President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a meeting on Monday, March 11, with leaders of recognized opposition parties in parliament and a high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The session, set to take place at the Presidential Secretariat, will provide opposition leaders an opportunity to engage with the IMF’s proposals and discuss key economic matters.

The IMF’s Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Peter Breuer, is leading the delegation for the second review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program in the country. The review process commenced on March 7 with a meeting between President Wickremesinghe and Mr. Breuer, who expressed optimism about the program’s effectiveness and the positive outcomes resulting from the commitment of Sri Lankan authorities.

President Wickremesinghe, in response, reiterated the government’s unwavering dedication to sustaining economic momentum and advancing the nation’s economic agenda. Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe highlighted the government’s aim to conclude a successful review by June and secure a staff-level agreement, unlocking the third tranche of the IMF’s bailout package totaling USD 2.9 billion.

The IMF executive board had previously indicated that the second review could be completed in the first half of 2024, contingent on meeting debt restructuring and revenue targets outlined in the program. The first review was approved in December 2023, providing approximately USD 337 million as the second tranche to address the fallout from Sri Lanka’s severe financial crisis. The initial tranche was disbursed in March 2023, following the approval of the 48-month EFF program.

March 08, Colombo (LNW): On this day, the 8th of March, Hindus across the globe observe Maha Shivaratri, an annual festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. Also known as ‘The Night of Shiva,’ this festival is marked by profound devotion and religious fervor, celebrating one of the key deities in the Hindu Trinity.

Maha Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna, signifying a significant period for spiritual reflection and worship. Devotees partake in a day and night fast, engaging in ritual worship of the Shiva Lingam, symbolizing their reverence for Lord Shiva.

A crucial aspect of the celebration involves observing a “jaagaran,” a night-long vigil believed to commemorate Lord Shiva’s role in saving the universe from darkness and ignorance. The festival holds deep spiritual significance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

Additionally, Maha Shivaratri is revered as the auspicious day marking the divine union of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati. As Hindus worldwide come together to honor Lord Shiva, the festival serves as a time for reflection, prayer, and communal celebration of their faith and devotion.

March 08, Colombo (LNW): In a decisive move, the Health Trade Union Alliance has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Ministry of Finance to address the ongoing allowance issue. Co-Convener Chanaka Dharmawickrama announced that if a satisfactory solution is not reached within this timeframe, the alliance, representing 72 health trade unions, will resort to strike action once again, commencing on the 19th of March.

This decision was finalized during a discussion held with union representatives, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the matter at hand.

March 08, Colombo (LNW): It has been reported that veteran actress, journalist, and former radio news presenter, Ramya Wanigasekara, passed away on the morning of March 8th. At the age of 73, Wanigasekara’s extensive career in the entertainment and media spheres has left an enduring impact on audiences and colleagues alike.

Having excelled in various roles throughout her distinguished career, Wanigasekara was celebrated for her versatility and proficiency as an actress, journalist, and radio personality. Her contributions to the cultural and media landscape have garnered her widespread recognition and respect.

1. During the meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the IMF team at the Finance Ministry, Peter Breuer, the Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, emphasized that the IMF program is exhibiting promising signs of efficacy, translating into tangible outcomes.He commended the authorities for their unwavering commitment to the program’s implementation, noting that such dedication is instrumental in driving positive change.

2. Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has requested the government to look into the failure to provide appointments to nearly 465 graduates. MP Premadasa said that nearly 60,000 graduates had received appointments from the government recently.

3. Leader of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with foreign diplomats from six countries during a meeting at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) Head Office. The meeting took place with the Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair M.H. Dar Zaid, Turkish Ambassador R. Demet Sekercioglu, Bangladesh Ambassador Tareq M.D. Ariful Islam, Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing, Indonesian Consulate General Heru Prayitno, Malaysian High Commissioner Badli Hisham Bin Adam, and the Acting Maldivian Ambassador Fathimath Ghina.

4. SLPP MP Rohitha Abegunawardhana elected as the Chairman of the Parliament Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)

5. Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, announced that the revised Electricity Act has been sent to the Legal Draftsman’s Department for review. He anticipates presenting it to Parliament for approval in April following Cabinet endorsement. The minister expressed readiness to engage stakeholders to discuss reducing fuel prices further through a transparent pricing formula. 

6. In February 2024, Sri Lanka experienced a significant surge in both workers’ remittances and tourism earnings, as reported by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Workers’ remittances saw a remarkable 16.88% increase, reaching USD 476.2 million, while tourism earnings skyrocketed by nearly 114%, totaling USD 345.7 million compared to the previous year. 

7. A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been lodged with the Supreme Court, contesting the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA). The petitioners seek an order from the Supreme Court to halt the execution of the trade agreement. The respondents in this petition include 27 individuals, such as the Attorney General (representing the President), the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Secretary to the Finance Ministry, and Secretary to the Trade Ministry.

8. The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) convenor, Madushan Chandrajith, along with another student activist, who were apprehended during a demonstration in Colombo, have been granted bail. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court directed their release on personal bonds of Rs. 500,000 each when they appeared before the court on the 7th.

9. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced its intensified focus on tax compliance among affluent individuals in Sri Lanka. In a bid to uphold fairness and bolster confidence in the tax administration, the IRD is determined to ensure that high-net-worth individuals contribute their equitable share and fulfill their tax obligations accurately. As part of this initiative, a specialized unit named the High Wealth Individuals Unit (HWIU) has been established within the IRD, housed in the Large Taxpayer Office.

10. The second T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was marred by controversy as a disputed Decision Review System (DRS) call sparked early debate. Sri Lanka’s assistant coach, Naveed Nawaz, expressed disappointment over the overturned caught-behind decision for Bangladeshi batsman Soumya Sarkar, suggesting its potential influence on the game’s outcome.

March 08, Colombo (LNW): The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has praised Sri Lanka’s National Immunization Programme, recognizing its significant achievements. During a meeting with Health and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana at the Health Ministry, GAVI’s Director of Middle-Income Countries, Adriana Jimenez Cuen, and Senior Manager for Strategic Partnerships, Middle-Income Countries, Sophie La Vincent, shared insights into their organization’s support for Sri Lanka’s vaccination efforts.

GAVI has been actively involved in providing free vaccines for the children’s vaccination program in Sri Lanka since 2003. Additionally, the alliance has played a crucial role in supplying vaccines at subsidized prices since 2008. Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana expressed deep appreciation for GAVI’s contributions, emphasizing the positive impact on suppressing vaccine-preventable diseases in the country.

Highlighting the outstanding level of Sri Lanka’s national vaccination program, Minister Pathirana mentioned that the World Health Organization has recognized the country for providing excellent health services at a low cost. He extended gratitude for GAVI’s support in maintaining the free health service in Sri Lanka and emphasized seeking ongoing assistance when needed.

The GAVI representatives affirmed their commitment to facilitating equitable access to vaccines for preventable diseases globally. During their two-day visit to Sri Lanka, the focus will be on strengthening existing relations and enhancing monitoring measures for vaccine storage and cold storage. Additional Secretary (Public Health) of the Health Ministry, Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga, also participated in the meeting, reinforcing the collaboration between GAVI and Sri Lanka.

March 08, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry addressed Parliament on the 7th, announcing the commencement of a revolutionary government program that involves releasing a portion of state land for cultivation purposes. Stressing the government’s commitment to protecting farmers, he participated in the debate on the adjournment motion focusing on mitigating the damage inflicted on the agriculture industry by wild animals.

Minister Sabry highlighted the significant role farmers play in the country, constituting 27 percent of the workforce, yet only eight percent contribute to the national economy. He expressed concern over the insufficient income received by hardworking farmers, emphasizing the need to address the underlying issues in the agricultural sector.

Citing the fact that 80 percent of land cultivated by peasants belongs to smallholders, Minister Sabry outlined the government’s groundbreaking initiative to allocate part of the government-owned land to farmers. This move aims to empower farmers and enhance productivity, particularly in the face of challenges posed by wild animals and insect-related damage affecting crops like maize and coconut.

Minister Sabry urged the formulation of a comprehensive program to modernize the agriculture industry, emphasizing the importance of introducing modern technology and new crop varieties. Drawing a parallel with Vietnam’s success in rice exports, he underscored the impact of granting land rights to Vietnamese peasants and emphasized the need for a similar approach in Sri Lanka.

The Minister emphasized the government’s responsibility to train farmers in innovative crop protection methods and advocated for the introduction of an insurance system to compensate farmers for crop damage. Additionally, he stressed the need for regulating fertilizer usage, as excessive application was reported, leading to wastage. Minister Sabry called for a streamlined system in the crop sales process, post-harvest crop protection, and increased attention to food safety measures, ultimately fostering progress in the agriculture sector.