Author: TELO Admin

Sri Lanka is not likely to experience a V shape economic recovery given the global issues and local issues which Sri Lanka has created by its own self, UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

“The supply chain in Europe and Japan is expected to fall. Japan’s GDP has been reduced by one percent while China is facing an energy crisis. There are other local issues which Sri Lanka has created on its own. Sri Lanka’s economy is dependent largely on imports whether we like it or not. Economy has fallen as a result of import curtailment. Foreign reserves have come down to US$ 2 billion out of which gold reserves account to US$ 300 million. One cannot go along with a foreign reserves which is US$ 1.7 billion. Local banks are functioning with complete non-performing loans. Total non performing loans in Sri Lankan banks accounts are between Rs. 4,000 billion to Rs. 6,000 billion. Just remember Sri Lanka’s GDP is averagely 18,000 billion,” he said

“Sri Lanka faces an annual foreign debt service of US$ 500 million annually,” he added whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka will face a great economic crisis,” he added.

Also he questioned why the allocation for the health sector from this year’s budget.

Mr. Wickremesinghe further questioned as to how the Central Bank Governor took a unilateral decision to secutrice Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves. ” It is the cabinet and Parliament which have the power to make such decisions,” he said.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador Kelly Keiderling held wide ranging discussions covering bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest with Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage at the Foreign Ministry.

Ambassador Keiderling, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka was on an official visit to Sri Lanka from 13 to 15 November 2021. The Foreign Secretary extended a warm welcome to the visiting senior official from the US Department of State to Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Secretary thanked the Government and people of the United States for the continued support and assistance extended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate the environmental and socio-economic impact of the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.

He expressed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the US Government for the recent gift of the third Cutter ‘DOUGLAS MUNRO’ to the Sri Lanka Navy, which would augment Sri Lanka’s drug smuggling interdiction capacity and prevention of other illicit activities in the high seas. He also explained to the visiting US official, the progress being made in the areas of reconciliation, accountability, rehabilitation and human rights in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Secretary and the US DASS reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives between the two countries, including convening of the US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue. They also exchanged views on important contemporary issues, such as strengthening democracy, the need for international cooperation to combat climate change & global pandemics and organic farming.

President of Sri Lanka H.E Gotabaya Rajapaksa inaugurated the National Defence College (NDC) on 11 November.

Keeping up the legacy of strong relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the Government of Pakistan donated a fully furnished library to the National Defence College. Pakistan also provided its fullest support in setting up the curriculum of the inaugural course at NDC.

Mr. Tanvir Ahmad, Acting High Commissioner and Col. Muhammad Safdar Khan Defence, Advisor of the Pakistan High Commission, Colombo attended the inaugural ceremony which was also attended by senior political and military leadership of the country, Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Diplomatic missions and Defence Advisors/ Attachés based in Sri Lanka.

The report by the committee appointed to review the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (15).

Head of the committee, Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne presented the first copy of the report to the President.

The committee was appointed on 24 June 2021 to make recommendations to the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed by the President to review the PTA.

The Committee chaired by Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne includes Secretary to the Ministry of Justice M.M.P.K. Mayadunne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Major General (Retd) Jagath Alwis, Inspector General of Police C. D. Wickramaratne, Head of National Intelligence Major General (Retd) Ruwan Kulatunga, Legal Draftsman Dilrukshi Samaraweera, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Piyumanthi Peiris, Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, Deputy Legal Advisor at the Foreign Ministry Thilani Silva and Deputy Director at the Foreign Ministry Mahesha Jayawardana as other members.

Senior Assistant Secretary to the President, Jeewanthi Senanayake, served as the Secretary of the committee.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, the main opposition in Sri Lanka, says it will go ahead with its massive protest campaign planned for Tuesday (16).

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara a large crowd will come to Colombo and the protest will not be canceled.

“We are not afraid of the government’s suppressive efforts,” he told reporters on Monday (15).

At the same time, Dr. Rajith Senaratne said the people will join with the Samagi Jana Balavegaya in its protest on Tuesday (16), as the people have no alternative against the rising cost of living.

He said local police is being used to inform local politicians about COVID-19 guidelines, adding that police informed them that the Director-General of Health Services has prohibited events, without his approval.

Dr. Senaratne said the respective gazette was in fact issued on the Director-General of Health Services and not Sri Lanka Police, adding that as per the directives, it appears the local health officials are expected to perform the duties of the police, while the police take charge of COVID prevention.

“Sir is afraid,” he added.

SJB MP S. M. Marikkar said the political henchmen who did not lock down the country when the third COVID wave emerged with a high death toll, are the very people who use gazettes to prevent gatherings.

“We have no intention of seizing power at this moment,” he said adding that the SJB will secure power via the ballot.

He noted that the protests planned for Tuesday (16) will highlight the plight of the people, in present-day Sri Lanka, adding that no one can stop people from exercising their right to assembly.

” How did the SLPP have their convention? How are people moving about in public transport? How are unvaccinated kids being brought to school? How can the President grace the Katin Ceremony with a large crowd? How did the UNP stage protests?” he questioned.

SJB MP Harin Fernando stated,” Sir is afraid. We will be in Colombo on Tuesday (16).”

He called on the lower ranks of Sri Lanka Police to stand firm.