News

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved 01-hour power cuts for the next 03 days.

PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said that the power cuts will be enforced from Saturday, the 17th of September to Monday, the 19th of September.

Thereby, Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W will experience the power cuts from 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm during this period

The Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Sunday announced a $60 million funding package for Sri Lanka while highlighting that assistance alone will not put an end to the country’s problems.

USAID chief Samantha Power said it would provide $40 million for fertilizer imports and $20 million for humanitarian needs to tackle the country’s financial crisis.

“I want to reiterate that the United States is right here standing with you in your hour of need,” she said during a press conference in Colombo on Sunday.

“Yesterday I announced that the United States is providing an additional USD 40 million to get fertilizer into the hands of as many as one million farmers ahead of the upcoming planting season. Crucial assistance that will meaningfully boost the country’s harvest production and yields.”

“Today I am pleased to announce an additional USD 20 million to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lankans battling hunger and malnutrition throughout the country.”

With these new announcements the United States has now committed nearly USD 240 million since June this year to meet the urgent needs of Sri Lankans, Power said. “Money that is being used today to get food to the most vulnerable, support meals for children in the country’s schools, help farmers plant new fields and make sure mothers and newborns are adequately nourished.”

“The United States has long stood with the people of Sri Lanka, Asia’s oldest democracy, and this latest assistance demonstrates that we will continue to do so,” she said.

However, the USAID chief emphasized that assistance alone will not put an end to this country’s woes.

“I stressed to the Sri Lankan President in my meeting earlier today that political reforms and political accountability must go hand in hand with the economic reforms and economic accountability.”

Sri Lanka’s vibrant civil society must have the space that they need to raise their voices and hold the government accountable, she stressed.

She said international investor confidence will increase as the government tackles corruption and proceeds with long sought governance reforms. “As citizens see the government visibly following through on the commitment to bring about meaningful change that in turn will increase societal support for the tough economic reforms ahead.”

Sakvithi Ranasinghe, who pleaded guilty to 11 charges of criminal breach of trust for maintaining an unauthorized financial institution and promising high interest rates, has been sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment for each charge suspended for five years.

When this case was called before Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja today (14), the charges related to the case were read in the open court.

Accordingly, Mr. Ranasinghe, a former popular English teacher, had informed the court that he pleads guilty to the related charges.

Accordingly, the High Court Judge, who sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment for each charge, ordered that the sentence be suspended for 5 years.

In addition to that, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 for each charge and also ordered that in case of failure to pay the fines, he will be sentenced to 06 additional months of lenient imprisonment.

The High Court Judge also sentenced the wife of Sakvithi Ranasinghe to one of the charges leveled in this case and ordered it to be suspended for five years. In addition, she was fined Rs. 25,000.

The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power has announced ad additional USD 40 million in development assistance to help farmers purchase fertilizer and other vital agricultural inputs.

Accompanied by a delegation of four, Power arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (Sep 10) for a two-day official visit.

She later engaged in a cordial discussion with farming communities in Ja-Ela area to talk about the issues faced by them.

Power is expected to call on Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and political party leaders tomorrow (Sep 11) to discuss how to ride out Sri Lanka’s crisis situation.

According to reports, Power also expects to meet with representatives of the private sector in Sri Lanka.

The Core Group on Sri Lanka is planning to present a draft resolution to the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) seeking the promotion of reconciliation, accountability and human rights on the island nation.

The Core Group consists of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Canada, Malawi, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In its draft proposal, the Core Group has called upon the government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments on the devolution of political authority, which is integral to reconciliation and the full enjoyment of human rights by all members of its population.

It also encouraged the Sri Lankan government to respect local governance, including through the holding of elections for provincial councils, and to ensure that all provincial councils, including the northern and eastern provincial councils, are able to operate effectively, in accordance with the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

The Core Group went on to underscore the importance of addressing the underlying governance factors and root causes which have contributed to this crisis including deepening militarization, lack of accountability in governance and impunity for serious human rights violations and abuses.

However, the Core Group expressed concerns at the human rights impacts of the economic crisis, including as result of increased food insecurity, severe shortages in fuel, shortages in essential medicines and reductions in household incomes, while stressing the need to promote and protect the rights of the most marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, including daily wage earners, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

It also raised concerns over other human rights developments since April 2022 including violence against and arrests of peaceful protestors, as well as violence against government supporters, resulting in deaths, injuries, destruction and damage to houses of members of Parliament and stresses the importance of independent investigations into all attacks and for those found responsible to be held to account.

The Core Group further noted that it remains concerned at continued militarization of civilian government functions; the erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights; lack of progress in addressing longstanding grievances and demands of Tamil and Muslim populations; surveillance, intimidation and harassment of journalists, human rights defenders, families of the disappeared and persons involved in memorialization initiatives, and sexual and gender-based violence.

Core Group on Sri Lanka - Draft Resolution for 51st UNHRC Session

The Maligakanda Additional Magistrate on Saturday (10) ordered for the release of activist Lahiru Weerasekera, the convener of the Youth of Change organization, on 2 surety bails of Rs. 200,000 each.

Weerasekera, who was an active member of the people's protests (the Aragalaya), was arrested on Friday (9) at Duplication Road in Colombo.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Talduwa said that he was arrested on charges of obstructing the duties of police officers and for unruly behavior during a recent protest in Maradana area.

Veteran Actress Damitha Abeyratne, a prominent voice of the people’s struggle against the government, who was arrested and remanded last week, has been granted bail.

Abeyratne was produced before the Court today and accordingly, she has been released on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised officials to revise the circulars immediately if it impedes the implementation of development projects, the President’s Media Division (PMD) says.

The President chaired a discussion at the President’s Office today (09) to examine the progress of several development projects in the country based on Indian investment cooperation, and advised the officials at this meeting.

Deputy High Commissioner, Vinod K. Jacob also attended the meeting. The President instructed the ministry secretaries and government officials to take steps to resolve the obstacles that have arisen in the progress of several projects in Sri Lanka under Indian investments.

President Wickremesinghe explained the need to correct the provisions contained in the circulars issued periodically by previous governments if they hinder development.

President’s Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor on National Security Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy Mr. Mapa Pathirana and other ministry secretaries and government officials attended the discussion.

A preliminary discussion was held on Monday (12) between the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka focusing on several areas where the ADB can provide support and bilateral cooperation to the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the current crisis, said the President's Media Division.

The discussion was held at the President's Office in Colombo.

The discussion was held with a group of representatives including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Director General of the South Asian Department of the Asian Development Bank Kenichi Yokoyama.

This discussion was attended by Chen Chen, Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, Utsav Kumar, Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, and Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Staff to the President.

Aragalaya Activist Lahiru Weerasekera was arrested in Colombo on Friday (9) evening.

Sri Lanka Police said he was arrested down Dupliation Road in Colombo.

Police Spokesperson SSP Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that Weerasekera was arrested for the obstruction of duties of police officers during a protest in Maradana, being party to an unlawful assembly, and several other charges.

Sri Lanka claimed their sixth gold medal at the Asian Netball Championships, winning the latest edition against the hosts Singapore, while also booking their spot at the 2023 Netball World Cup.

Defending their title from 2018 - after the 2020 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic - Sri Lanka delivered against the four-time winners, with the score finishing 63-53.

It came after a slow start for the victors, who trailed Singapore after the first quarter, before pulling in front for the remainder of the game.

Both teams secured their places at the World Cup in Australia after making the final.

Well deserved victory amidst challenges faced under a crisis at home - President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated the unbeaten Sri Lankan Netball team that won the Asian Netball Championship 2022 by defeating the Singaporean team.

The President in his congratulatory message stated that this deserved victory could be achieved by the Sri Lankan Netball team due to the team and its leader's dedication and team spirit despite the challenges levelled by the difficulties under the crisis situation in the country.

He said further that the perseverance made by the netball team to attract the attention of all netball fans including those of the international sphere set an example to all the sportsmen and sportswomen.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed to declare 19 September as a day of mourning in view of the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Accordingly, directives were issued to the Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs to make the necessary arrangements.

The National flag will be hoisted at half-mast until the said date.

UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.