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President Ranil Wickremesinghe, on his maiden official visit to India after assuming Presidency, conveyed a resolute commitment to strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Addressing an esteemed gathering that included Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dignitaries from both countries, President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during his visit and underscored the significance of this diplomatic mission.

Emphasizing the remarkable progress witnessed under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in India, the President commended the strides made in economic, infrastructure, and technological domains. He highlighted that India’s growth serves as a positive force for the entire region, including the Indian Ocean region.

In return, the President briefed Prime Minister Modi about the challenges faced by Sri Lanka in the past year and the extensive reform measures implemented to overcome them. He expressed profound appreciation for the solidarity and support extended by India during Sri Lanka’s trying times.

During their discussions, the President outlined his vision for economic recovery and sustainable growth in Sri Lanka. He shared comprehensive proposals for reconciliation, power-sharing through devolution, and the Northern development plan, inviting all party leaders to work towards consensus and national unity.

Furthermore, both leaders emphasized the significance of enhanced connectivity between the two nations to foster economic partnership.

They recognized the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and commercial ties and believed that the present moment presented an opportune time to embark on a joint vision for the future.

Both leaders expressed optimism that the discussions held would pave the way for a prosperous and secure future for the people of India and Sri Lanka.

The joint vision forged during this momentous occasion is set to reinforce trust, strengthen geographical and civilizational links, and propel the Indo-Lanka relationship to new heights for the next 25 years.

Following is the statement delivered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the official visit to India;

“I am honoured to be in New Delhi at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is my first visit to India since assuming office as President last year and it is a visit to which myself and my government attach the highest importance.

I thank the PM Modi and the Government of India for the hospitality extended to me and to my delegation.

This morning PM Modi and I had the occasion to review at length recent developments in our countries as well as in our bilateral relations. I have congratulated PM Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership in economic, infrastructure and technological progress in ensuring growth and prosperity for the people of India. We believe that India’s growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region.

I have also apprised with Prime Minister Modi of the extraordinary challenges that Sri Lanka had experienced in economic, social and political terms in the past year, and of the reform measures I have spearheaded on a number of fronts, in overcoming these challenges.

I have conveyed to PM Modi and to the government and people of India our profound appreciation for the solidarity and support rendered to Sri Lanka in what was undoubtedly the most challenging period in our recent history.

Friends,

In reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka, I shared with Prime Minister Modi my commitment to bring about economic recovery leading to sustainable and stable growth with justice and equity which will benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society in all parts of the country.

In moving forward, I have explained that I have set Sri Lanka firmly on a path of economic reform and that Sri Lanka is already witnessing the stabilizing outcomes of these measures and the revival of confidence internally and externally in the progress of the country.

I also shared with him the comprehensive proposal I presented this week for furthering reconciliation, power sharing through devolution and the multiple elements of the Northern development plan. I have invited all party leaders in Parliament to work towards consensus and national unity on these measures. Thereafter the Government will place the relevant legislation before Parliament.

Prime Minister Modi has expressed his solidarity and goodwill in these endeavours.

Friends, We now need to put our economy on a growth path bringing greater revenue for the country, which requires enhanced investment in all parts of the country.

As a supportive and solid foundation for the realization of these objectives, we have agreed on a Joint Vision of the future India -Sri Lanka economic partnership through enhanced connectivity.

Today, in this 75th year of our bilateral diplomatic relations, our Vision will propel us towards a more secure future through mutually beneficial interactions, to bring tangible benefits and greater opportunities for our future generations in the coming decades.

The foundations of our joint vision of greater future connectivity have already been laid through millennia-old civilizational, cultural, human and commercial interactions between our two countries.

The thread of connectivity is woven through our history.

In our view, the present time is a most opportune moment to embark on such a vision for the future.

We recognized that modern-day connectivity plays a crucial role in realizing our vision of economic partnership. The recent recommencement of Chennai and Jaffna air services is an important step towards air connectivity. We believe that expansion of aviation connectivity to other destinations and further development of Palaly airport will complement this initiative.

Ferry services between Talaimannar-Rameswaram and Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai will add more impetus to sea travel between the two countries. Examining other forms of connectivity between Sri Lanka and India could become a further catalyst to boost economic growth.

We agreed that the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement between Sri Lanka and India is critical to enhance bilateral trade and investment in new and priority areas. Sri Lanka is pleased to welcome Indian assistance in digital tech driven service delivery and citizen centric services.

We agreed that enhanced connectivity will also a play a crucial role in strengthening our cooperation in tourism, people-to-people exchanges and cultural relations. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is poised to reap the benefits of the post-pandemic world and India is currently the top market for inbound tourism for Sri Lanka. Enabling UPI based digital payments in Sri Lanka would immensely facilitate further growth in this and other sectors.

In keeping with Sri Lanka’s national priorities and global commitments towards a greener economy, and also to ensure energy security, Sri Lanka sees valuable opportunities in partnering with India in green and renewable energy development.

In this context, I am pleased to note the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy. Establishing the high-capacity power grid interconnection between Sri Lanka and India would enable two-way electricity trade between the two countries.

The development of Trincomalee as an energy hub with the support of India is a crucial step towards Sri Lanka’s goal to elevate Trincomalee as a hub for industry and other economic activities. Prime Minister Modi and I believe that the construction of a multi-product petroleum pipeline from Southern part of India to Sri Lanka will ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka.

We also discussed how to improve our cooperation in the dairy and animal husbandry sectors to realize our common interest in achieving greater socio-economic development, and enhance the nutrition status of our people.

Cooperation in the education sector is one of the key elements in our bilateral relationship. We believe that establishing new higher education institutes with the assistance from India is important. This will contribute towards upgrading the knowledge and skills of our youth and include them in the nation’s development drive.

I believe that my visit to India has provided an opportunity to review our bilateral relationship, leverage the strength of geographical and civilizational links, and reinforce trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world. I am confident that the discussions we had today will lay the foundation for the next 25 years of Indo-Lanka relations and contribute to my vision for sustainable growth national unity and reconciliation for all segments of the people of Sri Lanka and for a prosperous and secure future for the people of India and Sri Lanka.”

True people’s representatives opposed to corruption should vote in support of the anti-corruption bill at its third reading in parliament today (19), said justice minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe.

Addressing the House during the debate, he said none had taken action despite everybody having called to minimize bribery and corruption.

A draft has been tabled as per the UN convention against corruption, he said, adding that it will be adopted with amendments.

Rajapakshe expected both the ruling and opposition members to support its enactment.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday (21).

Welcoming President Wickremesinghe to India, the Indian President said that Sri Lanka occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) Vision.

She emphasized that India has always stood with Sri Lanka during its hour of need and would continue to do so in future as well.

The two leaders noted that India and Sri Lanka are working on many key projects in several sectors, and that India-Sri Lanka development partnership has touched the lives of Sri Lankans in a positive way.

The Indian President said that India looks forward to continuing and strengthening its developmental partnership with Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe.

The European Commission has proposed a 4-year extension to the current GSP+ scheme until December 31, 2027, allowing countries like Sri Lanka continued access to EU markets, it was reported.

According to the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka, the extension has been provided as a result of ongoing negotiations between the co-legislators of the European Union regarding the new GSP+ arrangement.

The move ensures that countries, such as Sri Lanka, do not lose their preferential access in the interim.

The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka further said that the extension of the tariff facility will grant Sri Lanka continued access to the EU markets with the same obligations under 27 international conventions.

“As one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners, w/ nearly EUR 3.2 billion worth of Sri Lankan #exports to the EU in 2022 alone, we recognise the importance of GSP+ for Sri Lankan exporters,” it added, taking to Twitter.

The Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka added, “ For Sri Lanka, the GSP+ extension proposal means that, for now, nothing changes – same access to EU market and same obligation to comply with the 27 international conventions, which are key to ensuring that #economicrecovery is not just fast, but also #fair, #just, and #green.”

The EU GSP Regulation to be adopted for 2024 – 2033, will be effective from 1 January 2024 for the next 10 years.

The Central Bank Bill, which is among the goals given according to the agreement made with the International Monetary Fund, was passed in Parliament on Thursday (20).

The bill was considered to be one of the most serious pieces of legislation introduced to the Sri Lankan Parliament in recent times, however, 113 Sri Lankan legislators from the ruling faction and the opposition were not present in the house during the second reading vote. The bill was passed without a vote in the third reading.

The Second Reading of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Bill was passed by a majority of 42 votes in Parliament during the second reading.

66 votes were cast in favor, while only 24 votes were cast against it.

113 MPs including Mahinda Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Sajith Premadasa, G. L. Peiris, Venerable Athuraliye Rathana Thero, M. A. Sumanthiran, Gajendrankuram Ponnambalam, Champika Ranawaka, Jeevan Thondaman representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Samagi Jana Balavegaya, and the Tamil National Alliance were not present in the chamber for the vote.

When the debate took place on Thursday (20) morning, opposition MPs requested more time to study the bill, citing that there were a plethora of amendments.

They called for a vote to take place later, after proceeding with a debate.

However, the speaker was compelled to ring the bell and summon MPs due to the lack of quorum, twice during the debate.

The Anti-Corruption Bill was passed with amendments and without a vote in Parliament today (19).

Amendments proposed by the Minister of Justice and certain amendments proposed by the opposition were incorporated during the Committee Stage of the Bill today.

The Bill was presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on April 27, 2023.

The Second Reading debate of the Bill was held on June 21 and July 06, 2023.

Restrictions imposed on imported goods will be further relaxed later today (July 20), State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says.

Thereby, import restrictions on 328 more items will be eased.

The lawmaker said the gazette notification announcing the import restriction relaxation would be published tonight.

The announcement comes a month after the government relaxed import restrictions on 300 other items including electronic equipment, sanitaryware and food items with effect from June 09.

However, import restrictions on vehicles are unlikely to be lifted anytime soon. Speaking on the matter last month, Siyambalapitiya had said vehicle imports could not be allowed yet under the existing economic conditions.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs recently raised concerns with the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic & Physical Plans about reaching its target revenue as the task would prove difficult as long as the import restrictions on vehicles are in place.

The Working Committee of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to expel party members Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the party.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the SJB Working Committee held this evening (18 July).

In May 2022, the SJB had suspended the party membership of the two parliamentarians after they had accepted ministerial portfolios in the government while the party had vowed to take disciplinary action against them.

MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara were sworn in as the Minister of Tourism & Lands and Minister of Labour & Foreign Employment, respectively.

Fernando and Nanayakkara had said they accepted ministerial portfolios in the government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to do their utmost to find solutions to the ongoing economic crisis as a positive response was not received from many political party leaders for a collective effort.

They both subsequently resigned from their ministerial portfolios on July 9, 2022 along with the rest of the Cabinet, after then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa informed the Speaker of Parliament that he intends to resign.

However, they were both reappointed to the same ministerial portfolios by President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he appointed a new Cabinet on July 22, 2022.

In a ground-breaking move, Chandani Wijewardena has been appointed as the Acting Presidential Secretary, marking the first time in Sri Lanka’s history that a woman has assumed this esteemed position, the President’s Media Division (PMD) says.

The appointment comes as President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, accompanies the President on an official visit to India.

The decision was announced today (July 20) and will remain in effect until Ekanayake returns to the island.

Chandani Wijewardena, an accomplished senior civil servant, is currently serving as a Senior Additional Secretary to the President, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.

Her illustrious career spans back to 1994 when she joined the Sri Lanka Planning Service. Over the course of 22 years, Wijewardena has held various critical positions within the Treasury and ultimately rose to the position of Director General of the Planning Department.

Notably, Wijewardena has also held significant leadership roles in various ministries. From 2015 to 2019, she served as the Secretary to the Ministry of Development Strategy and International Trade, contributing her insights and skills to the nation’s economic development.

Wijewardena’s academic journey is equally impressive. After completing her secondary education at Galle Southland Girls’ College, she pursued her Master’s Degree at the University of Ruhuna. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in Regional Economic Development from The Hague University in the Netherlands, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

As Acting Presidential Secretary, Wijewardena is poised to bring her wealth of experience, strategic acumen, and dedication to the service of the President and the nation. Her appointment represents a significant milestone for gender equality and serves as an inspiration for women across the country.

--PMD

The price of Serendib and Prima wheat flour has been reduced with effect from today (18 July).

Accordingly, the country’s main wheat flour importers Prima Ceylon (Pvt.) Ltd. and Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt.) Ltd. have reduced prices by Rs. 10 per kilogram, effective from today.

Merrill J. Fernando, the founder of the renowned Sri Lankan tea brand ‘Dilmah Tea’, passed away in Colombo this morning (20), aged 93.

Born in 1930 in Negombo, Fernando began working as a tea assistant at the age of 24 and was amongst the first group of Ceylonese to be permitted to learn tea tasting.

In 1985, Sri Lanka’s first valued added Ceylon tea brand ‘Dilma’ was launched by him.

The company exports to more than 100 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) faced critical challenges, and the increase in water tariff was necessary to solve those challenges and ensure that all Sri Lankans would continue to have access to clean drinking water, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman said.

He mentioned that the increase was driven by several factors, including the surge in electricity tariffs, which contribute significantly to the cost of water production, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

Additionally, the burden of debt (due to past capital expenditure to expand water infrastructure), compounded by currency depreciation and interest rate hikes, together with the exponential increase in the cost of raw materials required to treat water, added to the financial strain on the NWSDB, he said.

These circumstances resulted in substantial monthly losses of nearly Rs. 2.8 billion and an annual loss of Rs. 34 billion, hindering the Board’s ability to meet operational expenses, service debts, and maintain the quality of water supply services, the Minister added.

He expressed these views today (18) during a press conference themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC), according to the PMD.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that a Cabinet Paper has been passed to commemorate 200 years since upcountry Tamil workers migrated to Sri Lanka from India and who have been contributing to the national economy in various ways since then. On the first week of November, an event will be held in lieu with government’s vision, and it will highlight the community as a whole, he added.

A Presidential Task Force will be formed soon to deal with injustice that happen to the upcountry community. Young individuals comprising of professionals representing different fields, who have been a part of the system have been selected for this Task Force, the Minister further said.

Minister Jeevan Thondaman further commented;

“I understand the concerns and anxieties that may arise regarding the impact of this increase on already struggling families. I would like to provide clarity on the reasons behind this decision and assure you of my commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

I want to assure you that while the tariff increase is necessary to ensure the sustainability of our water sector, I remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. Samurdhi and Tenement consumers, representing the lowest socioeconomic backgrounds, will not see any tariff increases and will therefore continue to receive the necessary subsidies, alleviating any additional financial burden.

Moreover, it is important to note that the proposed tariff increase includes provisions to subsidise low water consumers, schools, hospitals and religious establishments. This measure aims to support those who consume less water, come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and provide essential social services. The monthly water bills of low water consumers will remain below Rs. 1000 (Rs. 33 a day).

I acknowledge the hardships faced by our citizens, and I empathise with the challenges posed by this tariff increase. However, it is crucial to understand that this decision was made after careful consideration and evaluation of the long-term sustainability of our water sector. Rest assured, we are committed to reviewing the water tariffs in the coming months, introducing a new tariff formula and policy in line with the government’s commitment to our development partners. I will take all necessary steps to bring tariffs down in the next revision, while ensuring the financial viability of the NWSDB.

I want to emphasise that we are actively exploring cost-saving measures within the NWSDB, such as reducing extra workers and adopting advanced technologies to optimise efficiency and streamline operations. Our aim is to deliver efficient and effective water services to everyone while keeping in mind the economic challenges faced by our people.”