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President Ranil Wickremesinghe discusses key issues in interview with Deutsche Welle
In a recent interview with Deutsche Welle, President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed several critical topics, including the Berlin dialogues, economic challenges and allegations of human rights concerns.
President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the progress made during the Berlin dialogues, emphasizing improved understanding and cooperation between Sri Lanka and European countries, particularly France and Germany.
Regarding economic challenges, he clarified the situation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and stated that they have reached an agreement, with discussions on alternative proposals to meet revenue targets on-going. He acknowledged historical taxation issues but expressed confidence in resolving them.
He highlighted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a significant step toward addressing reconciliation and human rights issues.
When asked about calls for an international investigation into human rights abuses, President Wickremesinghe rejected the idea, asserting that Sri Lanka would handle investigations internally with the involvement of Sri Lankan personnel. He also dismissed the recent UN report on human rights, asserting that the government had rejected it.
The interview concluded with President Wickremesinghe defending his government’s efforts to address these challenges and its commitment to cooperating with the international community.
Following is the full interview President Wickremesinghe had with Deutsche Welle;
Interviewer: President Wickremesinghe, welcome to Deutsche Welle. Thank you for being with us. Any good news that you’re taking home from the two days of the Berlin dialogues?
President Wickremesinghe: What I can take back from here is that the gap between us is closing, and there’s more understanding, especially on the European side. I had the chance of attending the Paris climate summit, and I’m here in Berlin to say that within the European Union, both France and Germany know our thinking and are attuned to our thinking, and they are trying to find a way of resolving some of the issues.
Interviewer: It is the IMF that seems to be not completely attuned to your thinking, right? Over the last couple of days, the IMF has said that they will stop the second package, at least pending negotiations, because there has been a 15% failure to meet the expectations for revenue, which essentially means that you have a problem with taxation. This problem seems to be very pressing. Is there a particular plan to actually accelerate this process?
President Wickremesinghe: It’s not that they are stopping the second package; we have come to an agreement. We have the view that we will have the results of what we’ve done this year will be shown next year. In regard to the targets, it was always felt that some of the targets may not be achieved, and they were told of it. And now we are talking about how we can fill that gap. And in regard to it, there are some proposals to which we have not agreed because we feel it might add to the burdens of the ordinary people. The IMF has asked us to come up with alternate proposals. Before I left, the alternate proposals were given to them, but they were leaving the next day.
Interviewer: Sorry for interrupting, but you do have a historical and serious problem with taxation, and this cannot be news to you since you’ve been in power six times.
President Wickremesinghe: Look, I am the first one to admit that. And we say that we need a new revenue authority. I brought it up in 2003, and I lost the election in 2004. But it’s not only a question of revenue evasion, which we have agreed. It is from where are you going to take that money in? Revenue evasion cannot be overcome in one year. We are already talking, and they’ve already given us, we’ve agreed with many of it. It’s just where do we find the money at the present time. It will be resolved.
Interviewer: How long do you think it will take?
President Wickremesinghe: I think by next week it will be resolved.
Interviewer: There is actually a very pressing question about poverty. Save the Children International is talking about a full-blown hunger crisis in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe: There was a pretty bad hunger crisis last year. We’ve reduced it. No one is saying no. But once this package is done, we’ll take the next step. When the economy collapses, it has to be. People didn’t have food, people are out of jobs, industries are collapsing. Now we are getting along, for instance, as far as the tourism is concerned, the whole sector is picking up.
Interviewer: The report from Save the Children International is less than a couple of weeks old.
President Wickremesinghe: So I read that report. I read the report. I am not saying no. We may not agree on the figures, the amount, percentages. There is hunger. I am not saying no to it. Obviously, when the economy collapses, there has to be. I am trying to get out of it. And there is a new report of proposals on childcare, which is not merely a question of hunger. There are a large number of children who are not receiving proper childcare. And that report is given to me next week.
Interviewer: Education is also suffering severely.
President Wickremesinghe: Education broke down. Now we are trying to get back into the normal regime, which is 2024 or 2025. We have now met and decided on far-reaching reforms to education. There is no need to accuse us.
Interviewer: No, no, it’s not an accusation. There is a difference in the times that a state has to solve its problems and the time that a parent has to feed a child.
President Wickremesinghe: Can you fulfill it within one year? We know the economy collapsed. Only this year it started moving, not even one year. And hunger is down. Poverty is down. More people are getting jobs. It’s a transition period. We are not saying there is no hunger. We say there is hunger. That’s why I took over. I finished the hunger.
Interviewer: Okay, let’s go to what has become probably one of the biggest stories in Sri Lanka over the last couple of weeks, which is the Channel 4 report on the presumed collusion of members of the state with a terrorist group in what is the worst terrorist episode in the history of Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe: Why do you treat Channel 4 as sacred?
Interviewer: I don’t. I actually don’t.
President Wickremesinghe: A lot of people in Britain don’t. So is this just, I mean, Why are you only asking Channel 4?
Interviewer: you flatly deny it?
Interviewer: I’m not asking Channel 4. What I’m saying is that there is a very concrete accusation. When there is an accusation of this size.
President Wickremesinghe: Well, I mean, just because the media gives the accusation, why should I do this?…The former Attorney General has made accusations. The former director of CID has made accusations. Why do you need to ask me on all four?
Interviewer: It’s really not just Channel 4. It’s a Catholic Church that is asking for an investigation. It’s actually a former president under whom you served.
President Wickremesinghe: Look, I’m asking you that. You didn’t ask me that. When I pressed you, only you said that, that former president asked for it. You came with the Channel 4 report as gospel truth. Their point of the story is not gospel truth. Can you let me answer?
Interviewer: By all means, please. Please do.
President Wickremesinghe: Firstly, in regard to the Channel 4, I’ve appointed a committee with a judge who’s heading the committee, a former commander of the Air Force, and a well-known lawyer, to go into it. Secondly, in regard to the…
Interviewer: There is nobody that believes that this commission has teeth enough to do anything other than the Federal Republic Commission.
President Wickremesinghe: That is your view, not mine.
Interviewer: No, no, it’s not mine.
President Wickremesinghe: As far as I am concerned, I am dealing with the Bishops Conference, not with the cardinals, and they come and meet me, and the Bishops Conference wanted all the proceedings, and I gave it to them.
Interviewer: They are looking for an independent investigation into what had transpired.
President Wickremesinghe: This is the independent Commission that they agreed to. As far as I am concerned, you don’t deal with the bishops’ conference, I do. They come and meet me, not you. You sit here with a piece of paper, I talk to them when I go back again. The second one is a Parliamentary Committee. So if there is something that has not been done in this committee, the Parliamentary Committee will again go into it. It’s the Parliament that has to finally decide. As far as President Sirisena’s matter is concerned, He will meet me when I come back because, since he appointed one commission, I want to ask him whether he wants to. I have done nothing. I am not involved in it.
I am trying to resolve it. And you take a piece of paper by the cardinal, and you are reading it out there. Have you spoken to the bishops’ conference? Have you spoken to the Catholic bishops?
Interviewer: No, no, I have not.
President Wickremesinghe: Then you have no right to ask me this question.
Interviewer: Well, I think that’s an exaggeration. I think that it’s in the public interest to ask a question.
President Wickremesinghe: No, no. In the public interest, I am answering. Who are you?
Interviewer: So, can I move on to the next question?
President Wickremesinghe: No, no, you didn’t come here to ask questions. You tried to corner me. The government is not doing anything.
Interviewer: I have certainly not claimed that you are not doing anything.
President Wickremesinghe: No, no, you will take this western attitude out. I said, you are, you are doing it.
Interviewer: I think it’s actually the case that you have several people that have requested an international aided independent investigation of the eastern bombings.
President Wickremesinghe: Sri Lanka government doesn’t have international inquiries. Full stop. It’s the, a few people may have asked, but parliament doesn’t. And there is, I forgot to tell you, the FBI reports, which says that no one outside was involved. We had the FBI, we had the, it’s called the British police, we had the Australians, we had the Indians, we had the Chinese, all there, and the Pakistanis.
Interviewer: You do realize that this makes it look like you are paying lip service to the question. I am not saying that you are. – I am not saying that it makes it look… – No, no, sorry, sorry.
President Wickremesinghe: If the FBI has come in, if the Indians have come in, if the English have come in, if the Australians have come in, if the Chinese have come in, and if those secret service agencies have given reports, then what are you saying? – Well, What I am saying is you are talking nonsense. –
Interviewer: It might well be, but you have a long history.
President Wickremesinghe: No, no,
Interviewer: May I ask a question? – No, my… – You can answer whatever way you want, but if you would let me ask the question, then at least we will get to that.
President Wickremesinghe: I am telling you, don’t come and accuse me. That is not the way you run. Look, I have been doing this game long before you. I have been involved in television, I have been involved in media. I am telling you, we have a thing that the western media thinks we are bad. The way we have enquiries, we are by using Sri Lankan personnel. Now, you are saying, look, that is out. We will not have international enquiries on any issue. UK hasn’t got. Germany hasn’t got. What have you got? What are the international enquiries you have gone into? What are the ones that UK has gone into? Why these poor Sri Lankan Asians? You think we are second class?
Interviewer: No, I don’t. Not at all
President Wickremesinghe: Then why are you asking that?
Interviewer: Because you have a history of commissions since 2008, at least, till today, that have essentially produced nothing. I can list them for you. Udala Gama, Lessons Learned…
President Wickremesinghe: Can I tell you? This was the commission about the Easter blast. and, and, and, there have been enough of those. We have acted on all that. On, reconciliation is a different matter. There are commissions we have acted on, there are those we haven’t.
If you think that we are a third-rate country you have got it wrong.
Interviewer: It’s not the claim and it’s not what I said.
Here is the next question. As a matter of fact, I mean, there is now the last report of the UN on Human Rights in Sri Lanka remains dismal. So much so that now the American Congress has 12 people from across the aisle that are actually asking the Biden administration to put pressure on your government to figure out how you’re going to actually curb what are abuses. You have just announced a couple of months ago a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission after the ones I just listed had essentially no teeth.
President Wickremesinghe: You got it wrong. That is not a normal Presidential Commission. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be agreed with these countries that we have established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the moment discussions are on with the parties plus the government, and we are talking with the western governments. The senators may put this in. We are talking with the western governments, and the Truth and Reconciliation Bill will come to Parliament before the end of the year. Since I took over there has been no major issue.
Interviewer: You can actually go yourself and I am sure you have seen the UN report for less than a month ago that is still talking about. May I finish the question?
President Wickremesinghe: No, no. I’m telling you that UN report has been rejected.
Interviewer: By whom?
President Wickremesinghe: The government of Sri Lanka has rejected it.
Interviewer: Okay, the government of Sri Lanka has rejected it.
President Wickremesinghe: Who has given it? I am not accepting that UN report.
Interviewer: So the UN is wrong about this?
President Wickremesinghe: Not the UN. The Human Rights Commission is wrong.
Interviewer: The Human Rights Commission is wrong. Clearly Amnesty and Human Rights Watch are wrong as well.
President Wickremesinghe: Human Rights Commission is wrong. The report is given by Human Rights Commission. If Amnesty International says there is something new, let them come.
Interviewer: Will you commit to having a criminal investigation? I mean the ministers in your own government that are requesting.
President Wickremesinghe: Who are the ministers? Look, the question is would you agree to have the criminal investigation department?
President Wickremesinghe: You tell me that I have two ministers. Minister of Commerce is Fernando. Minister of Tourism is Fernando. Neither of them have asked for it. You have made a serious accusation. You tell me the Fernando.
Interviewer: What is the serious accusation?
President Wickremesinghe: That two ministers of my cabinet wanted investigation.
Interviewer: It’s not an accusation. It’s actually public domain.
President Wickremesinghe: But that means you are wrong. As far as I am concerned there is only one. Under the law only the police can investigate like in your country. Right. And then if the police reports to the magistrate, the magistrate can order further inquiry.
Interviewer: Would you bring the criminal investigation department to investigate?
President Wickremesinghe: Certainly. Certainly, they are investigating. They are already there.
Interviewer: Okay, and there will be absolutely no question of international observers or collaboration to guarantee transparency.
President Wickremesinghe: Do you have international observers in your cases?
Interviewer: Between 60,000 and 100,000 people disappeared in Sri Lanka, and you still have no…
President Wickremesinghe: At the end, we have to still work. I think the numbers are supposed to be less.
Interviewer: So, it’s basically something that can be cavalierly dismissed.
President Wickremesinghe: We have a missing persons commission that’s going into it.
Interviewer: That has been going into it for a while.
President Wickremesinghe: I became president only one year ago.
Interviewer: Well, you’ve been prime minister. You’ve been in power six times. Yes, sir. So, this is actually part of the country that you inherited but you have also built.
President Wickremesinghe: I’ve been prime minister. You stop it, I stop it, we go off. Right? You know, you are shouting I am being bad.
Interviewer: Why can’t you answer?
President Wickremesinghe: Look, you haven’t done this your homework properly. You come to come and shout here saying that we are violating human rights. We are not.
Interviewer: There is a very strong case.
President Wickremesinghe: I disagree.
Interviewer: Can I ask you a last question, perhaps? Obviously, you can completely disagree with this. But in fact, there are like a lot of people in centers of power around the world that you actually are now reliant on that believe this to be a very serious issue and believe to be Sri Lanka. Let me please finish this question. Believe actually Sri Lanka to have not delivered on accountability, not delivered on justice. What you are promising for many of these people is essentially moot. Are you concerned that this kind of attitude will compromise what actually you now need from the international community? Is this a concern at all?
President Wickremesinghe: I am working with the international community on putting this right. We are working together with them. They know we are doing it. We are discussing everything. My foreign minister is discussing with them all the time. And they know all that. So what you have got is a lot of bunkum. Well, it’s just fine for that. You know, you ask the question. I gave a reply. It’s all right.
Interviewer: This is not a concern at all.
President Wickremesinghe: I don’t think we are doing it with the country. I respect human rights as the best record. You just come here and shout.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Maldives election: Pro-China candidate Muizzu wins presidency
A pro-China candidate has won presidential elections in the Maldives, defeating an incumbent who had strengthened relations with India.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih accepted defeat in the run-off poll, congratulating his rival Mohamed Muizzu who won 54% of the vote.
Mr Muizzu, mayor of the capital Male, campaigned with the slogan "India out".
Mr Solih will serve as caretaker president until his successor is inaugurated on 17 November.
In power since 2018, the 61 year old from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) strengthened relations with India, with which Male has strong cultural and financial ties. He called it an "India-first" policy.
The Maldives have long been under India's sphere of influence. Maintaining its presence there has given Delhi the ability to monitor a key part of the Indian Ocean.
Mr Muizzu, 45, from the Progressive Alliance coalition favours better relations with China.
China, with its rapidly expanding naval forces, wants access to such a strategically important location - something its rival India wants to prevent. Beijing is also keen to protect its energy supplies from the Gulf which pass through the area.
In the last decade, Delhi gave the Maldives two helicopters and a small aircraft. In 2021, the Maldivian defence force said about 75 Indian military personnel were based in the country to operate and maintain the Indian aircraft.
Soon after, the opposition began an "India out" campaign which demanded Indian security personnel leave the Maldives.
Before Mr Solih, Abdulla Yameen from the Progressive Party (PPM) was president from 2013 to 2018. During his term, the Maldives moved closer to China and joined President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative.
Yameen is currently serving a 11-year prison term for corruption, barring him from contesting this year's vote.
Hundreds of supporters of Mr Muizzu gathered in front of the PPM headquarters to celebrate victory.
Who is Mohamed Muizzu?
Mr Muizzu, born in 1978, holds a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Leeds in the UK. He entered politics in 2012 as minister of housing.
When Yameen came to power, the minister kept his post and signed off on some huge projects, such as a $200m (£164m) bridge that connects Male with the international airport that is situated on a different island.
In 2021, he won mayoral elections in Male, a first for the PPM.
(BBC)
International agreements or adhere to country’s legal framework : President wants Media/Social media to decide
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that all media outlets, including social media, should engage in a discussion regarding whether to enter into international agreements or adhere to the country’s legal framework.
He made these remarks during his attendance at the ceremony, held at the Presidential Secretariat today (03), in honour of a distinguished figure in Sri Lankan journalism, Edmund Ranasinghe, the founding Editor and Editorial Director of the ‘Diwaina, newspaper.
This event marked the inauguration of a program initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to pay tribute to senior journalists who have made significant contributions to the field of journalism in the country.
During the ceremony, the book ‘Edmund’s Newspaper Revolution,’ a compilation recognizing Mr. Ranasinghe’s seven decades of media dedication at the age of 93, was also unveiled. This book was authored by Presidential Senior Adviser Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara and edited by Presidential Media Director Mr. W. M. K. Wijebandara and Deputy Media Director Deepti Adhikari.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded veteran journalist Edmund Ranasinghe as a trailblazer who catalysed transformative changes in Sri Lankan journalism. He also highlighted that Mr. Edmund Ranasinghe’s contributions to media, spanning seven decades, played a pivotal role in advancing Sri Lankan society, economy and politics. Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe underscored the importance of exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance the field of media art to create more effective media outlets.
Addressing the event, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said;
In 1977, when I initially ran for election in the Biyagama Constituency, I sought out a skilled journalist to write an article for me. My father promptly recommended Edmund Ranasinghe, who subsequently penned my first political article. I held onto it until last year, but regrettably, I no longer possess it.
During my father’s tenure as the Chairman of Lake House, Mr. Edmund Ranasinghe served admirably as the Editor of newspapers such as Silumina and Dinamina. Piyasena Nishanka and M.A. Silva, along with Martin Wickramasinghe, received recognition from senior journalists and writers. Consequently, Mr. Ranasinghe possesses substantial experience in both the media landscape that existed before independence and the one that emerged thereafter.
In 1953, when rice prices surged, Mr. Dudley Senanayake was compelled to resign as Prime Minister. Sixty-nine years later, Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced a similar predicament over fuel shortages. Throughout these 69 years, Mr. Ranasinghe has amassed a wealth of experience, making him capable of writing a comprehensive book on the subject.
Mr. Ranasinghe played a pivotal role in the press struggle of 1964 and his experiences undeniably left an indelible mark on the media culture of our nation. However, the landscape of print media is undergoing significant changes. Journalism, once reliant on lead type, has evolved to include tools like the iPad. The capacity to swiftly access knowledge, even within a venerable institution like the Lake House Institute, has been realized through technological advancements. Consequently, technology has become an invaluable tool for advancing the field of journalism.
Nevertheless, media in any country must operate within the framework of its own laws. The advent of social media has led to a situation where some entities publish content according to their own whims, circumventing established regulations. This raises a crucial question: should there be a dialogue regarding whether all media, including social media, should adhere to international agreements or abide by their respective national laws? Often, many concur with European legislation. Currently, newspapers and journals worldwide are either changing ownership or considering transferring to investors. The future of media art will undoubtedly unfold in the coming two or three years and expertise in this domain may emerge not just from New York but also from Sri Lanka.
Mr. Upali Tennakoon, the former Editor-In-Chief of the Island and Rivira newspapers residing in the United States, delivered the keynote address at the tribute ceremony.
“I am honoured to have been invited to deliver the keynote speech at the tribute ceremony honouring Mr. Edmund Ranasinghe’s remarkable seven-decade career in the media industry.
Mr. Ranasinghe was never one to seek accolades; he always considered his work a service. Consequently, he held the belief that awards were of little significance. However, in accordance with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vision, this tribute holds great significance. Edmund Ranasinghe stands as the most experienced journalist in the realm of journalism.
Beginning his media journey as a journalist at the Lake House Institute’s ‘Daily News’ newspaper in 1952, Mr. Edmund Ranasinghe resigned from his post in 1973 in protest against the government’s takeover of the Lake House Institute, where he held the position of Deputy Editor.
In 1977, he was once again appointed as the Editor of ‘Dinamina’ by the same Lake House Institute, later assuming the role of Editor at Silumina as well. In 1981, as the inaugural Editor of the ‘Divaina’ newspaper, Mr. Ranasinghe swiftly steered journalism in this country towards new horizons, elevating it to unprecedented levels of popularity. At the age of 86 in 2016, he returned as the Editor of ‘Silumina,’ showcasing his unwavering commitment to the field.
Mr. Ranasinghe’s approach aimed not to overwhelm readers with empty pages but rather to cultivate an intelligent readership. His career had two primary objectives: expanding readers’ knowledge and nurturing an intelligent readership. His media philosophy continues to be practiced in America to this day.
The phrase “Make Your Child a Classroom Hero” from the Wall Street Journal, used as a subscription pitch, was introduced to Sri Lankan journalism by Edmund Ranasinghe three decades ago. It’s worth noting that many of the prominent figures in today’s media industry were mentored under his influence.”
The event was compered by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Senior Journalist Saman Athaudahetti.
The event saw the presence of notable figures, including Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, State Minister of Mass Media Shanta Bandara, Member of Parliament, Attorney Premanath C. Dolowatta, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media Anusha Palpita, Government Information Director General Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne, and distinguished senior journalists, along with a multitude of journalists who gathered to commemorate this occasion.
Ban from tomorrow on single & short-term use plastics
A ban on the use of single and short-term use plastics comes into effect tomorrow (01), said the Central Environment Authority.
A gazette notification issued on 19 July 2023 has banned any use of nine plastic products.
They are drinking straws and stirrers; single-use plates, cups, spoons, forks, and knives; plastic garlands; and plastic string hopper trays.
Manufacturing, importation for local use, sale, offering for sale, displaying for sale, offering free of charge or exhibiting them will be prohibited accordingly.
CEA chairman Supun S. Pathirage said legal action will be taken against the violators in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Act, with raids to be conducted from tomorrow.
In a statement, the Environment Ministry said the ban aims to minimize pollution and other issues impacting the environment, to promote environmentally-friendly local alternative products and to save foreign exchange spent on plastic imports.
Kumar Sangakkara :New Chair of MCC's World Cricket Committee
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced on Monday (2) that former Sri Lankan captain and batting legend, Kumar Sangakkara would become the new Chair of their World Cricket Committee.
They also mentioned that the former Hampshire captain-turned-broadcaster, Mark Nicholas would be taking over as the new President of the club.
Sangakkara had served as the President of the MCC since 2021, will now be replacing the former English captain, Mike Gatting who served for six years in the role as the Chair of the World Cricket Committee, which also comprises other iconic cricketers like Sourav Ganguly, Heather Knight, Justin Langer, Eoin Morgan as well as Graeme Smith.
Widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest players, Sangakkara is Sri Lanka’s highest run-getter in Tests with 12,400 runs from 134 matches and also made 14,234 runs in 404 ODIs, apart from a 2014 Men’s T20 World Cup winning media. After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Sangakkara has done commentary work, apart from being the director of cricket and head coach at IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals.
Law Associations raise concerns over resignation of Mullaitivu Judge
The Lawyers’ Collective has raised concerns over the sudden resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.
Issuing a statement, the Collective said that in his letter of resignation addressed to the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Saravanarajah alleges that there were threats to his life.
The Collective said that it is imperative, given the serious implications it has for matters pertaining to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, that the matter be fully investigated with measures to assure independence and impartiality.
“We believe that transparency is key, and that the general public must be informed of measures taken and the outcome of such inquiry without delay,” the Collective added.
Meanwhile, the Young Lawyers Association of Sri Lanka has also demanded an impartial investigation into the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.
Issuing a statement, the Association said Justice Saravanarajah’s resignation letter claims that he tendered his resignation due to ‘threat’ to his life and due to ‘a lot of stress’.
Thereafter, a whatsapp message was circulated which contains allegations on Member of Parliament Sarath Weerasekara, the Government and the Attorney General for directly threatening him regarding his orders on the Kurunthur Malai case.
If these allegations are true it raises serious concerns regarding the executive’s interference in independent judicial functions, the Association claimed.
The Association demands that the Judicial Service Commission conducts an impartial inquiry into the allegations against the Government and the Attorney General which has been circulated in the media.
Concerns have been raised after Justice Saravanarajah tendered his resignation citing threats to his life due to the court order delivered related to the Kurunthur Malai temple, which is an ancient Hindu Temple.
It is reported that the Justice had issued an order preventing the construction of a Buddhist Temple in the premises of the Kurunthur Malai temple.
Flight delays : SriLankan incurs loss of US$ 6 Mn
SriLankan Airlines has incurred a loss of USD 6 million due to the recent delays of flights, Minister of Ports and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.
Minister Nimal Siripala said that the loss has been incurred due to the recent delays in eight flights.
There is no possibility to grant an allowance or a salary increase to employees at present, he further said.
Minister Nimal Siripala also revealed that it has been decided to allow other airlines to operate the flights of the carrier by granting them rights under the ‘5th freedom of the air’, while safeguarding the rights of SriLankan Airlines.
Several SriLankan Airlines flights have been delayed or cancelled in the recent past due to technical or other issues.
Last week, Sri Lanka’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, extended its apologies for the cancellation of several flights in the recent past.
Issuing a statement, the airline said over the last few days, SriLankan Airlines has needed to cancel several flights mainly due to a number of technical issues which required temporary grounding of aircraft.
Jaswar Umar re-elected President of Football Sri Lanka
Former President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Jaswar Umar was re-elected to the post, at the election for office bearers held on Friday (29 Sep.).
Umar polled 45 votes, more than twice as many as those of his competitor’s, Thilanga Dakshitha, who honed a total of 20 votes.
The election was held at 03:00 p.m. today at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute’s Auditorium, under the scrutiny of both the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
In a circular to member associations, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura stated that as a result of the decision taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council on 21 January 2023, the FFSL had been suspended until further notice in accordance with article 16 of the FIFA Statutes, due to government interference.
Thereby, the FFSL lost all of its membership rights, as defined in Article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, until further notice.
On December 25 2022, FIFA had issued a red notice to Sri Lankan Football authorities, raising concerns over the Electoral roadmap of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.
However, the suspension imposed on the FFSL was lifted on 28 August, following which both FIF and the AFC continued to monitor the situation until the election was held.
Against this backdrop, the FIFA and the AFC approved and included “Sri Lanka” in the official World Cup draw on the strict conditional basis that the FFSL election be conducted at least 10 days prior to the World Cup match.
A three-member committee was appointed by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roshan Ranasinghe on 25 July, to call for, and hold the FFSL elections.
Sri Lanka suspends emergency procurement of medicine
The Government has taken a decision to halt the emergency procurement of medicinal drugs.
The decision was announced by Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella during a press briefing held today (Oct 02).
Accordingly, a decision has been taken to halt the emergency procurement of medicinal drugs with immediate effect.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella further said that a Medicinal Management and Strategizing Committee (MMSC) has been appointed to overlook, evaluate, and regulate the purchasing processes within the ministry.
Taking to ‘X’, the Health Minister said that decisions have been taken to regulate, standardize, and further quicken the process of drug procurement for Sri Lanka.
“To date, it has largely been a singular effort because of the pressing need and lack of funds. This will ensure greater efficiency of delivery,” he added.
President holds Bilateral Talks with German Chancellor
President Ranil Wickremesinghe held Bilateral Talks with German Chancellor Mr. Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Thursday (28) during his official visit to participate in ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’.
The President was accompanied by High-Level Delegation including Senior Advisor to the President on National Security & Chief of Staff to the President Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs Dr. R.H.S Samarathunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Aruni Wijewardhena and Private Secretary to the President Ms. Sandra Perera.
Sinopec increases fuel prices
SINOPEC has announced a revision of their fuel prices effective from 6.00 p.m. today (Oct. 01).
Accordingly, the price of 92 Octane Petrol remains unchanged at Rs. 358 per litre, while the price of 95 Octane Petrol has been increased by Rs. 06.
The price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 10 and Super Diesel by Rs. 61, with effect from 6.00 p.m. today, according to SINOPEC Energy Lanka Pvt Ltd.
SL requires US$ 26.5 bn by 2030 for Climate prosperity plan to succeed – President
Sri Lanka requires USD 26.5 billion by 2030 to make the country’s climate prosperity plan succeed, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday (Sep 28).
Addressing the Berlin Global Dialogue in Germany, President Wickremesinghe revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Sri Lanka will have a growth rate of 3.5% if the country is lucky in the next few years.
The President further stated that Sri Lanka needs a new international financial architecture as the existing one makes debt restructuring too complex.
President Wickremesinghe proposed the imposition of sanctions on tax havens, similar to what was imposed on Russia.
“To have a new international financial architecture, constructive dialogue is required between the West and China, US and China as well as between EU and China. Otherwise we will not move forward. This is the stark reality,” he said.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe is currently in Germany attending the Berlin Global Dialogue, which is held today and tomorrow.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President was scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at the Leaders Dialogue session during the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’.
President Wickremesinghe will also join a bilateral session with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the officials of Germany during his visit.
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