June 22, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka recently launched the 2023/24 Global Human Development Report, themed ‘Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World’. The Report was presented to the Director General of the Sustainable Development Council (SDC), Chamindry Saparamadu, by the Resident Representative of UNDP Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota. The event, held in Colombo, was attended by representatives from the Government, private sector, development partners, and civil society agencies.

The Report highlights the urgent need to address uneven development, rising inequality, and political polarization. It underscores the importance of building a 21st-century architecture for global public goods, reducing polarization, and narrowing agency gaps to tackle contemporary development challenges and accelerate progress on human development and sustainable development. The Report reconfigures global interdependence and emphasizes the pivotal role of multilateralism in moving forward.

By focusing on these key areas, the Report calls for innovative approaches to cooperation and collaboration, stressing that global challenges require collective action and shared solutions. The launch event served as a platform to discuss these pressing issues and explore strategies for fostering more inclusive and equitable development in a rapidly changing world.

June 22, Colombo (LNW): On the request of the Sri Lanka Police, the High Commission of India has been facilitating capacity-building training courses for the personnel of the Sri Lankan Police at premier Police training institutions in India. These institutions include the Central Detective Training Institute (CDTI) in Jaipur, CDTI in Hyderabad, CDTI in Kolkata, and the National Security Guard (NSG) in Manesar.

India regularly offers fully funded training slots to Sri Lankan Police personnel for various courses designed to enhance the skills of the officers. Since the beginning of 2024, over 60 Police personnel, including junior, mid-level, and senior officers, have benefited from training courses on subjects such as crime scene management, artificial intelligence and cybercrime investigation, and VIP security training. These courses are provided by the Indian Government under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and the ‘Aid to Sri Lanka’ programme. It is expected that over 130 Sri Lankan Police officers will be trained in India this year.

A batch of 23 senior Police officers recently left for New Delhi to attend a specially designed two-week course that started on June 18. Before departing for the course, the officers had an interaction with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha. Currently, these officers are undergoing training at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in various subjects such as terror financing, internal security dynamics, Islamic and other religious fundamentalism.

June 22, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing eco-tourism through the conservation of wetlands. He underscored the futility of waiting for external funding to combat climate change and environmental challenges, urging tropical countries to explore self-sustaining financial models tied to environmental projects.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the inaugural WLI Asia Oceania Conference 2024 at Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla on Friday (21), President Wickremesinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s proactive stance.

The conference, organized by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation under the Ministry of Housing, aimed to foster collaboration for the sustainable management of wetlands. Held from June 17 to 21 at “Diyasaru” Wetland Park, Battaramulla, the event focused on the theme “Wetlands and Wetland Centers for Eco-friendly Tourism.”

Representatives from 15 countries including Sri Lanka, Korea, Mongolia, Philippines, Jordan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nepal, Japan, Australia, China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom participated, totaling nearly 100 delegates from over 70 wetland parks worldwide. Notably, the foreign delegates had the opportunity to explore Colombo’s urban wetlands, renowned as the world’s first wetland capital, during the three-day observation program.

At the ceremony, Executive Director of the Ramsar Convention’s East Asia Regional Center Suh Seung Oh, presented a memento to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking the culmination of the conference.

Addressing the gathering, President Ranil Wickremesinghe further commented: “Sri Lanka considers itself privileged that Wetlands International’s first conference is being held here, and you have taken ‘Diyasaru’ Park as a good example. Wetlands, much like elephants and others, are disappearing species or landmarks. How do we preserve them? That’s the issue.

Not only in urban areas but even in other regions, wetlands are disappearing. Partly due to the need for development, partly due to the need for people to live. Nevertheless, development and population expansion have taken their toll on wetlands. So, what you have undertaken is how to preserve them, and that is an objective we all agree with.

If you look at this, about 500 years ago, this whole area was covered by wetlands. When you take ‘Muthurajawela’ to the north, this area, which was once entirely wetlands, sometimes formed a fortress to safeguard the cinnamon trade and repel rival armies from the north and south. You can still see traces of that. But gradually, we have seen it being filled up. Yet, we have still managed to preserve some wetlands, and the minister and the corporation have done a commendable job. We must emphasize and prioritize the conservation of our wetlands. Thus, ‘Diyasaru’ Park is an example of this effort.

We are also planning to establish another tourist attraction over 1000 acres of wetlands in the south. In an area called ‘Deduwa’ near ‘Lunu ganga’, Bentota, which was also the residence of the late Geoffrey Bawa, the famous architect. This will be quite extensive. How do you preserve these wetlands?

As you proceed, you will encounter more wetlands in ‘Akurala’ that need preservation. Many wetlands will be preserved. Some will also feature eco-friendly tourism. Certainly, that is an area of focus. This is just a part of what we are doing in eco-tourism and wetlands. We are discussing another 1000 acres near Horton Place to create another tourist area. Sri Lanka will identify and certainly start safeguarding these areas, such as those essential for eco-tourism and wetlands.

However, we feel that there is much more in the world that we must safeguard. Therefore, we are also promoting the concept of the tropical belt. Within the tropical belt lie wetlands, savannas, these are crucial areas for combating climate change. These are the sinks that exist globally.

They are mainly located in the tropical belt. So, why not save them all? Or do our best to preserve them? Look at the Amazon. The Amazon is disappearing. What should we do in Africa? Consider all these things, whether wetlands, forests, or grasslands. Let’s determine how many of them can hold commercial value, not for profit-driven ventures, but as part of the environmental movement. Who is willing to invest money in this cause? Because it’s unlikely that much money will come from the developed world right now. At present, it’s probably going to places like Ukraine or Gaza, not here. Thus, we must take care of ourselves. Let’s explore how many commercial projects we can find in wetlands.

We are also examining the role the Indian Ocean can play as a sink, it is even more significant. We are now promoting a concept. Let’s consider how we can commercialize these areas, not for ordinary development but certainly for environmental purposes. How much can we achieve through green financing, through green economics, to obtain credit? This is what we need to focus on now.

The environment in our region, within the tropical belt, is under threat. We should not expect money to come from outside. That funding isn’t available. Therefore, we must rely on our own methods of generating commercial revenue to protect the environment and the tropical belt.

The government of Sri Lanka is also preparing legislation for an international climate change university, the first of its kind. It will be connected to many other climate change centers, following the model of the East-West Center. Those who come for short-term training or postgraduate studies will find it a central hub for climate change education and research.”

June 22, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam districts.

Several spells of light showers will occur in Matale and Anuradhapura districts.

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 provincesand in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala districts.

The country’s manufacturing sector saw an upturn in May, whilst services sector showed a sluggish expansion, judging by the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI).

Following the seasonal dip in April, the Manufacturing PMI recorded an index value of 58.2 in May, indicating an expansion in manufacturing activities. 

In the first three months the Manufacturing PMI turned positive, after a dip in December 2023.  In April the Manufacturing PMI April failed to sustain the strong upturn recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

PMI compiler Central Bank of Sri Lanka said new orders and production sub-indices were mainly attributable to the manufacture of Food and Beverages sector increased during the month, resulting in an overall increase in the index.

As per the respondents, the considerable increase in production activities was due to more working days prevailed in May compared to the previous month. 

Stock of purchases increased considerably during the month, in line with the increase in new orders and production. However, suppliers’ delivery time further lengthened in May. 

“The industry expectations for the next three months remain positive, anticipating a gradual increase in demand. However, many respondents are cautious about the existing issues related to container availability in the global shipping industry,” CBSL said.

It also said the Services sector PMI indicated a slower expansion in services activities in May 2024 as reflected by the business activity index, which recorded an index value of 55.0.

The expansion in business activities was driven by the improvements observed across most sectors. Accordingly, business activities in the financial services continued to grow in line with the reductions in market interest rates. 

Further, business activities in the transportation services experienced a considerable growth, while telecommunication, real estate, health and professional services also recorded positive developments during the month. 

Nevertheless, business activities in the accommodation, food and beverages services declined further during the month in line with the decline in tourist arrivals on a month-on-month basis. Moreover, business activities related to wholesale and retail trade also declined with end of the festive season.

“New businesses increased in May, particularly with the increases observed in financial services,” CBSL said.

Employment increased in May due to new recruitments made by several companies. Meanwhile, backlogs of work continued to decline during the month.

“Expectations for Business Activities for the next three months continued to improve, at a higher rate, supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions,” CBSL added. 

June 21, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to rejuvenate the Sri Lankan film sector declaring it as a formal industry whilst positioning the country as a major tourist hub in South Asia, the Government has decided to host the Colombo International Film Festival. 

Organised under the sponsorship of the National Film Corporation (NFC) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the film festival is set to take place from 8-14 July in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s film production, distribution and screening at cinema halls will be given an official recognition as an industry by overhauling and modernising the outdated national film corporation, Finance Ministry sources divulged.

A cabinet memorandum will also be presented soon giving prominence to the entertainment sector including cinemas for its consideration as a formal industry while scrapping the entertainment levy on the directions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This would include entertainment taxes on hotel events and open-air shows.

The aim is to transform the National Film Corporation into a film and tele-drama industry development company by leveraging modern technology to provide state assistance to boost local cinema attracting foreign direct investments

The Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday approved the joint proposal by Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando to host the Colombo International Film Festival. 

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena announced the festival will feature over 34 award-winning films from a variety of countries, including Iran, France, India, South Korea, China, Japan and Germany.

“The primary objective is to popularise global cinematography in the country by creating a revival in the Sri Lankan film industry, as well as making the destination a tourist hub in South Asia by gaining high tourist attraction,” he stated.

The film festival promises a rich cultural experience for Sri Lankan audiences and film enthusiasts, offering them access to a diverse array of international films. 

In addition to the screenings, the Cabinet Co-Spokesman said the festival has attracted the participation of many international judges, further underscoring its significance on the global film festival circuit. 

The involvement of these judges is expected to enhance the festival’s prestige and provide insights into the standards and trends of global cinema.

“This initiative also provides an invaluable opportunity for film students to gain a deeper understanding and experience of global cinematography,” Gunawardena added. 

He said the Colombo International Film Festival is anticipated to not only boost the local film industry but also significantly contribute to the tourism sector by drawing movie buffs and tourists from around the world. 

June 21, Colombo (LNW): Police have announced a comprehensive security program across the island for Poson Poya.

Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General of Police Attorney-At-Law Nihal Thalduwa stated that key areas where people traditionally gather during Poson, such as Mihintale, Anuradhapura city limits, Thanthirimale, Avukana, Vijithapura, Namal Uyana, and Kekirawa, have been identified for heightened security measures.

In response to anticipated large gatherings, nearly 20,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of temples and the public during Poson Poya.

June 21, Colombo (LNW): The proposal to revise the current Education Ministry circular instructions for the admission of children to the first grade of schools in 2025 has received Cabinet approval.

The government emphasized that the admission process for first grade is conducted transparently and aims to minimize irregularities, ensuring equal access to education in line with the Ministry of Education’s circular.

The Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to amend the existing circular instructions based on experiences and feedback from past years. The revised circular instructions will guide the admission process for the first grade starting in 2025 and in subsequent years.

June 21, Colombo (LNW): In a significant diplomatic exchange, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar led bilateral discussions at the President’s House today (20). The joint energy projects between India and Sri Lanka took centre stage during these discussions.

Following their official meeting, President Wickremesinghe and Dr. Jaishankar delved into various initiatives aimed at enhancing energy connectivity and developing the renewable energy sector. Significant attention was given to plans for an LNG supply, a proposed petroleum pipeline linking the two countries, and advancing oil and gas exploration projects. Additionally, the construction of the Sampur Solar Power Plant is set to commence in July 2024.

The discussions also focused on enhancing the efficiency of projects supported by the Indian government, aimed at bolstering Sri Lanka’s liquid milk industry and fertilizer production. Furthermore, they covered projects under India’s support for developing Trincomalee and expanding the Kankasanthurai port.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing development of Jaffna Airport and Colombo Airport with Indian assistance, as well as the acceleration of Sri Lanka’s unique digital identity card project, marking a significant step towards the country’s digitization efforts.

Notable attendees included Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, Senior Adviser on National Security and Head of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, along with an Indian delegation including Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

1. President Wickremesinghe and Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar jointly unveiled a digital plaque commemorating the inauguration of 106 houses constructed under the Indian Housing Project in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale districts. Additionally, they handed over 24 houses from model villages in Colombo and Trincomalee to their respective beneficiaries.
2. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka strongly criticized his party leader Sajith Premadasa, stating that Fonseka’s request to speak in Parliament had been rejected by the Chief Opposition Whip. “I made the request to speak three days ago and was informed that instructions had been given to prevent me from making any speeches. I was asked if I would work for Sajith Premadasa in the Presidential Election,” Fonseka said.
3. The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health says that 5,000 Leptospirosis cases have been reported within the first six months of the year. Health officials advise the public to promptly seek medical advice if they experience a fever or exhibit symptoms related to rat fever.
4. Former President Maithripala Sirisena alleges that the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has not distributed any of the funds or financial aid received to assist the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
5. The Women’s Empowerment Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments, following its third reading. This was announced to the House by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ajith Rajapakshe. The third reading of the bill was passed without a vote.
6. The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the procurement of 2.3 million pre-printed Polycarbonate cards for printing National Identity Cards (NICs).
7. Arrangements have been made for the Colombo International Film Festival to be held from 08-14 July this year, under the joint initiative of the National Film Corporation and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
8. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved proposal to amend the current circular related to the admission of children to the Grade 01 classes of government schools. Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardena stated that the admission of children to the first grade of schools is done transparently and in a manner that minimizes irregularities, in order to ensure equal access to education consistent with the circular issued by the Ministry of Education.
9. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia for cooperation in promoting direct investment between the two nations. Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement to enter into a MOU to attract direct investment to the country and improve the investment environment of the two countries through policy and legal reforms, provision of advanced and integrated infrastructure facilities, process redesign, etc.
10. National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa demanded that the Government maintain transparency in its discussions with the visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar. Addressing Parliament, Weerawansa said that at least 10 to 12 projects are expected to be agreed upon during Jaishankar’s visit.