August 20, Colombo (LNW): Excise Commissioner General M.J. Gunasiri firmly refuted claims that excise licences have been granted to politicians, emphasising that no such requests have been made by political figures.

Responding to concerns that liquor permits are being used to gain favour ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election, Gunasiri stressed that the licensing process remains transparent and strictly within legal boundaries.

Addressing the controversy, Gunasiri clarified that licences are issued under Excise Notifications 902 and 2/2024. He pointed out that the department, which has a 110-year history, increased licence fees after 15 years based on a carefully studied rationale.

Additionally, the government decided to expand the number of licensed shops, driven by factors like population growth, tourism expansion, and rising illegal alcohol sales.

Gunasiri highlighted that some districts are underserved in terms of licensed liquor outlets, necessitating an increase in legally sanctioned establishments.

In a significant first, the government introduced substantial one-time fees for obtaining a licence: Rs. 15 million within Municipal Council areas, Rs. 12.5 million in Urban Council zones, and Rs. 10 million for Pradeshiya Sabha jurisdictions. This initiative is expected to generate Rs. 2 billion in revenue for 2024, of which Rs. 1.75 billion has already been collected.

Explaining the broader context, Gunasiri noted that the Excise Department, along with Inland Revenue and Sri Lanka Customs, is among the top three revenue-generating agencies for the government.

This year’s revenue target for the Excise Department is Rs. 232 billion, marking a 29.6% increase from last year.

Despite facing a shortage of 429 officers, the department is on track to meet its goals, contributing significantly to public welfare and national development.

Gunasiri underscored that critics should recognise the department’s efforts and the role that excise revenue plays in sustaining essential government functions and public services.

August 20, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has reported receiving 631 complaints related to the forthcoming presidential election between 31 July and 18 August.

Among these, 65 complaints were lodged just on 18 August, primarily concerning breaches of election laws.

The National Centre for Election Complaint Management registered 346 cases, while District Centres handled 285.

Most issues involved legal violations, with only one incident of violence reported.

This surge in complaints highlights growing concerns over the adherence to election regulations. Authorities are expected to intensify their monitoring efforts to ensure a fair election process.

The Election Commission continues to encourage the public to report any irregularities, emphasising the importance of a transparent and credible election.

August 20, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission is set to issue a Gazette notification outlining a limit on campaign spending per voter for the upcoming presidential election.

According to Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake, candidates will be restricted to a maximum expenditure of Rs. 109 per voter.

The introduction of this cap is part of broader campaign finance reforms aimed at ensuring fairer elections.

These regulations will apply to all future national elections, imposing stricter limits on campaign spending for candidates, political parties, and independent groups.

In preparation for the presidential election, the Election Commission has held consultations with various stakeholders to discuss the new legislation.

The objective was to determine the spending limit and establish a framework for effective implementation, drawing on feedback and recommendations from these discussions.

This marks a significant step towards more transparent and regulated election campaigns in Sri Lanka, aligning with global standards on campaign finance governance.

August 20, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, with heavy showers above 100 mm being likely to occur at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (20).

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern, Uva and North-Central Provinces during the evening or night.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota district.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe callas for greater regional cooperation and economic integration from Japan to India, with a special focus on strengthening ties with India: emphasises Sri Lanka’s strategic role in expanding Asian partnerships, particularly through BIMSTEC: highlights the diminishing global influence of the West and stresses the importance of regional collaboration: acknowledges India’s critical support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, expressing optimism for deeper bilateral integration and regional stability.
   
2. Opposition Leader and presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa reiterates his commitment to unveiling the truth behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, addressing the Catholic community’s longstanding concerns: During a visit to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in Colombo, Premadasa sought blessings and pledged justice: emphasises his strategy, already presented in Parliament, to ensure transparent investigations and accountability: assures religious leaders that he remains determined to deliver justice, pledging comprehensive action against those responsible if elected: This stance aligns with his broader campaign to gain support from key religious and community figures.
   
3. NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake vows to prioritise the extradition of former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore if his party assumes power: outlines the NPP’s plans to combat fraud and corruption, aiming to recover Rs. 1,100 billion in defaulted taxes: proposes legal reforms to expedite tax collection and pledges to raise the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax threshold to Rs. 200,000: plans to provide low-income families with a Rs. 10,000 monthly allowance and limit the Cabinet to 25 members without appointing State Ministers.
   
4. A joint delegation from the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth arrives in Sri Lanka to monitor the upcoming presidential election on 21 September: Invited by the Election Commission, the mission highlights global backing for transparent elections during Sri Lanka’s recovery: This is the EU’s seventh monitoring effort in the country, with a team comprising experts and observers stationed nationwide: The election is seen as a critical step in stabilising Sri Lanka’s democracy post-2022 crisis.
   
5. Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardhana addresses concerns regarding the proposed public sector salary increase, clarifying during a media briefing on 18 August that all public employees will receive an additional Rs. 25,000 monthly allowance for three years, along with significant base salary adjustments: explains these increments, mandated by the IMF, are fixed and will apply regardless of future governments: From January 2025, public sector employees will receive a minimum monthly income of Rs. 55,000: emphasises adhering to the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility agreement is crucial for budgetary support until 2027: Non-compliance could delay salary and pension payments: highlights the new fiscal laws—Central Bank Act, Public Debt Management Act, and others—intended to stabilise the economy and prevent past financial failures: urges cross-party cooperation to ensure long-term economic stability and prosperity.
   
6. Commissioner of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake urges political parties and the public to avoid using the national flag in election activities, stating that it disrespects a national symbol: warns legal actions could follow against those misusing the flag: also criticises the inappropriate display of the national flag at events like cricket matches, where it’s often wrapped around bodies or held by individuals consuming alcohol: Rohana Hettiarachchi of PAFFREL also emphasises the need to respect the national and Buddhist flags during elections, urging political groups to adhere to ethical standards and legal frameworks.
   
7. The Indian and Sri Lankan armies incorporate specially trained dogs into their ongoing Mitra Shakti exercise at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka: Running from August 12 to 25, this 10th edition of the joint drill focuses on enhancing counter-insurgency operations and military cooperation: India deploys Zac, a Belgian Malinois skilled in urban combat and jungle reconnaissance, while Sri Lanka fields two trained dogs: The exercise also involves joint drills in semi-urban environments, aiming to boost interoperability and readiness under UN peacekeeping mandates.
   
8. Sri Lanka’s retail sector shows signs of recovery as private credit is expected to rise in late 2024 if businesses begin expanding: Although private credit remains slow, firms are focusing on deleveraging to strengthen financial positions, especially in the SME sector: Retail growth, a key driver for economic expansion, is vital as it contributes over 30% of GDP: With inflation stabilising, consumer spending and investment are likely to boost the sector, although election uncertainties in late 2024 may impact confidence: Economists forecast 3.5% growth for 2024.
   
9. The grand Randoli Maha Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera festival is set to take place today (19), marking the peak of this revered cultural event: The festivities conclude with the traditional water-cutting ceremony at Getambe the following morning and a final noon procession on 20 August: Afterwards, the Diyawadana Nilame will present the Perahera Sandeshaya to the President, formally closing the festival: This year’s Esala Perahera began on 5 August with the ‘Kap Situweema’ ceremony and featured a series of processions showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, drawing large crowds locally and internationally.
   
10. The Dialog Presidents Gold Cup Volleyball tournament concluded at the Air Force Indoor Stadium in Colombo, with Golden Birds Sports Club and MAS Sports Club claiming titles in the Men’s and Women’s categories, respectively: Golden Birds SC secured a straight-set victory over Rajasinghe SC, led by MVP Dulanjan Sandeepa: In the Women’s final, MAS SC overcame Hirdaramani SC in a 3-1 contest, with Sulakshana Pasinduni named MVP: The tournament, organised by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, showcased outstanding individual performances across various positions.

By: Staff Writer

August 19, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka has underscored the necessity of enhancing economic cooperation and regional integration across Asia, particularly from Japan to India, with a focus on strengthening ties with India.

His remarks were made during the Head of State Session at the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit, which was themed “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”

During his virtual address from the President’s House in Anuradhapura, Wickremesinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic intent to expand its economic partnerships throughout Asia, with special attention on the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

He pointed out that as the Bay of Bengal region is becoming an economic growth hub, BIMSTEC’s importance is also increasing. 

Sri Lanka, being a member of this regional organization, is seeking to deepen its economic integration with India and is exploring potential economic cooperation agreements spanning from Japan to India.

The summit, led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saw participation from various heads of state. Wickremesinghe praised India’s leadership in strengthening the Global South, acknowledging that Western dominance in global leadership is declining. 

He commended the Voice of the Global South Summit as a critical platform for achieving consensus on the challenges faced by developing nations.

President Wickremesinghe also expressed his deep appreciation to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian people for their support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis.

He credited India’s assistance as crucial in helping Sri Lanka navigate the challenges of the past two years and recover from bankruptcy.

In his address, Wickremesinghe mentioned that Sri Lanka has reached agreements with various international financial institutions and creditor countries to overcome its economic difficulties.

He specifically acknowledged the role of India’s support in enabling Sri Lanka to survive the challenging period of bankruptcy, which had imposed significant hardships on its population.

The President reiterated that the Vision Statement agreed upon by Sri Lanka and India would facilitate closer relations, emphasizing their long history of cooperation.

He also highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the finalization of the Comprehensive Economic and Technological

Agreement, and projects like the development of Trincomalee Harbour, which would help Sri Lanka advance towards a digital economy. Additionally, 

Wickremesinghe noted that Sri Lanka, as a member of BIMSTEC, aims to establish economic cooperation agreements extending from Japan to India, recognizing the Bay of Bengal as a critical area for economic development.

Finally, he reflected on the shifting global order, noting that the dominance of the Western system, which began after the collapse of the Soviet Union, is coming to an end. 

He expressed hope that summits like this, along with the expansion of groups such as BRICS and the G20, would pave the way for a new global order led by the Global South.