Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

The Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), conducted a public lecture titled “Military Innovations and Its Contributions to National Security” today (Oct 24, 2024) at the Nandimithra Auditorium” of the Ministry of Defence at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte.

Senior Professor Ajith De Alwis, Professor of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Moratuwa and Chief Innovation Officer of the National Innovation Agency was the guest speaker at the event. Representing Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Chief of National Intelligence Major General Ruwan Kulathunga (Retd) graced the event.

Overlooking Director General & Acting Director (Research) of INSS Colonel Nalin Herath made the introductory remarks.

The INSS as the premier think tank on national security established under the Ministry of Defence, having understood the importance of defence innovation and its potential organized this lecture to raise awareness of the pivotal role of the National Innovation Agency, crucially in the National Wealth Equation through Innovation, Defence Innovation, and partnership building.  The event also sought to enhance understanding of the concept of Innovation-Based Learning (IBL), highlight the necessity of homegrown measures, solutions, and remedies, and realize the full potential of innovation.

Senior Professor De Alwis delivered a thorough and insightful presentation. He emphasized the need for innovation, stating that “we have to wage another war – an economic war.” He discussed how to drive innovation by fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, and underscored the necessity of building a strong innovation ecosystem.

Professor Alwis emphasized the critical role of knowledge assets, contemporary thought, innovations, science, and technology in shaping a nation’s development. He supported his argument by providing examples from some of the world’s leading developed economies, such as Israel and South Korea, where advancements in these areas have contributed significantly to their rapid growth and global competitiveness.

His presentation also focused on Total Defence, which includes military, civil, economic, social, digital, and psychological aspects, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to safeguard national security. In addressing these elements, Professor De Alwis stressed the importance of innovation in strengthening all areas of Total Defence, ensuring national resilience in the face of modern threats.

An interactive Q and A session at the end of the lecture enable the members of the audience to have their queries answered by the guest speaker. During the session, Chief of National Intelligence presented Senior Prof. De Alwis a souvenir as a token of gratitude.

Innovation in the 21^st century has become crucial for economic resilience. While academia thrived, conducting research with practical outcomes remained a challenge. However, research and development were essential for national success, enabling proactive and reactive measures for economic growth. The National Innovation Agency (NIA), established by Parliamentary Act No. 22 of 2019, was tasked with coordinating Ministries, institutions, and the private sector to create and sustain a national innovation ecosystem, supporting innovations from idea to market. The Agency’s objectives were to promote understanding of social, scientific, technological, and defence innovations, and their economic impact. It also aimed to align national research with economic goals, address public and private sector obstacles to innovation, and foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem, particularly in the private sector.

Members of the Diplomatic corps, entrepreneurs, senior Defence Ministry officials, members of the think tank, researchers, tri forces officers and many distinguished invitees attended the event.

Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel Sri Lanka, Solicitor in England and Wales  former Ambassador to UAE and Israel, and President of Ambassador’s forum

WTM World Travel mart is the only largest event taking place taking place in main global destinations and this year London is chosen as a world boniness center and a superpower state and one of the major powers and member of the security council and the best tourist center and millions gathering for multiple reasons. Tourism Sri Lanka has done wonderful work with massive homework and preparations and it is time for Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans to obtain the best use of the event when tourism is booing in the beautiful Island loved by the UK EU and the entire West. Leaders and professionals will gather at WTM Travel Mart in 100-acre land in the heart of London expecting to meet business partners tour operators and representatives of tourism hotspots to meet the counterparts, admirers, competitors, and all in the trade promoting each other dealing in 9.9 Trillian worlds over expecting to achieve 114000 trillion in 2029 making a main lucrative and successful venter with lease investments using the beauty of the country as the main investment. In this context, Sri Lanka being one of the most beautiful islands with all the requirements to be one of the best destinations and the opportunity now is in our hands to exploit the situation using WTO as a vehicle. Sri Lanka High Commission appears to be working hard with Sri Lanka Tourism to meet targets of creating an atmosphere to convert tourism as a main source of income and to promote the image of the nation

By Dr. Gamini Padmaperuma

The importance of digitalization of the economy and particularly the government services is a subject that has been under discussion for a few years now. The National Peoples Power(NPP) too has emphasized the vital importance of the same before and after the election, and actions are currently being undertaken for establishment of a Ministry and other relevant government institutions, and appointment of suitable professionals to lead them.

 In the NPP’s Digital Policy Document published in August 2024, Implementing rapid digitization programs for all government institutions to increase their efficiency, transparency, and make them paperless” is stated as a major goal under the Transparent and Efficient Governance section. This is one of the significant goals among the eleven or so other goals mentioned there under different subheadings. However, the author feels that the word ‘digitalization’ is more appropriate than the ‘digitization’ for the context stated in the document.

While Digitization refers to the process of converting analog data into a digital format, digitalization involves the integration of digital technologies into business operations to optimize processes, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation. Digitization serves as a prerequisite to the Digitalization which incorporates the infusion of digital product or service in to the organization’s processes, resulting in Digital Transformation.  Digital Transformation represents the innovative restructuring of organizations, greater customer satisfaction and greater value addition to the business, originated from digital diffusion. This overall process is known as the Pyramid of Digital Transformation.

While there are many policy, procedural and institutional matters that need to be discussed, formulated, established and implemented to ensure a successful and sustainable journey of digital transformation at the national level, this article attempts to emphasize some critically important prerequisites that are necessary for successful implementation of digitalization of any government processes or services.

It is essential to conduct Business Process Reengineering (BPR) for any process or service that is to be digitalized. This has to be done prior to applying the digital transformation tools. We have seen many failures in the past in relation to automation of processes and services, which were attempted without proper business process analysis. It is typical that many organizations place undue emphasis on adopting new technologies to go digital” rather than focusing on the actual transformation through a proper analysis of the subject processes that need to be improved and documented, prior to applying the digital tools on them. Obviously, the improvements to the processes also need to consider the capacity and benefits that the digital tools can provide in improving the reliability and the user-friendliness of the process that can be shared with the customer.

Business processes, and the documents, people, and systems linked to them, are at the heart of how every organization operates. But the fact is, most businesses are wildly inefficient. Paperwork and manual tasks tie up employee’s time, poorly managed information kills productivity, every department has their own system for storing data, and the list goes on. This often leads to delays, inaccuracies, and widespread deviations where work happens differently every time. As a result, the citizens are dissatisfied and start to complain about the inefficiency and delays in availing the required services from the organizations or businesses.

The title of this article, Digital Transformation: Avoid Paving the Cow Path! was coined intentionally to emphasize the importance of the Business Process Reengineering that need to be carried out prior to any digitalization as its relevance has been largely ignored. Most of the processes we use in our government offices are ancient and some of them still have the resemblance of colonial era practices. These processes need to be revamped or reengineered to incorporate today’s technology and customer expectations, productivity and reliability expected, reduce employee discontent, provide a respectful image about the organization, etc.

For those who are not yet familiar with the above phrase involving the Cow Path, let me shed some light on it. This phrase refers to the common practice of using new software, etc. to automate old and inefficient business processes. The emphasis is to avoid recurrence of such practices and to take time to analyze the current business processes critically to suggest improvements to be more productive, customer-friendly which also add more value to the business, etc. The improvements to the process need to be discussed and agreed upon by all the stakeholders of the process. These discussions are usually held by the process owners (who are responsible for implementing the process) with the participation of the recipients of their service (customers), other relevant stakeholders, and experts from the organization’s digitalization initiatives from both IT and BPE backgrounds, etc. Business Process Reengineering thus carried out provides recommendations for restructuring the processes and any new technologies with everything properly scoped out and prioritized. These discussions between the process owners, subject matter experts, digitalization experts, customers and other stakeholders need to be conducted in a professional and structured manner. These discussions need to be supported by the top management and also necessary training for the personnel should be provided. There are many useful management techniques involved in Business Process Engineering such as data analysis techniques, customer survey, benchmarking, flowcharting, process mapping, SWOT analysis, cost-benefit analysis, etc.  

It is essential to provide the necessary resources and training to the concerned employees to be able to actively participate in the digital transformation initiative. The all government sector employees should have adequate awareness of the government’s digital transformation initiative and should be motivated to provide their support to the same. The change should be properly managed by assigned change managers or change champions at the operational and executive level. The higher management should always support the initiative, monitor the progress and provide necessary support to sustain the momentum. The fear of using new technology should be tackled appropriately. As the transformation effort will take place, there should be continuous and cordial dialogue between the employees, citizens and the organization. The feedback from the employees about the transformation should be regularly solicited, duly analyzed and action taken.

The primary benefits of digitalization range from increased operational efficiency and improved employee productivity. Digitalization also reduces costs associated with physical document management, manual processes and travel. In terms of intangible benefits, the digitalization of business processes optimizes customer satisfaction and information management. Organizations equipped with an agile digital infrastructure can swiftly adapt to changes in the environment, leading to improved performance and customer satisfaction. Like any other management initiatives involving major structural changes on how the business is carried out, the digital transformation should also be subject to continuous improvement through use of customer feedback, incorporation of changes in technology, etc. Further, Digital infrastructure is the foundation of any connected business. It enables success, powers transformation and connects people around the world. It is therefore, mandatory for the government and private sector to provide such infrastructure facilities to its citizens with appropriate bandwidth, reliability and at a reasonable cost for the Digital Transformation to succeed.

(Dr. Gamini Padmaperuma is a Chartered Professional Engineer, Honorary Fellow Member of IESL, former Director, Academic Affairs at Saegis Campus and Senior Lecturer at OUSL , and holds a PhD from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand) 

Nadeeka & Thilini

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa Courtesy The Morning

The Government’s recent move to revisit allegations of corruption and asset concealment involving politically exposed persons has reignited discussions on Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts, including the failures of the now-defunct Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Established in early 2015 to investigate large-scale financial crimes and corruption associated with the previous regime, the FCID was disbanded, leaving a void in the country’s institutional framework for tackling such crimes. 

Now, with a fresh wave of investigations on the horizon, many are asking what went wrong with the FCID and whether the country is ready to address financial crime more effectively.

The FCID’s ineffectiveness

The FCID was created with a mandate to investigate complex financial crimes, unauthorised projects, corruption involving public funds, and the misuse of official powers. It was one of the key steps taken by the ‘Yahapalana’ Government, which came to power in 2015, to deliver on its promises of good governance and accountability. 

Initially, the FCID took up several high-profile cases, including investigations into members of the Rajapaksa family and other officials from the previous administration.

Despite its promising start, the FCID faced persistent challenges. Allegations of political interference in its operations began to surface, with some accusing the division of being used as a tool for political witch-hunting rather than genuinely addressing corruption. The slow pace of investigations and a lack of significant convictions further fuelled these criticisms. 

By the time the government changed in 2019, the FCID’s reputation had eroded, leading to its eventual disbandment.

One of the main criticisms of the FCID was its inability to effectively prosecute high-profile cases. For instance, allegations of financial mismanagement and illegal overseas assets involving prominent politicians were not brought to court. The investigations into suspected financial crimes, including the alleged Central Bank bond scam and questionable projects linked to the previous regime, often stagnated without clear outcomes.

The failure to bring these cases to a conclusion left a significant section of the public disillusioned. 

A senior Government official familiar with the anti-corruption efforts, who wished to remain anonymous, pointed out that while the relevant officials must bear responsibility, the political leadership was equally accountable for the delays in investigations. 

The leadership should be questioned as to why it took so long to recognise that the FCID was not delivering results. The delay in prosecutions reflects poorly on the Government’s commitment to justice,” the official noted.

Learning from the past

The current Government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has signalled its intent to renew efforts to investigate allegations of corruption. The focus will be on tracing and investigating assets held by key political figures abroad and determining whether existing international legal frameworks can aid in recovering such assets. 

However, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa has indicated that there has been no official communication from the Government regarding the establishment of a new division specifically to replace the FCID.

Thalduwa said: While discussions on pursuing overseas assets are ongoing, there is no formal plan to re-establish a unit like the FCID. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been assigned to handle some financial crime cases, but a decision on creating a specialised division has not been made.”

Efforts to obtain comments from Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne and Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath regarding the Government’s plans were unsuccessful, as they were not available for immediate response.

Learning from the FCID’s shortcomings, there is a pressing need to strengthen Sri Lanka’s institutional mechanisms for investigating financial crimes. This includes providing adequate resources, training, and legal backing to investigators while minimising opportunities for political interference. Additionally, legal reforms may be necessary to ensure that investigations can progress without being derailed by procedural delays or external pressures.

Another lesson is the importance of maintaining public trust. The FCID lost credibility due to perceived selective investigations and the inability to secure convictions in high-profile cases. 

In order to avoid a repeat of this, any future anti-corruption efforts must be transparent and demonstrate concrete results. Establishing an independent anti-corruption commission, equipped with the power to investigate and prosecute financial crimes without political influence, could be a step in the right direction.

Civil society organisations and activists played a significant role in bringing about the political changes in 2015 that led to the formation of the FCID. As the country revisits its approach to tackling corruption, these groups can once again be instrumental in advocating for stronger anti-corruption measures. Holding political leaders accountable and pushing for reforms that ensure the independence and effectiveness of investigative bodies will be crucial.

The anonymous official emphasised the need for vigilance: We must learn from the past and ensure that new anti-corruption efforts are not just political gimmicks. There must be genuine progress in holding the corrupt accountable, regardless of their political affiliations.” 

Commenting on the dissolution of the FCID, Thalduwa clarified that the division had been established by the previous Government as part of a policy decision. When it was later disbanded, its functions were transferred to the CID as a separate branch. He denied any claims of failure associated with the FCID. 

However, when questioned about the potential application of new anti-corruption laws to ongoing investigations, Thalduwa stated that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had not issued any official communication on the matter, leaving the Police unaware of the specific cases that might fall under the new legislation. 

BY Sumudu Chamara Courtesy The Morning

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) urged the Government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take immediate action with regard to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks based on the findings and recommendations of various investigations into the bombings.

Noting that various parties have expressed various opinions about the investigations and investigation reports concerning the Easter Sunday attacks, SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake told The Daily Morning that what the SJB demands is that the President and the Government take concrete legal action based on the law enforcement authorities’ investigations and investigation committee/commission reports on the Easter Sunday attacks. What we want is concrete legal action aimed at serving justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. If a Presidential Commission of Inquiry or any other investigation committee has conducted a probe into a certain matter, the Government cannot keep it concealed and the relevant information should be publicised for the people to know,” he stressed, adding that it is difficult at the moment to endorse or reject any specific committee/commission report, but that what is required is action based on them.

He added that even though some SJB members have expressed various opinions regarding the matter, those are their personal opinions, and that the SJB, as a Party, has not officially paid attention to the matter nor has it taken any official decision concerning the investigation reports on the Easter Sunday attacks.

By Imesh Ranasinghe Courtesy The Morning

• IMF emphasises need for a legal framework to facilitate recovery

Sri Lanka’s delegation meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the US saw successful talks on retrieving stolen assets, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said.

At an event with the Civil Societies ahead of the IMF-World Bank annual meetings, she said that one of the topics that the IMF discussed with the delegation from Sri Lanka is how to be successful in anti-money laundering.

She said it was looking into ways of getting back assets that were stolen from people.

Georgieva said that the IMF would certainly like to do that with every other country which has impacted, where Ecuador is at top of the list.

The IMF has already asked Sri Lanka to create an Asset Recovery Framework which the previous government intended to put out as a law.

The lack of a legal framework to recover stolen public funds presents a significant challenge. Enacting a modern asset recovery law will empower authorities to seize illicit assets domestically and abroad,” the IMF said in their Governance Diagnostic Report on Sri Lanka.

Further, Georgieva said that Sri Lanka has democratically appointed a new government with a new president and new team with continuity of reforms where inflation is down, reserves up and opportunities in the country are getting better.

What Sri Lanka shows is broadly what we see globally, the big global inflation wave is now in retreat without tipping the global economy into recession, inflation rates may be down but the impact of higher prices is here to stay,” she said.

Courtesy The Morning

• Claims De Alwis comm. report found ‘severe collapse of Nat’l Intel. Service’ which the CoI report made no mention of 
• Claims De Alwis comm. report recommended legal action against Ravi Seneviratne, Pujitha Jayasundara, Nilantha Jayawardena, Nandana Munasinghe, Lalith Pathinayake & Abdul Latheef, & disciplinary action against Deshabandu Thennakoon 
• Says Col. Archbishop’s claims against him are baseless 

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe requested all parties to refrain from politicising the reports related to the Easter Sunday terror attacks. 

Issuing a special statement regarding the same, he noted that during his tenure, requests had been made to look into the revelations (that certain local intelligence officials were complicit in the attacks) that were aired on Channel 4, following which he had appointed a three member committee (led by retired Supreme Court Judge S. Imam, former Air Force Commander, Chief Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakkodi and President’s Counsel Harsha Soza). In addition, another three-member committee (led by retired High Court Judge A.M.J. De Alwis, W.M.A.N. Nishan and K.N.K. Somaratne) was appointed with the objective of looking into the steps that were taken when the Indian Intelligence Service informed local intelligence services about a potential terrorist attack and whether the measures taken were sufficient. The latter committee also inquired into the State Intelligence Service and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) announcing that the two Police officers killed in Vavunathivu were killed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and maintaining such as the official stance for four months. None of the people appointed to these committees are people I know personally”.

He claimed that he had handed over the Easter Sunday attacks Commission (Commission of Inquiry [CoI]) report to the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Harold Anthony Fernando, at the latter’s request. After that, the Conference had a number of clarifications, and those that were presented to him, according to him, were forwarded to the Attorney General. They were also instructed to discuss all related matters with the Conference, he claimed.

The De Alwis report was not prepared to take revenge on the then Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) affiliated to the CID and current Public Security Ministry Secretary, Ravi Seneviratne, nor the former Director of the CID, retired Senior Superintendent of Police and the current Director of the Criminal Intelligence Analysis and Prevention Division of the Police Shani Abeysekera. The report further recommended that all officers including former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, SDIGs Nilantha Jayawardena (on compulsory leave), Nandana Munasinghe, Lalith Pathinayake, Abdul Latheef, and Seneviratne should have legal action taken against them regarding the Easter Sunday incident. The report has recommended that the IGP whose appointment has been temporarily suspended Deshabandu Thennakoon also face disciplinary action”. 

The observations related to the killing of the two Police officers in the Vavunathivu area mentioned in the report are also very important. It was first announced that remnants of the LTTE carried out the killings. As a result, Thambirasa Kumar and Rasanayagam Sarvanandan were arrested. When the annexes of the report are examined, many contradictory facts are revealed. In one of the reports of the intelligence agencies, it is mentioned that Sivaneshthurai Chandrakanth alias Pillayan, who was in jail at that time, was behind this incident. Another related intelligence agency report also stated that the husband of a woman who allegedly had an affair with a Police officer named Ganesh who died in Vavunathivu was killed. The Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) has stated that the reason why it took four months for the intelligence agencies to trace the activities of the National Thauhid Jamaat (NTJ) was because the national intelligence agencies did not have a formal network for obtaining information. Although the Indian intelligence, which has a foreign intelligence service, had a strong information network in this area, a severe collapse can be seen in the operation of the Sri Lankan intelligence in this regard. It is unfortunate that we don’t have a strong intelligence network. This is a big threat to the security of the country”. 

My aim was to obtain the response of the Conference and appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to look into the collapse of the intelligence services during the Easter Sunday attacks. A collapse of the National Intelligence Service poses a great threat to the country’s national security. I had also intended to appoint a PSC and then submit its report to a three-member committee of senior officers and experts to propose a complete reorganisation of the intelligence agencies. The Easter Sunday Presidential Commission report made no mention of the severe collapse of the National Intelligence Service”.

The De Alwis report came into my hands during the last Presidential Election, but, due to my reluctance to connect the Easter Sunday attacks to politics, I didn’t make those reports public. All the statements made by the Archbishop of Colombo regarding me are baseless”. 

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka has long been a country where ambitious individuals have toppled existing regimes and created new ones. This has been done repeatedly and entirely for personal gains. This is a greedy practice that must be buried. The caretaker regime operating under the country’s new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) runs the risk of being toppled; even though it seems that there is no immediate risk of such a move taking place in the foreseeable future. Political analysts would speak about such an eventuality because there is an old saying ‘It is much harder to remain on top when compared to the efforts put to reach the top’. 

When considering the country’s political vibe, it is likely that AKD and his supporters would hold sway at the upcoming parliamentary elections. A new regime would be formed afterwards with debt repayment and development projects expected to top the list of ‘tasks to complete’. There is a school of thought, however, whether the regimes taking over this paradise island should think of turning the entire ‘operation of the country’ into how an ecosystem is managed with care and attention. This would mean that any activity that causes internal turmoil in the country and threatens the economy must be nipped in the bud. Regimes and empires can be toppled, but no person should think of putting a spanner in the works of an ecosystem. This is because the consequences would be disastrous. 

When the island’s tourism was picking up, Sri Lanka has received a blow. Many countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens to avoid travelling to Sri Lanka citing the heavy presence of Israeli tourists here. There are concerns-largely fuelled by the Israel-Palestine conflict- whether these Israelis here might be the target of attacks. This caretaker regime must be bold like the Australian government, which runs advertisements in the products of our local print and electronic media institutes discouraging that ill-famed journey by boat from Sri Lanka to Australia. As much as Australia doesn’t want unwanted drama in their country, nor do we. 

Sri Lanka is on the world map for many reasons. One is because of its tourism. The government must protect its market share in the global tourism industry; even at the expense of losing tourists from Israel. Israelis can be denied entry to this island till the Israel-Palestine conflict returns to a simmering state. We remember the regime in Sri Lanka taking steps in 2022 to inform Russian and Ukraine tourists overstaying their visas here to leave. There were some sporadic incidents that made the law enforcement officials here very concerned because the presence of Russian and Ukraine tourists in the same tourist locations sparked tensions. Regardless of how much Israel is important to Sri Lanka and the world, they must be told that we cannot afford to have them here and rock our boat at this juncture. 

‘Mother Lanka’ needs everybody from the toilet cleaner at the CMC to the private sector executive, who has proved that he is a performer. This writer wishes to convey that the heart of ‘Mother Lanka’ is the regime. This caretaker regime must take a cue from Jack Ma of China. Here is an entrepreneur who has worked closely with the Chinese regime and the Communist Party. Economists state that Ma couldn’t have achieved all that success through his ‘Alibaba Group’ if not for support from the Chinese Government. And what Ma has importantly underscored in working alongside his government’s interests is that ‘there are possibilities of being a wealthy businessman while working on projects which have the government’s blessings’. 

This thinking in the private sector that it’s stifling when working with the Government of Sri Lanka must be erased fast. If this change can be made it is good for foreign investors. The regime under Ranasinghe Premadasa was quite successful in changing the mindset of state organisations when opening new garment factories and boosting our apparel industry. 

We need to create the thinking that even when you retire from state service and join the private sector you’re still contributing to the country’s economy. Everything is interwoven; like in an ecosystem. Jack Ma operates his business with this thinking in mind. 

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The tourism sector has taken a hit due to security alerts issued by foreign embassies. 

Pic Ishara Kodikara, AFP

There is more to the Israeli presence in Sri Lanka than meets the eye. Also, there is more to Wednesday’s security alert than what the authorities and embassies claimed. 

Given the questions on the 2019 Easter Sunday massacres and successive governments’ hesitancy in answering them honestly, the present security alert about an imminent attack on tourist sites may smack of a conspiracy. It has eerie similarities to the warnings that preceded the Easter Sunday blasts targeting Christian churches and tourist hotels.

The warnings, as seems to be an alarming pattern, come from India, raising serious questions about Sri Lanka’s intelligence service’s capabilities to know what is happening on its home turf. Although intelligence sharing between two friendly countries is an accepted practice, Sri Lankan counterparts are often caught off guard by specific warnings from India’s intelligence. It is a cause for concern. 

The Easter Sunday attacks were a serious indictment on Sri Lanka’s intelligence and security apparatus. Sri Lanka’s Muslims have been under the state intelligence microscope since the Easter Sunday attacks. As a result, the chances of a homegrown plot are remote. Sri Lanka’s Muslims went through a tough time after the Easter Sunday attacks that gave rise to unprecedented Islamophobia in this country. They curse and condemn the terrorists behind the massacre. 

According to Sri Lanka Police, the once-bitten state intelligence has been on alert since the Gaza war erupted on October 7, 2023, over the possible security threats to Israeli tourists from angry or misguided Muslims. Despite the genocide in Gaza, there have been so far no incidents related to it in Sri Lanka, except for regular peaceful protests by activists, including ruling National People’s Power youth wing members. However, the specifics of an attack came from India as the world marked the first anniversary of the Gaza genocide. The details said Muslim extremists had been planning an attack on an Israeli-run resort in Arugam Bay in the Ampara district. 

Three suspects have been arrested by Wednesday. But the security alert—with global media giving it wide publicity—has already done much damage to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which is making a vital contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic revival. In a great comeback after the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector earned US$2 billion in 2023, while recording 1.48 million arrivals. This was an impressive 82% increase in earnings compared to 2022. The sector was gearing up to see 2 million arrivals and earn US$ 3 billion in foreign exchange this year. Alas, the industry took a hit after the United States issued a security alert. This was followed by the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Russia, and Israel.

The threat was discussed at the highest levels of the government, and steps were taken to ensure security for tourists.

Whatever the nature of the threat, the new government, it is learnt, was dealing with it in such a way as to minimise the damage to the tourism sector. Then came the US embassy alert. Not much is known about the how, who and what of the US assessment.

If there is, as feared by the US embassy, a security threat, then the blame for it should lie with the previous administration. Instead of acting astutely to prevent a possible security crisis , it let the situation fester. Article after article appeared in newspapers and post after post on social media, highlighting tourists from Israel, Ukraine, and Russia illegally setting up businesses in Arugam Bay in the East and Weligama and other towns in the South after arriving in Sri Lanka on tourist visas. Their activities had affected local businesses. In Arugam Bay, provocative pictures of Israeli soldiers in Gaza and graffiti in Hebrew appeared on the walls of Israeli resorts, hurting the local Muslim feelings. So much so, social media activists describe Arugam Bay as an Israeli-occupied area.

But the Ranil Wickremesinghe government took little or no action, giving priority to attracting tourists to Sri Lanka while not giving a damn about what white-skinned tourists do here. It applied the law discriminately targeting largely Indians and Chinese who came on tourist visas and engaged in businesses, some of them in illegal activities such as scam camps. Media reports pointed out that the foreign exchange Sri Lanka was set to earn was being diverted to Israel, Ukraine, and other countries by these tourist-run businesses. Yet, the previous government took little or no action to check on them, as though white-skinned tourists, Especially, Israelis were too holy to touch.

Though then-President Wickremesinghe launched a drive to raise one million dollars to rebuild Gaza’s schools, it paid no heed to calls by progressives not to send Sri Lankan workers to Israel while genocide was going on in Gaza. It was like hunting with the hound and running with the hare. By sending Lankans to work in Israeli farms and construction sites, the then labour minister, Manusha Nanayakkara, helped Israel to prop up its war-battered economy that supported genocide.

What guarantee does the government have that these Sri Lankans working in Israel will not be brainwashed and used by Israel to stoke Islamophobia in Sri Lanka?

Many wondered whether the present government was also treating Israel with holy deference when Sri Lanka last week failed to sign a petition launched by Chile decrying Israel’s decision to declare the United Nations Secretary-General persona non-grata. Only a clarification from Sri Lanka’s UN envoy saved the day for the government, which, just like the previous governments, believes that the two-state solution is the only way to solve the Palestinian problem.

The envoy claimed that Sri Lanka told Chile to include its signature, and when the original list containing 105 signatures did not have Sri Lanka’s signature, he called for a revised list with Sri Lanka’s name on it.

More progressive Sri Lankan leaders have taken a principled stance on the Palestinian issue. Sirima Bandaranaike and Ranasinghe Premadasa severed Israeli links not because of petty electoral gains but on principles and in deference to Sri Lanka’s Muslim population. It was the United States that forced Sri Lanka to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in 1983 when the J.R. Jayewardene government wanted weapons to fight separatist terrorists in the country’s north and east. Despite the shocking revelation in ex-Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky’s book By Way of Deception that the Israelis trained both the Sri Lankan soldiers and the separatist terrorists at the same time, the Jayewardene government took little or no action over Israel’s double dealings, except to appoint a commission of inquiry and bury the controversy.

The growing military ties with Israel saw Sri Lanka setting up an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2000 during Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s presidency. 

With military ties with Israel growing, successive governments brought a balancing act into their policy on the Palestine issue. They supported Palestine’s cause without hurting Israel. Some in the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya believe that pro-Israeli elements schemed to ensure their candidate Sajith Premadasa’s defeat at the September 21 presidential election because he called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu a terrorist and condemned Israel’s action in Gaza as terrorism.

As Sri Lanka’s state intelligence and police go after the suspects as they should, the authorities should not be unmindful of Zionist plots to promote Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred in Sri Lanka and probe whether the latest security crisis was an attempt by some elements to scuttle the new government’s Easter attack investigations.

Courtesy Digital Journal 

Sri Lanka deployed troops around a Jewish community centre in a popular surfing town after the US embassy warned a possible attack – Copyright AFP Arun SANKAR

Sri Lanka deployed troops and increased police patrols around a Jewish community centre in a popular surfing town on Wednesday after the US embassy warned its citizens of a possible attack there.

The stepped-up security and warning came after social media posts called for a boycott of Israeli-owned businesses in eastern Arugam Bay.

The information was that a place called ‘Chabad House’ run by Israelis could be a target and we have taken measures to strengthen security,” said police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa.

He said there had recently been tensions between the Jewish tourists visiting Chabad House and the bay’s Muslim-majority population.

The army and the navy along with police commandos were deployed in the area to step up patrols and man roadblocks, he said.

Protests by local Muslim groups against Israel’s fighting of Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have drawn support from the wider community in the predominantly Buddhist South Asian nation.

Israelis accounted for less than 1.5 percent of the 1.5 million tourists who visited the island in the first nine months of this year — or around 20,000 people altogether.

But Arugam Bay, a hotspot for surfing around 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of Colombo by road, is a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

In a rare notice of an imminent threat, the US embassy said Wednesday that it had received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations” in eastern Arugam Bay.

Britain and Canada shared the US warning on their own websites, while the Russian embassy advised its nationals to avoid crowded places while visiting the island.

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) meanwhile raised the travel alert level for Sri Lanka due to credible terrorism threats at the tourist and coastal areas”.

Israel urged its citizens in Arugam Bay and other beaches to leave the country or at least to the capital Colombo, where there is a high presence of local security forces”.

– New hotline –

There have been no attacks in Sri Lanka since the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals.

The coordinated attack against three luxury hotels and three churches was blamed on a local jihadist group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Tourism numbers fell sharply afterward, and took another hit during a 2022 economic meltdown that precipitated widespread civil unrest.

But foreign visitor numbers have picked up after an International Monetary Fund bailout last year helped stabilise the economy.

Following the US embassy warning, police said they were unveiling a new security plan to protect tourists island-wide.

In view of the war situation in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the police, together with intelligence agencies, are working on a plan to protect tourists and resorts,” said a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Police.

It did not give details, but said a hotline had been established for tourists to alert authorities of any safety concerns.

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/sri-lanka-deploys-troops-to-jewish-community-centre-after-us-warning/article#ixzz8pcM2lk8f

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader former MP Udaya Gammanpila yesterday requested the information officer – Presidential Secretariat in writing to provide him with records of evidence given by Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne before the committee headed by A.N.J. De Alwis in probing the Easter Sunday attack.

He said he learnt reliably that Mr. Seneviratne admitted before the committee that he made a mistake by keeping the letter regarding the intelligence warning on the attack for 12 days without taking any action as the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department at that time.

He said he is seeking these reports in terms of the Right to Information Act.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, October 24 (Daily Mirror) – With the government’s announcement yesterday regarding a potential attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area, it is clear that the current government lacks experience and knowledge to handle situations of such nature, former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Addressing the media, he said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Public Security Minister have neglected their responsibilities.

“We do not want to ask for the resignation of the individuals holding these positions, but we are urging them to correct their mistakes,” he said.

Kanchana Wijesekera then questioned whether the country was alerted as soon as the announcement came through the US Embassy or after local intelligence services received the information.

The government should inform the public about the security measures taken if they had received the information on October 7, as claimed by the IGP yesterday.

Additionally, the public should be informed as to why the government failed to provide security measures in other tourist zones, including the Southern Province. It was reported that the tri-forces were deployed in the Arugam Bay area yesterday following the announcement made by the US Embassy.

“National security must be the top priority, and it should not be underestimated. Following the issuance of travel advisories by several embassies, many tourists scheduled to arrive in the country cancelled their plans,” he said.

“If the government had known about the threat earlier, they could have prevented the issuance of travel advisories, avoiding damage to the country’s tourism industry. The government should take responsibility if those travel advisories were issued without their knowledge,” he said.

Finally, the government must engage with embassy officials if no discussion took place regarding the possible terror attack, he said.

උපුටාගැණීම අද දෙරණ

පාස්කු වාර්තා ගෙන හැර දක්වමින් දේශපාලනය නොකරන ලෙස සෑම පාර්ශ්වයකින්ම තමන් ඉල්ලා සිටින බව හිටපු ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතා පවසයි.

ඔහු පවසන්නේ මේ වනවිට ඉමහත් ආන්දෝලනයකට තුඩු දී තිබෙන මෙම වාර්තාව පසුගිය ජනාධිපතිවරණ සමයේදී තමා අතට ලැබුණු නමුත් පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය දේශපාලනයට ඈඳා ගැනිමට ඇති අකමැත්ත හේතුවෙන් තමන් එම වාර්තා ප්‍රසිද්ධියට පත් කිරීමෙන් වැළකී සිටි බවය.

හිටපු ජනපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතා නිකුත් කළ සම්පූර්ණ නිවේදනය පහතින්,

“ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ අටවැනි විධායක ජනාධිපති ධූරයට මම පත් වූ පසුව කතෝලික රදගුරු සම්මේලනයේ සභාපති ගරු හැරල්ඩ් ඇන්තනි ප්‍රනාන්දු රදගුරුතුමන්ගේ ඉල්ලීම පරිදි පාස්කු කොමිෂන් සභා වාර්තා එතුමන්ට භාරදීමට කටයුතු කළෙමි. 

ඉන්පසුව කතෝලික රදගුරු සම්මේලනය ඒ පිළිබඳව පැහැදිළි කිරීම් ගණනාවක් ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබු අතර මා වෙත යොමු කෙරුණු සියලු පැහැදිළි කිරීම් නීතිපතිවරයාට යොමු කර ඊට අදාළ සියලු කරුණු රදගුරු සම්මේලනය සමග හුවමාරු කර ගන්නා ලෙස නීතිපතිවරයාට උපදෙස් දෙන ලදී.

චැනල් – 4 නාලිකාව ඔස්සේ විකාශනය වූ හෙළිදරව්ව පිළිබඳව කරුණු සෙවිය යුතු බවට ද  මා වෙත ඉල්ලීම් ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබුණි. ඒ සම්බන්ධයෙන් සොයා බැලීම සඳහා මා විසින් විශ්‍රාමික ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ විනිසුරු එස්.අයි. ඉමාම්, හිටපු ගුවන් හමුදාපති චීෆ් එයාර් මාර්ෂල් ජයලත් වීරක්කොඩි සහ හිටපු ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණ විනිසුරු හර්ෂ ෂෝසා යන අයගෙන් සමන්විත ත්‍රිපුද්ගල කමිටුව පත් කිරීමට කටයුතු කරන ලදී. 

මීට අමතරව, ඒ.එම්.ජේ. ද අල්විස්, ඩබ්ලිව්.එම්.ඒ්.එන්.නිශාන් සහ කේ.එන්.කේ. සෝමරත්න යන අයගෙන් සමන්විත තවත් ත්‍රිපුද්ගල කමිටුවක් පත් කළේය. මේ කමිටුවට පත්කළ කිසිවකුත් මා පෞද්ගලිකව දන්නා හඳුනන අය නොවේ. මේ කමිටු සඳහා නීතිපති දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ සහාය ලබා දීමට ද කටයුතු කරන ලදී.
ඉන්දීය බුද්ධි සේවයෙන් කිසියම් වූ ආකාරයක ත්‍රස්ත ප්‍රහාරයක් එල්ල වන බවට තොරතුරු ලද විට ගතයුතු පියවර පිළිබඳව සොයාබැලීම ඉහත කමිටුව පත් කිරීමේ එක් අරමුණක් විය. එසේම ඊට අදාළව ගනු ලැබූ පියවර ප්‍රමාණවත්දැයි  විමසා බැලීම ද  මේ කමිටුවට පැවැරුණු තවත් වගකීමක්වේ. රාජ්‍ය බුද්ධි අංශය හා අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව වවුනතිව් පොලිස් නිලධාරීන් දෙදෙනාගේ ඝාතනය එල්.ටී.ටී.ඊ. සංවිධානය කළ බවට මාස හතරක් මුළුල්ලේ ප්‍රකාශ කළේ මන්ද? ඒ කාලය තුළදී ඊට අදාළව ගත් පියවර කුමක්ද යන්න පිළිබඳව විමසා බැලීම ද මේ කමිටුව මගින් සිදුකරන ලදී. 

අල්විස් කමිටු වාර්තාව එවකට ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති සහ වත්මන් මහජන ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් රවි සෙනෙවිරත්න, අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවේ හිටපු අධ්‍යක්ෂ ශානි අබේසේකර යන මහත්වරුන්ගෙන් පළිගන්න හෝ ඔවුන් ගැන විභාග කිරීමට හෝ සකස් කළ වාර්තාවක් නොවේ. 

පාස්කු සිද්ධිය ගැන හිටපු පොලිස්පති පූජිත ජයසුන්දර, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති නිලන්ත ජයවර්ධන, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති නන්දන මුණසිංහ, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති ලලිත් පතිනායක, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති අබ්දුල් ලතීෆ්, ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති රවී සෙනෙවිරත්න ඇතුළු නිලධාරීන් සියළු දෙනාටම නීත්‍යානුකූලව පියවර ගන්නා ලෙසත් ඒ වාර්තාව මගින් වැඩිදුරටත් නිර්දේශ කර තිබේ. මීට අමතරව එවකට හිටපු ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නියෝජ්‍ය පොලිස්පති සහ වත්මන් පොලිස්පති දේශබන්දු තේන්නකෝන් මහතාටත් විනය පියවර ගන්නා ලෙස එම වාර්තාව මගින් නිර්දේශ කර ඇත. එබැවින් මෙය රවි සෙනෙවිරත්නට සහ  ශානි අබේසේකරට විරුද්ධව සැකසු වාර්තාවක් බවට අර්ථ දැක්වීම පදනම් විරහිත බව ඉතා පැහැදිලිය.  

වාර්තාවේ සඳහන්ව ඇති වවුනතිව් ප්‍රදේශයේදී පොලිස් නිලධාරීන් දෙදෙනා ඝාතනය කිරීමේ සිද්ධියට අදාළ නිරීක්ෂණ ද ඉතා වැදගත් වේ. එම සිද්ධියට අදාළව එදා පළමුව දැනුම් දෙනු ලැබූයේ එල්.ටී.ටී.ඊ. සංවිධානය විසින් ඒ ඝාතන සිදුකළ බවටය. එහි ප්‍රතිඵලයක් ලෙස තම්බිරාස කුමාර් සහ රාසනායගම් සර්වානන්දන් යන දෙදෙනා අත්අඩංගුවට ගනු ලැබූහ. 

වාර්තාවේ ඇමුණුම් පරීක්ෂා කළවිට පරස්පර විරෝධි කරුණු රැසක් අනාවරණය වේ. ඒ් සම්බන්ධයෙන් වන එක් බුද්ධි අංශ වාර්තාවක සඳහන් වනුයේ එවකට සිරගතව සිටි සිවනේෂතුරෙයි චන්ද්‍රකාන්ත් හෙවත් පිල්ලෙයාන් මේ සිද්ධිය පිටුපස සිටින බවය. වවුනතිව්වලදී මියගිය ගනේෂ් නැමැති පොලිස් නිලධාරියා සමඟ අනියම් සම්බන්ධතාවක් පැවැත් වූයේ යයි කියන කාන්තාවකගේ සැමියා විසින් ඝාතනය කළ බවට ද ඊට අදාළ තවත් බුද්ධි අංශ වාර්තාවක සඳහන් විය.

ජාතික තවුහිද් ජමාත් (NTJ) සංවිධාන‌යේ ක්‍රියාකාරකම් සොයා ගැනීමට බුද්ධි අංශවලට මාස හතරක් ගතවීමට හේතුව ජාතික බුද්ධි අංශවලට තොරතුරු ලබා ගැනීමේ විධිමත් ජාලයක් නොතිබීම යයි හමුදා බුද්ධි අංශ අධ්‍යක්ෂ (DMI) සඳහන් කර ඇත. 

“Regarding the gap of four months until discovery of the NTJ, the DMI’s explanation was that it was attributable to the lack of network they had at the time to elicit the intelligence. “

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO INTELLIGENCE COORDINATION AND INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES RELATED TO THE EASTER SUNDAY BOMBINGS OF 21ST APRIL 2019 (Page No 12)

විදේශ බුද්ධි සේවයක් වූ ඉන්දියන් බුද්ධි අංශයට මේ ප්‍රදේශයේ ශක්තිමත් තොරතුරු ජාලයක් පැවැතිය ද, එම ප්‍රදේශයේම ලංකාවේ බුද්ධි අංශ ක්‍රියාත්මක වීමේදී දරුණු කඩා වැටීමක් දැකිය හැකිය. අප සතුව ශක්තිමත් බුද්ධි තොරතුරු ජාලයක් නොතිබීම භායනක තත්ත්වයකි. මන්ද රටෙි ආරක්ෂාවට එය විශාල තර්ජනයක් වන බැවිනි. මගේ අවධානය යොමු වූයේ මේ කාරණය සම්බන්ධයෙනි. 

මගේ අරමුණ වූයේ රදගුරු සම්මේලනයේ ප්‍රතිචාරය ලබාගෙන නිතීපති වාර්තාව ද සමග බුද්ධි සේවා කඩා වැටීම සහ පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් සොයා බැලීමට පාර්ලිමේන්තු තේරීම් කාරක සභාවක් පත් කිරීමය. මන්ද මේ ආකාරයට ජාතික බුද්ධි සේවයේ කඩා වැටීම රටේ ජාතික ආරක්ෂාවට විශාල තර්ජනයක් ද වන නිසාය.

පාර්ලිමේන්තු තේරීම් කාරක සභාවක් පත්කර පසුව එහි වාර්තාව ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නිලධාරීන්ගෙන් හා ප්‍රවීනයන්ගෙන් සැදුම්ලත් ත්‍රිපුද්ගල කමිටුවක් හරහා බුද්ධි අංශ සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම  ප්‍රතිසංවිධානය කිරීම සඳහා යෝජනා ගැනීමට ද මම අදහස් කරගෙන සිටියෙමි. ජාතික  බුද්ධි සේවයේ දරුණු කඩා වැටීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් පාස්කු කොමිෂන් වාර්තාවේ කිසිවක් සඳහන් නොවූ බව ද සිහිපත් කිරීමට කැමැත්තෙමි.

මේ වනවිට ඉමහත් ආන්දෝලනයකට තුඩු දී තිබෙන මේ වාර්තාව පසුගිය ජනාධිපතිවරණ සමයේ මා අතට ලැබුණු නමුත් පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය දේශපාලනයට ඈඳා ගැනීමට ඇති අකමැත්ත නිසා ඒ වාර්තා ප්‍රසිද්ධියට පත්කිරීමට මම කටයුතු නොකෙළමි. මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් වාර්තාවක් කැඳවීමට අවශ්‍යව තිබූ බැවින් ඉහත පිළිවෙත මම අනුගමනය කළ බව ද සඳහන් කරමි.

කාදිනල් හිමිපාණන් මා සම්බන්ධව සිදුකළ සියළු ප්‍රකාශ පදනම් විරහිතය. පාස්කු වාර්තා සම්බන්ධයෙන් නිල ප්‍රකාශයක් කළ යුත්තේ රදගුරු සම්මේලනය යි.

ඉහත සියලු කරුණු සැළකිල්ලට ගෙන පාස්කු වාර්තා ගෙනහැර දක්වමින් දේශපාලනය නොකරන ලෙස සෑම පාර්ශ්වයකින්ම මම ඉල්ලා සිටිමි.”
           
රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ 
අටවන විධායක ජනාධිපති

Courtesy Hiru News

Former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera questioned why the Sri Lankan government, which reportedly received information about a possible attack on October 7, did not inform the public or tighten security measures before the U.S. Embassy’s announcement. He expressed concerns that officials failed to share details regarding actions taken in response to the information received from diplomatic missions, emphasizing that national security threats should never be taken lightly, especially given that tourism is a crucial source of income for the country.

The former minister suggested that if the government had acted on the earlier intelligence and communicated effectively with diplomatic missions, a travel advisory could have potentially been avoided. He urged the president and foreign minister to convene a meeting with diplomatic missions and security officials to outline measures taken to ensure safety and to work collaboratively to lift the travel advisory on Sri Lanka.

Several countries have updated their travel advisories for Sri Lanka following a warning from the American Embassy about a potential attack targeting Arugambay. In response, Israel’s National Security Council has advised its citizens to leave Sri Lanka or move to Colombo, citing intelligence regarding a possible attack on its residents.

Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya addressed the situation in a special statement yesterday afternoon. This prompted former Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera to raise questions via his official X account.

aking to twitter the former minister wrote:&nbsp;<br /><br />According to the statement made by the Acting Chief of Police, the information on a possible attack was received by the GOSL on the 7th of October and was discussed at multiple security council meetings, investigated and precautions taken.

If the Government did have information before the statement from the US embassy went out, it&rsquo;s a serious concern why the officials didn&rsquo;t tighten security before.

The reality is that there was no presence of any security officials or armed forces in any of the tourist areas until the warning statement from the US embassy and other foreign missions went out to its citizens.

Another concern is why the Government failed to call a meeting with the Diplomatic missions and brief on the steps taken in regards of the information received and the steps taken to prevent such a threat.

While the threat on national security should never be taken lightly, Tourism income is one of the most important revenue streams for the country.

If the GOSL did have info before hand and had they briefed the diplomatic missions, a travel advisory warning could have been prevented with the precautions taken.

President&nbsp;@anuradisanayake&nbsp;and the Foreign Minister should at least now call a meeting with the Diplomatic missions and the security officials, brief on the steps taken and work with the foreign missions to remove the travel advisory on Sri Lanka.

Courtesy Adaderana

Israeli nationals visiting Sri Lanka, whether for tourism or other purposes, can now directly request assistance to ensure personal protection, according to Sri Lankan Police. 

Visitors in need of assistance can contact the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Tourist Range and Maritime Division, Mr. Damayantha Vijaya Sri, by calling +94718592651, the Police Media Division announced.

If an Israelite, who has visited Sri Lanka as a tourist or for other purpose, feels the need to ensure his/her personal security, he/she may directly contact the above telephone number and get the necessary assistance, the statement said.

Mr. Vijaya Sri will take necessary measures having taken the requirement into consideration, it said. 

Since it is necessary to verify the identity in such matters, the Israelites are kindly requested to provide the necessary information.

Courtesy Adaderana

Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath says that the travel advisories issued by several foreign countries for Sri Lanka could be lifted within the next two to three days.

Minister Herath stated this during a special press conference held in Colombo today (24), to brief on the steps taken following information received on possible attacks targeting foreign tourists in Sri Lanka.

He reassured to public and the tourists that there is no cause for concern, as necessary security measures have been taken to ensure the security of the foreign tourists. 

They have been informed through the hotels and the Tourism Authority. Police as well as the tri-forces have taken the required steps. So, tourists can travel freely. The countries that have imposed travel advisories will be able to withdraw them in two to three days,” the Minister said.

Furthermore the Minister stated: We will restore normalcy in a few days, allowing the travel advisories issued by the United States and other countries to be lifted. These nations are already satisfied with the measures we’ve implemented, and they have confidence in sending their citizens to Sri Lanka for tourism.”

Tourist arrivals have not been affected. Even the day before, Israeli tourists arrived in Sri Lanka without any issues. Those currently here are enjoying their travels freely, without any obstacles. We have already successfully managed the situation”, he added.

He further stated that the public, local as well as foreigners, need not entertain any fears on probable attacks on Israelis or any others, as all possible security measures have been taken to ensure their safety.

Courtesy Hiru News

Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath announced that three individuals have been arrested in connection with intelligence reports regarding security threats to Israeli nationals in Sri Lanka. The minister revealed this information during a press conference focused on the ongoing investigations.

Minister Herath stated that the arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of tourists, especially given the conflict situation in the Middle East, which has raised concerns about potential threats to visitors in Sri Lanka.

He mentioned that intelligence agencies had received relevant information, prompting immediate action from the government. This day marks one month since the current government took office, during which time the security council has convened multiple times.

In response to the received information, special police security has been deployed in popular tourist areas, including Arugam Bay, Bandarawela, Ella, Matara, Weligama, and Ahungalla Beach. The minister confirmed that this heightened security presence began at the start of the month.

Minister Herath stated that both intelligence agencies and police are conducting thorough investigations to determine if the arrested individuals had any intentions to incite disturbances. He reassured the public, both local and foreign, that there is no need for alarm regarding possible attacks, as comprehensive security measures are in place.

He also expressed optimism about restoring normalcy soon, which may lead to the lifting of travel advisories issued by the United States and other nations. According to the minister, these countries are already satisfied with the security measures implemented, increasing their confidence in sending tourists to Sri Lanka.

Shenali D Waduge

What is taking place under the guise of Easter Sunday is nothing but a repeat of the 2002 raid on the Millennium City Safe House in Athurugiriya goes down in history as one of the greatest betrayals.

Just as Commission reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday massacre are being repeatedly rejected in 2002, a discharged former Colonel (P. Dissanayake who has now joined up with S Deshapriya the LTTE sympathizer in Geneva) filed application with the Court of Appeal against the Commission of Inquiry report on the 2002 Millennium City debacle, but Justice Sriskandarajah dismissed it.

How is the Easter Sunday attack & the 2002 Millennium City debacle linked one may ask?

The raid was as a result of a false rumor about an attempt to assassinate then PM Ranil which resulted in disclosure to the public & media of the names of Sri Lanka’s intel operatives who were using the venue as a Safe House & carrying out attacks on LTTE. Exposure of the names of intel who had sacrificed their life to infiltrate into LTTE areas & carry out dangerous covert operations, resulted in LTTE gunning down over 50 intel operatives & their informants.

The Commission was mandated to see if any information was given by personnel inside the Armed Forces to expose the Safe House & the Commission found that the very petitioner was a source.

It is important for citizens to read back on this horrific event.

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2023/01/24/millennium-city-scandal-court-rejects-request-to-release-defendant

The Easter Sunday is somewhat different, yet the repeated innuendos being made & the demand for sensitive information of how intel carries out its covert operations are subtly to expose the manner the intel agencies operate & make public their modus operandi. The Cardinal & Church are clearly aware of this as a number of Fathers openly sided with the LTTE.

Lionel Balagalle was the Army Commander, Lucky Kodituwakku was IGP, Tilak Marapana was Defense Minister, Austin Fernando was Defense Secretary & John Amaratunga was Minister of Internal Affairs. President Chandrika appointed retired Judge D. Jayawickrema to report on the incident which found DIG Udugampola’s action in raiding the safe house illegal & immoral” & he was demoted to ASP. He was also asked to pay compensation after a FR filed in SC by soldiers. Even the State was ordered to pay. Udugampola was interdicted & arrested in March 2005 (3 years after the incident) Udugampola was backed with political patronage & betrayed the soldiers defending the nation as they were rounded up & even tortured by police & treated as common criminals. It was the same government that asked 600 police officers to give themselves up to the LTTE to be gunned down.

Returning to the Easter Sunday, no amount of conspiracy theories or rejections can erase the fact that prior warnings had been given & received to the top posts in the country. Whatever, they say the written circulars are evidence that they have received the communication of an attack. If they had not read the circulars it also shows they are unsuited for their roles. These circulars would undoubtedly have come marked ‘FOR URGENT ATTENTION” or something similar.

Those who are rejecting the reports appear to want to for some unexplained reason, single out only the intelligence apparatus & pin blame on them. Let us all understand that the SIS & Military intelligence & even police intelligence only gather information from ground sources & pass them to the units who are mandated to take action & who have the authority to take action. Is it not strange that those venting hate at the intel & demanding to know how they operate are silent about the inaction of the entities that knew about an attack and did nothing.

Each statement they make articulates a hidden objective to want to be privy to how the intel apparatus operates on the excuse that they seek justice” for Easter Sunday victims while ignoring to demand explanation from all those who were heading units that had the power to take action & prevent the crime. All that required to be done was to stop people entering the Church & ask hotels to beef up security.

We return to the disclosure of SIS head Nilantha Jayawardena who in his evidence to the Presidential Commission said that by 11^th April at least 15,000 knew of an attack on targeted churches & hotels.

It is baffling that none of the 15,000 (Church goers who avoided Church that fateful day) informed the Cardinal or Cyril Gamini – or did they? This is something that also needs to be unearthed just as the need to investigate if the money sent by Vatican & well wishers were distributed to the victims though conflicting figures are being given to raise doubts! Why are those demanding transparency silent about transparency in the disbursement of money sent to be given to victims. Perhaps the victims must come forward to acknowledge they have received amounts from the Church other than what was given by the State.

It is pretty clear that when Cardinal & Cyril Gamini are repeatedly rejecting reports they believe someone else is guilty. They must stop making a mockery of renowned people who are paid by the taxpayer to investigate & present their findings. Instead the Cardinal & Co must go to Courts with evidence they have to claim their version is correct instead of not only asking for more Commissions & investigations but also demanding to know how the intel operates & have these details made public to enable another Millennium City type debacle to bump off another set of gallant men who sacrifice their life to defend the nation. The role of any intel operative is never easy & the manner they operate cannot be publicized as Cardinal appears to demand. Would any of the foreign intel ever disclose how they operate & none of their Governments or their Opposition will demand disclosure of these details to the public.

It is difficult to call for international investigations because foreign intel agents were in Sri Lanka & took most of the evidence & even the US State Dept & Australia have issued their statements regarding the attack. None of these findings collaborates with the Cardinal.

99% of the world’s terrorists are Islamic & the only molakaru behind these attacks is the Books from which they are indoctrinated into killing & becoming martyrs. There is no evidence that such terrorists have ever committed suicide for anything other than what their books advocate. Unfortunately, innocent Muslims who have no ties to extremism are victims too.

Politicizing of the Easter Sunday must end. It is unfair by the victims but also unfair by all other victims of LTTE attacks too.

146 Buddhist theros & Buddhists meditating at the Sacred Sri Maha Bodhi on 14 May 1985 were killed by LTTE. Did these victims get 5 reports paid by the taxpayers as Easter Sunday attack has got?

147 Muslims were killed inside the Kattankudy mosque on 3 August 1990. Did these victims get 5 reports paid by the taxpayers as Easter Sunday attack has got?

Some victims cannot be more special than the others!

The Government must take action against ALL officers who were given prior warning of attacks but did not take action. This is the crux of the entire entire issue.

We know who committed the crimes – 8 Jihadis

Why does Cardinal not demand to know why they targeted 3 churches & 3 hotels

We know prior warnings were given

Why does Cardinal not question who knew but who did not take action to prevent the mass murders. Those who knew could have saved 261 lives – This is an unforgiveable crime & no such person should be given any public role.

Premalal Ferdinando Says

Well said! Didn’t Jesus tell on the cross to forgive those who killed him <if someone hits you on the left cheek give the right cheek also>. This is what the head of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka should be preaching and not play the <Who is the Maha Molakaru> record all the time. I am myself a Catholic living abroad and we Christians should remember the harm that the European Christians did to the Muslims through the Crusades in the middle ages.

Chanaka Bandarage

After the WW II the Western Europe was in utter shambles. Most of the countries were bankrupt. US President Truman introduced the Marshall Plan to develop Western Europe. The US gave them aid in the tune of $ $13.3 billion (equivalent to $173.8 billion in 2024). The biggest beneficiary was the UK (26% of the total aid).

The Western Europe took the chance and developed themselves. Today they are all advanced economies.

What is important is that they were direct aid not loans.

For Sri Lanka to come out of this gigantic economic mess we need a similar Marshall Plan.

The only recipe for our survival – injection of a large chunk of US dollars into our economy.

We need direct aid at least in the tune of US$ 7.5 billion. Also, we must receive substantial debt cuts for  the existing (frozen) loans.

In the 2003 Tokyo summit aid in the tune of US$ 4.5 billion was pledged for Sri Lanka. Owing to the change of government we missed it out.

Who can effect a Marshall Plan for Sri Lanka? The writer believes out of the all political parties SJB is best equipped.

The SJB has already stated that upon winning the government it will convene a World Donor Conference. They are geared to seeking active economic support from the West (US/Canada, UK/Europe, Australia/New Zealand). Then, Japan, South Korea China and India.

Out of all the political parties, SJB has the best economic team – Harsha D, Eran W and Kabir H. They are very versatile, articulate  people.  They have an in-depth knowledge about both local and international economics. They are not ‘frogs in the well’. Then, they have – Nalin B, Sujiva S, Kavinda J, Rehan J, M Marikkar, Thushara I etc, all very capable people. Hopefully Sajith can give them good leadership.

The NPP failed in the recent IMF talks (see our article, 10/10/24). It seems they do not have capable persons who can sit in equal footing with international teams. Now they say they are going to invite the Prime Minister of a certain Latin American Marxist state to visit Sri Lanka as the first head of state after the NPP has come to power. This poor country has enormous economic problems. They have  very long food and fuel queues. Recently they encountered non-stop power cuts.

Rajapakse government boasted that it had excellent foreign friends. Who were they? Very poor African nations. People wise, they are very nice, but they cannot  help us. They are in deeper economic pit than us. They do not have money even to feed their children.

The writer has previously stated that Sri Lanka should be the ‘Hong Kong’ of India. For saying this he  was severely criticised.

The writer never articulated that we should become a satellite state of India.  What he stated was that since India is now a global economic powerhouse, we must become a hub for them – supply them goods and services. When China was growing under Chairman Deng, Hong Kong was the main provider of chips for  China’s computer manufacturing industry. True, Hong Kong – an ex-British colony, was always rich; but thanks to Capitalist China it became richer.

Though the writer suggested this, no government was keen to embark on it. Now we hear that Bhutan has succeeded in becoming a hub for India – for certain goods and services. Mr Modi has reciprocated to Bhutan’s request positively.

But, we must not give up.

India did not help Ranil much. Perhaps Mr Modi favours Sajith over Ranil?

India did give aid to Ranil’s government but they were of rudimental nature. India now has deep pockets. If wants, it can give us substantial aid (and loans/credit swaps).  

Given the NPP’s close affinity with communist nations, it is not sure whether or not India will be  generous to Anura K.  Let’s wait and see.  Anura K is scheduled to visit India later next month.

We, the electorate want our country developed. We are not concerned about party politics.

What we want is to see Sri Lanka becoming a 1^st world nation within our own lifetime. Under good leaderships this is a possibility.

It is really good that Anura K is determined to end bribery and corruption. There is no doubt that he is genuine about it. But, that itself is not enough.

During his first month of power, sadly he has failed to show good economic results/progress.

Like Ranil, the NPP government seems to rely on raising taxes to generate revenue. This is disastrous for the people, especially the poor and the middle class. The government selling treasury bonds/bills non-stop means the rise of the country’s debt burden.

Our leaders lack new ideas.

 Can a SJB government under Anura K’s (NPP) presidency take Sri Lanka to prosperity? A possibility.

It is true Maithree/Ranil combination was a disaster. The two of them went in two different roads.

But, if the NPP government is incompetent (sadly this seems to be the case), a Anura K/Sajith P combined government will be the only way out.

The two of them must not be selfish and greedy to stack the government with their own henchmen/favourites. This is what happened in the Maithree/Ranil government. In any case, the number of cabinet positions must not exceed 30.

Again – we desperately need assistance from rich nations – US, UK, Canada, EU,  Australia, India, Japan, China, etc.  A huge injection of funds into the economy in the form of aid (grants) is a must. Otherwise, we would never come out of this mess. The current debt burden (about US$100 billion) is too big. Only a government that can be diplomatic/friendly with the West, Japan India and China can bring us these benefits. SJB is the best to do this.   

By Palitha Ariyarathna

The recent changes by Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration regarding the language used in the new passport series have sparked important discussions among citizens and officials. While the decision to print passports primarily in English—with Sinhala and Tamil as secondary languages—aims to facilitate international travel, it has also raised concerns about cultural identity and linguistic rights.

Advocates for the use of English highlight its role as a link language, which can enhance recognition and ease of use for travelers. However, it is crucial to recognize that prioritizing Sinhala and Tamil equally in passports is vital for preserving the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. As the official languages of the country, Sinhala and Tamil are a reflection of its diverse identity, and their equal prominence in official documents signifies respect and inclusivity.

Passports serve as more than mere travel documents; they are symbols of national identity and sovereignty. Even though the new machine-readable passport (MRP) introduces modern features and a slimmer design with 48 pages compared to the previous 64-page ‘N’ series passport, it is essential to maintain the dignity of its holder. For many citizens, the language on their passport embodies their cultural heritage and personal identity. By ensuring that all national languages are represented equally, we can foster a greater sense of belonging and respect among the diverse populations of Sri Lanka.

The Importance of Native Language in Passports

There are several compelling reasons to advocate for the inclusion of native languages in passports:

Accessibility: All citizens should be able to read and understand their own travel documents, enhancing inclusivity.

Official Use: Local authorities, who may not be fluent in English, will find it easier to process documents in their native languages.

Cultural Identity: Preserving and promoting the national languages reinforces national pride and identity.

Legal Accuracy: Accurate representation of legal terms and personal details is essential for all citizens.

International Recognition: While reflecting the country’s official languages, we can still comply with international standards, showcasing Sri Lanka’s unique identity on the global stage.

The recent court rulings in Sri Lanka emphasizing the importance of the Sinhala language in legal proceedings further underline the necessity of prioritizing native languages in official documents, including passports.

Balancing National Identity with International Standards

While the global recognition of English presents practical advantages, such as facilitating international travel, the challenge lies in balancing these standards with the need to honor our cultural identity. The current government must understand that simplifying every cultural aspect in a sudden move or political campaign can lead to significant misunderstandings and controversies. Decisions made without a deep understanding of the basic cultural dynamics may alienate communities and provoke unnecessary backlash.

As Sri Lanka navigates its recovery from economic challenges, this debate over passport languages serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage while adapting to global norms. It is essential for the government to correct any missteps promptly and to honor those who feel hurt by these decisions, thereby demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and respect for all cultural identities.

In conclusion, the passport language controversy is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to reaffirm its commitment to cultural pride and inclusivity. By embracing national languages equally, we can create a more united and respectful society that honors the rich tapestry of identities that make up our nation.

By Palitha Ariyarathna

Prof. Hudson McLean

Is this How the Rickest Person on the Planet Should Behave in Public or even in Private?

Please Read His Comments and You Decide!

For context, Musk was responding to a post about a Der Spiegel article that compared him to a media mogul who helped Hitler climb to power.

It was hardly Musk’s first, and certainly not his most offensive, statement involving the Third Reich or their White supremacist progeny. Just last month, Musk promoted Tucker Carlson’s widely condemned interview with a Nazi apologist who said the murder of Jews in concentration camps was humane” and that Winston Churchill was the chief villain” of World War II. Musk later deleted his X post that called the interview very interesting” and worth watching,” per the Independent.

Express Your Opinion – Read What Others Say!
The Independent Interactive Voice of Sri Lanka on the Internet.

Please visit -: http://www.lankaweb.com/

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Masood Imad, paid a courtesy call on the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Defence Headquarters Complex in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte, today (Oct 23).

The Defence Secretary warmly received the Maldivian envoy and engaged in a cordial discussion.  Discussions were focused on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Mementoes were also exchanged to mark the occasion.

Military Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa and Defence Advisor of the Maldivian High Commission Colonel Hassan Amir were also present.

George Galloway

Countries are queuing up to get into BRICS, says former Pentagon official Michael Maloof. There is no strategic vision coming out of the US. You can’t spend a dollar when you’re dead

උපුටා ගැන්ම ලංකා සී නිව්ස්

මහජන ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යාංශයේ ලේකම් වන රවී සෙනෙවිරත්න මහතා යටතේ පාස්කු බෝම්බ ප‍්‍රහාරයට අදාළ විමර්ශන සිදුකිරීම පිළිගත නොහැකි යයි අගතියට පත් පාර්ශව වෙනුවෙන් අධිකරණයට මෝසමක් ගොනු කර ඇත.

ලේකම්වරයා පාස්කු ඉරිදා ප්‍රහාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් පත් කළ විමර්ශණ වාර්තාවක සැකකරුවෙකු ලෙස නම් කර ඇති නිසා මෙම මෝසම ගොනු කර ඇත.

නීතිඥ සජිත ගමගේ මහතා විසින් කොටුව මහේස්ත්‍රාත් තනූජා ලක්මාලි මහත්මිය හමුවේ මේ් බව දැනුම් දී ඇ.

පාස්කු ප‍්‍රමාරය සම්බන්ධ කොමිෂන් වාර්තා තුන අධිකරණය හමුවට කැඳවන ලෙසත් සිදු කරන විමර්ශන සම්බන්ධයෙන් මැදිහත් වන ලෙසත් නීතීඥවරය අධිකරණයෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටියේය.

සිදුවීමට අදාළව නිකුත් කර ඇති බී වාර්තාවේ කරුණු සම්බන්ධයෙන් මාධ්‍යවේදියෙකුට එම ලේඛණ ලැබුණු ආකාරය ගැටළු සහගත බවත් ප්‍රහාරයේ විමර්ශන සම්බන්ධයෙන් සෑහීමකට පත් විය නොහැකි බවත් කියමින් පාස්කු ඉරු දින ප්‍රහාරයේ විමර්ශන සදහා අධිකරණයේ මැදිහත් වීමක් සිදු කරන ලෙස නීතිඥවරයා අධිකරණයෙන් ඉල්ලීමක් කර ඇත.

එම ඉල්ලීම සලකා බැලූ මහේස්ත්‍රාත්වරිය ඒ සම්බන්ධයෙන් කරුණු දැක්වීමට ලබන නොවැම්බර් මස 13 වනදා අධිකරණයේ පෙනී සිටින ලෙස අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට නොතීසි නිකුත් කළේය.

මෝසමක් ගොනු කරමින් මෙම ඉල්ලීම සිදු කළ නීතිඥවරයා එම ප්‍රහාරයට අදාළ වාර්තා තුන් අධිකරණය හමුවට කැඳවන ලෙසත් ඉල්ලා සිටියේය.

‘මෙම සිද්ධිය සම්බන්ධයෙන් සැකකරුවන් ලෙස නම් කළ අය මහජන ආරක්ෂක ලේකම් ලෙස කටයුතු කරනවා. ඔහුට මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් නියෝග දිමේ බලයක් නැති බවත් කියමින් විමර්ශන සම්බන්ධයෙන් සෑහීමකට පත් විය නොහැකියි’ යයි නීතිඥවරයා අධිකරණයට දන්වා සිටියේය.

‘මේ නඩුවට අදාළව ප්‍රසිද්ධ මාධ්‍යය මගින් මාධ්‍යවේදියෙක් අදහස් දැක්වූවා. විමර්ශන නිලධාරියා මාරු කරන බව ඔහු මාධ්‍යට කියා දිනකින් එම නිලධාරියා පොලිස් මූලස්ථානයට මාරු කලා. මෙම සිද්ධිය සම්බන්ධයෙන් පත් කළ කමිටු වල විනිසුරුවරුන්ට එරෙහිව යම් යම් ප්‍රකාශ නිකුත් කරනවා. මෙලෙස ප්‍රකාශ ප්‍රසිද්ධ කිරීම සුදුසු නැහැ. දක්ෂ විනිසුරුවන් මේ වාර්තා සකස් කලේ.  මේ වාර්තා ගිය ආකාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමර්ශන කරන්න. ඔහුව අත්අඩංගුවට ගැනීමට බලයක් අධිකරණයට තිබෙනවා’ යයි කී ඒ මහතා අගතියට පත් මිය ගිය වින්දිතයන් වෙනුවෙන් මෙම ඉල්ලීම සිදු කරන බව කීවේය.

By Nuzla Rizkiya Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The government announced efforts to accelerate the development of the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) at the Port of Colombo, a highly anticipated initiative managed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

This week, Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Vijitha Herath received the Cabinet approval to designate the terminal’s construction as a ‘special project’. This designation aims to streamline the development process by minimising the bureaucratic delays and expediting the necessary permits and approvals required by the SLPA.

The authority previously indicated plans to complete the construction by the end of 2024. Initiated in March 2023, the ECT is projected to become the largest container operations terminal at the Port of Colombo.

Covering an area of 75 hectares, the terminal will feature a 1,320-meter-long jetty capable of accommodating three mega vessels simultaneously. Additionally, it will be equipped with 12 ship-to-shore cranes and 40 rail-mounted gantry cranes to facilitate efficient operations between ships and the land.

Designed to handle three million containers annually, the ECT will incorporate semi-automated systems and advanced technology to enhance operational efficiency. The SLPA has allocated a total of US $ 585 million for the terminal’s development, with China Engineering and Access Engineering appointed as the contractors for the project.

Courtesy CBSNews

Sri Lanka deployed troops and increased police patrols around a Jewish community center in a popular surfing town on Wednesday after the U.S. embassy warned American citizens of a possible attack on popular tourist sites in the area.

The stepped-up security and warning came after social media posts called for a boycott of Israeli-owned businesses in eastern Arugam Bay.

“The information was that a place called ‘Chabad House’ run by Israelis could be a target and we have taken measures to strengthen security,” said police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa.

He said there had recently been tensions between the Jewish tourists visiting Chabad House and the bay’s Muslim-majority population.

The army and the navy along with police commandos were deployed in the area to step up patrols and man roadblocks, he said.

Protests by local Muslim groups against Israel’s fighting of Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have drawn support from the wider community in the predominantly Buddhist South Asian nation.

Israelis accounted for less than 1.5% of the 1.5 million tourists who visited the island in the first nine months of this year — or around 20,000 people altogether.

But Arugam Bay, a hotspot for surfing around 250 miles east of Colombo by road, is a popular destination for Israeli tourists.

In a rare notice of an imminent threat, the U.S. embassy in Colombo said Wednesday that it had “received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations” in eastern Arugam Bay.

“Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice,” the embassy said, adding that “U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area.”

Britain and Canada shared the U.S. warning on their own websites, while the Russian embassy advised its nationals to avoid crowded places while visiting the island.

Israel’s National Security Council meanwhile “raised the travel alert level for Sri Lanka due to credible terrorism threats at the tourist and coastal areas.”

Israel urged its citizens in Arugam Bay and other southern and western coastal areas to “leave the country or at least to the capital Colombo, where there is a high presence of local security forces.” The Level 4 travel alert included the Sri Lankan cities Ahangame, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Weligama. 

Along with Arugum Bay and the other coastal regions, Israel’s National Security Council raised the travel risk for the rest of Sri Lanka to Level 3. The National Security Council ranks travel warnings on a scale of 1 to 4, with warnings assigned Level 4 indicating a “high threat level” and warnings assigned Level 3 indicating a “moderate threat.” A place given the latter ranking means Israeli security recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to the destination.

“In addition, the NSC stresses that Israelis in Sri Lanka must exercise increased precaution,” the travel notice said. It urged citizens currently in Sri Lanka to “avoid openly exhibiting anything that could identify you as Israeli, such as t-shirts with Hebrew writing, or any symbol that discloses your religion or nationality.” 

Security officials also cautioned against “gatherings of Israeli citizens in public places where there is no security.”

New hotline

There have been no attacks in Sri Lanka since the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people, including 45 foreign nationals.

The coordinated attack against three luxury hotels and three churches was blamed on a local jihadist group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Tourism numbers fell sharply afterward, and took another hit during a 2022 economic meltdown that precipitated widespread civil unrest.

But foreign visitor numbers have picked up after an International Monetary Fund bailout last year helped stabilize the economy.

Following the U.S. embassy warning, police said they were unveiling a new security plan to protect tourists island-wide.

“In view of the war situation in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the police, together with intelligence agencies, are working on a plan to protect tourists and resorts,” said a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Police.

It did not give details, but said a hotline had been established for tourists to alert authorities of any safety concerns.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  ලංකා ලීඩර්

පිවිතුරු හෙළ උරුමය අද කොළඹ පැවැත්වූ මාධ්‍ය හමුවකට එක් වෙමින් හිටපු පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී උදය ගම්මන්පිල  මහතා පරශන කළේ පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය සම්බන්ධ විමර්ශන කමිටුවේ වාර්තාව තමන් පිළි නොගන්නා බවට ඇමති විජිත හේරත් මහතා පවසන්නේ එහි සභාපති විනිසුරු වරියට විශමාචාර චෝදනා එල්ල වූ බව පවසමින් නම් ඇය විනිසුරුවරියක ලෙස ලබාදුන් නඩු තීන්දු ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන්නේදැයි කියායි.

එහිදී වැඩිදුරටත් කරුණු දැක් වූ ඒ මහතා තමනට පක්ෂපාති පුද්ගලයන්ට චෝදනා එල්ල වලට එවන් වාර්තා ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන බව නොකියා එහි වරදක් ඇත්නම් ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය හමුවට යාමට හැකි බව නීතිමය ක්‍රමවේදය බවත් පෙන්වා දුන්නේය. 

අගරදගුරුතුමන්ද මෙම වාර්තා ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන බව පැවසු ගම්මන්පිල මහතා එසේ ක්‍රන්නේ ඔවුන් බලාපොරොත්තු වන පුද්ගලයන් ගැන සඳහන් නොවන නිසාදැයි සැකයක් මතුවන බවද අවධාරණය කළේය.

විජිත හේරත් ඇමැතිතුමා මේ වාර්තාව ව්‍යාජ වාර්තාවක් කිව්වේ නෑ. ඒ වගේම අල්විස් වාර්තාවේ අඩංගු කරුණු ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කළෙත් නෑ. එතුමා මේ වාර්තාව ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන්නේ කමිටුවේ ප්‍රධානත්වය දැරූ විනිසුරුවරිය 2004 දී විෂමාචාර චෝදනාවක් මත රැකියාවෙන් ඉවත් වෙලා 2006 සිට නැවත සේවයට පැමිණියා කියන කාරණය මත.

වසර දෙකක් සේවයේ නොසිටීම පදනම් කරගෙන මේ වාර්තාව ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරනවා නම් 2006 සිට 2023 දක්වා වසර 17ක් එතුමිය විනිසුරුවරියක් ලෙස ලබා දුන් සියලු නඩු තීන්දුත් ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරනවාද? එතුමිය සිර දඬුවම් ලබා දුන් සිරකරුවන් නිදහස් කරනවාද? අය කළ දඩ නැවත ඒ පුද්ගලයන්ට ගෙවනවාද? දික්කසාද කළ අය නැවත කසාද බන්දනවාද කියන කාරණයත් විජිත හේරත් මැතිතුමා රටට පැහැදිලි කළ යුතුයි.

කමිටුව ගැන විවිධ චෝදනා නගන ඇමැතිතුමා කමිටුවේ හරය ගැන වචනයක් කතා කරන්නේ නෑ. පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය පිළිබඳ ලැබුණු ලිපියට කිසිදු ප්‍රතිචාරයක් නොදක්වා දවස් 12ක් සිටීමෙන් පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය නොසැලකිල්ලෙන් සිදුවීමට ඉඩහැරීමේ වරදට රවී සෙනෙවිරත්න මහතා වැරදිකරු ද නිවැරදිකරුද? මට හෝ විනිසුරුතුමියන්ට පහර දීමෙන් රවී සෙනෙවිරත්නගේ නොසැලකිල්ල නිසා මේ මහා අපරාධය වුණා කියන චෝදනාව වෙනස් වෙන්නේ නෑ.”

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the legal Cabinet decision taken by him as Finance Minister to increase the salaries of public servants should be implemented immediately.

The former President said that if he had won the Presidential election, he had planned to give the salary increase from next January, and that if the salary increase is not given, then the government should immediately reveal where the money allocated for it is.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe mentioned this in a special discussion held today (23) with representatives of the State Employees Trade Unions.

The discussion was held at the New Democratic Front office at Flower Road, Colombo.

Former President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who further commented there, also said:

I thought I would clarify the facts about the legality of our government increasing the salaries of public servants.  If we explain about the cabinet decision we have taken to increase the salaries of public servants, we have done that work under Article 43 of the Constitution.  We made the salary increase after considering the requests received from all public servants.

The demand for salary increase is reasonable.  By the year 2022, the value of people’s wages has decreased by fifty percent.  They lived hard.  They had to go into debt.  Some people had to sell their property.  In the early days when I took over, they were not in a position to give relief.  I announced it to the country.  Some asked to increase the salary by twenty thousand. 

 In 2024, I increased the wages by ten thousand rupees.  But those ten thousand rupees are not enough.   When the value of money decreases by fifty percent, people will have problems.  There are times when some children come to school without breakfast.  Children in many families stopped attending tuition classes.  Good or bad or need tuition classes today.  I did not want these social systems to collapse.  Accordingly, Ma Udaya Seneviratne Committee was appointed to look into the increase in government employee salaries.  They were given three months to make a decision.  But the committee gave the report before that. 

I asked the committee chairman Mr. Udaya Seneviratne about it.  He also mentioned that since this is a big problem, it should be helped.
I asked how much money would be spent on increasing the respective wages.  When I asked the Treasury Secretary if he was able to give the amount he said, he said that it is not possible to give that amount.  The Treasury Secretary also informed that our budget will not be able to support this amount.  I told Mr. Udaya Seneviratne to inform that matter.  I also told them to discuss with the President’s Secretary and find out how to increase the relevant salaries.

Later, they informed me that they have discussed and reached an agreement and that it is possible to give fifty percent in one year and the remaining fifty in the other year without giving the salary increase all at once. 

At that time, I first discussed with Saman Ekanayake who was my secretary.  I also discussed with my economic advisor Dr. Samaratunga and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena.   In the end, we came to an agreement to give this salary increase.
Even if we increase the wages as agreed, we will not be able to cover the disadvantage of the decrease in the value of the currency.  But we knew that this decision would bring some significant relief. 

Accordingly, I presented the cabinet paper on increasing the remuneration of public servants.  I have signed that cabinet document as the president.  Accordingly, this decision does not require comments from the treasury.  The cabinet can take any decision.  We now generally operate according to the UK Cabinet Manual. 

It is stated that it is assigned to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers to summarize what the collective decision is and it is prescribed by the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in notes.

That means we don’t ask for votes to make a decision.  The decision will be announced by the Chairman of the Cabinet.  It is mentioned in section 4:3.  We have reported that decision. 

Article 4:7 states that it is for the incumbent Government to determine the specific arrangements for collective decision-making.

Sometimes we make decisions without papers.  Opinions against the views of the minister in charge of the subject are obtained. 

I don’t think that my friend Mr. Vijitha Herath has been in a cabinet before.  The decision taken by our government to increase the salaries of public servants is completely legal. 

A ministry is an organization.  The organization has no laws.  The ministry is headed by the minister under section 52 of the constitution.  The Ministry is run by the Secretary under the order of the Minister.

As the Minister of Finance, sometimes when papers are sent to be sent to the Cabinet according to the Ministry’s proposals, I sometimes agree and sign them.  If I do not agree with certain papers, I will say my opinion.

As the President, when I sign the relevant salary increase resolution, I am not only signing as the President.  As the minister of all ministries belonging to the President.

I presented this salary increase as the Finance Minister.  When signing the relevant paper as the President, there is no need to submit letterheads as the Ministry of Finance again.   It is legal to sign as the President.

Accordingly, the relevant government employee salary increase should be paid.  We can provide that salary increase.  We have approved this salary increase only after due consideration. 

And there is another matter that I have considered while giving this salary increase.   That means we need to increase our state income from twelve percent to thirteen percent by next year.  I have accordingly approved this salary increase.

There is money to provide the relevant wage increase.  If they say that there is no money, that is a strange story.  The government should explain where the money to increase salaries is. 

Do not postpone this salary increase.  Because the people are not able to live.

If you can’t fulfill the promises made by the compass, then fulfill the promises made by us.

This government employee salary increase should be implemented from January.

My idea was to pass this salary increase in December or the first two weeks of January if I won the presidential election and pay the salary at the end of January.  Don’t try to delay this salary increase now. 

People should have money in hand to celebrate the Sinhala year.  This salary increase is legal.

Now the civil servants have to take this fight forward.  This battle is now in your hands.  Now Sajabe has gone and said that he will support President Anura Dissanayake and will not clash.

Former President Ranil Wickramasinghe further stated that you should take this responsibility and carry it forward.