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A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives visited Colombo from May 29 to 30 led by Congressman Mac Thornberry (Republican - Texas), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.  The visit highlighted the broad bipartisan support for Sri Lanka in the U.S. Congress.  

“Across the U.S. government, we see value in expanding our security partnership in ways that benefit the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap. “Sri Lanka’s progress as a democracy that will protect the rights of all its citizens and promote their prosperity regardless of ethnicity or religion can create opportunities for our growing military-to-military cooperation.”

During the visit, the delegation met with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, Leader of the Opposition and Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan, State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardena, Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam, Defense Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne, members of Parliament, and civil society.



 Members of the delegation also included Congressman Henry Cuellar (Democrat - Texas), Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (Republican - Missouri), and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (Democrat – New Hampshire).

Popular soothsayer in the country, P.D. Perera from Natanadiya is said to have committed suicide after jumping in front of a train. 

According to Police, he had been emotionally disturbed after being unable to settle his mounting debts pushing him to end his life. He had committed the act near the Negombo railway station according to the Police. 

Eyewitnesses claim that he was seated near the station and had suddenly jumped before a train plying to Chilaw.

Minister of Finance and Media, Mangala Samaraweera said that the government is ready to make Sri Lanka into an entrepreneur’s paradise,  as envisioned in the V2025 document, in order to create a new entrepreneur class.

The Minister made these remarks at a business forum featuring Sri Lanka’s top industry leaders to introduce ENTERPRISE SRI LANKA credit schemes and the rapid rural infrastructure investment scheme known as GAMPERALIYA, held at the Hilton, Colombo yesterday (30).

“In the Budget speech last November, I presented the “Enterprise Sri Lanka” scheme based on the government’s 2025 vision document, to create a new entrepreneur class, recalling our history as a trading and a commercial hub in the ancient times.

Today, the Finance Ministry is ready to make this vision into a reality and our invitation to you this evening is to brief you on the launching of this initiative and to seek your support and partnership in making Sri Lanka into an entrepreneur’s paradise”, the Minister said.

Shouldering the heavy burden of waste and mismanagement of the earlier regime

Samaraweera stated that during the last decade, Sri Lanka’s economic growth was dominated by the domestic sector where exports were reduced to 12% of GDP in 2014. This economic model resulted in the creation of growing external liabilities whilst external assets and inflows were dwindling. Government revenue was falling for decades to reach one of the lowest in the world. Debt servicing exceeded the total government revenue.

“The effects of previous borrowing will be felt more severely in the time to come. More than 75% of government debt servicing during 2019-2022 will be due to maturing or bunching of debt obtained prior to 2015”, he added.

Series of reforms to stabilise the Sri Lankan economy as per the Vision 2025 Strategy

Whilst fiscal stability is a major macroeconomic gain, other aspects of the economy have also seen major improvements. Sri Lanka’s official reserves have reached comfortable levels of US$ 9.9 billion by end April. Much of this reserve growth has been through more sustainable earned reserves as opposed to borrowed reserves.

“Inflation has declined significantly to just 1.6% in April 2018. Unemployment in the final quarter of 2017 was down to 4%. The Primary Account is in surplus for the first time since the 1950’s. Thus, stability has been achieved in external markets, labour market, and in prices.”

Record levels of exports and FDIs in 2017

The Minister pointed out that the benefits of this stabilisation of the economy have been materialized in the external sector as both exports and FDI reached record levels in 2017.

“FDI of USD 1.9 billion and strong growth in project approvals in Q1 2018 augur well for the continued improvement in non-debt creating capital inflows. Export growth in 2017 benefitted from GSP + and the government’s strategy of negotiating FTAs with other key markets including India and China, in addition to the recently signed Singapore FTA, will enable Sri Lankan exports to plug into regional and global value chains. It is clear that the strategy of re-orienting Sri Lanka’s economy to an export and FDI based model, as articulated in the Vision 2025 Strategy, is already showing results", he said.

ENTERPRISE SRI LANKA to stimulate domestic private investment

Samaraweera said that in order to avoid short term consumption booms through artificial fiscal and monetary stimulus, the Enterprise Sri Lanka loan schemes will focus on targeting credit on concessionary terms to drive investment domestically, which will generate growth today and in the future.

These schemes will target the most productive investment sectors. It is private enterprise that is created and expanded through these programmes which will drive Sri Lanka’s future growth.

“The scheme offers attractive concessionary financing to stimulate investment and expansion by entrepreneurs, SMEs, and even large business. Stimulating such domestic private investment will create jobs, innovation, and will enable economic expansion across the economy”, he added.

GAMPERALIYA: the rapid rural infrastructure investment scheme

In addition to the revival of private investment driven by Enterprise Sri Lanka, it is necessary for the state to invest directly in the rural economy. Towards this end, the government will also be introducing the rapid rural infrastructure investment scheme, GAMPERALIYA.
“This includes the rehabilitation of over 22,000 rural tanks which will have a major impact on agricultural productivity and agricultural incomes that have suffered during the previous droughts. A “Haritha Udyanaya” or a “Green Park” will bring the ancient Athenian concept of nourishing one’s body, mind and soul to the village.

Wi-Fi enabled Haritha Udyanaya will have a building with a library, gymnasium for the young and old, men, women and a roof-garden for meditation, Yoga and other religious spiritual activities. Places of worship in the village will be repaired and the village schools will get playgrounds.”

The Minister stated that the government will invest upwards of LKR 80 billion to develop rural roads, rural markets, and other public works.
“These measures will collectively inject more cash into the rural economy which will help improve economic activity and kick start broader consumption across the country in a sustainable manner” and added that the Gampereliya scheme will be the primary focus of the government’s economic agenda over the next 24 months.

Gamperaliya exhibition to kick off from Monaragala

The government is planning a series of exhibitions across the country to take the message of Enterprise Sri Lanka and Gampereliya to the people. Whilst Sri Lanka’s pre-colonial past was one of, robust global trade and entrepreneurial engagement, in recent decades we have recently retreated into a protectionist, neo-socialist mind-set.

“The first Gamperaliya exhibition will be organised in Monaragala on 16th August 2018, followed by Anuradhapura and Jaffna”, the Minister said. According to a survey carried out by Department of Census and Statistics in 2007, Monaragala is home to approximately 29.2 percent of poor households in the country.

Sri Lankans still waiting for handouts

Samaraweera said that the people have become accustomed to waiting for government jobs and handouts whilst entrepreneurship has been relegated.

“These proposed exhibitions will create a platform to change this mind-set. Along with introducing the loan schemes and their features, the Enterprise Sri Lanka exhibitions will provide a platform for guidance, training, and mentorship for potential entrepreneurs. It will create opportunity to connect their business ideas with markets and larger companies in the ecosystem.”

Minister Samaraweera reiterated that the government must take the lead in driving this change in mind-set to enable Sri Lankans to take their economic destiny into their own hands.

“We must work together to rekindle the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that thrived in the hearts of our ancient forefathers. The Enterprise Sri Lanka/Gampereliya Exhibitions will lead the way in taking this message to the people.”

The group of 16 who left the government recently is set to meet opposition leader R. Sampanthan today. According to sources the meeting is set to happen at his office located on Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha. A spokesman for the group said the future course of the country will be discussed at the meeting.

Legal actions would be institute against 104 Sri Lankan migrant workers overstaying their visas in Israel, Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Deputy Minister Nanayakkara said sixty cases had already been filed in Courts with this regard and added that preparations were ongoing to file another thirty cases against these Sri Lankan illegal migrant workers.

“As an initial step to take legal action, letters of demand have been sent to nine such illegal migrant workers.

“However, five migrant workers have returned to Sri Lanka after the commencement of taking legal actions against them by the Sri Lankan Government,” he said.

“These youths were sent abroad through the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) for employment in the agricultural sector. They were sent on six months contract,” he added.

He said, however, some of those workers were overstaying their visas in Israel, following the conclusion of their employment contracts.

He also said diplomatic announcement had been made in this regard and added that the Government would take action to deport them from Israel to Sri Lanka.

“Workers, who are returning to Sri Lanka following the six-month period, can again go to Israel for employment,” he said

Source : Daily Mirror

The first ever Vesak Pandol put up by the Sri Lankan Army in Malaysia was ceremonially inaugurated at the Brickfields Buddhist temple premises in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday (26). The pandol was part of the International Vesak Celebration which is being held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Malaysia from the 26th of May to the 01st of June. It is organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia and the Buddhist Maha Vihara. 

According to Army media, the pandol was constructed by the Sri Lanka Army's Corps of Engineer Services (CES) following an initiative by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia.

Sri Lanka, celebrating six decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia has presented the Vesak Pandol depicting the 'Kundalakeshi' jathaka story. With a height of 60 feet and a width of 50 feet, the pandol is illuminated with 35,000 colourful bulbs.

The Vesak Day Celebrations at the Buddhist Maha Vihara is expected to be attended by over 100,000 devotees.

The general public who were battered by the inclement weather prevailed in the country during the past couple of weeks is faced with a difficult situation as their water resources and wells have been polluted after the flash floods.
 
Responding in this hour of need, the relief teams of the Sri Lanka Navy are undertaking cleaning efforts in the areas of Horana, Kalutara, Agalawatta, Gampaha, Bopitiya, Puttalam and Naththandiya and going by that initiative they have cleaned a total of 254 wells of late.
 
Meanwhile, the Navy had also installed a mobile Reverse Osmosis plant to provide safe drinking water to the community in the locality of Naththandiya.

Source : Navy Media

Menstruation, colloquially known as ‘periods’, is a normal biological process. However, it remains a globally stigmatized issue, and many are reluctant to speak up about it. This is why the world comes together on 28 May, every year, to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day – to raise awareness on the challenges women and girls face due to menstruation, and to highlight solutions to address these challenges.

According to a UNICEF and WaterAid study, 60% of parents in Sri Lanka do not allow their daughters to go to school during their period, and 80% of teachers think that bathing should be avoided during menstruation. Such taboos and misinformation affect the menstrual hygiene of women and girls, and undermine gender equality. It leads to discrimination, causing women and girls to miss out on their education, work and other opportunities in life.

Identifying the need to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene and to break the stigma around menstruation, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka marked Menstrual Hygiene Day by running a quiz competition on its social media channels. Winners received passes to watch the Bollywood film ‘Pad Man’, at a special screening held on 28 May 2018.

‘Pad Man’ is a film based on the inspiring life story of Arunchalam Muruganatham, an Indian man who revolutionized the concept of menstrual hygiene by manufacturing low-cost sanitary napkins in India, upon learning that his wife used filthy rags and newspapers during her periods. The film explores many important aspects such as gender stereotypes and challenges the social stigma around menstruation.

Speaking at the event, UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative, Ms. Ritsu Nacken said; “The social stigma associated with menstruation can undermine gender equality. By having open dialogues about menstruation we can promote healthy attitudes and safer practices in hygiene and sanitation. It is important to recognize that menstruation matters not only to women and girls, but also to men and boys. Including men and boys in conversations about menstruation will help create normalcy and foster a safe and supportive environment for women and girls”.
At the event, over 100 young people also had the opportunity to learn about three eco-friendly menstrual hygienic products: 1) Candra – a reusable undergarment manufactured by Sri Lankan apparel company Hela Clothing, 2) Me Luna - Menstrual Cups produced in Germany, and 3) Momiji Natural – a reusable cloth-based sanitary napkin locally produced by a female Japanese entrepreneur.

Court of Appeal on Wednesday suspended elections for the crisis-ridden cricket board, whose president Thilanga Sumathipala is being challenged for the top job.

The Court of Appeal suspended for two weeks a vote due to be held Thursday pending the hearing of a petition by Nishantha Ranatunga, who argued that Sumathipala is unsuitable for re-election.

"The court issued a stay order on the elections till June 14," a court official said.

Sumathipala is pitted against Ranatunga, a younger brother of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, in the election. The Ranatunga brothers accuse Sumathipala of violating International Cricket Council regulations by holding office despite alleged links to gambling.

Sumathipala acknowledges that his family is involved in gambling, but says he has nothing to do with the business and has not violated the ICC code of conduct.

In 2016 Arjuna Ranatunga stood for vice president but lost by 22 votes to businessman Jayantha Dharmadasa, while Nishantha Ranatunga who stood for president lost by 32 votes to Sumathipala.

The latest court intervention in the cricket board came as four Sri Lankans were implicated in an alleged match-fixing scandal exposed in an Al Jazeera documentary broadcast on Sunday.

Arjuna Ranatunga told reporters that cricket corruption in Sri Lanka was far more serious than alleged in the report and blamed the ICC for not acting swiftly.

Sri Lankan police as well as the ICC have begun investigations into the allegations.

Source : Times of India

Sri Lanka Customs says that the 74 containers of canned fish which were seized and declared as unsuitable for human consumption will be re-exported to their countries of origin. 

General food items are released after being approved by the Food Inspector of the Health Department and sometimes subject to Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) approval. 

Especially for canned fish, both approvals are required while the goods will not be be released when such approvals are not granted, the customs spokesman said. 

He said that approval for the recently imported 74 containers were rejected according to the issues in quality.

The total weight of the canned fish in the 74 containers is approximately 137,000kg and the value is approximately Rs 388 million 
It has been ordered to re-export to the countries of origin which include China, Taiwan and Thailand. 

Sri Lanka Customs said that 18 out of the 74 containers were approved for re-exporting while action will be taken to re-export the rest of the container as well in due course. 

Source : Ada Derana

Joint Opposition MP Udaya Gammanpila and Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to go head to head in a public debate on June 7 on Hiru TV regarding the 20th amendment to the constitution. 

The debate came about after Dissanayake accepted the challenge for a public debate from JO MP representing the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Udaya Gammanpila during a press conference held by the latter recently. 

Accordingly, the two will debate on the matter during the Balaya, political program on Hiru TV telecast at 10 pm on the day.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has been re-accredited with ‘A’ status by Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in recognition of its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama said.

GANHRI promotes and strengthens National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to be in accordance with the Paris Principles and provides leadership in the promotion and protection of human rights.

GANHRI‘s Sub-Committee on Accreditation which met from May 14-18 in Geneva, Switzerland re-accredited ‘A’ status to HRCSL after a rigorous process of review. ‘A’ status means that the institution is in full compliance with the Paris Principles adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The review takes place every five years.

Dr. Udagama said HRCSL had only received ‘B’ status in the previous reviews in 2000, 2007 and 2009.

She pointed out that the HRCSL has been working tirelessly over the past several years to win public confidence as an independent body.

“We voiced our concerns even when the matter was politically sensitive. At times, we were criticised due to this reason. We came forward for the rights of socially discriminated groups, prisoners and women. We strongly recommended the Government to establish the Office of Missing Persons (OMP). We have taken a keen interest on economic and social rights of the people,” she said highlighting the performance of the Commission over the past years.

The Paris Principles set out six main criteria for NHRIs and they include having a broad mandate, based on universal human rights norms and standards, autonomy from Government, independence guaranteed by statute or Constitution, pluralism, adequate resources and adequate powers of investigation.

The institutions that receive the ‘A’ status can participate fully in the international and regional work and have voting power. They are also able to participate in sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and take the floor under any agenda item, submit documentation and take up separate seating.

HRCSL Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan in a Tweet in her account said, “Grateful our hard work has been recognized and rewarded”.
UNICEF SriLanka Child Protection Manager Ramiz Behbudov reacting to the Tweet said, “Great news for SriLanka. This will allow UNICEF to further enhance our partnership with the HRC SL to advance child rights monitoring in the country. We thank HRCSL Commissioners for their unyielding determination, principled position and positive optimism for getting the HRC to this point”.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne congratulating the HRCSL said, “So proud of the Commission’s remarkable work. Wish the Commission more strength, power and wisdom to keep on working for the rights of all Sri Lankans”.

Source : Daily News