Category: News

The Rajapaksas have their share of responsibility for Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, President Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledged during an exclusive interview with Indian media, Firstpost.

When inquired if the Rajapaksas should at the very least apologise for their actions, President Wickremesinghe said it was up to them and he believes they have done so, recalling that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had previously issued a similar statement.

“The crisis took place during their time. When Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as the Prime Minister and Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned as the President, the whole political system collapsed. The Opposition which should have taken over shied away from the responsibility,” he explained.

The President further said that there were a lot of irresponsible actions by everyone, adding, “I think you have to look into all of that and not merely one part of it.”

Commenting to remarks of critics claiming that he was defending the Rajapaksas, President Wickremesinghe refuted the claims, stating “I am not defending the Rajapaksas. I am saying the Rajapaksas are responsible. But there is no one else to take responsibility thereafter. The critics are the ones who ran away from responsibility.”

Questioned on his attendance at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s birthday celebrations recently, the President said he and Mahinda Rajapaksa have always exchanged birthday wishes and have also celebrated birthdays, which he claimed was common practice.

“I have always wished Mahinda Rajapaksa on his birthday and he has wished me for my birthday. This time Mr. Namal Rajapaksa asked if I could come to his house for a party, so I said yes. If any MP invites me and I have time, I go to the birthday party. Sometimes we also get a cake and cut it at the Parliamentary group meeting or Cabinet. That’s a tradition,” he said.

Stating that he was not a surrogate for the Rajapaksas as claimed by the critics, President Wickremesinghe revealed that the Rajapaksas’ party was currently divided.

“One half is working with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the other half is with me. If you ask me if the whole of Rajapaksas party is supporting me, I would say no. If you ask me if the whole of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya is supporting Sajith Premadasa, I would say no. All parties are split,” he said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he only appealed to all political parties to work together to pull the country out of the crisis, and he received the majority to be appointed as the President of Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, acknowledged the resilience of the Sri Lankan people, the abatement of inflation, and the gradual reduction of shortages at the seventh annual general meeting of the Sri Lanka – USA Business Council (SLUSABC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka recognized the challenging journey that Sri Lanka has traversed since the previous annual general meeting in August of the previous year. She emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka’s commitment to long-term regulatory and economic reform, inclusive of equitable debt restructuring, fiscal transparency enhancement, the creation of an attractive regulatory environment, and the fortification of democratic governance.

SLUSABC elected Chief Operating Officer of WICHY Plantation Company (PVT) LTD, Charithra Hettiarachchi as President for 2023/2024 and he expressed the Council’s commitment to strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and the USA in the areas of trade, tourism and development.

He outlined the Council’s goals, which include creating networking opportunities, advocating for member companies, providing educational resources, and promoting corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices. Hettiarachchi, expressed the council’s gratitude to the government of the United States of America for the support extended during Sri Lanka’s time of need especially during the last two years. The direct involvement of the embassy in facilitating the import of fertilizer, assistance through the IDFC fund and the numerous work done to develop the human capital of Sri Lanka were a few examples that were highlighted during his speech.

The 2023/24 Executive Committee includes Tilak Gunawardena from MAC Holdings and Tuan Farhath Noor Armith from Fanam International as Vice Presidents, Randeewa Malalasooriya from CBL Natural Foods as the Treasurer, and Sanji De Silva as the Immediate Past President. Dr. Asanka Ratnayake, a Past President, was unanimously honored as an Honorary Member of the council.

Newly appointed committee members include Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Expelogix (Pvt) Ltd, Jafferjee& Sons (Pvt) Ltd, Sampath Bank PLC, and Spillburg Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.

Sri Lanka will welcome any research and exploration vessel from any country, including China, said Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in an interview to Indian agency FirstPost

In response to the recent port calls made by China’s Yuan Wang 5 and Shi Yan 6, Ranil Wickremesinghe said that when inquired, there was no evidence to claim the vessels were spy ships.

“What is a spy ship is a big question mark. These are civilian ships, but if there are issues, if there are spy ships, we will not allow them to come in. But as far as exploration is concerned, we allow not only Chinese ships but other ships, but no one highlights the fact that other ships also come to Sri Lanka,” said the President.

He also said that “each time a Chinese ship comes, we get a lot of publicity. But if a ship, a research ship, comes from another country, we are ignored.”

He also said that Sri Lanka is going to develop its own hydrographic unit and get its own ships and “then we can do surveys in around India and China.”

The High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Rohitha Bogollagama who arrived in London on 19 November 2023 assumed duties at the High Commission at a simple ceremony the following day.

Bogollagama was received upon arrival at Heathrow Airport by Special Representative of the UK Foreign Secretary Kathryn Colvin.

In his address to the staff at the High Commission, after assuming duties, Bogollagama emphasized the importance of advancing national interests and urged them to work towards progressing the existing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. The ceremony was marked by the lighting of the oil lamp and milk rice and sweetmeats being served in keeping with Sri Lankan traditions.

High Commissioner-designate Bogollagama then paid a visit to the London Buddhist Vihara where religious observances and chanting of Seth Pirith were conducted by the Chief Incumbent of the Vihara and the Chief Sangha Nayake of Great Britain the Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thero.

Bogollagama was a Member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka between 2000-2010 and has served in several key ministerial positions. He was appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province from 2017-2019. While being a Member of Parliament Bogollagama served as Minister of Industries (2001-2004), Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development (2004-2005), Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion (2005-2007) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007-2010).

In addition, Bogollagama served as the Chairman of the SAARC Council of Ministers (2008-2009) and contributed to establishing strong diplomatic relations with other countries as a Member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (2007-2009), Vice President of the Non-Aligned Movement (2009) and Chairman of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Meeting (2009) among others.

Prior to contesting the elections in 2000, Bogollagama served in key positions heading various Government and Private Sector Institutions. Some of the highlights in his list of appointments include serving as the Director of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (1989-1993), Chairman of Sathosa Printers Ltd., (1992-1993), Chairman of Sri Lanka Cement Corporation (1993-1994), Chairman and Director General of Board of Investment, (1993-1994) and Director of Sri Lanka Export Development Board during the same year, proving his expertise in diverse fields.

Bogollagama entered the Sri Lanka Law College in the year 1973 to pursue a career in law. With the completion of successive examinations, he commenced his legal practice in 1976 with a special focus on criminal law. In 1987 Rohitha Bogollagama expanded his expertise in commercial law with overseas engagements in Shipping, Trade, Settlements, Arbitration and Negotiation. During this period he has been responsible for advising major international clients including Maersk Shipping of A. P Moller & Company, Denmark and Voice of America of the Government of United States.

Referring to the recent judgment given by the Supreme Court where former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and others were held responsible for the economic crisis, President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said one has to look into whether others are also responsible for the economic debacle and have engaged in a breach of public trust.

“One must note that even the opposition has engaged in a breach of trust. It is the duty of the main opposition to take over the government once those in the existing government resign. However, the current leader of the opposition and the main opposition had engaged in a breach of public trust by failing to form a new government in 2022. We can also probe these matters,” he said.

He also referred to an error in the court case number in the question submitted by Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa. “The number of cases which the Opposition Leader referred to a case in Trinomalee,” he said in a lighter vein.

Mr. Premadasa said error in the case number was not a major issue and accused the President of dodging his question.

SLPP MP Gevindu Kumaratunga who spoke later said the President should not have taken a question with regard to the economic crisis in a lighter vein. ‘ President should not have come up with dirty jokes,” he said.

The Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance worth Rs. 435 million (¥ 200 million) to empower the fisheries industry in Northern and Eastern provinces.

This funding is part of the Japanese Government’s Economic and Social Development Program to provide supportive equipment for the fisheries industry.

The objective of this grant aid to develop cold chain facilities and equip the fisheries sector with modern electronic equipment and, thereby realising high value-added marine products and contributing to the upgrading the living standard of the fishermen in Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Under this grant assistance, ice making machines, digital platform scales, sets of fishing net, refrigerator truck and prefabricated refrigerators/freezers will be provided.

This grant assistance will be a great patronage to reduce the constraints that exist in the value chain and increase the competitiveness, by promoting private sector investments in the fisheries industry.

The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant was signed by Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, while Japanese Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki signed on behalf of the Government of Japan.

As one of the main development partners, the Government of Japan extends the hands of friendship to Sri Lanka whenever the help is needed. The Government of Japan has donated various aids to Sri Lanka to ensure food security, quality of health care facilities, and the social wellbeing of the people amid the ongoing economic crisis.

The fisheries sector in Sri Lanka has the potential to be competitive in the global markets and increase employment opportunities, food security and export earnings in a sustainable manner.

In line with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy framework, the Government envisages achieving the objectives of increased per capita fish consumption, reduced post-harvest loss, generated employment opportunities, improved quality of life of the fisher community, increased foreign exchange and ensures long-term sustainability of the fisheries industry. Considering the above fact, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe were also present at the signing ceremony yesterday.

In a stunning display of athleticism and perseverance, 71-year-old Akila Thirunayaki, a resident of Mullaitivu’s Mulliyavalai village, has secured two gold medals and a bronze medal at the Masters Athletics Championships held in the Philippines.

Representing Sri Lanka on the international stage, Thirunayaki dominated the competition, claiming the top spot in both the 1,500 and 5,000 meter races, showcasing her exceptional endurance and speed. Additionally, she secured a well-deserved bronze medal in the 800 meter race, highlighting her versatility in various track events.

Thirunayaki’s journey to success is even more remarkable considering her fourth-place finish in the fiercely competitive 400 meter race. Her outstanding performance across multiple events has earned her accolades not just from her local community but also from the broader athletic community in Sri Lanka.

A retired prison officer, Thirunayaki’s dedication to athletics has not waned with age. Her achievement serves as an inspiration to individuals of all ages, proving that passion and determination can overcome any barriers, including age.