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The government is looking at allocating lands that were previously reserved for reforestation in Monaragala, Kotiyagala and Kebaliththa areas for farming activities in a bid to face the food crisis in the future.

Currently, around 8000 hectares of land in the aforementioned areas owned by the Forest Department has been reserved for reforestation.

Accordingly, it was decided to commence afforestation activities immediately in the 3000 hectares where saplings have been prepared for afforestation.

The issue of the remaining 5000 hectares of land to be distributed among farmers temporarily for cultivation until the necessary facilities for reforestation were prepared was also discussed at length during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (01) under the patronage of President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka.

The discussions also focused on the possibilities of releasing a certain extent of land for cattle rearing on a temporary basis.

Ratnayaka advised the Forest Conservation Department to seek the advice of the Attorney General to resolve any legal issues that may arise in carrying out these activities and instructed heads of all related line institutions accordingly.

Major General Channa Weerasuriya was appointed as the Chief of Staff (COS) of the Sri Lanka Army on Tuesday (29).

Major General Channa Weerasuriya a product of Mahanama College, Colombo joined the Army as an Officer Cadet in 1986 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into one of the most respected Infantry Regiments in the Sri Lanka Army, the 1st Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry on 23 July 1987. He has counted over 35 years of reckonable service in the military career.

Besides the regimental appointments in every sphere, Major General Channa Weerasuriya has held numerous important appointments in Command and Staff capacity. He commanded one of the reputed Infantry Battalions, 4th Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry during the era of very high intensive counter insurgency operations.

Having completed the tenure as the Battalion Commander, he held Staff appointments in various formations as General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) at 23 Division, Colonel General Staff at 58 Division, Chief of the Staff at Regimental Headquarters Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Centre Commandant of Regimental Headquarters Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Brigadier General Staff at the Security Force Headquarters - Kilinochchi and Director at Directorate of Recruiting - Army Headquarters.

Major General Channa Weerasuriya has served many command appointments including Commander of 512, 523 and 663 Infantry Brigades, Commander of Air Mobile Brigade and Commander of 22 Division in Trincomalee, and Commander Security Force (East).

The senior officer has been awarded with the 'Rana Wickrama Paddakkama' and 'Rana Sura Paddakkama' in recognition of the gallantry, invaluable and selfless dedication, excelled in the face of enemy in the battlefield.

In addition to the local courses he followed, Major General Channa Weerasuriya has attended Young Officers' Course in Pakistan, Mortar Course in India, Junior Command Course in Bangladesh, United Nations Staff Officers’ Course in Bangladesh and Senior Command Course in India. He has obtained the Master’s Degree in Public Management at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura and has attended seminars on ‘Conflict Resolution by Military Means’ held in California, USA and ‘Security of the Countries of South Asia and North Eastern Asia’ held in Mongolia. Major General Channa Weerasuriya has obtained the graduation on the National Security and War Course at the National Defence University of Pakistan.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a bill on gender equality and women's empowerment will be submitted to Parliament soon and he also instructed the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to prepare the bill.

The President emphasized that women's representation should be increased not only in the Parliament but also in other sectors and the public sector as well as the private sector should focus their attention in this regard.

The President pointed out that the representation of women in the First Council of Sri Lanka was 2% and 91 years after universal suffrage, the representation of women in the current parliament is only 5.3%.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these observations by joining the Committee Stage Debate on the budget proposal for the financial year 2023 in parliament on Thursday (01).

Statement issued by the President's Media Division:

“I expect to speak especially on the Ministry under me. We thank the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for commencing a 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

It was in 1931 that Sri Lankans got the universal franchise. However, the State Council did not have any female representation. The group of females including former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s grandmother requested the Donoughmore Commission to permit the females to contest at the election as well. At the election, not a single female won a seat. Eight months later after the demise of my great grandfather J H Meedeniya, Mrs Mollamure was appointed.

On the other hand, Mrs Florence Senanayake was appointed from the opposition side. Hence, the female representation in 1931 was 2 per cent and after 91 years after the universal franchise was achieved, we have increased the female representation up to 5.3 per cent which is not satisfactory.

However, the UK parliament did not have 2 per cent female representation in 1931but Canada, Lok Sabha, Australia etc have increased it by now. We all are responsible for not doing so.

In 2015 we proposed to increase the female representation at the Provincial Councils but could do it due to the amendment. However, the proportion of females in our society is 52 per cent. That’s why I asked the Women Parliamentarians Caucus to attend to that matter. We are drafting two acts related to Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

It is also proposed to establish an independent commission under the name of the National Women’s Commission to give leadership and make recommendations to the Parliament to intervene in matters relating to gender equality and women empowerment. The government supports it and I hope the Opposition side too would support it. We also have planned to appoint a female Ombudsman.

We have much to talk about on this matter. When we look at the estate sector, and garment factories, most of the employees are females but there is not a single woman director in them. Not only the Private sector but the government sector too has done the same mistake, as the scenario in the Corporations is the same. We can address it by way of law. However, where the education sector, health and administrative sector are concerned, female representation is higher. But in the private sector, we don’t find this development and it should be improved. But when we look at the numbers receiving education, more than 50 per cent are female which is not reflected at the higher level of employment.

In addition, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has been assigned to attend to Child affairs as well. The number of orphan children being looked after by the government is very low. The Caucus has to look into the protection of those children as well. We have to attend to the matter of elders and disabled persons. The amount that we can allocate for them has dropped as we settle loans, paid salaries or maintained loss-making institutions. But the curtain and what is in front of the curtain are nice. But nobody is looking behind a different curtain. Earlier this ministry was not considered to be important under any government but now we are considering granting other ministries to female members. In India Finance Ministry, and Defence Ministry were held by females. Liz Truss was also the Foreign Minister. So we should attend to these matters and hence I instructed the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to propose to formulate the required laws. We have a responsibility to increase women's representation not only in parliament and politics but in all other areas as well.

I also instructed the Minister to address the issues related to Samurdhi. The issue there is some needy people are not receiving Samurdhi benefits while some who are not needy are getting them. We have to remove those who are not eligible. Some decisions may not be popular but the Parliament should be strong to get the correct decision. Though I don’t talk much about education as the minister will address it. Do we need the same schools we had when free education was introduced in 1946 or the same schools we had in 1980? I think we need schools that look ahead to 25 years beyond 2023.

The entire system that we are used to will change. MP Eran Wickramaratne will tell you all that we may not have brick-and-mortar universities at the end of the day. It could be something else. However, why can’t we be the regional hub for that? Sri Lanka can be a regional hub for education. Let us make up our minds. You are allowing billions of dollars to go out, at least three billion. So not only can we retain that 3 billion, but if we do it right, we will be able to attract another 10 billion. We must do that.

Can we be saying these are students and taking in those who are 40-50 years and expect to rectify this system? That’s all I am saying. Some may attack me for it, but I don’t mind. That is a fact. I said it earlier as well, earlier, we entered universities and passed out by the age of 21 or 22. Yet today, how many pass out by that age?

I think many can pass out by the age of 21-22. We were law students at the time and we all passed out by that age. Yet, can this be done today? So are we going to face this issue or not? That is the question and that is why I ask if we are all going to face this issue and stop it.

Young men and women must pass out and leave university by the age 21-22. Then they can have jobs. Now we have to tailor the courses to suit the job market. In the future, we may experience a shortage of job opportunities in the job market, especially in the arts and social science fields. Hence, I would like the national council and the other committees of parliament to focus their attention on this issue. This issue could only be resolved if the matter is presented to these committees. The only issue that remains is whether the government is going to do it alone or whether the Opposition will join with the government and support its program or whether they will get onto the streets and start protesting. So we have to decide which course of action we are going to take. Developing the education sector is a step taken for the betterment of the future generations.”

The attorney general will not appear on behalf of senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon in a writ petition that seeks his arrest over the May 09 incidents.

A two-member Appeal Court panel that took up the case today (29) fixed the next hearing for December 16 after being told that Tennakoon’s lawyer Romesh de Silva had no sufficient time for preparation.

A lawyer, Ramalingam Ranjan, has filed the petition, citing the AG, IGP, director of the CID too, as respondents.

The petitioner cites adequate evidence to arrest Tennakoon over the attack on GotaGoGama protest site.

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) still remains undecided whether to pursue legal action to get compensation for the worst maritime disaster to hit Sri Lanka.

It is now 18 months since X-Press Pearl caught fire off Colombo, and just six months remain to seek redress through courts.

MEPA chairperson Darshani Lahandapura has told BBC Sinhala Service the attorney general or the Australian law firm that provides legal advice on the matter is yet to make any official intimation.

An expert involved in a consultant capacity said that even if the matter is taken to courts, the extent of damage to the environment cannot be determined by 20 May 2023.

Extensive damage to the coastal environment and marine life were caused by the May 2021 sinking of the ship.

At the time, it had been carrying 25 tons of nitric acid and 1,486 container-loads of other chemicals and cosmetics.

Train services from Mahawa to Jaffna will be suspended for five months from 15 January 2023, Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena stated.

Responding to a question raised by Vanni District MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan, during this morning’s Parliamentary session (28), the Transport Minister explained that no trains will operate along this route owing to maintenance work on the railway tracks.

“The train ran to Jaffna continuously, and it has now become impossible to travel beyond Mahawa due to the railway tracks not having been repaired”, Gunawardena stressed, assuring that the repairs will be completed in five months.

State-owned Lanka Sathosa has decided to reduce the prices of four essential goods with effect from tomorrow.

The local supermarket chain has taken the decision with an aim to provide relief to consumers.

Thereby, the revised prices are as follows;

Red Raw Rice Reduced by – Rs. 6

New price – Rs. 199

Keeri Samba
Reduced by – Rs. 15

New price – Rs. 225

Big Onions Reduced by – Rs. 30

New price – Rs. 225

Sprats Reduced by – Rs. 150

New price – Rs. 1150

The World Bank in their latest assessment put out a list of 10 countries with the highest food price inflation. Sri Lanka was ranked at No. 6 with a percentage of 86%, while Zimbabwe was at the top spot with a staggering 321%.

Most notably according to the report Sri Lanka's food inflation is observed to be worse than that of countries such as Suriname, Rwanda and Iran as well.

President Wickremesinghe says that the world is still no closer to the implementation of a universal action plan to combat climate change. issued a statement

President Wickremesinghe yesterday (29) issued a statement after participating in the COP 27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt earlier this month.

The President was critical of the countries that were historically accountable for the greatest damage and who are capable of meaningful contributions but who have stymied the furtherance of climate action.

Following is the statement issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe

“For 27 years, world leaders have been meeting under the COP framework to confront the greatest threat to the future of humanity - climate change.

Yet, we are no closer to the implementation of a universal and collaborative plan of climate action as mandated by the COP process.

Once again, the agreements reached by COP27 failed to place the nations of the world on a complementary and progressive course of redress.

Regrettably, the biggest obstacle to success has been politicisation and stagnation. The outcome of the Summit is discouraging.

The absence of leadership by those countries who were historically accountable for the greatest damage and who are capable of meaningful contributions has stymied the furtherance of climate action.

The nations of the global South are left to fight their corner with the Loss and Damages Fund, only a partial breakthrough, and achieved largely as a result of the unified stand and increased pressure of the G77 nations in the past years.

While the Loss and Damages Fund is a step in the right direction, there is a critical omission in the identification of those nations who will be responsible for making the requisite financial contributions.

Neither does the reference to the establishment of the Fund include any provisions on liabilities or compensations. Consequently, the G77 countries will need to continue the campaign to have these shortfalls addressed to ensure that the Loss and Damages Fund is operating at its full potential.

Moreover, this fund is retrospective – it will only provide compensation for damages that have occurred. It does not address the root causes of climate change.

It is imperative therefore to arrest the destruction that is ongoing through a concentrated effort to achieve the goal of US 100 billion in financial aid for prospective and preventative action.

The world is progressing at a rate faster than previously predicted, and therefore, efforts to mitigate climate change cannot remain stagnant. Last year the world was unanimous in its decision that global temperatures should not experience a rise of over 1.5 degrees Celsius.

A plan of action to this effect was agreed upon. However, while its original target has been retained, how this goal is to be achieved has been compromised following the decisions at COP 27.

Furthermore, there is no firm commitment to the phasing out of fossil fuels, nor new targets on emissions.

These agreements are a simple bandage for a gunshot wound. Climate change is as much a threat to the modern world as terrorism.

If world leaders do not engage with this sincerely, they will be guilty of sitting on the sidelines sprouting rhetoric as the global climate worsens and habitations collapse.

COP28 in the UAE must not be yet another starting point, but rather a stocktake of the implementation of past decisions.

It must be a seal of approval for a year of work towards strengthening the global response to climate change - beginning with a crucial emphasis on the energy sector.

For the Conference of Parties to be relevant, sustainable progress must be made at COP28. Otherwise, it is best to dismantle COP. The charade need not continue.”

PUCSL approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20minutes on 28th & 29th November as follows;

Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW – 1hour during daytime and 1hour 20minutes during night.

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has announced a special power management update for tourism zones in Sri Lanka for December.

In a series of Tweets, Minister Wijesekera said the Southern Province and Ella Tourism zones will be exempted from the 1 hour 20 minutes power cut during the night from the 1st of December.

The power cuts of 1 hour imposed during the day and 1 hour 20 minutes at night enforced islandwide will continue until the 15th of December.

He tweeted, "With the scheduled addition of Unit 3 of the Norochcholai Power Plant to the National Grid on the 15th of December, all tourism zones identified by the Ministry of Tourism will be exempted from night time power cuts."

This will also result in night time power cuts enforced islandwide being reduced to 1 hour.

He said, however, there will be no power cuts during Christmas and New Year.

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has granted permission to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record statements from Thilini Priyamali, who is accused of massive financial fraud.

Accordingly, the CID officials are permitted to interrogate the Thico Group owner at the Welikada Prison premises until November 30, Additional Prisons Commissioner General, Chandana Ekanayake said.

Meanwhile, the accused was presented before a prison tribunal at the Welikada Prison, chaired by Colombo Additional District Judge.

During the proceedings, the case filed against Priyamali, for keeping a mobile phone inside the prison cell, was postponed until December 08 for further examination.