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India and Japan have agreed to work together on assisting crisis-hit Sri Lanka, the Japanese government said, following a recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Kishida met on May 24 on the sidelines of the Quad summit and held bilateral talks on “close cooperation” to promote efforts to realise a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’, in addition to collaboration in spheres including defence, clean energy, and investment.

Following the meeting, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the leaders “discussed the situation in Sri Lanka and confirmed that they will cooperate with each other in light of the current economic crisis and deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.” Further, they “shared the view to work together to develop Indo-Pacific Economic Framework into an inclusive framework that will bring substantive benefits to the region,” according to a statement.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs made no specific mention of Sri Lanka. “The two leaders exchanged views on recent global and regional developments. They noted the convergences in their respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed their commitment towards a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” read its May 24 statement.

For over half a century, Japan has been one of Sri Lanka’s top donors and development partners, although its grants and investments have received much less attention compared to those from China or India.

Japan’s announcement of collaborating with India to help Sri Lanka, assumes significance, coming shortly after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal that Quad members— United States, India, Japan, and Australia — take the lead in setting up a foreign aid consortium to assist Sri Lanka, that is reeling under the worst economic crisis since Independence. India has extended about $ 3.5 billion assistance since January this year, by way of loan deferments and credit lines for essential imports.

Japan’s initiative also comes despite Colombo scrapping two major infrastructure projects with Japanese involvement. In September 2020, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered the termination of a $ 1.5-billion Japanese-funded light rail project, on that basis that it was not a “cost-effective solution”. In early 2021, Sri Lanka ejected Japan and India out of a trilateral project to jointly develop a container terminal at the strategically located Colombo Port, causing considerable diplomatic tensions. India’s Adani Group was subsequently roped in to develop another terminal at the same port.

Meanwhile, addressing the ‘International conference on the future of Asia’ organised by Nikkei virtually, Mr. Gotabaya said Sri Lanka “urgently requires” assistance of friends in the international community “to ensure that our immediate needs in terms of the importation of essential medicines, food supplies, and fuel are met.”

Japan “remains one of Sri Lanka’s key development partners”, the Sri Lankan President said, expressing hope that ongoing negotiations on “bridging funds” from Japan would soon conclude. “We are also in urgent need of bridging financing to restore confidence in our external sector and stabilise our economy until the debt restructuring process is completed and an IMF programme commences,” he said, while thanking India, Sri Lanka’s “close friend and neighbour”.

Colombo earlier sought India’s help in securing bridge financing to cope with the downturn, until an International Monetary Fund package materialises. The government is in talks with IMF on debt restructuring after opting for a preemptive default on its foreign debt of about $ 50 billion.

Source: The Hindu

-Agencies

The overseas travel ban imposed on former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been extended till 25 July.

The order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela, when the case was taken up in court this morning (23).

Cabraal was summoned to court this morning, however, he was not present in court and was represented by President’s Counsel Shavindra Fernando.

The complaint was then scheduled to be heard on 25 July, and extended the travel ban accordingly.

Former Governor of the Southern and Central Provinces and civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, had filed a private plaint before the Court via an affidavit.

Through his private plaint, Tennakoon had charged, before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, that suspect Cabraal, a resident of No. 32/7, School Lane, Nawala, had flouted Provisions contained in Sections of 388, 392 and 386 of the Penal Code, as well as Provisions contained in Sections of the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance Act No. 7 of 1937, by his actions.

Six people including Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarians Sanath Nishantha, and Milan Jayathilake who were arrested for attacking the #GotaGoGama and #MynaGoGama peaceful protests in Colombo on the 9th of May, were remanded until the 1st of June 2022.

When the suspects were escorted to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court under armed guard, protestors had also gathered in the vicinity, demanding justice for the victims of the attacks.

Two men and another woman who were produced in an identification parade, but were not positively identified were granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate.

Further, the Magistrate ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide reasons for not implementing the instructions given by the Attorney General to transfer Senior DIG in-charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Thennakoon.

Additional Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena, who appeared before the court, said that the Attorney General had written to the IGP on the 23rd to transfer the senior DIG.

She also said that the IGP had received intelligence on the 8th of May regarding a pro-government march from Temple Trees to the President’s House.

The Additional Solicitor General said that the IGP had instructed Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon in writing to take appropriate action as there could be a breach of the peace as the group had planned to cross Galle Face.

However, the Magistrate noted that it does not appear the Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon had taken measures to prevent the incident, based on the facts submitted to the court.

President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared for the protesters, expressed surprise at the failure to arrest Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon despite reports that he was having a conversation with MP Sanath Nishantha, a suspect in the incident.

The CID officers who appeared in court stated that the Senior DIG of the Western Province was not engaged in a conversation with the suspect but he had ordered the suspect not to commit any illegal act.

However, the magistrate said that the photograph submitted to the court did not show such an order but that he was having a cordial discussion with the suspect and proceeding with the procession.

A normal Monday morning on the 9th of May 2022, turned into a scene of chaos after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.

Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.

Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents, and assaulted peaceful protestors.

Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army, and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island-wide curfew to control the unrest.

Following investigations, the MPs and several other local government members were arrested for their involvement in the attacks on the protest sites.

Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam today (23) instructed the Inspector General of Police to immediately order the transfer of Senior DIG-Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon.

The directive was issued as a matter of precaution, to prevent any undue interference into the ongoing investigations in relation to the violence that transpired on 09 May, near Galle Face Green and Temple Trees.

Tennakoon recorded a statement for over 10 hours at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) last week (17).

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pointed out the need to implement languages and vocational training programmes targeting job vacancies that are available in countries including Japan, Poland and Romania for skilled workers in various fields.

The President made these remarks at a discussion held at the President’s House, Colombo, this morning (25) to review the progress of the programme to direct the skilled workers to foreign employment markets.

The President pointed out that in the face of the current economic setback, special attention should be paid to generating foreign exchange as well as seizing foreign employment opportunities.

By producing skilled workers, more opportunities can be created for the highest paying careers. There is a high demand for nursing in many countries, including Europe, said the President Media Division.

The Bureau of Foreign Employment estimates that there are more than 350,000 job vacancies in elderly-care and catering industry in Japan alone. Knowledge of the Japanese language is mandatory in this regard, it added.

The President said that Japanese language programmes should be implemented immediately with the participation of private and public sectors, including the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, the Vocational Training Authority and the Foreign Employment Bureau.

Special attention was paid to the removal of barriers faced by any person currently in the public service or an employee recruited under the Multipurpose Scheme when leaving for foreign employment.

Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said that the opportunity should be made available when applying for foreign employment in a manner that does not affect seniority.

The Minister pointed out that they could be encouraged to bring foreign remittances by providing vehicle import licenses, housing loans and facilities for school children.

The Minister also said that attention should be paid to securing employment opportunities through the intervention of the embassies.

Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake, Secretaries to the Ministries and Heads of Line Institutions were also present.

The JVP) has informed IGP CD Wickramasinghe that the JVP has nothing to hide and they would be prepared to answer any question.

It was during a discussion between the JVP and the IGP today (23rd). Information Secretary of the JVP MP Vijitha Herath, Politburo Member Sunil Handunnetti, Attorneys at Law Sunil Watagala and Harshana Nanayakkara also participated in the discussion.

Speaking to the media after the discussion, Mr Vijitha Herath said, “On the morning of the 9th, members of the peaceful struggle in front of Temple Trees and on the Galle Face green were brutally beaten. The attack was carried out by a terrorist group of the People’s Front. After that, agitations were held all over the country on the evening of the 9th. Violence erupted in many places during the night. Houses were set on fire and destroyed. Recently, some government MPs and ministers made a great effort to say that the JVP was behind these incidents. They made various absurd allegations. All these were imposed on the JVP without any evidence or information. We wanted to know the truth of these facts.

We wanted to know from the IGP whether JVP members have been arrested and charged. Also, whether members of other political parties have been arrested and charged in connection with these incidents. It has become clear that most of those accused in these incidents are not members of our party. According to reports from the IGP and other officials, most arrested have no connection with the JVP. They are affiliated with other political parties. There may be some who are with direct connections.

However, in recent days various ministers in Parliament have made allegations against our party. These allegations are completely false. We had the opportunity to resolve this during discussions with the IGP and several senior DIGs. They provided statistics on the number of people arrested by the police. They stated that those involved in the incidents would be arrested without any political differences. They also agreed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing, especially in the list of ministers and MPs. On this occasion, we pointed out that certain things are being done with the aim of hunting down our party members for personal revenge and political revenge. They agreed to look into it as well. We emphasized the need to protect the impartiality of the police. The IGP and the police assured that the relevant investigations would be carried out impartially. We demanded that the law be enforced against those involved in the violence without political divisions and that no absurd allegations be made.

We emphasized that the JVP has not taken any decision regarding such acts of violence and that the JVP members have not been involved in any such acts due to a political decision. We also called on the police to intervene to change the misconceptions that government ministers and MPs are trying to spread.”

The World Bank says until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place, it does not plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka.

Issuing a statement, it expressed concern for the people of Sri Lanka and said it is working in coordination with the IMF and other development partners in advising on appropriate policies to restore economic stability and broad-based growth. Until

“We are currently repurposing resources from previously approved projects to help the government with some essential medicines, temporary cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households, school meals for children of vulnerable families, and support for farmers and small businesses.”

Sri Lankan born Holt Labor Candidate Cassandra Fernando won a seat at the Australian federal election which was held on Saturday to elect members of the 47th Parliament of Australia.

Cassandra Fernando in Holt will be the first Sri Lankan born woman in Parliament as at the time of writing she leads by 10,408 votes.

She beat another candidate of Sri Lankan origin, Ranj Perera, in the Holt electorate.

Cassandra Fernando, born in Sri Lanka, 1988, is an Australian politician.

She came to Australia with her family when she was 11, and she has called Melbourne’s South-East home ever since.

Having made this journey, her parents taught her to never take anything for granted and instilled three values that she has upheld to this day: hard work, commitment and gratitude.

She began working at Woolies Dandenong Plaza as a teenager, and spent almost 15 years baking, stacking shelves and making lifelong friends.

She has also volunteered to tutor migrants and refugees from non-English speaking backgrounds so they can make the best of every opportunity.

She decided to become the Candidate for Holt because she knew that only a Labor Government can deliver a better future for Holt—a future in which families like hers are not held back or left behind.

Bus fares will be increased by 19.5% from midnight today (24) in line with the increase in fuel prices.

Accordingly, the minimum bus fare will be increased to Rs. 32.

The revision of bus fares is applicable to both private as well as SLTB buses.

Express bus fares will also increase accordingly.

The ship carrying a consignment of aid worth nearly Rs. 2 billion provided by the People of India arrived at the Port of Colombo this afternoon (22).

Chairman of the Essential Services Committee Vajira Abeywardena, Sagala Ratnayake, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress Senthil Thondaman and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley were also present at the reception.

Relevant aid stocks include 9,000 metric tons of rice, 50 metric tons of milk powder and 25 tons of medicine and medical equipment.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe revealed to the Committee on Public Finance that the treasury had misled parliament by submitting wrong estimates.

“Unrealistically high revenue estimate were to Parliament. On that basis they estimate the expenditure which cannot be cut. I don’t believe these officers, those who are in the treasury did not know that this was unrealistic. Knowing this was unrealistic they misled the Parliament submitting wrong estimates,” he told the Committee on Public Finance on Tuesday (24).

“The revenue obviously is not coming that way. Then your finance different ways either by money printing or something else. When you have a revenue estimate that is not coming, then you have to increase the debt. This is where the debt trap is there,” he pointed on.

The Central Bank Governor said that for every month only for essential imports Sri Lanka needs about USD 600 or 650 million.

“The electricity board, gas company and CPC, they don’t have sufficient collection of rupees to buy dollars,” he told the Parliament Committee.

The Criminal Investigations Division is currently recording statements from the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of the STF over the incidents which took place on 09th May, at Galle Face and Colpetty.

In addition, statements are also being recorded from the DIG in charge of the Police Special Branch.

On Friday (20) detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department are recorded a statement from MP Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, for several hours.

This is with regard to the attacks on the GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama peaceful protest sites on the 9th of April 2022.

So far, SLPP MPs Milan Jayathilake, Sanath Nishantha, Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, Kelaniya PS Chairman Manjula Prasanna, Karandeniya PS Member Sameera Chathuranga, Seethawaka PS Member Jayantha Rohana, Bandula Jayawanne, and Dineth Geethika have been arrested an remanded, in addition to the Former Provincial Council Memeber Amal Silva, and a Moratuwa Municipal worker over attacks on GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama.

A normal Monday morning on the 9th of May 2022, turned into a scene of chaos after pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees following a meeting chaired by then-Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The meeting at Temple Trees was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Members Forum and saw hundreds in attendance.

Following this meeting, the pro-government supporters attacked the MynaGoGama protest site near Temple Trees and dismantled the camp.

Thereafter, they moved to the main protest site in Galle Face known as GotaGoGama and destroyed several tents, and assaulted peaceful protestors.

Sri Lanka Police, the Riot Police, Sri Lanka Army, and other law enforcement agencies were called in to control the situation and Sri Lanka Police eventually imposed an island-wide curfew to control the unrest