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The law banning the use and production of polythene less than 20 microns will be strictly implemented from January 1, 2018.

Central Environment Authority Chairman Prof. Lal Mervin Dharmasiri said offenders will be subject to a fine of not more than Rs 10,000 and or a jail sentence of not more than two years.

Addressing the media at the Central Environment Authority (CEA) yesterday, the Chairman said that the ban on polythene was officially announced on September 1.

But considering the repeated requests made by the Polythene Manufacturer’s Association, the time period was extended upto January 1, 2018.

The association had requested a grace period claiming that the time frame which had been provided to them to adapt to the new law is insufficient to replace their existing products and to clear the stock of banned products already manufactured by them.

Prof. Dharmasiri said the CEA has already taken action to inspect polythene manufacturing companies with the assistance of the Police, Sri Lanka Standards Institution and the Consumer Affairs Authority. The CEA has already conducted raids to apprehend those who engage in illegal polythene manufacturing.

Raids to nab wholesale shop owners still using polythene bags and other banned products will be conducted from January 1 and retail shops will also be monitored later, he added.

The CEA has also taken measures to implement a ban on the import of recycled plastic raw materials from July 31, to encourage local plastic recyclers.

The President has also instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to ban the use of polythene during the upcoming election campaign and strictly enforce the law against people who violate the polythene ban.

Gazette Notification No 2034/37, has prohibited the use of all forms of polyethene, polypropylene and polyethene products or polypropylene products as decorations in political, social religious, national, cultural or any other event or occasion.

Source : Daily News

The audit report of the Ministry of Rural Economic Affairs has revealed that the Ministry has not utilized around Rs. 2000 Million allocated to it. The funds have been allocated for the construction of five cold storage units sources said.

However, the audit revealed that the construction of these storages had not even commenced by June 2017. Originally they were supposed to be built and completed within the year of 2016.

The original concept of the storage facilities was that it would help the stabilization of rural market prices while it would also reduce post-harvest damage. The project was to be completed as a state and private partnership.

The United National Party has decided to name Former Minister Rosy Senanayake as the Mayoral Candidate for Colombo.

 However despite the mayoral candidacy for Colombo has been named the party is said to have decided to leave the positions of Mayors, Deputy Mayor and Chairman of Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas open.

 The United National Front led by the United National Party is to handover their nominations for the local government polls today (20) and tomorrow (21).

The Government of Sri Lanka on Sunday reiterated its rejection of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

This came during a meeting between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap at the former's office in Colombo.

Wickremesinghe said the decision of the US recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel would threaten the peace process in the Middle East.

He reiterated his country's firm position on the Palestinian issue, especially with regard to the city of Jerusalem, pointing out that Sri Lanka is following on with this matter.

Earlier on Sunday, Sri Lankan government spokesman and minister of health Rajitha Senaratne announced at a press conference his country's rejection of the US administration's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

He stressed that Sri Lanka's position is clear on the Palestinian issue; “To keep Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel. The Sri Lankan embassy will never transfer its embassy to Jerusalem,” he said.

Senaratne added that the US had been informed of his country's position. “The US had become isolated because of the unilateral declaration by President Donald Trump on Jerusalem, which all European countries have also rejected.”

He said that a sit-in will be held on Friday in the capital Colombo in support of Jerusalem and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people as well as protest against the US move.

Senaratne stressed that the final status of Jerusalem is to be determined by final status negotiations, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations.

PIC: Onlanka

Sri Lanka is optimistic the Ceylon Tea ban by the Russian Federation could be lifted soon said Minister of Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen

“I am optimistic on a quick solution,” said the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen after urgent consultations with top officials recently.

“Russia and Sri Lanka have long-standing friendly and cordial relations. This ban is not a refusal of Sri Lanka by Russia but only a temporary stoppage of one export product from us" he said adding that the only reason for our concern is that nearly 80% of Sri Lankan exports to Russia consists of Ceylon Tea.

Last year (2016) Russia ranked as the second largest buyer of all types of Ceylon Teas (including green tea made in Sri Lanka) at $ 143 Mn–the leading buyer in 2016 was Iran, at $ 154.10 Mn. However, in 2015 Russia was the topmost buyer of Ceylon Tea at $156.65 Mn, and the second leading buyer was Turkey.

According Department of Commerce Ceylon Tea exports to Russia from January to August this year totalled US $ 114.18 Mn (83% of all types of Lankan exports to Russia from January to August 2017). Other main items that Sri Lanka exports to Russia are apparel, vegetable textile fibres, other clothing accessories (including gloves).

Sri Lanka’s total trade (both imports and exports) with the Russian Federation which was at US $ 435.83 Mn in 2015 declined to $ 381.71 Mn in 2016. This year in January to August period, it reported a total of US $ 260.78 Mn.

The 92nd passing out parade of the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena, yesterday (17).

The Commandant of the Institute Brigadier Priyantha Senaratne warmly welcomed the President when he arrived at the Academy. The President also paid floral tribute to War Hero memorial in the premises of the Academy.

191 cadet officers will join the Sri Lanka army after successfully following this military training.

The cadet officers who showed outstanding performance during their military training received medals from the President.

The Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne, the Commander of the Army Mahesh Senanayake and many others participated on this occasion.

 Source: Presidents Media

People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Gampaha District Parliamentarian Nimal Lanza resigned from his post as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. Lanza said that he resigned for several reasons.

However, sources within the Joint Opposition claim Lanza has left to join the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. According to these sources, Lanza had recently even helped compile the party’s nominations for his seat while his brother is set to contest in the upcoming local government polls as well.

A spokesperson for the government when contacted said Lanza’s departure is, in fact, a blessing for the government and will not affect the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

He went on to claim that several powerful politicians from the JO are set to join the government in the near future. While saying he is unaware if Lanza is to join to JO he also said the decision would however not come as a surprise.

DIG of the Colombo Range, Lalith Pathinayake has been appointed as the acting DIG of the Sri Lanka Police Traffic Division. The temporary appointment was made at the request of IGP Pujith Jayasundara to the Police Commission.

The request was made due to the retirement of the former DIG of Traffic Chula De Silva on December 6. The division has been functioning without a DIG for over two weeks as the Police have been unable to find a successor to the post.

Though DIG Chula De Silva had formally requested for a service extension he was not granted his request due to top political interference. The outgoing DIG was highly experienced in the area of Traffic Management.

However, the Police are said to be in turmoil now as there appears to be no suitable candidate for the job. Officers of the division have been left disgruntled due to the current state of affairs with one senior officer questioning the state of the Police today as a result. “What does it say about the Police department if we don’t have a suitable candidate for this job” he was overheard as saying adding that the Police department is in a pathetic state at the moment.

Releasing a statement yesterday the United National Party (UNP) welcomed the announcement that the date for the Local Government Elections date is set for 10th February, 2018.

In response to the announcement, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe, Leader of the UNP said that the people can only gain a good deal from the local government in their area by voting for the UNP.

“The United National Party in the national government is fixing the mistakes of the past regime to build a stronger economy, because without a strong economy we cannot provide necessary funds to local governments” he said.

According to the Prime Minister in the 2018 Budget, the UNP in national government has committed over Rs. 25 billion for all activities at the local government level next year so that roads can be developed while improving local health amenities, provide clean drinking water and keep garbage off streets.

“So, at the local government elections cast your vote for the UNP to secure development in local areas to ensure UNP’s plan to build a stronger economy.” he further added.

14 000 MT of fuel purchased from Lanka IOC as an emergency purchase has been rejected due to not being of the required standard.

 The decision to then purchase the rejected stock as Kerosene has resulted in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation from incurring a loss of Rs. 49 Million.

According to sources this stock was fuel was purchased from IOC as the shipment of aircraft fuel which was to arrive on December 8 was delayed. However, due to its low quality, it was later decided to purchase it as Kerosene instead.

While a litre of aircraft fuel costs Rs. 80, a litre of Kerosene is a mere Rs. 45. Accordingly, CEYPETCO has now incurred a loss of Rs. 49 Million due to the price difference.

 As a result, the corporation has incurred an additional cost of Rs. 35 leading to the loss.

CEYPETCO was also hit with a further loss of Rs. 65 Million as the stock was imported at an additional cost of USD 3 per litre as it was an emergency purchase.

The University of Peradeniya has discovered that a tapeworm disease is fast spreading among the children living in tea estates.

 According to Director of the Department of Parasitology at the Peradeniya University Medical Faculty, Dr Susiji Wickramasinghe. Around 30 percent of children under the age of 12 are said to be suffering from this disease.

 Dr Wickramasinghe says the children are suffering from the disease identified as Ascaris Lumbricoides and preventive measures should be taken immediately to halt its spread further.

 According to research done, it has been discovered that while only one percent of children in urban areas were found with the disease, 30 percent of estate children in Kandy and surrounding areas are suffering from the disease.

 According to Dr Wickramasinghe, the disease is fast spreading in these areas due to lack of sanitary facilities which has resulted in several families using the same toilet facilities, defecating in the outdoors and bacteria finding its way into food being consumed.

 He also pointed out that the disease stunts the growth of children while correct medication can prevent this disease.

 With sanitation being at the heart of the issue, Dr. Wickramasinghe says sanitary facilities in the estates should be improved. He also stressed that the Ministry of Health should continuously work to provide necessary medical treatment for those affected.

(Radio Gagana - Nadeeka Daya Bandara)

Leaders must recognise, promote, protect the specific collective identities of their nations, but they must also open up to the globalised world, former executive president of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said here on Saturday.

Speaking at the ongoing India Ideas conclave, Ms. Kumartunga hailed the leadership qualities of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln, and asserted, “Many of the conflicts which we see around us, in our region, in the world, may not have existed or could be resolved if we have leaders with such an agenda.”

“And when I say, specific identity of a nation, I do not mean only the identity of one group. The dominant group in a nation. I mean the collective identity of a nation, which is formed on this collective identities of all the communities, living within that nation,” said the Sri Lankan politician who served as the fifth President of Sri Lanka and survived many assassination attempts in ethnic-conflict-affected country.

Tracing the history of violence and conflicts, she said the demand for identity, the recognition for identity, right or wrong has “led to much violence in our generation within the last, I would say 75 years.”

“The conflicts we see around us, almost all of them are also founded on the demand of identity. Identity of groups within nations, or specific identities of different communities. Today this situation has been further exacerbated,” she said, adding, “ Even the major world powers, rather than opening out, are limiting themselves to promoting their specific interest of their nation. The recent America First policy adopted by the present American government is an example of this.”

Speaking of true inspirational leadership, she said leaders in general cannot follow people. They must lead them. “Indeed they must be sensitive to their people’s needs, their desires, their hopes, but they must lead them towards enlightenment, towards what is right for the nation, but also what is right for the world. A world marked by diverse communities, diverse peoples, different nations intermingled within,” said Ms. Kumartunga, and added, “With the recognition that each of the communities will have the right, the full right to equal status, to have the full right to their culture, their religions, their social traditions. But they must all come together in one nation, recognising the national identity as one nation.

Ms. Kumartunga invoked exceptional leaderships like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, who, she said “have gone beyond that, risen above that to bring the nation together, around one vision, around one interest of a nation and yet through recognition of diversity, the respect of diversity of difference.”

“I would say this is essential in this moment, in our modern world,” she said.

Source: The Hindu