Thankfully to the smart and peace-loving Sri Lankan citizen’s
decision that brought you to the great victory in the Presidential election in
last November, today whole peace-loving Sri Lankans enjoy a sigh of relief and
confidence for the future of Sri Lanka.
The brave and bold decisions you have executed so far courageously
as the executive president of the country have already started showing positive
results to the progress of the island. As a leader who took the oath as the
president of Sri Lanka in front of Swarnamali Maha Chaithyaya in ancient
capital of Anuradhapura, you made history.
As a staunch and strong supporter of you ever since we
decided that you are the most suitable and appropriate person to lead the
country and as a person who could convince and transform many opposite voters
for you, I have a humble request here by to make.
Please ban cow slaughtering in Sri Lanka”
According to Buddhism also cow slaughtering has caused
many illnesses and calamities to befall on human beings and ever since the life
span of man has dropped immensely.
It is the high time now to ban cow slaughtering in Sri
Lanka and when the present general election is over, please issue an executive
order to ban cow slaughtering. This sole act would make you to shine as a real
justice leader in the world and pave the way to Thawthisa or Thusitha celestial
worlds in your wish after this life.
As arahath Mahinda mentioned to King Devanampiya Thissa
(247 BC to 207 BC), ‘You are not the owner of the country, but the ruler and
the administrator only. You cannot take lives of any living being which lives
on earth, in water or in the sky’.
Even though there are plenty of more things to note to
justify to ban cow slaughtering from our beloved motherland, I do not intend to
write a long letter for you today.
I hope you will have the courage and blessings to issue
an executive order to ban cow slaughtering in Sri Lanka soon after the current
general election.
Thank you Mr. President.
May the Triple Gem and all good guardian deities protect
and guide you and Sri Lanka till eternity.
All major political parties must now recognize that animal
welfare is a key issue for a growing number of voters in Sri Lanka and so it’s
essential that they adopt sound, evidence-based policies in their Election
manifestos.
In a country which takes pride in proclaiming that it has the
longest uninterrupted history of Buddhism in the world and accepts fostering of
Buddhism within and overseas as a fundamental duty of the State (Article 9 of
the Constitution), it is sad to note that despite such national commitment to
propagation and protection of Buddhism, the mainstream political parties in Sri
Lanka have failed miserably unlike their counterparts abroad to mention a
commitment to protect animals and repeal archaic legislation by enacting the
Animal Welfare Bill, in their Election Manifestos. Moreover, what is glaringly
lacking is a pledge of a real commitment to action on such matters.
The newly formed ‘Justice for Animals and Nature’ headed by Ven.
Dr. Omalpe Sobhita Thero, the founder of the Sri Bodhiraja Foundation that was
commenced in 1991 to ensure the well – being and happiness or all beings, both
human and non-human,
has
formulated a set of objects that provides a guide for all political parties in
Sri Lanka to adopt.
We need cross party support for these animal welfare measures in
our Objects such as the updating of the laws to protect animals e.g. enactment of the
Animal Welfare Bill, and promotion of
humanitarian education and awareness programs commencing at
pre-school level, aimed at securing animal rights, protection and welfare.
The
objects of the ‘Justice for Animals and Nature’ organization are as follows:
i.
To strive for Freedom and Justice for
Animals, and creation of a Just Society.
ii.
To rebuild an animal-friendly cultural
heritage in Sri Lanka, by fostering and caring for the well – being of animals.
iii.
To campaign for reform of the
Constitution and updating of the laws to protect animals, nature, and heritage,
commensurate with modern standards of care and treatment, and engage in legal
advocacy and public litigation.
iv.
To liaise and support other organizations
within or outside Sri Lanka engaged in the promotion and protection of fauna,
flora and nature.
v.
To promote
humanitarian education and awareness programs commencing at
pre-school level, aimed at securing animal rights, protection and welfare.
vi.
To work towards ending cruelty to animals
and the use of animals in entertainment, zoos, slavery, sports, races,
experiments and religious activities including ritual animal sacrifice(s).
vii.
To promote plant – based food
production and consumption, and propagate the benefits of Vegetarianism and
Veganism.
viii.
To call for a ban on the export of live
animals from Sri Lanka for slaughter, entertainment and as gifts to other
countries, and export of meat products and seafood from Sri Lanka.
ix.
To encourage the public to not earn a
living by rearing animals for slaughter or killing animals, including
invertebrates such as crustaceans,
and to call for a ban on slaughter of cattle and other animals.
x.
To create awareness on environmental
pollution and environmental degradation, and their injurious effects on human
health, climate change and bio – diversity, and campaign against all such forms
of pollution, including noise pollution.
xi.
To advocate preservation of remains of
pre-historic and historic cultures and heritage, archaeological areas,
residual forests and natural habitats of non – human living creatures, elephant
corridors, and engagement in sustainable development.
xii.
To promote ‘Ahimsa’ as a cardinal tenet
pervading all activities.
Senaka
Weeraratna
Founder
member of ‘Justice for Animals and Nature’
People want our communities to be safe. People want our security ( our borders are safe) to be intact. People want our environment and forest reserves to be protected. People want our historical sites to be respected and protected. People want our children protection from abuse. People want our roads to be safe with adequate safety features. People want our people to follow law and order and discipline. People want law-abiding, disciplined, society & nobody to challenge court orders and respect the law & order. People want to see Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese live in harmony. People want politicians to less talk and more to deliver.
When our Army commander was appointed to his present position, some nongovernmental organizations started complaining of his appointment and influenced the government to change it. Which is wrong and it is the inter-fearing to internal affairs of a country. It is our national security, safety, and internal affairs. Which is again very wrong according to UN Code as well. However, these influences were due to the hidden motives of different objectives of western countries and the United States. Those objectives are not visible, but those influences are the mitigation of geopolitical interests of powerful countries of above to enter and to make ground for themselves and executing their futuristic interest due to economic shift to south Asia in the world economy. Ranil Maithree’s rule was the best ruling for westerners as it was the weakest ruling of the Sri Lankan state history. The interested countries want to make our country weak from many fronts, such as a weaker constitution, weak-armed forces, communal unrest among religious groups, etc. Introducing mockery into our constitution-making the country’s instability and making vulnerable our country’s integrity & slowly destabilizing the country and make it more unstable was the carefully planned strategy by western powers. So it happens but not totally because of its strength of the constitution. There were certain front-line politicians such as Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakse and Dinesh Gunawardena who did do a good standing to protect the constitution and its integrity.
Plotting, conspiring, igniting troubles, funding, and making use of international media, was quite common in those days, and making false statements against the country was quite common as well. It is one of the strategies; present-day imperialist plotting to destabilize countries. It was quite successful in the middle east; as they were able to external forces to flattened the countries of very well-governed of Iraq, Libya, and Syria. In order to achieve their interest, they use local interested groups, bribing politicians, make use of nongovernmental organizations, monetary gifts arms and ammunition, etc. We experience such interventions, at a low level in our country. The politicians are responsible for receiving western funding to carry out neo-liberal economic policies in Sri Lanka. The famous debatable MCC funding is a product of that geopolitical interest of western policies and their interests.
Simultaneously, we remember there was a movement by Maduluwawe Sobitha and a bunch of other people. But now they are not active. Probably Maduluwawe Sobitha had his honest intention to bring a better political and social environment to our country. However, their movement was successful and Ranil Maithree yahapalanaya came to power causing many perils to our country. The main political contender Ranil Wickramasinghe wants himself to snatch the power and continue his regaining Sri Lanka economic devastation and making the country towards a market economy. Our own exports were let to malfunction, corruption went up, our productions were malfunctioning, Strikes were daily on our streets. Sri Lanka once made into trouble again. There were much nongovernmental organization boldly commenting on democratic freedom. But they didn’t remember there were many moms jumped into rivers and died with their children. Those years the suicidal rate was very high and people lived their lives with desperation. People jumped on to running trains and dies by themselves. You all remember activist Sarath Wijesooriya where is he now? Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha who initiated the movement went out of boundaries and introduced huge political destabilization into our country. In the end Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera before his demise accepted that his movement was wrong, but Thera himself done the damage to the country by mobilizing the people against that day government. Because of that movement, the country ends up with a government-run by a president who does not have the backbone to make decisions, and pro-western interest was achieved in that way. So the country was unsecured, people were unsafe, religious disparities were looming, the country was vulnerable for attacks from Muslim extremists.
As everybody is aware it happens in our country. I wouldn’t’ say the government of Mahinda Rajapakse in 2015 was perfect, but it was a government that came to power and run through the people mandate. In those days the movement leaders were making discussions in media on how to establish a society in our country which is good for the people. Honestly, it worked against the will of the people of this country. I think people remember some of the key figures of that campaign Upul Shantha Sannsgala, Saman Rathnapriya, Sudharshan Gunawardena, K w, Janaranjana, the person who invented Ranaviru Gaya word into our vocabulary Chandragupththa Thenuwara , the famous Dhabara Amila who did make mockery comments also. The question is, Were they really did work for the society for a better outcome? Absolutely not; they had a different interest which is not to fulfill the expectations of deserving people of our country.
The present-day stability has been a reality within a short period of time. There are only two powerful strengths that worked for that stability of this country which is our valiant armed forces, intelligent services, and our president’s vision and his strategy which worked for the current day stability of the country. So the immediate past history taught us a lesson which means we need to continue the present-day stability through & make it a prosperous country in the coming years. That is only possible through a big political mandate. That mandate is the people of this country. The present government has shown that they are capable people to lead the country forward. The mass majority of the people of the country recons their governing by now. My articles just not analyzing the situations but my article brings enormous perspectives on how to get better. As a born citizen of the country, I have a moral responsibility to get those perspectives, and people in policy planning and implementation could evaluate the relevance of those perspectives and develop them into ideas and work on them. Our constitution has introduced some changes by Ranil and the rule, which obviously delayed the implementation of laws orders. I only remember the days of election commissioners, when had the election commissioner, he had been given all powers to conduct elections in the country. Sri Lanka had an outstanding commissioner and his name was Chandrananda de silva. According to my understanding, he was one of the top government executives who did his job exemplary gold standing service in the profession. I still remember the day when he called the main contenders of the 1977 election; J.R. Jayawardena and Sirimavo Bandaranayake. He did it much better than now. His conducting of administrative work as the state officer much better to the present day. There wasn’t a problem in the system for him to continue his duties as the top government election commissioner at that time. After all with new changes now we all know what the new chairman of the commission is doing. He had been doing everything but withholding elections in the country. Probably the delay of everything ma, not his fault, but this mockery’s due to constitutional changes by the previous government.
The president is requesting a 2/3 majority to introduce a new constitution to expedite process and implementation. It is obvious that we need to have a people-centered constitution which expedite processes and implementations. Most importantly once the new constitution introduced new laws need to be introduced to protect its integrity. Politicians like Ranil Wickramasinghe who don’t have any people mandate shouldn’t be able to change its regulations to his own existence. My awareness as such the former government didn’t receive a mandate from the people to change our constitution, didn’t receive any mandate from people of the republic. We want to know who had been funded to introduce mockery to our constitution. I know the famous lawyer called Jayampathie Wickramaratne who did a majority work to change the constitution, with Urumithtanadu” already left the country for good. I am sure the new constitution will be done with the participation of patriots and it will be a constitution we all can live happily with communal harmony.
Why we need a state service sector predominantly service-oriented to public needs and how can we achieve that and what are the strength and weaknesses of the existing system? If I would conclude that we are racially biased in our society that nobody will disagree with the term I used by myself. That awareness helps us to move forward with solutions with understanding. Racial disparities unconsciously may be built into the decision making of services. Being Sinhalese cannot be considered as a privileged group of people to concern? I believe if a Sinhalese person comes to state service they might not have that problem. This is where social bias occurs; probably it might be the unconscious bias, But if a Tamil person comes to Sinhalese officer for state service the disparity might happen. The disparity of this nature shouldn’t happen in the service sector. Diverse group needs and their accessibility should have met equally without any disparity. The disparity could be minimized if the officers well aware of Tamil language fluency. The other disturbing factor is the state policies which we are trying to bring forward all the time. But the research shows policies has been the biggest contributions for dissatisfying state services. State Policies must be formatted around people’s expectations, satisfaction, achievement, etc. So the service sector needs some training in understanding racial injustice and also understanding of unconscious bias.
Everybody wants to see a country with all the above in place and it is only an awareness at this moment. Time to time I have been taking people to that awareness of the country and experience the beauty of that awareness. Well having said that, now there is an opportunity for people to achieve that probability. People need to use their mandate in the coming election; the most powerful political right of electing Members to the Legislative Assembly. This is the only, and one time opportunity to make that happen, as you decide. The present government qualifies to receive 2/3 majority of people’s mandate and they have proved in a short span of time that they are capable of getting more and more people’s responsibilities. Most importantly they have a road map to bring the country towards prosperity. Let’s make that mandate of 2/3 majority to present government and tied them up with responsibility and accountability to deliver. They are the most qualified contenders to receive the people’s mandate and outran all other political parties in the country.I am sure it will happen. I hope we all can live with harmony in this beautiful island as a proud nation.
The global pandemic of COVID -19 has changed the world order. The most powerful nations are shaken by themselves more than ever before. The wealthiest nations are in limbo as they are unable to control the disease and their death toll is rising. The experts in their countries have been advised to governments to follow national guidelines to control the virus, but it has been not done the way it has to be. Now those countries paying the price by human deaths due to politicizing the pandemic for political gains. The United States of America is at the top of the list of countries of the category. The world must use its media and advise people to ban the United States of America as it is a dangerous place to live due to the spreading of the virus. As Sri Lankans, we must be happy and show our gratitude to health officials, armed forces, and the government of taking timely measures to protect the citizens of the country. Their dedication is outstanding and it is the world best by now.
I have been writing always about the environment forest reserves in my all articles. It is because it is quite important to protect nature’s gift we have in our country. But our forestry is in danger due to many reasons. The first reason is the climate change of the globe and it’s adversely contributing to natural forest reserves. The most important 2 nd reason is the deforesting of our forest reserves by political influence and for development, and colonization E.G. Willpattu forest reserve. Let’s talk about why we need to protect our forestry more than anything else in our care. Forest density regulates the temperature of the land. Forest density helps to regulate the raining fall of the land. More than anything else, forest reserves are ecosystems in which a diverse amount of ecological living is going on which is essential for the balance of nature. In these balanced ecosystems, the living beings make their food cycles, water, carbon dioxide, photosynthesis, delicate chemical organic chains prominent with the sun the sunlight. Many forest living beings’ habitats has been affected by human intervention to the environment. Furthermore, forest reserves help to prevent soil erosion which helps to preserve soil with nutrients. Many waterfalls origins from rain forest reserves. So overall there is an ecological balance in a forest, but human intervention has imbalanced the sustainability of the coexistence. It has been revealed by research that all amphibians In Sri Lanka under threat, especially hourglass tree frog. The tree frogs are extremely sensitive to temperature increase and humidity, so there habitat loss and forest fragmentation, their collective future is threatened by climate change. Globally threats against amphibians have escalated so rapidly. Those living amphibians and other living beings are our valued natural resources. The frogs are being found in the Horton Plains forest reserve of our country. The ministry of environment and forest reserves need to be handled by people who know the subject and most suitable and most qualified people must be appointed as the state officials. Please remove all kinds of politicians and political influence by the name development doing deforestation.
Immature
eagerness rather urgency makes things horrible particularly when matters are
directly linked with the credibility of a nation and security of a country. A
few days back when a renowned Pakistani journalist was allegedly kidnapped from
a very busy road of Pakistan’s federal capital Islamabad, some media-men from
national and international media groups started pointing their fingers towards
the security agencies of Pakistan without any proof and without any
investigation. Whosoever was behind this heinous act must be taken to task but
after thorough investigation. Blaming abruptly simply mars the facts; moreover such
type of ‘blame-game’ defames and discredits not only the working of our
security agencies but the whole country and the whole nation. Today countless
Indians are sarcastically asking on social media ‘What were the security
agencies of Pakistan doing when that journalist was being kidnapped from that
busy road of the federal capital.’
It is the professional responsibility of all
media-men to file their stories after complete investigation and certainly they
must provide proofs in support of their investigative reports. As far as the
kidnapping incident from Islamabad’s busy road is concerned, there had been
countless incidents of the same kind in US, UK and so many countries hundred
times more advanced in resources and available technology. The security
agencies must stop such type of incidents and they no doubt do everywhere as
much as is possible for them. In most of the cases they try to keep a vigilant
eye on nefarious activities but they have no power of performing miracles; they
cannot stop things which are in the minds of the planners.
Recently
another example of this immature eagerness was observed in different national
and international newspapers when a news-report on unfreezing of the bank
accounts of five leaders of (defunct) Jama’at-ud-Da’wah and Lashkar -e-Taiba
was published in a Pakistani paper. The news-report said that Pakistan has
restored their bank accounts. The report said, All of them are UNSC’s enlisted
terrorists though and currently facing sentences ranging 1 to 5 years in Lahore
jail for terror financing cases filed against them by the Punjab Counter
Terrorism Department.’ According to the details narrated in the news-report the
defunct JUD leaders had forwarded an appeal to the government of Pakistan for
restoring their bank accounts so that they could run their family affairs. They
also mentioned about their financial income and sources of earning. A copy of
this application was sent to the UNSC also for final approval. It means that
the UNSC was the final authority which could restore their accounts. The
government of Pakistan simply acted upon the directions given by the United
Nations; there was no personal interest or will of the government in restoring
their bank-accounts.
Keeping
the facts and figures aside, unfortunately, some analysts tried to convince their
audience that this restoration of accounts was the result of that ‘soft corner’
somewhere hidden in the heart of the government of Pakistan. They tried to
misguide the world around that this restoration of bank-accounts was
independently done by the government of Pakistan. The facts are altogether
otherwise; Pakistan has never encouraged any kind of terrorism as Pakistan
itself has been the worst victim to this menace. Restoration of the bank accounts
of all these leaders has nothing to do with the ‘will and desire’ of the
government of Pakistan; it was simply done on the direction of UNSC.
Dragging
Pakistan into a new blame game is in fact an attempt to defame the whole nation
in the international community and to weaken the very foundation of the country
already facing a lot of problems. As per tradition the Indian media took full
benefit of the situation and exploited the news published in Pakistani
newspapers in the most negative way. It was also propagated that at the initial
stage, Pakistan had restored the bank accounts of the ‘terrorists’, at some
later stage, arrangements would be done for their release. The South Asia
Monitor said focusing on that news report, The report raised eyebrows over
Pakistan’s actions on ground and claims on papers in front of the global
community and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), where it has claimed to
seize all assets, offices and bank accounts of the JUD and its affiliate
individuals.”
The
ball was never in the court of the government of Pakistan; the applicants sent
their applications for the restoration of their bank accounts to the government
of Pakistan and forwarded the same to the UNSC. It was not the government of
Pakistan but the United Nations Sanctions Committee responsible for unfreezing
of these accounts. The Committee looked thoroughly into all details, followed
all rules and regulations, approved the application and then directed the
government of Pakistan to take necessary action.
Anyone
who misreported the facts and figures in fact violated all moral and ethical
values. Blaming someone for the thing he has not done is a crime and this crime
becomes an act of terrorism when our own people get involved into it. While
reporting on some issue of a sensitive nature or analyzing some sensitive
situation of national importance, we all must keep in mind that words become
more poisonous and more disastrous than nuclear weapons if not carefully used.
Director of Health and Nutrition at the Ministry of Education, Renuka Peiris; Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kitamur Toshihiro; WFP Deputy Country Director of Sri Lanka, Andrea Berardo; Secretary of the Ministry of Education, N.H.M. Chitrananda; and Additional Secretary of School Activities at the Ministry of Education, L.M.W. Darmasena.
The Government of Japan has donated a large shipment of canned fish, weighing 388 metric tonnes and worth ¥300 million (Rs.519 million), to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Sri Lanka, to meet the protein needs of schoolchildren covered by the National School Meal Programme.
The donation was formalised at a ceremony held at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Colombo, at which the Exchange of Notes were signed by Kitamura Toshihiro, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka; and Andrea Berardo, WFP Deputy Country Director of Sri Lanka. The event was presided over by N.H.M. Chitrananda, Secretary of the Ministry of Education; L.M.W. Darmasena, Additional Secretary of School Activities at the Ministry of Education; and Renuka Peiris, Director of Health and Nutrition at the Ministry of Education.
The Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan have had a strong bond with a mutually supportive relationship between the people of our countries for many years,” Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kitamur Toshihiro, said.
The Government of Sri Lanka and its people demonstrated their solidarity to Japan in the immediate aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in March 2011, through a cash donation of US$1 million and three million tea bags. The canned fish provided by Japan is sourced from the areas supported by Sri Lanka, as an extension of the continuous supply provided by Japan, reflecting our appreciation of our Sri Lankan friends for lending a hand to Japan in times of need. We will continue to support Sri Lanka, in the spirit of unity and solidarity in our joint battle against the effects of COVID-19,” he added.
Through this agreement, the Government of Japan commits to making available to the Government of Sri Lanka—through the WFP—388 metric tonnes of canned fish; enough for the preparation of 19 million meals (rich in protein) for 270,000 schoolchildren. This latest contribution ensures that canned fish will continue to be offered to schoolchildren from 2021 – 2022, in addition to the previous consignment of canned fish supplied by the Government of Japan, which will last up to mid-2021.
Nutritious meals are the foundation to good health, especially for children. This generous contribution from Japan comes at a crucial time when so many Sri Lankan families are hard-hit by COVID-19, with reduced incomes and job-loss. Fish is a great source of protein, and by including it in school meals, we can be certain that children will get the right nutrients they need to grow and develop,” WFP Deputy Country Director of Sri Lanka, Andrea Berardo, said.
A lack of adequate protein intake could result in several health issues amongst children, including slow growth, poor concentration, and decreased immunity. In Sri Lanka, nutrition surveys have indicated that 40% of primary-level schoolchildren were too thin prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Consumption of protein-rich foods, such as fish, is vital to help children meet their dietary requirements.
The Government of Sri Lanka has been conducting the National School Meal Programme for several decades. The programme was developed with the objective of ensuring that children are healthy and can optimally benefit from the educational opportunities provided to them,” Secretary of the Ministry of Education, N.H.M. Chitrananda, said.
We are thankful to the Government of Japan and the World Food Programme for providing canned fish to supplement the school meal programme, and for supporting us in enhancing the nutritional status of schoolchildren,” he added.
The National School Meal Programme, which the WFP has supported since 2003, was disrupted by COVID-19-induced school closures in March.
The Government of Japan, through the WFP, has been supporting the programme since 2011, with approximately 1,500 metric tonnes of canned fish worth more than ¥1 billion, to supplement school meals twice a week, adding diversity, nutrition, and taste.
The World Food Programme, together with the Government of Japan, has pledged to continue their support to the Government of Sri Lanka in its efforts to scale up and enhance the National School Meal Programme.
I think what is most important is proper debt management. If we get that right, we don’t need to think of debt restructuring
The Daily Mirror discussed the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the national economy and how Sri Lanka could emerge from this unprecedented challenge with the least possible damage, with former Central Bank Governor, senior advisor to Prime Minister on economic affairs and SLPP National List candidate, Ajith Nivard Cabraal.
Excerpts: Q What exactly is the nature of damage done to the economy by the pandemic? As we all know, the pandemic caused a massive shut-down of economic activities, globally. As a result, many industries suffered. Transportation by air, sea and road came to an almost complete halt. Tourism was severely affected. Many factories closed without work. Many also didn’t get paid for the goods they produced and sold because the buyers were so badly affected. Global oil prices plunged. In that scenario, the Sri Lankan economy suffered a serious setback because exports of apparels as well as tourism which were two of the key foreign exchange earners in our country, were seriously affected. The lockdown, while helping to control the spread of the virus, naturally led to a major slowdown in purchasing power which further affected all businesses, big and small. Many in the private sector lost livelihoods and jobs, hopefully temporarily.
Even though difficult, the government was able to prop up several sectors as well as the affected people to some extent. Nevertheless, the significant reduction in consumer demand across the board, caused a serious contraction in the economy since the advent of the COVID -19 virus. Fortunately, the recovery is finally taking place worldwide and Sri Lanka opening out gradually, and businesses beginning to pick up. In that scenario, we now hope that the resumption of at least a reasonable degree of economic activities will enable the overall economy to record a V-shaped recovery by the fourth quarter of 2020, although that’s somewhat optimistic.
Q Though we have contained the pandemic, the world is yet to come out. Then, is it realistic for us, to realise the economic targets? We need to develop some economic targets if we are to move forward. Otherwise, we will find it difficult to stay focused. We also need to make certain estimates now because such estimates would be needed to help position ourselves to meet the crisis in a reasonably professional manner. It is of course quite possible, that some of the estimates and assumptions that we make today, could later prove to be erroneous, but that is a risk that we will need to take at this time. We all need to acknowledge and understand that the entire world is moving on uncharted waters right now. The course is not clear, but yet, we have got to move forward. Otherwise, we would surely perish. The government too will have to think out-of-the-box and take some bold steps. Not every decision will be 100% accurate. But, in these circumstances, if no decisions are taken or no action is taken, business confidence will suffer and all economic stakeholders will enter into a very pessimistic mode, which will lead to disastrous results. Even otherwise, it may slowly limp back, but that would take too long and the social fallout could be highly dangerous.
Q The industrial sector, tourist industry, Small and Medium Enterprises, rural and domestic industries are the most affected from COVID – 19. How can these vital segments of the economy be revived in the shortest possible period of time? As already stated, almost all sectors of the economy have been affected due to the collapse of local and international demand. In that background, the greatest pain and vulnerability will be faced by businesses in the immediate and short term. That is why we have to give our country’s businesses the necessary support to tide over that difficult period. That is not going to be easy since the government finances are also stressed at this time as tax collections in the post-COVID period would be weak while foreign inflows too, will be interrupted.
Q Who are the most vulnerable sections in society that should be given priority in the government’s recovery programme? There are several sectors that have been badly affected as a result of the fall in demand for various goods and services. The apparel and tourism sectors have been significantly affected in particular, and the persons who are involved in those sectors have become quite vulnerable. They certainly need to be supported until such time that those sectors recover. At the same time, there are several other local industries and services that have also suffered significantly as a result of the acute fall in local demand due to the lockdown and reduced purchasing power. Those persons too need to be supported by way of cash grants, tax breaks, loan and interest moratoriums, quick release of new loan facilities at concessionary interest rates. All these matters have received the consideration of the government, and solutions are being developed to provide the maximum support.
Q The largest contributions to Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves come from remittances of the expatriate Sri Lankan community, garment and apparel exports, fish exports and the exports of tea and rubber. At a time all the export revenues has dropped to a drip, what incentives could the government offer to rekindle these sectors? If export revenue in a country drops due to quality issues or availability problems within the exporting country, then it could be fixed by taking the required management and operational remedial measures to rectify such issues. However, if the export revenue is declining due to the decreasing purchasing power of the importing nation’s people and business entities, the problem would be more challenging as it would be beyond the control of the exporter or the exporting country.
As is well known, in the case of many export-market collapses experienced in the last few months, it is clear that the decline is due to consumer demand in the importing country declining as a direct result of the COVID -19 situation. In that background, it is likely that the demand would pick up after a few more months, and therefore what would be important is for the exporting country to remain resilient by following policies that would enable its exporters to keep their factories and businesses intact, and survive until such time the downward trend changes. In the case of exports of apparels, fish, tea, rubber, etc., we have already begun to see an improvement in export revenues. Therefore, it is now time for us to strive even harder to stimulate our existing markets and find new niche markets that would provide us with the opportunity to export more.
Further, although we do observe a reduction in remittances due to the purchasing power decline in the Middle Eastern countries, it is likely that once global demand picks up, oil prices would improve, which would be a favourable outcome from the point of view of the oil exporting nations. I think the government would do well to provide some short-term relief to those affected businesses until such time demand in the importing or employing nations reaches at least the pre-COVID levels.
Q How does the government plan for debt restructuring? I think what is most important is proper debt management. If we get that right, we don’t need to think of debt restructuring. During the period I was the Governor from 2006 to 2014, we were able to reduce Sri Lanka’s Debt to GDP Ratio from 91% to 71%. We were able to shave 50% off the average interest rate of our debt stock. We were able to double the average time to maturity of the debt stock. By keeping the Rupee stable, we ensured that foreign debt servicing was manageable.
The impact of the COVID -19 economic contraction has thrown fresh challenges to debt management, and I believe this is not a matter that Sri Lanka must face as an individual country only. This is an extraordinary global condition that has been caused by a global occurrence, and as I said earlier, the world community must take a global approach to deal with the fallout. That’s why I have been advocating since April this year that the G7 countries get together with the IMF and the World Bank and take a holistic view and implement an across-the-board debt moratorium for all emerging nations for about two years. That would be a kind of an economic vaccination” that would help all countries and organisations to deal with one another, without having to continuously worry as to whether the other would suffer from debt issues.
May I also say that, just like individual companies or countries, the multi-lateral institutions too must think out-of-the-box to safeguard the global economy, and I hope that realisation will dawn soon.
Q How challenging is it to increase the government’s revenue following tax cuts and dwindling income generation activities during the shutdown? Increasing the Government revenue at this current time will be very challenging. The traditional methods are not going to work. That is why I have been advocating some new ways and means to achieve the same objective. If, as an emerging nation, Sri Lanka, together with the other emerging nations, could work out a debt-standstill” on its dues for the next two years to the IMF and World Bank, that would save a large chunk of Forex from flowing out of the country. Further, if the EPF releases 20% of the member balances direct to the members themselves, about 2.5 million persons will benefit by an important cash inflow of around Rs.500 billion at this most difficult time, which will also stimulate the economy. If several global equity and venture capital funds can be tapped and those inflows are infused into our economy, the government won’t have to allocate expensive” government funds to stimulate the economy in the post COVID -19 period. We have got to think differently now. If we go along the same beaten track and search for solutions along that track, we will not be able to deliver results. If we try to deal with the issue of dwindling income by imposing new taxes and having more restrictions on businesses, that would also be a path to certain failure.
Another 37 Local Government members of the United National Party (UNP) have been temporarily expelled from the party.
The party membership of these members was suspended for the time being as they had endorsed other political parties, the Legal Secretary of the UNP stated.
This move comes days after the UNP’s Working Committee ousted 54 members, who had submitted nominations from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), along with another 61 Local Government members.
Several top figures of the party including Ajith P. Perera, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ranjan Ramanayake were also among the ousted members.
The Attorney General has filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against former minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and former Chairman of State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) Mohamed Rumi, in connection with the controversial press conference on ‘white van abductions’.
AG Dappula De Livera has also filed Discharge Orders with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on the other two suspects in the press conference, listing them as witnesses in the case.
In the days leading up to the Presidential Election last year, Senaratne had called two persons named Anthony Douglas Fernando and Athula Sanjeewa Madanayake for the said press conference, where they made controversial statements regarding alleged white vans” and purported incidents of certain abductions, assassinations, robberies and forced disappearances during the administration of former President and incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
One of them had claimed that he was a white van” driver involved in abducting people while the other claimed he once served as a driver to transport a stock of gold in previously LTTE-held areas.
The former Health Minister was arrested last December and remanded over the controversial white van” press conference organized by him in November, but he continued to receive treatment at the hospital.
On December 30, Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered to release Senaratne on bail. However, the Attorney General filed a revision application on January 08 challenging the decision of the Magistrate Court to grant bail to the former Health Minister.
The Attorney General, in his revision application, had pointed out that the Colombo Magistrate’s Court has not taken into consideration the submissions by the prosecution before delivering the verdict to release Senaratne on bail.
On May 13, Senaratne was placed under arrest after he surrendered to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was placed under remand custody by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne.
Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Nilantha Jayawardena revealed that former deputy ministers Ameer Ali and M.L.AM. Hizbullah had supported terrorist and extremist groups in the country.
He made this revelation on Thursday (30), testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks, for the fourth consecutive day.
During the evidence hearing, the focus of the Presidential Commission fell on the intelligence report issued by the SIS with regard to a lecture delivered by Zahran Hashim at the office of the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) on the 20th of November 2016.
The panel asked the former SIS chief if the responses of Muslim organizations and lawmakers challenging the statement made by former Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe during the parliamentary session on the 18th of November 2016, which claimed that 30 members of four Muslim families had joined the ISIS, are included in the said intelligence report.
In response, Jayawardena said the report contains the counterstatements made by former Ministers Rauff Hakeem, Rishad Bathiudeen and then-Chief Minister of Eastern Province and Leader of Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) N.M. Ameen.
In addition, following the clash at the Aliyar Junction on the 10th of March 2017, former Deputy Minister Ameer Ali had provided political support to the NTJ while former Deputy Minister M.L.AM. Hizbullah endorsed the Sunnat Wal Jamat, former SIS chief said continuing his testimony.
The Presidential Commission then questioned the witness of the measures taken by then-Defence Secretary and the National Intelligence after the SIS had forewarned them of the Zahran Hashim-led NTJ and the threats posed by the Islamic State (IS) to Sri Lanka.
To this, Jayawardena said the SIS had regularly provided intelligence information to the relevant authorities and they should be questioned on the measures they had taken in that regard.
When responding to certain questions posed by the Presidential Commission, the former SIS chief had requested permission to testify only in the presence of the Presidential Commission’s panel and the representatives of the Attorney General’s Department.
However, the chairman of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Easter attacks, in response, said the witness cannot be allowed to testify only in the presence of the aforementioned parties, pointing out that several attorneys-at-law appearing on behalf of certain parties linked to the incident have already been given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.
Accordingly, these attorneys need to be present when the witness produces his testimony, the PCoI chief had stressed.
A stash of narcotics has been seized from a house in the area of Brandiyawatta, Wellampitiya.
According to reports, the haul contained nearly 23kg of heroin.
In the meantime, a suspect has also been taken into custody from the house where the heroin cache was discovered.
The raid was jointly carried out by Army personnel and the officers of the Police Special Task Force, acting on a tip-off received by the Army intelligence officials.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requested the people to send to Parliament at the next general election, only those who are able to work.<br /><br />He said this while participating in a public meeting held in Kahawatta, Ratnapura today.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa revealing his development vision for the district of Monaragala says that he will establish an agriculture-based modern economy thereby attracting youth to farming instead of leaving it.
President states that his policy is to develop agricultural economy with the potential to produce a high standard harvest using minimum land and state of the art technology at low cost.
President Rajapaksa made these remarks while on an election campaign tour in Monaragala district in support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) candidates today(July 31).
President commenced his campaign tour in the Monaragala district from Thanamalwila National College playgrounds.
President Rajapaksa was welcomed by the candidate Sashendra Rajapaksa, teaching staff and the pupils of the school. The student Sulochana Sandeepani delivered a speech appreciating the maiden visit by a state leader to the Thanamalwila National College, in its history.
In response to the requests made by the students to renovate the school buildings and address the issues relating to drinking water, the President instructed the Army Commander to resolve those issues immediately.
President participated in the public gathering at the Thanamalwila Public Grounds organized by the SLPP candidate Jagath Pushpakumara and inquired into the issues faced by the locals.
The residents informed the President about the wild elephant intrusions that happen almost daily, land deed issues and the need for renovation of Polkatuwewa Ela canal.
In addition, the President was also informed of the abduction of milk cows in the area.
President Rajapaksa was warmly welcomed amidst cheers at the public rally in close proximity to Thelulla Bodhirama Vihara, Wellawaya, Athiliwewa organized by the SLPP candidate Gayashan Nawananda.
The President was informed of a number of issues, including inadequate storage facilities in Sevanagala Sugar factory, issues relating to land deeds, lands adjacent to Kirindioya, shortcomings in the Ethiliwewa Middle school, unsatisfactory power supply in the area, by the local residents.
President Rajapaksa took immediate action to resolve issues relating to the power supply to the area.
The main argument to support the MCC Land Project is that technology will put an end to land problems & Sri Lanka will be on par with countries using advanced technologies. These countries are where they are as a result of a lot of research. Sri Lanka has had no such research except foreign research, foreign recommendations and foreign aid to implement foreign recommendations. This was how a foreign law was passed hurried and in secret without public consultations in 1998. In a country where the population is yet to be technologically on par with the West, totally automating the Land registrar into a foreign title system will be advantageous to the very rich at the cost of the poor who have little or no access to the technology and do not know how to use it to protect their land rights.
The question is
Do we continue with the deed system where all of us will have a physical deed & have it automated on a e-land register with new methods introduced to eliminate land fraud?
20 land registries have already been automated and only smaller districts covering the remaining land registries need to be completed
or
Do we negate all of the work done in registering land deeds to an e-land register and convert 8.5m deeds to a new Title Registration system because it is linked to the $67m MCC Land Project which requires all lands to be privatized, repeals all the land laws of the country including judicial authority to later realize that all citizens do not have computers, internet nor deeds and the Government has no Funds to pay compensation for land fraud while the Government is additionally burdened with socio-economic issues for which the Government will have no land and no funds to resolve?
What are the issues in converting Deeds to Title Registration (Bim Saviya) & is it worth the hassle for a $67m Land Project that requires implementing Bim Saviya (MCC Annex 1-28)?
Title Registration architects ignore legal aspect of adjudicating ownersof 8.5m land from deed to title registration (bim saviya)
Title Registration Act removes Judicial powersafter issuing of certificate by creating a new Commission of Title Dept who has officials with no legal knowledge in land adjudication & unable to satisfactorily resolve land matters before converting from deed to title registration. The cases piling up as a result of these issues cannot be ignored by the Government.
Only compensation for land owners if fraud title registration is registered into electronic registrar. If a fraud owner registers a fraud bim saviya into the new e-land registry the original owner can only seek remedy from the Commissioner of Title & be compensated. He/She will not have his/her land returned. This is a very dangerous scenario for land owners.
The Government is also undertaking the economic burden under Section 60 of Act 21, 1998 Title Registration to compensate in lieu of judicial remedy. Why is the Government undertaking to compensate people for lost land from frauds as a result of Bim Saviya? Why is land not being returned to the valid & original owner? $67m makes no mention funding the Compensation component as a result of frauds from bim saviya? How can GoSL agree to a foreign land system that denies regaining one’s land if defrauded & offering only compensation. How can GoSL compensate to the value of the lost land/defrauded?
The Government should not hurry to issue bim saviya certificates to land owners ignoring the legal issuesbecause MCC is Funding only 10 land registries in 7 districts. The remaining 35 land registries in 18 districts will have to be funded by GoSL.
Nowhere does the MCC Agreement say that its Funding will go for legal disputes in the 10 land registries/7districts MCC is funding. Which means GoSL has to bear compensation for any land fraud. Does the GoSL have the money to compensate?
GoSL burdened with having to Fund & Resolve new Socio-Economic Issues.In addition to compensating land owners who have had their land defrauded, how will the GoSL deal with land owners (especially the poor) who have no land to live on, no means of livelihood – where will the GoSL resettle people when GoSL has no state land as State Land has been privatized under MCC?
The Samarasekera Committee appointed by then President Mahinda Rajapakseadmitted that giving an one-page bim saviya certificate in lieu of the deed cannot address issues like co-ownership & families living on lease land for generations and engaged in some form of agriculture.
MCC demands the GoSL convert all lands (private & State) to title registration& the title registration certificate to be automated into a new e-land registrar that is internationally compatible.
Title Registration is given to ONLY ONE OWNER– this means no co-ownership or shared ownership as in the deed system is allowed. Inheritance laws will also be repealed. Issues will also arise converting Temple/Kovil lands to Bim Saviya. Title Registration will remove Personal Laws – no more Thesavalamai, Upcountry or Muslim personal laws related to land will apply
Title Registration System (Bim Saviya) REMOVES PRESCRIPTION & HISTORY RECORDS of the DEED SYSTEM. This means only the owner’s details are on the bim saviya certificate. Details of past owners will not exist. In fact the Title Registration Act 21, 1998 has provision to destroy past records in Section 53. However, in the deed system all past records of ownership prevails allowing the courts to provide legal remedy better.
The Title Registration system is an Australian land title system introduced in 1885 with the intent to eliminate the indigenous land owners adopting the legal maxim Terra Nullius.
Why doesn’t the GoSL continue with the existing deed system with almost complete Deed E-Land Register?
The existing deed system should continue. Deeds of 20 land registries have already been scanned & entered into an e-land register. The balance smaller district deeds will be entered by end of year.
The recommendations of the Samarasekera Report have been taken to account. Ironically, the Committee that was headed by Milinda Moragoda when he was Minister of Justice in 2009 recommended a simple method of recognition & identification of owners which has been statutorily introduced for Trust Deeds via Trust Ordinanceand should be extended to all deeds for land sales. This is a major development to prevent land deed fraud in manual form & in electronic format as well.
The Deed system will be 2 fold – manual deeds with co-exist with electronic deedscomplying with Electronic Transaction Act Section 23 of 2006 which states that Land Transactions SHOULD NOT be made FULLY AUTOMATED. Owners will continue to possess his/her deed & can operate the deed e-land register using the owner’s registration number. The title registration certificate has a 12 digit number accessible to anyone anywhere in the world.
Deed system also has instances of land fraud but with above owner recognition laws and the Court system we can resolve the issues as in USA WHERE THEY HAVE A DEED SYSTEM WHICH THEY CALL RECORDING SYSTEM. US has been very reluctant to accept the Torrens Title Registration system as they do not wish to deprive owners of their right to access court and because the system of compensating owners is to costly (what GoSL will soon find out)
When Sri Lanka has the solution and is already doing the solution in 2 simple steps, why do we want to confuse the situation by entering into Bim Saviya together with MCC Land Project which will take over 100 years to establish a law for the e-register as emphasized by the Commissioner of Title in 2018 report.
Why is the Attorney General’s Dept hurrying amendments in laws to facilitate & quicken Bim Saviya without simply recommending to continue with the existing deed systemand resolving the land disputes by the Courts and thereafter entering into the Deed e-land register all of which are under local patent, ownership & control and within Sri Lankan laws to adjudicate whereas the MCC-Title Registration bind Sri Lanka to follow international laws & US regulations.
Can the lawyers and professional organizations look at the issue from the lens of the citizen & citizens right to land ownership & socio-economic security instead of the merits of foreign funding only!
Why doesn’t
the government ask the CID summon Ranil on the the following revelation and
question him as to why he is not doing his duty by the country by producing
Mahendra as he had promised in the Cabinet and later in Parliament as well
that he takes personal responsibility for all what Mahendran does as the
Governor of CB
UNP leader
Ranil Wickremesinghe recently admitted receiving a telephone call from fugitive
former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. Responding to Chamuditha
Samarawickrema on ‘Salakuna’ on ‘Hiru’, the former Prime Minister said that he
had spoken with Singapore-based Mahendran. Asked when the conversation had
taken place, the UNP leader said recently.
Isn’t it
obvious that Ranil definitely knows where this fugitive is hiding. Since Ranil
has taken personal responsibility at the cabinet as well as in the Parliament
doesn’t amount to standing surety against this culprit. As such isn’t it
mandatory that Ranil is legally bound to produce this man in court or face
arrest for not fulfilling his duty before a court under the law. The whole country
knows it was Ranil who got down this man in 2015 and got him appointed as the
Governor of the CB in spite of objections by the then President
Sri Lanka’s
efforts to convince Singapore to hand over Mahendran has not been successful.
The election to be held on 5
August 2020 on all counts appear to be a lack lustre event. The Sri
Lankans are generally used to massive media campaigns, bill boards, cut-outs
and public rallies accommodating hundreds of thousands of supporters.
These campaigns have energised
the political parties and its leaders whilst providing much needed euphoria as
a solid return on investment on cost of media blitz. These propaganda
activities also provided stiff competition, encouraging larger voter turnout on
the election day.
The covid 19 has virtually
killed the Sri Lankan style of electioneering. To make matters worse, the
oldest political party, the United National Party is split, making traditional
UNPers to look for Elephant symbol after a long time
wanting to vote for the UNP, but likely to cross UNP as the preferred party,
but painfully looking for Sajith Premadasa’s candidates with the
Telephone and vice versa.
With a low turnout expected as
a result of above factors, this election most likely to record a high percentage
of rejected votes, as a consequence of Elephant and Telephone.
The following popular political
personalities are unlikely to win a seat at the election: Rev Athureliya
Rathana, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Ravi Karunanayke, Patali Champaka Ranawaka.
Hirunika Premachandra, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Duminda Dissanayake, Weerakumara
Dissanayake, Ranjan Ramanayake, Arjuna Ranatunga, Vijitha Herath,
Chandima Weerakkody, Palitha Ranga Bandara, Kumara Welgama, Sarath
Fonseka, Rajitha Senaratne, Chathura Senaratne, Ajith P Perera, Palitha
Thewarapperuma, Dayasiri Jayasekera, P Harrison,
The following forecast was
prepared taking into account above limiting factors, with a margin of error of
+/- 3%. The newly formed SLPP is likely to secure a tight 2/3
majority.
SLPP
UNP/SJB
TNA
CENTRAL
PROVINCE:
KANDY
8
4
MATALE
3
2
NUWARAELIYA
5
3
EASTERN
PROV.
BATTICALOA
1
4
DIGAMADULLA
4
2
TRINCOMALEE
2
1
1
NORTHERN
PROV.
JAFFNA
1
1
5
WANNI
2
4
SOUTHERN
PROV
GALLE
9
1
MATARA
7
1
HAMBANTHOTA
6
1
WESTERN
PROV.
COLOMBO
13
6
GAMPAHA
15
3
KALUTARA
8
2
NTH
WEST. PROV
KURUNEGALA
13
2
PUTTALAM
5
3
NTH
CENTRAL PROV
ANURADHAPURA
8
1
POLONNARUWA
4
1
UVA
PROV.
BADULLA
6
3
MONERAGALA
4
1
SABARAGAMUWA
RATNAPURA
10
1
KEGALLE
8
1
TOTAL
TO BE ELECTED
142
40
14
196
NATIONAL
LIST
21
6
2
29
GRAND
TOTAL
163
46
16
225
PERCENTAGE SEATS
%
72%
20% 8%
The Sajith Premadasa camp may secure 28 seats as against
Ranil to settle down for 18 seats.
Given the popularity of three-wheelers as a mode of transportation, and the close proximity between drivers and passengers, the masks will prevent COVID infection”, Director General Health, Dr.Anil Jasinghe said.
COLOMBO, July 30 (Xinhua) — The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on Wednesday donated a large number of face masks and posters raising the awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic to a leading union of local three-wheel drivers.
In an event held at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy Hu Wei handed over 50,000 face masks and 35,000 posters to Vice President of the All Island Three-Wheeler Driver’s Union M. J. M Hameed.
Hameed said that his union was happy to join with the Chinese Embassy and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health to promote health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic and promised to distribute the face masks to union members in order to protect themselves, passengers and the general public.
A press release from the Chinese Embassy said that the donations represent the sincere friendship and best wishes from the Chinese people,” and that the joint fight of the two countries against COVID-19 would strengthen the friendship and mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka.”
Director General of Health Services in Sri Lanka Anil Jasinghe, who attended the event, thanked the Chinese Embassy, saying that the donations would be useful given the popularity of three-wheelers as a mode of transportation, and the close proximity between drivers and passengers.
Rizwan Jamaldeen, a three-wheel driver and a union member from the country’s Slave Island, said that face masks are a thoughtful and practical donation that would go a long way to protect the health of both drivers and passengers.
Three-wheelers, popularly known as tuk-tuks, are a popular mode of transportation and source of self-employment to many Sri Lankans. ■
North Western Province Governor A. J. M. Muzammil yesterday (30) alleged that the Election Commission (EC) seemed to be brazenly selective in the implementation of relevant laws pertaining to the conducting of parliamentary polls scheduled for Aug 5.
Muzammil said that the EC owed the public an explanation as to how the EC allowed Constitutional Council member attorney-at-law Javid Yusuf to appear on the political stage whereas Governors were strongly advised against participating in the ongoing polls campaign.
In spite of the dissolution of parliament on March 2, 2020 to pave the way for parliamentary polls, the 10-member CC headed by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is staying put.
The EC, embroiled in a deepening controversy over the re-renaming of the Ape Jathika Peramuna as the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) consists of Mahinda Deshapriya (Chairman), Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera, PC.
Muzammil made available to The Island several letters he had received from the EC as well as Secretary to the President and his response to both EC and Secretary to the President to highlight the fact that the EC was following what he called a highly biased policy.
The EC had conveniently chosen to ignore Yusuf throwing his weight behind a civil society project meant to sabotage a high profile SLPP campaign seeking a two-thirds majority at the August 5 poll to do away with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, Muzammil said.
The former Colombo Mayor was referring to Yusuf calling for a common stand against the moves against the 19th Amendment enacted at the onset of yahapalana administration.
Yusuf is on record as having said that the government would have conducted parliamentary polls regardless of the severe threat posed by the corona epidemic, if not for the timely intervention made by the EC in terms of the 19th Amendment.
Muzammil emphasized that the EC put off the scheduled polls in terms of the Parliamentary Elections Act of 1981 not under the 19th Amendment as referred to by the CC member. The bottom line is that in case of a calamity even the Election Commissioner had the power to put off an election, Muzammil said, urging the EC not to play politics with the process.
Muzammil said that the controversy over a CC member taking a political stand took place close on the heels of EC member Prof. Hoole controversial comments in an interview conducted in Jaffna. The CC remained silent on the EC member’s conduct and the EC ignored a CC member taking sides in the ongoing political battle, when all of them should be strictly neutral. The civil society grouping Yusuf is aligned with campaigning against the SLPP and was canvassing for the UNP, its breakaway faction the SJB, the JVP and the TNA to save the 19th Amendment, Muzammil said.
Responding to another query, Muzammil said that the polls monitoring bodies seemed to be strangely silent on what was going on at the EC. The EC lost public credibility by turning a blind eye to the CC member declaring his intention to save the 19th Amendment by campaigning with a section of civil society.
A spokesperson for civil society grouping Freedom said that due to practical difficulties caused by the Corona crisis they couldn’t conduct public meetings since the one held on July 8 at the New Town hall. However, several media briefings were held since the inaugural meeting to highlight the need to save the 19th Amendment to prevent emergence of an authoritarian administration, the spokesperson said, adding that quite a useful webinar on economic issues, too, was conducted. A second webinar would be held today, Friday (31), with the participation of Jayadeva Uyangoda, Javid Yusuf and Suren Fernando. The Freedom spokesman said that they took a strong stand in respect of the 19th Amendment on a programme on TNL television recently.
Muzammil said that he didn’t find fault with the civil society for campaigning against the SLPP. The issue is why the EC allowed a CC member to be part of the campaign whereas Governors appointed by the President were told not to engage in any promotional activity.
Muzammil said that he received a letter from Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera that instructed him not to promote any candidate at public expense. The Wayamba Governor pointed out that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) had issued several statements recently advising public servants et al, including those in the media emphasizing the importance of neutrality in the whole process. However, the HRCSL hadn’t commented on the CC member taking a political stand, Governor Muzammil said, adding that his position on the HRCSL was subjected to correction.
Yusuf, in a recent interview with The Island explained his rights as a member of the civil society as well as the CC, vowing he wouldn’t serve the CC at the expense of his primary role.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said a new government will introduce laws making it mandatory to present agreements with regard to state properties in parliament before signing them.
Speaking at a forum of professionals in Colombo, Mr. Rajapaksa said the members of the previous Yahapalana Government has signed contracts to handover the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port to India since it already leased out the Hambantota Port to China.
Had the Yahapalana Government remained in power for another term, nothing would have been left in the country. Therefore, we will introduce laws making it mandatory to submit agreements with regard to state properties in parliament before signing them. However, today, we have been forced to go ahead with whatever we are left within the country including the destruction the previous government has made,” he said.
He said the foreign exchange revenue earned from expatriate workers and the income from the garment industry continued to be the two main source of income for the country. He said the country cannot further depend on these two sources.
We made plans to set the course of the country’s economy on a new path and to create novel ways of generating income. That’s why we created the Hambantota Port, the Port City and the Mattala Airport. We made highways connecting all these to make the country an international trade centre,” he said.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, Prime Minister Rajapaksa said the economy of not only Sri Lanka but also the entire world has imploded.
This is the challenge we face in the short term. Due to the fluctuations in the world economy, we are yet again at a juncture where the existence of the country depends on the ability of the leaders. Had Gotabaya Rajapaksa not been elected President, the country would have become a ‘Vishala Mahanuwara.’ I hope all Sri Lankans will use their voting right to strengthen the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government,” Prime Minister Rajapaksa said.
The United National Party will expel top members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) including its leader Sajith Premadasa in the second round, and it will be announced in a few days time, party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.
Mr. Kariyawasam told the Daily Mirror that Mr. Premadasa could be among those who will be expelled in the second round.
I cannot exactly say whether Mr. Premadasa will be included in the next expulsion list but it is likely that he will be included. The expulsion process will be carried out on a phase by phase basis,” he said.
He said some who were contesting under the SJB might rejoin the UNP after the general elections on August 5.
Only a few SJB big guns were included in the list of expulsions made last Tuesday.
Those who were included were Sarath Fonseka, Ranjan Ramanayake, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Ajith P Perera, Sydney Jayaratne, Asoka Abeysinghe, Bandulalal Bandarigoda and Vadivel Suresh.
SJB big guns such as Sajith Premadasa, S. M. Marikar, Harsha de Silva, P Harrison, Lakshman Kiriella, Eran Wickramaratne, Kavinda Jayawardene, Harshana Rajakaruna, Harin Fernando, Ranjith Aluvihare, Wasantha Aluvihare and Talatha Athukorala were not included in the list of 54 candidates expelled on Tuesday. (Yohan Perera)
The Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP) on Tuesday (28) approved the suspension of party memberships of 115 members.
Accordingly, 54 members who had submitted nominations from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and another 61 Local Government members were expelled from the party.
Several top figures of the party including Ajith P. Perera, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ranjan Ramanayake are also among the ousted members.
However, the decision on the suspending the UNP membership of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa is to be taken soon, according to sources from the party.
The list of the UNP members who were ousted for submitting nominations fron the SJB is as follows:
Three more persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus increasing the total number of confirmed cases reported in the country to 2,814.
The three new cases include a foreigner who had arrived from Turkey, a Sri Lankan who had returned from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and another Sri Lankan returnee from Qatar.
Four new cases have been reported so far today (30). Earlier today, a resident of Lankapura had tested positive for Covid-19.
Accordingly 470 patients infected with the virus are undergoing treatment at hospitals while the total number of recoveries has climbed to 2,333.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that the city of Kelaniya will be developed curbing the drug menace and underworld while preserving the city’s historical heritage and pride.
President made these remarks touring Gampaha district for the second time today (30) in support of the candidates of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna contesting next week’s Parliamentary Election.
The meeting was organized by candidate Sisira Jayakody. The Ten Fold Kelani Declaration” aimed at the development of the area was presented to the President.
While paying attention to the issues raised by the people present at the venue, the President requested the public to elect a strong Parliament to ensure a development process that preserves the grandeur of Kelaniya.
Maha Sangha led by Prof. Ven. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thero, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardene and Prasanna Ranatunga, candidate Prasanna Ranaweera, Dr. Seetha Arambepola were also present on the occasion.
Attending a public gathering organized by candidate Nalin Fernando in Ja Ela, the President inquired into inadequacies in the area.
President Rajapaksa stated that he will take steps to reduce the flood risks in Gampaha district by renovating all the canals in the area. The President also promised to take steps to develop the Ja-Ela city.
President Rajapaksa was cordially received by the people gathered at the public meeting organized by candidate Lalantha Gunasekara at Andiambalama area in Katana, when he arrived at the venue.
The Maha Sangha at the scene highly commended the ‘Saubhagye Gewaththa’ (Home Garden of Prosperity) programme launched by the government and pledged to make the religious places including the temples as a center point to promote this programme among the public.
The Maha Sangha pointed out the importance of using all the religious places to distribute seeds and information.
A group of students gathered at the venue requested the President to swiftly implement the proposed education policy in ‘Saubhagye Dekma’, policy statement which will enable the students to complete their degrees at the age of 20.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara says that they will initiate legal action against the suspension of the United National Party (UNP) membership of 60 local councilors who supported the SJB.
Speaking during a press briefing today (30), he said that local council members elected by the people cannot be removed without a disciplinary inquiry.
He added that they safeguard all the local council members ousted from the UNP and that they have already made the necessary arraignments to take the matter to the courts.
The full list of names of the 53 candidates of the SJB and 60 local government members, who were sacked from the UNP based on a decision taken by the party’s Working Committee, was released to the media today.
According to the said list, the UNP has suspended the party membership of a number of former MPs who had previously been elected to Parliament from the UNP. These include the likes of Ajith P. Perara, Ranjan Ramanayake, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Thushara Indunil, Nalin Bandara and Ashoka Abeysinghe.
However, the list does not mention the names of SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
Meanwhile former MP and UNP Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake says that several more groups of UNP members who left the party top join the SJB will be sacked from the party under several phases.
He said another batch is expected to be expelled from the party nest Monday.
