July 07, Colombo (LNW): The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has raised concerns about the impact of bottom trawling by Indian fishermen on marine resources in Sri Lanka’s waters.
Director Ganapathypillai Arulanandan highlighted the damaging effects of this fishing technique, particularly in the North Sea, where it has led to a notable 50 per cent decline in fish stocks since 2015.
Arulanandan attributed this decline to the destruction of coral reefs and seaweed beds, crucial habitats for fish breeding, caused by bottom trawling.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by Sri Lankan authorities in curbing illegal fishing activities, Arulanandan called for stricter enforcement measures and increased international collaboration to protect the marine resources in Sri Lanka’s waters.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has disclosed plans to announce the date for the upcoming Presidential election by the end of this month.
Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake confirmed that the NEC will assume the authority to declare the election date post-July 17.
Furthermore, preparations for the 2024 voter list have been completed, with the list set to receive official endorsement within the coming week.
Meanwhile, a petition filed at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, seeking to delay the election until the court clarifies the election date, is scheduled for review by a five-member bench tomorrow.
The petition met with strong opposition from various groups, with the National Peoples Power (NPP) filing an intervenient petition against the aforementioned petition.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): Special traffic arrangements have been put in place ahead of the upcoming Bohra convention scheduled from July 07 to 16 at the Bambalapitiya Bohra Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Police have announced that traffic restrictions will be enforced on the following roads during the following times: 8:00 am to 11:00 am, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm from July 07 to 16:
Palmyra Avenue entrance to Bambalapitiya via Marine Drive
Haig Road entrance to Colpetty via Marine Drive
37th Lane entrance to Marine Drive
St. Alban’s Place entrance to Marine Drive
Glen Aber Place entrance to Marine Drive
St. Kilda’s Lane entrance to Marine Drive, Bambalapitiya
8th Lane entrance to Marine Drive
Ransivi Lane entrance via Ransivi Lane junction on Galle Road
St. Alban’s Place entrance via St. Alban’s Place junction on Galle Road
Bambalapitiya Railway Station Road entrance via Bambalapitiya Railway Station junction on Galle Road
Arthur’s Place entrance via Arthur’s Place junction on Galle Road
Glen Aber Place entrance via Glen Aber Place junction on Galle Road
St. Kilda’s Lane entrance via St. Kilda’s Lane junction on Galle Road
8th Lane entrance via 8th Lane junction on Galle Road
Motorists are advised to consider alternative routes to avoid potential traffic congestion during these specified times.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): Leader of the National Peoples Power (NPP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake has voiced strong criticism against the government, accusing it of placing significant burdens on the Sri Lankan populace while implementing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and restructuring the nation’s debt.
Whilst acknowledging the government’s success in postponing Sri Lanka’s debt repayments, Dissanayake argued that the administration was celebrating a temporary solution to problems it had caused itself.
The NPP Leader made these remarks during an address to medical professionals in the Kurunegala district, organised by the National Intellectual Organisation.
He emphasised that it would have been impossible to implement the IMF programme without restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt, adding that the government reached an agreement with the IMF and adhered to many conditions outlined in that agreement, many of which, in his words, have placed immense strain on the general public.
He further explained that for effective debt restructuring, the government had to present an acceptable balance sheet by controlling expenses and boosting income.
This, he said, was necessary to demonstrate to the international community that the country’s debt servicing capabilities would improve, thereby justifying a postponement of debt payments.
Dissanayake questioned the celebratory nature of the debt restructuring process, contrasting it with India’s recent celebration of a successful moon landing.
“In Sri Lanka, we are celebrating the postponement of debt repayments as if it were a significant victory. Agreeing to the IMF programme made debt restructuring a mandatory condition. Whilst they have indeed managed to defer debt repayment, it is not as commendable as portrayed,” he noted.
Dissanayake further critiqued the government’s handling of the situation, saying, “The government incurred debts which they refused to pay and then negotiated an extension for repayment, presenting it as an achievement.”
July 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa has announced the party’s continued backing of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, prioritising the nation’s welfare.
Speaking at an event in Kalutara celebrating the 27th anniversary of MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s political career, Rajapaksa stressed that the SLPP’s support for Wickremesinghe was driven by genuine conviction rather than fear.
“Whenever we work as part of the government in advancing this party, our support for you, President, is given with pride and without fear or obligation,” Rajapaksa emphasised.
The former Minister highlighted that the SLPP collectively believed in Wickremesinghe’s capability to steer the country through critical times and have been earnestly supporting him since.
He assured that the party would continue to back the President as long as he remains committed to safeguarding the nation and its people.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, also present at the event, underscored the importance of aligning with leadership that embraces challenges and progresses the country.
He called on the public to support such leadership.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): In the early hours of Friday (05), a shipment of 35 canines valued at Rs. 58 million arrived from the Netherlands at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), destined for the Police Kennel Division.
The newly acquired canines include 13 Belgian Malinois, 12 German Shepherds, and 10 English Spaniels, sourced from the private breeding facility K-10 Working Dog.
The group comprises 21 females and 14 males, with two English Spaniel females currently pregnant and a Belgian Malinois female bred with a high-quality sire from the farm.
This latest acquisition follows a similar importation in 2018 aimed at enhancing the police service dog division.
The dogs travelled from the Netherlands via Qatar, arriving at the Airport’s air cargo terminal on Qatar Airways flight KR-662 at 2.05 am.
Upon arrival, the dogs were examined by veterinary officers at the Animal Quarantine Institute before being handed over to their trainers.
Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Talduwa, present at the airport, mentioned that these dogs will significantly contribute to the Western and Southern provinces’ efforts in drug detection and support the ‘Yukthiya’ operation.
Additionally, there are plans to initiate a local breeding programme to mitigate the costs associated with future imports.
With the inclusion of these new recruits, the Police Kennels now boasts a total of 372 service dogs.
After completing their training, these dogs will join the ranks to support various police operations.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): At least 13 individuals sustained injuries after an elephant went on a rampage during the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Perahera last (06) night.
The incident occurred shortly after the procession began, causing chaos among the attendees.
Medical personnel at the Kataragama Hospital confirmed that the injured were admitted for treatment.
Fortunately, none of the patients were reported to be in critical condition.
The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Perahera is a significant cultural and religious event in Sri Lanka, attracting numerous devotees and spectators annually.
The event’s organisers and local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the elephant’s sudden aggression to prevent future incidents.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector saw a significant surge in earnings, exceeding US$ 1.5 billion during the initial half of 2024, marking a robust 77.9 per cent rise compared to the previous year, as per the latest update from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
The number of tourist arrivals in the first six months reached 1.01 million, reflecting a notable increase of 61.7 per cent from the corresponding period in 2023.
June witnessed tourism revenues amounting to US$ 113.4 million, a rise from the previous year’s US$ 100.3 million, according to reports from Xinhua.
Concurrently, remittances from overseas workers for the first half of 2024 totalled US$ 3.14 billion, up from US$ 2.82 billion in the same period last year.
Remittance earnings for June alone amounted to US$ 519.6 million.
Both tourism and remittances play crucial roles as leading sources of foreign income for Sri Lanka, bolstering the nation’s economic landscape.
July 07, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing showery conditions are expected to continue in the south-western part of the island, and showers, therefore, will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (07).
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts in the evening or night.
Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.
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 off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly in the sea areas around the island. The wind speed will be (30-40) kmph and it can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. The wind speed will be (25-35) kmph in the other sea areas around the island.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai and Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate.
July 06, Colombo (LNW): Japanese International Cooperation Agency JICA’s initiative in supporting the Sri Lankan authorities to combat bribery and corruption is being continued in Sri Lanka.
On the 26th of June, JICA held the first Workshop under the training programme for Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) focusing on the topics of Deferred Prosecution, Non-Conviction based Forfeiture and FATF requirements for investigation and prosecution of Money Laundering.
The eminent Resource Persons included Barristers-at-Law Rodney Dixon, KC, Paul Mylvaganam and Zayd Ahmed from United Kingdom, and Dr. Ayesh Ariyasinghe, Additional Director of FIU of Sri Lanka.
The Barristers-at-Law shared their insight and experience into the use and importance of Deferred Prosecution and Non-Conviction Based Forfeiture in taking effective corrective action and deterrence of bribery and corruption in UK. The sessions from Dr. Ariyasinghe focused on the mandatory elements which should be considered in taking effective action against Money Laundering.
The participants included over 30 investigators and prosecutors of CIABOC, officers of the Attorney General’s Department and Sri Lanka Police.
JICA will continue to work with CIABOC and other justice sector professionals to combat and prevent bribery and corruption in Sri Lanka.
As a key step of JICA’s initiative in supporting the Sri Lankan authorities to combat bribery and corruption, a series of introductory workshops were conducted for the officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as well as other key actors of the justice system.
The Workshops introduced the topics of Whistleblower Protection, Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Anti Money Laundering measures which come under the purview of the CIABOC through the new Anti Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, which came into operation in September 2023.
The Act significantly widens the scope, authority and responsibility of CIABOC, and provides it with instruments some of which no other law enforcement agency possesses. The Workshops were intended to support CIABOC and other stakeholders in effective use and implementation of these provisions.
The Workshops were organized by JICA in collaboration with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The Workshops brought together eminent Sri Lankan legal experts who were joined by international experts from Japan, United Stated Department of Justice, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom and the Asia Pacific Group for Anti Money Laundering, enabling the participants to gain from a wide array of insight and experience.
