June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced an extension for passports expiring from the end of June, prolonging their validity by one year in anticipation of the e-passport launch in January next year.

Passports set to expire after a decade of use by June 30th will be extended free of charge for an additional year.

The introduction of e-passports, featuring embedded electronic chips, is slated for January, and the public is advised to upgrade to the new format.

An immigration official confirmed that a company has been chosen to produce the e-passports following a bidding process, with the goal of issuing approximately 700,000 e-passports annually once the project is operational.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): Yasodha Range Bandara, son of United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, who was detained following a vehicle accident yesterday (29) has been granted bail, reports claimed.

His vehicle veered off the road, striking a three-wheeler and seriously injuring its driver, who is now receiving treatment at Puttalam Base Hospital.

The Karuwalagaswewa Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

Following his arrest, Bandara was granted bail by the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court, with his driving licence temporarily suspended.

He was released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000.

This incident marks his second arrest related to a car accident, the first being in 2018.

Yasodha Bandara was detained following an early morning car accident yesterday (29) near the 7th Mile Post in Karuwalagaswewa.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has expressed its readiness to provide police gendarmerie and criminal justice experts to the United Nations, aiming to address the increasing global challenges to peace and security.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, speaking at the fourth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2024), highlighted the country’s commitment.

He affirmed the capability of Sri Lanka’s police unit, which is at Readiness Level 3, to effectively manage emerging security issues.

Alles underscored the rise of organised crime, gang violence, and illicit economies as significant threats to international peace.

He urged the United Nations to deploy specialised police teams equipped to tackle these issues.

“Sri Lanka is prepared to offer its police gendarmerie and criminal justice experts, sharing our expertise and experience with any nation in need. We are eager to collaborate in this vital mission,” he said.

Full Statement:

“The threats to peace have become more diverse and complex than ever before. Violent conflicts have been on the rise during the last two decades. 

Protection of civilians has become a critical concern in many conflict-ridden areas with the humanitarian landscape becoming increasingly hostile with non-traditional threats. 

New Advanced technologies have opened new domains of security concerns, such as cyber security and autonomous weapon systems, together with the abuse of ICT for criminal purposes and the induction of mercenaries. 

Be that as it may, permit me the honour of congratulating the UN Peace operations that have effectively risen to meet the varying challenges in the theatres of conflict. 

In this backdrop, Sri Lanka appreciates the pit and substance of the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace. 

My delegation recalls with pride that Sri Lanka has been a committed contributor to UN Peacekeeping since the deployment of military observers at the end of the ‘Suez War’. 

More than 21,000 Sri Lankan peacekeepers have played an important role in many peacekeeping operations to date. 

I am confident that the Sri Lanka-formed police unit, which is at Readiness Level 3, stands by with the capacity to handle the emerging security landscape. 

Organised crime, gang violence and illicit economies are rapidly on the rise. This is becoming a growing challenge to international peace. 

It is therefore imperative that the United Nations consider deploying specialised police teams with experience and skills to counter this menace. 

Sri Lanka is willing to contribute police gendarmerie and criminal justice experts with experience and skills to counter such threats and to share the knowledge and experience with any host nation. Sri Lanka stands ready to partner in this noble endeavour.”

June 30, Colombo (LNW): India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively working on the case of ten Indian fishermen facing charges in Sri Lanka related to the death of a Sri Lankan Navy sailor during an operation on June 24, India’s ANI News reported.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised India’s commitment to the welfare of its fishermen and the ongoing efforts to secure their return.

The High Commission in Colombo is handling the matter, engaging with Sri Lankan authorities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, highlighting the frequent arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and requesting immediate intervention for the release of 47 fishermen and 166 boats held by Sri Lankan authorities.

Jaishankar responded, affirming that the Indian High Commission and the Consulate in Jaffna are working towards the early release of the detained fishermen, assuring continued efforts to protect the interests of the fishing community.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka (JSASL), representing all District Court Judges and Magistrates, will hold a Special General Meeting today (30) to address undue criticism directed at the judicial system.

This gathering in Colombo aims to discuss the adverse effects of malicious remarks on judicial decisions and judges, prompted by member requests.

The meeting follows recent speeches by the Minister of Justice and other MPs on 19 June 2024 during a parliamentary debate.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has formally asked the Speaker to summon key JSASL officials to the Powers and Privileges Committee of Parliament, alleging a JSASL statement infringed on his parliamentary privileges.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) stated that MPs should not interfere with the judiciary’s functions under Parliamentary Privileges.

Similarly, the Lawyers’ Collective insisted that allegations against the judiciary should be made through formal complaints, not parliamentary statements under privilege.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): In anticipation of the forthcoming Presidential election, the Election Commission has instructed several major institutions to gear up for the event.

Those notified include the Government Printing Department, the Inspector General of Police, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

Government Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage confirmed that all preparations are in place, awaiting the Election Commission’s declaration of the election date.

Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, stated that these steps are taken to ensure a seamless electoral process.

The Election Commission recently announced that the Presidential election will occur between 14 September and 16 October.

June 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) hit by the economic downturn will receive a new impetus with the introduction of Rs 20  billion new loan relief package proposed in the budget 2024 , finance ministry sources confirmed.

The micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in Sri Lanka accounts for 90 percent of all businesses in the country, provides 45percent of employment, and contributes 52percent to the GDP.

A recent ILO study revealed that 79.8 percent of the one million MSMEs that operated in 2018 were still in operation Among the 20.2 percent businesses either permanently or temporarily closed, 8.3percent of closures were reported to be due to economic crisis while 11.9percent were due to reasons other than economic crisis.

The move aims to provide concessionary credit to eligible MSMEs via selected Participatory Financial Institutions (PFIs), helping these businesses survive, recover and expand, as well as providing seed capital for new ventures.

The package includes a Rs. 15 billion funds for investment category with a 7% lending rate, repayable over 10 years, including a maximum one-year grace period. PFIs can receive up to Rs. 750 million initially, with the possibility of an additional Rs. 500 million after utilising 80% of their allocation. 

Additionally, Rs. 5 billion is allocated to support MSMEs in the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) category, with an 8% interest rate and a 5-year repayment period, including a six-month grace period.

Eligible sectors for this scheme include manufacturing, construction, export-oriented businesses, tourism, apparel, fisheries, animal husbandry, agriculture, and agro-based industries.

 Activities eligible for funding include purchasing assets for business expansion, implementing cost reduction initiatives, upgrading technology, and refurbishing or expanding facilities. Ineligible activities include trading, leasing, renting businesses, and vehicle purchases, unless for land vehicles in the hotel or tourism sectors.

The finance ministry in collaboration with ministry of industries will provide credit facilities of Rs 5 million each to 1000 selected existing MSMEs for further expansion and recovery of their businesses via licensed commercial banks and licensed specialised banks at concessional interest rates.

Another special loan scheme amounting to Rs.3 billion will be implemented with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in addition to the 2024 budgetary support.

The government is also considering the possibility of upgrading the Sri Lanka Savings Bank a subsidiary of the National Savings Bank to a MSME Bank or to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to disburse loans easing the burden on the banking sector.

MSMEs must meet certain criteria to qualify, including a turnover below Rs. 1 billion and fewer than 200 employees. The enterprise must be registered, and each registered entity can obtain only one loan. Additionally, at least 51% of women-led enterprises must be controlled by women.

Participating credit institutions include Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Regional Development Bank, Hatton National Bank, NDB Bank, DFCC Bank, Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, Seylan Bank, Sanasa Development Bank, Cargill’s Bank PLC, State Mortgage and Investment Bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC, Union Bank of Colombo, Nations Trust Bank PLC and Housing Development Finance Corporation.

The Government also introduced the SMILE III Revolving Fund Loan Scheme and the E-Friend II Revolving Fund Loan Scheme to further support the MSME sector. 

These schemes offer various financial assistance options with different interest rates, loan amounts, and repayment periods, targeting specific needs such as technical transfers and environmental compliance.

The initiatives aim to promote stable and balanced economic growth, empower MSMEs and strengthen the institutional capabilities of intermediary financial institutions.

June 29, (LNW) Colombo : Yesterday, a complaint was reported to the Sports Ministry’s ombudsman regarding several personalities related to Sri Lanka Rugby. Rizly Illyas, a former president, presented the allegations, highlighting that the rugby account is heavily indebted, and that the rugby administration had made decisions that would result in international fines.
Today, it has been reported that preparations are underway to make several accusations against Dilroy Fernando. It is also reported from those facts that Dilroy and other people will have to appear before legal proceedings even if they are not found guilty due to their involvement in contacting him. Sri Lanka Rugby has been informed twice that he will be unable to take on certain responsibilities as a rugby coach and in rugby administration, despite his ownership of a sporting goods supply company. In some cases, through lawyers, the wrongness of such situations has been pointed out through the Sports Act and the Sri Lanka Rugby Constitution, although attention has been paid to stopping those relationships, but they have not stopped completely. He has also been accused of being involved in the game of Sri Lankan rugby through the roles of a coach and referee and selling goods to Sri Lankan rugby while holding such responsibilities. Under these circumstances, if a sports club or school engages him for rugby training, coaching, counseling, or any other rugby-related responsibility, Dilroy would involved without disclosing to those parties the legal restrictions imposed by the rugby constitution and the country’s sports laws.
Those sources also indicate that if he undertakes responsibilities with any school or sports club in this manner without disclosure, they may also become involved in legal proceedings regarding this misconduct, requiring them to testify before the law. At least some of the existing rugby administrations have been removed from the responsibilities assigned to him after these situations were reported, and in the presence of those facts, some people have called Dilroy again to the rugby responsibilities and have also taken action to do various things by collecting Sri Lanka Rugby with him. It is reported that there are grounds for the accusations. The same sources indicate that the Old Rugby Association of the school he attended has also decided not to involve him in any activities. These facts will also support these accusations as evidence. However, Dilroy Fernando has the opportunity to comment on this news if the information we have is inaccurate. Accordingly, if he does not own a business entity related to rugby sports goods, and while being associated with rugby and having responsibilities, if he has not sold any goods to Sri Lanka Rugby through that entity, and if such a business entity exists, if he has not offered to assume
official rugby responsibilities, or if the information that he will not be contacted for rugby at his school is incorrect and if no such decision has been made, we will be obliged to publish a correction on our website. We have highlighted the possibility of intervention if there are accuracy issues when presenting allegations related to Rugby in multiple instances. However, regrettably, they have not utilized that opportunity nor provided a similar chance to correct any inaccuracies. Instead, they have presented their case through various responsible figures in society and have informed the website administration to cease the reports about them. The intervention of the sports department is for the benefit of any sport and anyone who brings the accusations with acceptable evidence for the sport and those with opposing views will also have the opportunity to present strong evidence to refute the facts we have reported as incorrect. Here again, we have no personal issue with Dilroy, and we recognize that he has gained international recognition as a highly qualified judge.

But what is important here is that Dilroy has become an accused because he tried to travel both ways at the same time, ignoring the fact that there is no space for that knowledge to be used professionally
according to the Sri Lankan Sports Act and Rugby Constitution. If he truly intends to engage in the sport, he and his wife may need to take a hiatus from their current business commitments and actively participate in rugby. But he is going to face these charges because of the violation of certain legal matters by going to acquire everything. Don is a Don, Simon is Simon. There’s a saying in our village that you can’t have two Dong Simons. Dilroy is also accused of tangled up Don Simon.

June 29, Colombo (LNW):  Sri Lanka’s agreements with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion in bilateral debt brought it a step closer towards restoring debt sustainability, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Thursday.

The island nation signed deals with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion in bilateral debt on Wednesday, helping it approach the end of a restructuring process that began in September 2022 after its reserves hit record lows and forced it to default on foreign debt for the first time.

Sri Lankan officials in Paris inked the agreement with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) co-chaired by Japan, India and France that have lent a combined $5.8 billion.

The committee is now awaiting details of a separate agreement that was signed with China EXIM Bank to rework $4.2 billion to be shared with them to ensure comparability of treatment, OCC said in a statement.

Sri Lanka, however, still needs to convince bondholders to restructure about $12.5 billion in international bonds.

“We hope that there will be swift progress on reaching agreements with external private creditors in the near future,” Peter Breuer, IMF’s senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, said in a statement.

Bilateral lenders said they hoped an agreement with bondholders would be “on terms at least as favourable as the terms offered by the OCC.”

The restructuring of bilateral debt agreements was one of the key conditions set by the IMF under a $2.9 billion bailout programme that helped Sri Lanka tame inflation, stabilise its currency, and improve government finances.

The central bank estimates the economy will expand 3% in 2024 after contracting 2.3% last year.

Sri Lanka, whose total external debt is $37 billion, also has to finalise arrangements with China Development Bank to restructure debt of $2.2 billion, according to latest finance ministry data.

Under the restructuring plan, Sri Lanka can delay repaying bilateral creditors till 2028. During this period, the government and creditors can arrange new loans out to 2043.

Once the restructuring is completed, Sri Lanka aims to reduce its debt by $16.9 billion, the government said.

It will seek approval from parliament on July 2 to proceed with the deals, President Ranil Wickemesinghe said during an address to the nation late on Wednesday.

The debt restructuring will help the cash-strapped nation more than halve its foreign debt repayments to 4.5% of gross domestic product between 2027-2032, from 9.2% in 2022 at the peak of the economic crisis.

 But the country has to still improve governance and stay on the path of reforms, including implementing legislation to lock in IMF-stipulated fiscal targets, impose a property tax, and limit lending by state banks to loss making state-run companies, according to analysts.