President Ranil Wickremesinghe appoints Committee of Inquiry to investigate pre-Easter Sunday terror attack intelligence handling: Led by retired Judge De Alwis, it aims for impartiality and accountability: Deadline set for September 15, 2024, for findings presentation.
SLPP National Organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa says contradictory sentiments have been made about the holding of an election by the UNP Leader and its Secretary: asserts the SLPP is against the idea of postponing the election: warns parties that had catered to the postponement of elections throughout history were decimated from existence: assures the SLPP already has a candidate for the upcoming Presidential Polls, but will not be revealed until the arrival of the appropriate time.
NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says in light of establishing national unity, the Tamil people of Sri Lanka should be given the right-to-decision making about their community in a political landscape beyond the proposed Provincial Council System: asserts such establishment should include constitutional changes, whilst ensuring that provisions which have already been constituted for unity are implemented: laments such provisions have confined themselves into mere laws, proposing that they should be brought into a practical reality.
Eminent economists caution that IMF-led economic reforms disproportionately harm Sri Lanka’s citizens, especially women and SMEs: Prof. Jayati Ghosh advocates for alternative approaches, urging resistance against IMF influence and fair debt restructuring: Other experts, including Prof. Martín Guzmán and Charles Abugre, echo calls for national agendas in IMF engagement.
Health Ministry and NMRA address concerns over unregulated beauty products in Sri Lanka, prompted by GMOA’s appeal: Efforts include legal framework strengthening and collaboration: GMOA stresses adherence to scientific guidelines: Despite existing regulations, influx of unregistered cosmetics persists: Health Ministry engages stakeholders to safeguard public health.
IMF approves second review of Sri Lanka’s EFF programme, unlocking US$330 mn in third tranche: Foreign Minister Sabry lauds commitment to economic reforms: State Minister Semasinghe sees pivotal moment for economy: CBSL anticipates IMF announcement on third tranche release: Total IMF support reaches US$1 billion: Despite recovery signs, reform efforts imperative.
UPTUF launched a 24-hour strike seeking government action on postal staffing shortages: Postmaster General cancels leave, pledges service continuity amidst disapproval of the strike: Assurances made to ensure uninterrupted postal services during the strike period.
Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake acquitted of Rs. 1 million fraud and marriage promise allegations by Kandy Chief Magistrate: Case filed by Special Crimes Investigation Division based on a teacher’s complaint: Ramanayake claims innocence, cites political motives: accuses Cabinet Minister and lawyer of orchestrating scheme against him.
Saudi Arabia donates 300 tonnes of dates to aid Sri Lankan children, especially affected by economic challenges: The contribution, facilitated by KSrelief, supports the national school meal programme: UN’s WFP appreciates the gesture, enhancing nutrition for vulnerable children amidst the crisis.
The Sri Lanka-Nepal T-20 World Cup match in Florida was abandoned due to heavy rain, with no balls bowled: Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching the Super Eight stage were further complicated by the washout: They must win their final game against the Netherlands, with outcomes of other matches also crucial for their qualification.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee indicates further depreciation against the US Dollar today (13) in comparison to yesterday, as per leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 298.36 from Rs. 297.87, and the selling price to Rs. 308.47 from Rs. 307.96.
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 297.58 from Rs. 297.33, and the selling price to Rs. 307.75 from Rs. 307.50.
At Sampath Bank, the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar remain unchanged at Rs. 299 and Rs. 308, respectively.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): Aruna Darshana left the island on June 12 night to participate in an international athletics competition conducted by the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (nacac), which will be held in the Bahamas on June 16.
The Nasu race track in the Bahamas, where this race is held, is the stadium where the World Relay Championship was held in recent days.
Aruna Darshana was also ready to participate in the relay championship with the Sri Lankan 400m relay team.
But due to the carelessness of the authorities, the relay team could not get visas on time.
This is a World Athletics “B” group (Silver label) competition and this competition is very important for Aruna who is currently close to Olympic qualification.
By the time he reports here, he will have points in the International Athletics Federation’s scorecard. In addition, from the first place to the 8th place, it is possible to get points as 100, 80, 70, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40 respectively.
48 athletes from around the world will be included in the 400m event of this year’s Olympics and currently Sri Lanka’s Kalinga Kumarage is 52nd and Aruna Darshan is 53rd.
In addition to this competition, the Athletics Association has also used another special opportunity for these two players to compete in Sri Lanka on June 30 for qualifying.
For that occasion, the Sri Lanka Athletics Association has worked to get the score chart of Group E approved by the International Athletics Federation.
Mr. Daminda Bandara will participate with Aruna as the manager and coach of this competition.
Along with this, the schedule of matches is also given. Nine hours and thirty minutes before the said time, the 400 meters event will start in Sri Lanka time.
*Adapted from original article, “වීසා නිසා සහය දිවීමේ සූරතාවලිය මඟ හැරුණු අරුණ, තනිව 400 දුවන්නට බහමාස් යයි” by Nishman Ranasinghe.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe unveiled the Government’s ambitious agenda to enact approximately 15 pivotal laws in the forthcoming weeks, marking a significant stride in legal reforms.
Speaking to a briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre, Rajapakshe highlighted the remarkable progress made over the past 18 months, with around 75 bills introduced and ratified by Parliament, laying the groundwork for substantial changes.
The Minister outlined the key focus areas that the Government intends to address through a series of legislative reforms in the near future:
Firstly, the Government aims to implement a robust anti-corruption act targeting bribery, fraud, corruption, and embezzlement. This entails empowering the Bribery Commission and introducing provisions to tackle sports and sexual bribery offenses.
Secondly, efforts will be made to strengthen the monitoring of assets and liabilities, mandating all citizens to submit their statements to the Bribery Commission for meticulous scrutiny, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
In addition, new legislation will be formulated to facilitate the confiscation of illicit goods and hazardous drugs, alongside the establishment of an authority to investigate assets obtained through criminal activities, bolstering the fight against illegal trade and drug trafficking.
Moreover, proposed amendments to the Primary Procedure Code and the introduction of a bill on marriage regulations are on the agenda, along with revisions to the Muslim marriage and divorce law to incorporate universally acceptable changes, ensuring fairness and modernisation of legal processes.
Further reforms are envisioned for Kathi courts to address emerging challenges and enhance their efficiency.
Additionally, a draft will be proposed to enforce the rulings of foreign courts, thereby strengthening international legal cooperation.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): The Kandy Chief Magistrate yesterday (12) acquitted former MP Ranjan Ramanayake of all charges related to an alleged fraud case involving Rs. one million and a promise of marriage to a teacher.
The case, brought forward by the Special Crimes Investigation Division of the Kandy Police, stemmed from a complaint filed by the said teacher.
Ramanayake was accused of deceiving the teacher with promises of marriage and subsequently defrauding her of Rs. one million.
Speaking to the reporters, the former MP asserted his commitment to truthfulness, stating that the court vindicated his innocence.
“I have always stood by the truth, and this verdict reaffirms it. This case was politically motivated. It was an attempt to tarnish my reputation,” he remarked.
The orchestrator of the scheme against him, a Cabinet Minister, is currently serving a prison sentence, he further claimed, adding that even the lawyer representing the plaintiff is incarcerated.
Ramanayake also said their aim was to portray him as a dishonest individual.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations World Food Programme has expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s contribution of 300 tonnes of dates to assist vulnerable children in Sri Lanka, Arab News reported.
Facilitated through Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency KSrelief, these dates are designated for distribution among primary school children participating in the national school meal initiative.
A signing ceremony held on Tuesday between the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the WFP formally recognised this generous donation, as per an official statement.
Sri Lanka has witnessed a significant impact on its children due to the economic downturn that commenced in 2022, resulting in job losses and reduced incomes, thus hindering families’ access to nutritious meals.
Saudi Arabia’s contribution aligns with global efforts to aid the nation’s recovery, particularly in enhancing nutritional standards and bolstering human resources.
“In times of crisis, children often bear the brunt,” remarked Gerard Rebello, WFP’s country director for Sri Lanka.
“We appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s assistance in enhancing the variety of foods provided to children through the school meal programme.”
The school meal programme is crafted to meet up to one-third of a child’s daily nutritional requirements, serving as a vital resource for numerous families.
By covering 20 per cent of a household’s nutritional expenses, these meals offer tangible support to disadvantaged communities, facilitating their access to nutritious sustenance.
These dates, rich in nutrients, will supplement the school meal, comprising rice and curry, serving as a nutritious fruit addition.
Packed with vitamins, fibre, and protein, dates fulfil the energy needs of children, essential for their cognitive development and physical activity.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): The economic reforms imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) disproportionately affect ordinary citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and particularly women from low-income backgrounds, eminent economists warned.
During a public seminar titled “Is There Another Way? Debt Restructuring, IMF and Future of Sri Lanka,” Indian economist and International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs) co-founder Prof. Jayati Ghosh articulated these observations.
The event, organised by the ‘YUKTHI Collective’ coalition of civil society organisations and independent academics, aimed to ensure that Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process respects public rights.
Prof. Ghosh, hailing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, and former Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, argued that despite political assertions that Sri Lanka has no alternative to the IMF, numerous options exist to address the financial crisis, with examples worldwide.
Advocating for Sri Lanka’s alignment with other debtor nations at the international level, Prof. Ghosh urged resistance against the IMF’s influence, particularly in safeguarding the interests of private creditors within powerful nations.
She stressed the necessity of negotiating a fair debt restructuring that does not burden the general public, which bears minimal responsibility for the crisis.
Drawing from global contexts, Prof. Ghosh examined how the IMF encouraged Sri Lanka to borrow from international capital markets, including sovereign bond issuance.
She highlighted the charging of high interest rates by private creditors as compensating for the risk of loan default, a factor to consider in debt restructuring efforts.
Internationally recognised academics and experts shared insights into Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the impacts of IMF reforms, and alternatives to manage the crisis better.
Former Minister of Finance of Argentina, Prof. Martín Guzmán, discussed elements of debt restructuring, drawing from Argentina’s experiences.
Prof. Guzmán, a Columbia University Professor, led Argentina’s 2020 debt restructuring, advocating for countries to develop their own debt restructuring programmes to counter the IMF’s approach.
He underscored the importance of national policies in negotiations and challenged the perception of IMF directives as inevitable.
Charles Abugre, Executive Director of IDEAs from Ghana, compared Ghana’s external debt crisis with Sri Lanka’s, highlighting recurring reliance on IMF programmes.
He stressed the need for Sri Lanka to engage with the IMF based on its national agenda rather than unquestionably accepting recommendations.
June 13, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken decisive action by appointing a Committee of Inquiry to delve into the conduct of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), and other relevant authorities concerning the handling of intelligence leading up to the tragic Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Led by retired Judge Ms. A.N.J. De Alwis, the Committee of Inquiry holds significant weight in its composition, reflecting a commitment to impartial investigation and accountability.
A comprehensive timeline has been prepared for the committee’s work, with a deadline set for September 15, 2024, to present its findings, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
June 13, Colombo (LNW): The Health Ministry and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) are actively seeking to tackle issues surrounding the proliferation of unregulated beauty products and cosmetics sold in Sri Lanka.
The move has been taken following concerns raised by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
The GMOA’s recent appeal prompted the Health Ministry and NMRA to convene stakeholders to explore avenues for strengthening legal frameworks and regulatory standards, aiming to mitigate significant public health risks associated with substandard products, including skin ailments.
GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge stressed the need for collaborative efforts in addressing this pressing health concern, citing inadequacies in the current NMRA Act to effectively combat the issue.
Dr. Aluthge underscored the importance of adhering to scientific guidelines in manufacturing beauty and cosmetic products to ensure their safety and efficacy within existing legal frameworks.
A senior Health Ministry official acknowledged the existing legal provisions within the NMRA Act, which prohibit the importation and distribution of unregistered cosmetics and devices, as well as manufacturing and storing cosmetics without proper registration and adherence to approved standards.
Despite regulatory measures, the official admitted the persistent influx of unregistered cosmetics into the market through various channels, necessitating concerted action.
In response, the Health Ministry is proactively engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders to address these challenges and safeguard public health.
