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MP Nimal Lanza has accused the SLPP of having double-standards over the concept of devolution of powers.

In a statement, he said the SLPP had no ethical right to oppose the enforcement of the 13th amendment to the constitution.

Its leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has been agreeable even to a solution that goes beyond 13A, said Lanza.

However, SLPP general secretary Sagara Kariyawasam is now showing their double-standards by airing opposing ideas.

Communal harmony and reconciliation needs to be built to stabilize the economy and to build the country’s unitary status. Confidence-building among communities needs a sharing of powers acceptable to all. That will allow everybody’s contributions to economic development. It will help build the Sri Lankan notion. A power devolution acceptable to all communities will also build international confidence, he said.

Lanza asked Kariyawasam to explain himself for expressing an idea totally different to that of its leader and a majority of its MPs.

Another challenge

The MP also challenged the SLPP to announce, with consensus of all, its presidential candidate.

The SLPP is saying it is fielding a candidate and hinting at a leader with a three-letter name in order to mislead the public as it is without common consensus.

He also charged that a minority in the SLPP have today forgotten president Ranil Wickremesinghe who has created a democratic space for them to do politics once again by stabilizing the economy, society and politics.

Wickremesinghe, who was the SLPP’s only choice for national leadership, is now gaining public confidence.

He is the only and mature leader capable of rebuilding Sri Lanka with a vision for the future and with international support. Understanding that reality, a majority in the SLPP will ensure his victory at the next presidential election, while a minority without a public mandate and incapable of understanding public aspirations will be rejected by the country, he added.

Noting the longstanding relationship between Sri Lanka and India, National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka said that India had stepped up beyond the call of duty to lend Sri Lanka a hand during the recent economic crisis.

He also appreciated the assistance by American and Australian governments during difficult times in the area of maritime security.

NSA Ratnayaka made these remarks during a ceremony held to hand over a successor Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka by India that was held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake today (16).

During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention. The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance.

In response to Sri Lanka’s request, the Indian government took proactive measures during these deliberations. They decided to provide a Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, which was part of the Indian Navy’s fleet, to Sri Lanka free of cost for a span of two years. The formal handover of this aircraft took place at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, with Mr. Baglay officiating.

Upon its delivery, the Donier-228 aircraft was instrumental in performing specialized tasks within Sri Lanka over the past year.

Subsequently, it underwent mandatory annual maintenance services in India. In lieu of the aircraft undergoing maintenance, a replacement Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft was assigned to the Sri Lanka Air Force at a ceremony held today in Katunayake.

Since its initial arrival in Sri Lanka, the Donier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft has significantly contributed to numerous operations.

These encompass a spectrum of activities such as monitoring and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s airspace and exclusive economic zone through maritime and coastal surveillance operations, executing search and rescue missions, and monitoring and controlling maritime pollution.

The official handover of the successor aircraft to Sri Lanka was attended by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) and other officials.

The government has slashed the import tax on maize, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says.

Accordingly, the import tax of Rs. 75.00 on 1 kilogram of maize has been reduced to Rs. 25.00 with effect from Thursday (Aug. 17).

Taking to Twitter, Siyambalapitiya explained that the move aims to bring down the price of animal feed produced using maize.

Parliamentarians of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando have filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition against the SJB’s decision pertaining to their party memberships.

The two Ministers have filed the FR petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order which nullifies the decision taken by the SJB to suspend their party membership and unseat them from the Parliament.

In July, the SJB’s Working Committee decided to expel Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando from the party after the duo joined President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government.

Thereafter, in August, the Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP), President Wickremesinghe’s party, decided to lift the suspension that was previously imposed on Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara.

The UNP had previously suspended Fernando and Nanayakkara from the party after they had crossed over to the SJB.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the development of a novel approach aimed at optimizing the operations of the Local Council, Provincial Council, and Central Government sectors, all geared towards curbing financial inefficiencies. The President directed officials to devise this new mechanism, placing a distinct emphasis on the efficacy of these three entities.

Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to collaborate with Provincial Governors and Chief Secretaries in order to draft a comprehensive report on this matter within a month. These consultations are intended to ensure a well-rounded perspective before formulating the new approach.

These assertions were made during a recent meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, where President Wickremesinghe engaged with Provincial Governors and Chief Secretaries. The purpose of this assembly, held yesterday (17) afternoon, was to deliberate on the forthcoming administrative procedures associated with the provincial council system.

Expressing his views further, the President said;

Today, I’ve gathered all of you to engage in a discussion about the governance framework associated with the empowerment of Provincial Councils. Our focus needs to be on how to progress in this direction while also considering the administrative structure of the central government.

In certain instances, identical services are delivered by the three different tiers of administration: the Local Council, the Provincial Council, and the Central Government. Take, for instance, tasks like drain maintenance, electric pole installation, and road construction. Unfortunately, this redundancy results in significant financial wastage. If this is indeed the case, it becomes imperative to establish a fresh mechanism that centres around the coordination of these three entities.

I have recommended the formulation of a novel system within a month’s time, following consultations with the Provincial Chief Secretaries. This step is crucial since the provincial councils are presently non-operational and bereft of ministers. Consequently, you, the Provincial Governors, hold complete governing authority within the current provincial council system.

The previous year posed considerable challenges for us, an experience I believe we need not relive. As we strive to tackle the economic predicaments of the nation, our efforts must also encompass the restoration of the country’s governance structure.

Of notable significance is that grassroots services are overseen by the provincial councils, while district-level services fall under the purview of the central government. It’s essential that these undertakings progress harmoniously, without competing with each other, as we endeavour to offer these services jointly.

The food security program has now been successfully rolled out across the entire nation. As a result, we are optimistic about a bountiful harvest in the upcoming season. Despite a decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition among the population compared to last year, we mustn’t become complacent.

It’s worth noting that the Aswasuma program played a pivotal role in reducing malnutrition among the citizens of our country. The advantages stemming from the Aswasuma initiative extend beyond mere prosperity.

Given that the parliamentary session will continue until the close of the next year, it’s essential to extend the opportunity for parliamentarians to engage in local government matters. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a dedicated advisory committee that will collaborate closely with the governor.

Simultaneously, we are also addressing the powers of provincial councils as outlined in the 13th Amendment of the constitution. Notably, a special emphasis has been placed on enhancing education, professional training endeavours, and the establishment of new universities in each respective province.

To bolster the growth of the tourism industry, there are intentions to establish tourism boards at the provincial level. It’s also pertinent to mention that numerous programs aimed at incentivizing investors and entrepreneurs are anticipated to be implemented at the provincial level in the future.

Mr. Saman Ekanayake, the Secretary to the President, expressed his anticipation for the backing of the Presidential secretariat in addressing the challenges confronted by Provincial Councils in their interactions with the Central Government.

During the discourse, the provincial governors in attendance conveyed to the President the urgent requirement to promptly fill teacher vacancies within their respective provincial council jurisdictions. They noted the presence of surplus teachers in certain schools, juxtaposed with teacher shortages in others. In response, they sought the implementation of a teacher exchange program to rectify this imbalance.

Highlighting the issue of incomplete two-story buildings constructed under the “the best school is the nearest school” concept, the governors emphasized instances of building deterioration and appealed for the formulation of a suitable program to address this concern.

The governors also drew attention to stalled development projects for which allocations had been designated. Regrettably, the funds for some of these projects were still pending.

In addition to these matters, the Provincial Governors made a request to the President to facilitate opportunities for advancing the tourism industry at the provincial level.

A Gazette notification has been issued relaxing restrictions on importing certain vehicles utilized for public transportation.

As per the Gazette, import restrictions have been relaxed for buses, lorries, tankers/ bowsers, and trucks.

The Gazette notification has been issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Earlier, commenting on the easing of import restrictions on certain vehicles, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the imports of other vehicles will be further delayed.

The State Minister of Finance said that financial analysts say the imports of other vehicles will be further delayed considering the current foreign exchange reserves.

He added that the financial analysts also emphasized that the value of the dollar can rise again through the increase in vehicle imports.

The government imposed a ban on several items as a part of its prolonged stringent import restrictions from March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ban on imports continued due to the economic crisis until as recently as November last year after which the government took measures to relax import restrictions on several items in batches.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to introduce a modernised education system in the country that can effectively address upcoming global challenges and incorporate modern technology.

He highlighted the critical role of science and technology in various sectors of the world economy. Notably, he pointed out that areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, blockchain technology, and genome science have significant impacts on the global economy.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks during the 2019/2020 annual prize giving ceremony at Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda yesterday (16 Aug).

He stressed the importance of moving forward collectively towards the future, steering away from political traditions fixated on the past. He underlined that progress for the country depends on embracing a novel education system.

During the event, President Wickremesinghe also honoured accomplished female students from Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda who excelled in the recent advanced level examination.

He expressed gratitude towards the dedicated teachers and was presented with a commemorative gift by the school’s principal, marking the historic occasion of a President visiting Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda.

Further addressing the gathering, President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his appreciation to the teachers and students, acknowledging the substantial progress of Anula Vidyalaya.

He reflected on the school’s humble beginnings and its transformation into one of the country’s leading educational institutions.

Emphasizing the school’s role in shaping future generations, he highlighted the evolution of the education system over the past five decades.

“During the time of President J.R. Jayawardena, the education landscape primarily consisted of textbooks. However, today’s educational paradigm has integrated the use of cell phones and computers. This evolution also extends to the realm of transportation, as the concept of electric vehicles was non-existent in the past, but now they are an integral part of society. The rapid advancement of science and technology is evident, necessitating a contemporary education system to thrive in this environment.

It’s evident that a country’s progress hinges on an education system that aligns with societal needs. To construct a prosperous nation, it’s imperative to nurture a promising future generation. Education stands as the cornerstone for laying the foundation to empower this generation to surmount challenges.

The need of the hour is an education framework that is forward-thinking and future-oriented. Our nation must be equipped to confront the potential challenges arising from climate change. The global phenomenon of climate change warrants meticulous study, as exemplified by the current environmental crises in Europe.

The United Nations’ decision to advance the climate change agenda’s implementation by a decade, due to the urgent nature of the issue, underscores the gravity of the situation. Nations worldwide are gearing up to fulfil the climate agenda by 2040, a decade ahead of the original 2050 timeline.

The modern world economy thrives on various sectors driven by scientific and technological advancements. Artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage, blockchain technology, and genome science represent just a fraction of the fields influencing the global economy. It’s paramount that we ready ourselves for these transformative shifts.

Economists project that the integration of these technologies could contribute a substantial $300 to $700 trillion to the global economy by the mid-21st century. The world is progressing within this economic trajectory, necessitating our proactive preparedness.

Much like the readiness exhibited towards the apparel industry in the 1970s and 80s, we must now embrace these emergent technologies. This calls for a fundamental overhaul of our education system. A proliferation of universities specializing in these domains is imperative.

Furthermore, proficiency in languages such as English, Chinese, and Hindi is vital. Schools and higher education institutions must be established as centres of knowledge dissemination in these fields. Consequently, our strategy encompasses the establishment of non-state universities alongside state institutions.

A scheme akin to the subsidized loan systems abroad has been devised to enable students to pursue education in non-government universities without financial constraints interrupting their academic pursuits.

Today, you belong to the Gen Z generation. The succeeding generation, referred to as Gen Alpha, must be equipped to navigate a vastly transformed educational landscape, possibly acquiring knowledge through mobile devices. This paradigm shift in education necessitates our proactive adaptation.

While politicians tend to focus on past matters, as students, our attention should be on the present. Yet, we set our sights on the future, compelling us to recalibrate our approach and surge ahead. Those tethered to historical perspectives must be bridged to the present, where insights into the future are attainable.

Without modifying our educational framework, our prospects appear bleak. Progress is only conceivable through the adoption of a novel educational system.

While factories, edifices, and thoroughfares can be constructed, the absence of education jeopardizes our future. Thus, as a government, we are resolute in our commitment to institute a fresh education system, ushering in a promising future for our nation.”

In attendance at this event were Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Pavitra Wanniarachchi, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Members of Parliament Jagath Kumara and Major Pradeep Undugoda, along with Governor of the Western Province Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka. Also present were the principal, teachers, a significant assembly of students and parents.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to transform the district of Mannar into an energy hub.

He also revealed that an inter-city express train service between Talaimannar and Colombo will commence on September 15 aiming at enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother travel between the two cities.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks while participating at the annual festival of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar today (15).

It is also noteworthy that President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the morning service of the feast this year.

Subsequent to the main ceremony, a revered statue of Lady Madhu was respectfully carried in procession throughout the church grounds to pay homage to the devoted attendees.

A significant number of devotees from various parts of the island gathered for the annual feast. The year 2024 marks the completion of 100 years since the enshrinement of the revered statue of Lady Madhu. The church management board has decided to hold services throughout the year to commemorate this occasion.

Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the The Vatican Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka, who attended the main service, commended President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement in Parliament regarding National Peace and Reconciliation. He mentioned that this statement has received the blessings of the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

Most Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe emphasized that religious leaders have a crucial role in maintaining peace and harmony in the country. He also stressed that whether a religious figure divides or unites the country is determined by their own actions.

The event was attended by Bishops led by Bishop of Mannar Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, clergy including President of the Christian Development Foundation of Sri Lanka Dr. Chandru Fernando, Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka and a large number of devotees.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa say he agrees to a devolution of powers within a unitary Sri Lanka.

In a speech to a meeting of Buddhist monks in Galle yesterday (15), Premadasa said his stand with regard to the 13th amendment to the constitution always remained unchanged.

He said his expectation was its implementation to devolve powers within a unitary country.

Hopes for a unitary, sovereign country whose territorial integrity and political freedom are guaranteed are threatened today, the opposition leader said.

Unity, harmony and integration of the nation are important for a unitary and sovereign country, he said.

Premadasa pledged to ensure equality of all citizens to live with dignity and to uphold the foremost place given to Buddhism by the constitution while protecting other religions and communities.

For all that, divisions in the country need to be eliminated first, he said, adding that he remained committed to the protection of all of its communities.

Former foreign secretary Kshenuka Seneviratne will be posted to India as Sri Lanka’s next high commissioner, the president has decided.

She will succeed Milinda Moragoda, who completes his tenure next month, according to Presidential Secretariat sources.

Seneviratne is presently functioning as the senior presiential adviser (foreign media) at the Presidential Secretariat.

She was previously the permanent representative at the UN, high commissioner in UK and ambassador in Thailand.

(With inputs from ceylonwire.lk)

The prices of nine essential food items have been reduced with effect from Wednesday (17 Aug), Lanka Sathosa announced today.

Issuing a release in this regard, the state-owned retail network explained that the decision to revise the prices of nine essential food items was taken in a bid to ease the burden on consumers.

Accordingly, the prices of the following goods have been reduced:

• LSL milk powder (400g) – Rs. 970 (reduced by Rs. 29)

• Thai sprats - Rs.1160 per kilogram (reduced by Rs. 15)

• Brown sugar - Rs.350 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.10)

• Soya meat - Rs.625 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.25)

• Potatoes - Rs.325 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.05)

• Basmati rice - Rs.675 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.15)

• Garlic – Rs.630 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.05)

• Red raw rice (Rathu Kekulu) – Rs.147 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.02)

• Chickpeas - Rs.555 per kilogram (reduced by Rs.05)

Sri Lanka's Jathika Jana Balavegaya has expressed its willingness to work with neighbouring India with a clear vision.

It's leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake told constituents in an electorate in the Western Province that, given the fact that Sri Lanka has entered geopolitical discussions related to India, the Jathika Jana Balavegaya is prepared to work with India with a clear and definite vision.

However, he expressed grave concern over the agreements that were recently inked between India and Sri Lanka, during President Ranil Wickremesinghe's meetings with Prime Minister Modi.

Sri Lanka and India reached several agreements during President Ranil Wickremesinghe's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 21st July 2023.

The documents exchanged were:

– Joint declaration of intent in the field of Animal Husbandry between India and Sri Lanka

– MoU for renewable energy between India and Sri Lanka

– MoU for economic development of projects in the Trincomalee District

– Network to Network to agreement between NIPL and LankaPay for UPI (Unified Payment Interface) application acceptance in Sri Lanka

– Energy permit for the Sampur Solar Power Project handed over to Sri Lanka

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