Three individuals, including the Chairman of the Central Environment Authority (CEA), Supun Shashendra Pathirage, have been apprehended. Officers from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) carried out the arrests, alleging that the suspects had solicited a bribe amounting to Rs. 10 million.
According to sources, the alleged solicitation took place within the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and it was related to a project undertaken by the CEA. The arrests highlight a significant development in the ongoing efforts to curb corruption within government agencies, particularly in projects involving environmental and natural resource management.
In the aftermath of heavy rains persisting for nearly one-and-a-half months, more than 11,750 acres of paddy fields, ready to be harvested in the last Yala Season, have been obliterated by destructive floods.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, overseeing the Agriculture and Plantation Industry, has directed the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board to compile information on the extensive damage incurred by the fields during the prolonged and severe drought of the previous Yala Season.
The assessment reveals a staggering 64,088 acres of paddy fields damaged due to drought, affecting 11,460 farmers who have suffered losses from crop damage caused by the subsequent heavy rains.
Responding to the crisis, Minister Amaraweera has instructed the Chairman of the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board, W. M. M. B. Weerasekara, to expedite the process of providing compensation for crop damage attributed to the drought. The Minister emphasized the urgency of disbursing these compensations within the current year. In the event of delays in government funds, Minister Amaraweera urged the board to utilize its resources to ensure timely relief for the affected farmers.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by farmers in resuming cultivation activities, particularly in the high season, the Minister underscored the importance of swift and comprehensive support to mitigate the impact of crop damage caused by the drought.
In a keynote address at the Annual Graduation ceremony of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo,Nov-(10), President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined Sri Lanka’s strategic focus on expanding economic cooperation with key international partners.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted the country’s intent to foster economic collaboration with India and member nations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP), along with efforts to enhance ties with the European Union (EU). He underscored the historical significance of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, citing the era from the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake to Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike as a golden period.
At the ceremony, a total of 390 students who successfully completed their studies across various academic levels, including international relations certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, and post-graduate courses, were conferred with certificates. Additionally, commendable students who demonstrated outstanding academic performance during the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 were honoured with both certificates and gifts. The awards ceremony was conducted at the aforementioned venue, marking a significant recognition of academic achievements within this period.
Special honours were bestowed upon the late Jayantha Dhanapala and Mr. H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, prestigious diplomats by the President. In a touching moment, Mr. Sivanka Dhanapala, the son of the late Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, received the award on behalf of his father.
The President addressed the challenges posed by the post-COVID 19 era, including the debt crisis, delays in achieving sustainable development goals (SGDs) and climate change issues. He acknowledged the complexities arising from the U.S.-China rivalry and its impact on global geopolitics, characterizing the current state as a ” geopolitics of the global poly-crisis.”
President Wickremesinghe highlighted that Sri Lanka is in the same line along with the ASEAN outlook for Indo-Pacific region and stressed the unique identities of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. He noted China’s preference for the Asia-Pacific concept and the Belt and Road Initiative has established a connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. In light of these developments, President Wickremesinghe underscored the crucial importance of preserving the Indian Ocean as a region free from great power rivalry. This emphasis reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining the Indian Ocean as a zone of cooperation and stability, irrespective of broader geopolitical dynamics.
The President expressed Sri Lanka’s support for debt relief for low-income countries in African region and proposed a focus on the tropical belt for climate change mitigation. He called for global cooperation on these matters and emphasized the significance of maintaining the global trade system.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the vital importance of maintaining the global trade system. He emphasized the need for consensus among nations before implementing significant changes, highlighting the necessity for collaborative decision-making.
Expressing concern over the on-going conflict in the Gaza Strip, the President stated that resolving the situation cannot be achieved by targeting the leadership of the Hamas organization alone. He advocated for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation, emphasizing the urgency of diplomatic efforts to address the complex issues surrounding the conflict.
The President also expressed optimism regarding a positive outcome in resolving the current global situation. He anticipates progress to be made during the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC Summit in San Francisco. The expectation is that this high-level diplomatic engagement will contribute to addressing key international concerns and fostering constructive dialogue between the United States and China. The President concluded by emphasizing the need for collective efforts to overcome global complexities.
The event was graced by the presence of notable dignitaries, including Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, Members of Parliament Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Dr. Harsha de Silva, and Eran Wickramaratne were in attendance. The distinguished gathering also included Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardene, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Michael Appleton, French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jean-François Pactet, and Japanese Deputy Ambassador Katsuki Kataro, among other esteemed foreign diplomats and former ambassadors.
Furthermore, the event was attended by Professor Gamini Keeravella, the Executive Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, members of the Management Council of the centre and academic staff. Their presence added to the significance of the occasion, reflecting a collective commitment to scholarly engagement and diplomatic discourse.
Representatives of Sports Federations appear before Parliamentary Committee on Sports Ministries- State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Rohana Dissanayake.
In a significant development, State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Rohana Dissanayake, has disclosed the government’s ambitious plan to inaugurate a new sports university in 2024. This initiative is under the visionary guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
During a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday (10), under the theme ‘Collective path to a stable country,’State Minister Dissanayake emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing challenges within sports federations. To facilitate this, the Parliamentary Committee on Sports Ministries has been summoned to engage in proactive discussions and find resolutions.
State Minister Dissanayake highlighted the on-going efforts to streamline the operations of the country’s 72 sports federations. A notable aspect of this approach involves the negotiation for the merger of 66 active sports federations before the year 2024. The objective is to consolidate their responsibilities, duties and policies, promoting efficiency and unity within the sports sector.
The State Minister also announced the allocation of Rs.125 million to the Sports Development Department for proposed programs in the current year. Despite financial constraints, the government is determined to execute these initiatives effectively.
Furthermore, Minister Dissanayake detailed plans for the establishment of the sports university, projected to cost approximately one billion US dollars. The envisioned institution, set to commence operations in the first quarter of 2024 pending approvals from institutions such as the University Grants Commission, will offer programs in Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science, Compound Annual Growth Rate and Environmental Impact Assessment.
In addition to academic pursuits, the government is fostering international collaboration through a motorbike rally involving India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on December 29 and conclude on January 14. Then on Thai Pongal day (15) this rally will start from Kankasanturai, Jaffna and will end at Galle Face, where a cultural show will also be held.
Moreover, arrangements have been made to involve members of the youth parliament in regional coordination committees, providing them with insights into local-level activities and responsibilities. This initiative aims to empower young leaders and contribute to effective governance at the grassroots level.
A formal presentation of the annual dividends from five esteemed institutions under the purview of the State Ministry of Primary Industries took place at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday morning (10). The ceremony, presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marked the remittance of a total sum of Rs. 925 million to the Treasury.
Accordingly, National Gems and Jewellery Authority contributed Rs. 350 million, while Lanka Phosphate Company Limited: Rs. 300 million, B.C.C. Company Rs. 100 million, National Salt Company Rs. 100 million and Sri Lanka Cement Corporation Rs. 75 million has been remitted to the treasury, exemplifying a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors in bolstering the nation’s financial stability.
The event was attended by Minister of State for Primary Industries, Mr. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, Chairmen and officials representing the contributing institutions.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s key inflation rate rose to 1.5% in October from 1.3% a month ago, the statistics department said.
The Colombo Consumer Price Index (LKCCPI=ECI), a leading indicator for broader national prices, tracks inflation in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s biggest city.
Food prices fell 5.2% in October after declining 5.2% in September, from a year earlier, the Department of Census and Statistics said in a statement. Prices for non-food items, however, climbed slightly to 4.9% in October after rising 4.7% in September.
The Trade, Commerce and Food Security Ministry this week said food inflation in the country is expected to contract further in 2024, with efforts also being taken to trim the food prices wherever possible.
The government has called for the relevant departments to assess how much food prices can be controlled next year, Minister Nalin Fernando said, addressing a press conference on ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’, at the Presidential Media Centre, this week.
“Food prices and safety are top priorities for our government. We have taken several steps to strengthen the economy and collect the required amount of taxes,” he said.
The most recent move in this regard is increasing the sugar tax from 25 cents to Rs.50.
“We believe that by successfully implementing these measures, we can further reduce food inflation in the coming year,” added Fernando.
Efforts are also underway to understand food production and security in the country, so that the price controls can take place.
Fernando noted that the information from the relevant departments would help to ensure the availability of essential goods at affordable prices for consumers next year; it will also help to understand the country’s import needs.
Sri Lanka at present imports about 30 million eggs per month, to help meet the domestic demand and ensure that there is no shortage of eggs during the festive season.
The government plans to continue egg imports, until December 31, 2023 or until the local production has recovered.
The price of chicken meat has also been reduced from Rs.1700 per kilogramme to Rs.1150 per kilogramme, after the government negotiated with producers.
The government is committed to maintaining this lower price until the end of the year and has informed the producers that it is ready to import chicken meat if necessary.
Fernando added that to protect consumers, the government has also introduced a control price of Rs.275 for one kilogramme of sugar.
Further, the sugar stocks of 12 of the 14 sugar importers are monitored daily, to ensure that there is no shortage.
The officials have been instructed to raid the traders who sell sugar above the control price.
In September 2023, the food prices continued to deflate, registering a decline of 5.2 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, from 5.4 percent in August.
Colombo (LNW): In recent times, the skies above SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, have become clouded with concerns expressed by engineers, pilots and their unions.
According to the Airline Pilots’ Guild of Sri Lanka (ALPGSL) a staggering shift of almost 70 pilots to rival airlines underscores the gravity of the situation.
An official representing the ALPGSL union said that approximately 12 pilots have submitted resignations and opted to fulfill their obligatory three-month notice periods.
Meanwhile overseas demand results in 25% reduction of Srilankan Airlines aircraft engineers.
The Association of Srilankan Airlines Licensed Aircraft Engineers (ALAE) revealed that an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals from Sri Lanka abroad, resulting in a significant exodus from ALAE’S workforce.
This exodus has led to a 25% reduction in ALAE’S workforce in recent months, and the association anticipates further turnover of engineers due to the ongoing global demand.
The ALAE has called on the stakeholders involved in the management of the national carrier to collaborate on a workable retention plan.
“It was essential to address the current exodus of skilled professionals to ensure providing top-notch aircraft maintenance and safety for Srilankan Airlines passengers,” the ALAE said in a statement.
“The current surge in global travel has created an unprecedented demand for our skilled professionals, resulting in advantageous job opportunities abroad. Regrettably, this has led to a significant exodus from our community.
The ALAE has experienced a 25% reduction in its workforce in recent months and anticipates a further turnover of engineers with the current global demand.this is creating a massive shortage of Licensed Aircraft Engineers needed to run the increasing operations of Srilankan Airlines.”
“In the event of skilled and experienced engineer shortage, we will witness that the company will have to send some of our aircraft to external Maintenance and Repair Organizations (MROS) for major technical checks, which we have been performing in-house up to now.
This will result in millions of dollars moving out of the country as payment for those MROS, when we are already facing a dollar crisis” . Further to that, we have no assurance that they will deliver the same 7-star safety standards like we do.
Meanwhile pilots of SriLankan have raised alarm bells about a series of issues that are not only impacting job satisfaction, but also potentially compromises on the safety of flights.
Pilots complain that this mass exodus has placed existing pilots under immense pressure, with extended working hours becoming the norm.
We are stressed due to heavy workloads. Hiring foreign pilots is not an option for SriLankan due to high costs. As they don’t hire new pilots, the ones who are working now are working around the clock. – An ALPGSL representative said.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is to install intelligent transport systems and CCTVs in private buses to prevent the growing incidents of vices, abuse of female passengers, arrogant behaviour of conductors, transport ministry sources said.
Another is to reduce cost and time incurred to execute manual process of Bus operations monitoring and schedule update to provide a reliable system to track buses with GPS coordinates and speed and other parameters as required To improve efficiency and accuracy of transportation services.
The private bus sector in Sri Lanka consists of 19,000 vehicles, which are independently owned, mostly by single-vehicle Owners. There is a very low level of collective organizational or operational capacity.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) regulates tariffs and service standards island-wide and regulates permits for inter-provincial bus routes. Raising standards and monitoring compliance are key functions.
NTC has already successfully launched the implementation of Electronic Ticket Machines, currently deployed on over half the Sri Lankan bus fleet.
NTC achieved this through a combination of mandating their use, preparing specifications, giving type approval to suitable suppliers, and allowing Operators to directly purchase approved models of their choice.
NTC has launched an ITS pilot project on inter-provincial bus services, involving about 70 buses. The core application is automatic provision of location data to the NTC Control Centre using GPS and GPRS units.
A similar approach to ETMs has been used whereby NTC prepared the technical specifications and invited suppliers to test compliant devices.
7 suppliers have installed compliant systems. Many have exceeded the baseline requirement and installed additional functionality including fuel monitoring, driver alarms, speeding alerts, in-vehicle image capture.
Subject to successful pilot phase, NTC intends to make ITS installation mandatory as part of the Permit conditions, and to make permanent their Control Centre for monitoring route and service quality compliance.
A Parliament Committee has decided to make it mandatory to install CCTV cameras in passenger buses. The decision has been taken by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport, which met in Parliament recently.
Committee Chairman Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda has also directed the officials to make it mandatory to have GPS technology when issuing route permits to passenger buses.
Police officers who were present at the meeting stressed the need to have CCTV cameras in passenger buses and accordingly, the Committee Chairman instructed the officials to take steps to install CCTV cameras in buses.
It was also revealed by the Committee that most of the Expressways in Sri Lanka were loss-making at present and that loss-making Expressways are being maintained by the profits of the profitable Expressways.
The Chairman instructed the officials to initiate an efficient method to pay tolls at all Expressways using a QR code.
Colombo (LNW): In a much anticipated move the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka’s crisis-ridden cricket board yesterday, saying it had failed to ensure there was no government interference in its affairs.
This was apparently the result of Country’ sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s action to appoint an interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunge former minister and world cup winning captain without the knowledge of the country’s President and the cabinet.
The game’s world governing body said Sri Lanka Cricket was “in serious breach of its obligations as a member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no government interference.”
The suspension came a day after Sri Lanka’s parliament asked the board to resign over allegations made by sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe that it had syphoned off millions of dollars.
The conditions of the suspension will be decided by the ICC board later, as it said in a brief statement. It was not immediately clear if the indefinite suspension would affect Sri Lanka hosting the Under-19 World Cup in January.
There was no immediate comment from the board, but an official source said an emergency meeting of the executive committee had been scheduled today.
“They will try to work out the way forward,” the source said, asking not to be named. “The main concern is the upcoming 50-over Under-19 World Cup. Loss of hosting rights will be disastrous.”
Sri Lanka was preparing to host the 16-nation Under-19 World Cup, and the board had released large sums of money to refurbish four venues in the capital, Colombo.
The crisis involving the cricket board — the richest sporting organisation in the bankrupt island country — came to a head after Sri Lanka’s humiliating World Cup defeat by India last week.
The Sri Lankan parliament unanimously asked Sri Lanka Cricket’s elected board members to resign on Thursday, accusing them of unprecedented corruption. The board has not yet responded to the parliament’s non-binding resolution.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said Thursday’s move was a “historic resolution that sends a message to the world that Sri Lankan legislators have united to defend cricket and restore the integrity of the game”.
The board is now locked in litigation after it was sacked by the sports minister on Monday, only to be restored the following day by the Court of Appeal pending a hearing in two weeks.
The ICC has rules against political interference and has suspended Sri Lanka before.
Ranasinghe said yesterday, before the suspension, that he was hopeful that there would be no ICC sanctions against the local board. “I am confident we can talk to the ICC and sort things out,” Ranasinghe said in parliament.
Now he has to eat his words and there is much more to come with revelation of the chequered history of those who are trying to save national cricket including the present cricket board, several Sri Lanka Cricket stalwarts said.
In a formal ceremony held at the Presidential Secretary and presided over by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, five institutions under the purview of the State Ministry of Primary Industries presented their annual dividends to the Treasury on November 10.
A total sum of Rs. 925 million was remitted, symbolizing a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to enhance the nation’s financial stability. The breakdown of contributions includes Rs. 350 million from the National Gems and Jewellery Authority, Rs. 300 million from Lanka Phosphate Company Ltd., Rs. 100 million each from BCC Lanka and National Salt Company, and Rs. 75 million from Sri Lanka Cement Corporation.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) highlighted the significance of this financial contribution, emphasizing the synergy between various sectors in supporting the economic health of the country. The event was attended by Minister of State for Primary Industries, Mr. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, along with chairmen and officials representing the contributing institutions.
