumbura family’s trip from Melbourne was not easy to plan; 12-year-old Anuli lives with cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, is blind and needed to be accompanied by a carer.
Thusitha Nugagahakumbura said he, his wife Neelanthi Munasinghe, Anuli and her carer were heading back to their car after a day of sightseeing when a group of boys started shouting at them, and a metal chain was hurled at the girl’s face.
“I asked, ‘What’s wrong with you?'” Mr Nugagahakumbura said.
“He then just came in, without telling [me] anything, and started to punch me.”
Mr Nugagahakumbura said he was forced to defend himself while trying to get his family into the car as he called triple-0.
“By the time that I was getting onto Ballarat police, the boy stopped punching me,” he said.
“The group got into a bus … and left.
“I was shocked.”
Mr Nugagahakumbura, whose family has lived in Melbourne since they came to Australia a decade ago, said Anuli’s carer heard the group shouting racial slurs during the attack, which occurred in early October.
Like ‘a pack of hyenas’
Kate Skinner, who raced to intervene when the assault occurred, told ABC Statewide Drive the area near Coles on Peel Street was a known trouble spot.
“My daughter said … ‘Mum, that family is in danger … they’re hitting that family,'” she said.
“So we just took off and started sprinting over.”
Ms Skinner said there were “seven to nine” boys surrounding the terrified family.
“They were absolutely traumatised,” she said.
“My daughter stepped up to the kids, which was so brave, but she just knew that if she didn’t, those kids were not leaving.
“It was like they were a pack of hyenas.”
Ms Skinner said one of the boys was using a small chain as a weapon and that the mother of a child in the group was also shouting at the family.
“It was disgusting,” she said.
Police station 400m away
Ballarat police station is only a few minutes’ walk from where the incident occurred, but officers did not attend the scene.
Mr Nugagahakumbura was told by police to file a report at the station because the offenders had by then left the area.
“I’m not much familiar with Ballarat, right — this is the second time in the last 10 years that I’ve visited Ballarat,” he said.
Police told Mr Nugagahakumbura there was no CCTV footage of the attack, despite the centrality of the location.
“We are not living in [the] 18th or 19th century,” Mr Nugagahakumbura said.
“If someone needs to find someone, there are so many ways of doing that.”
Ms Skinner said she saw three “horrible-looking men” filming the assault.
“Someone’s got the phone, someone’s got the video,” she said.
In a statement, Victoria Police told the ABC an investigation into the incident was continuing.
“Police units in Ballarat were attending another incident at the time,” the statement said.
“The victim was requested to attend the police station so written statements could be obtained and an investigation could be commenced as a priority.”
‘Disgusting and deplorable’
Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said the incident was “absolutely horrendous”.
“Disgusting and deplorable behaviour on the part of every person who played a part to traumatise the family that was here visiting,” he said.
“They just shouldn’t have had to endure that particular type of behaviour.
“This is not usual Ballarat behaviour.”
Cr Hudson acknowledged that the transport interchange on Little Bridge Street had been a problem for “a long, long time” and said that recently, some of the seating and shelters had been removed to try to address antisocial behaviour in the area.
He also said the lack of surveillance footage concerned him, and that the area would receive a CCTV upgrade when improvements to Bridge Mall were made.
Cr Hudson said he hoped the family would return to the city, but Mr Nugagahakumbura has his doubts.
“I don’t think we’ll come back to Ballarat because it will give us a lot of mental stress,” he said.
“Even visiting some other places … we haven’t thought of that, but it would be really hard.”
