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India calls for devolution of powers in Sri Lanka

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

India has reiterated calls for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including the devolution of powers.

During his meetings in Colombo, the Foreign Secretary of India, Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla had reiterated India’s position on the complete implementation of the provisions under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest.

Shringla was in Sri Lanka on a 3-day Official visit from 02-05 October 2021. This was his first visit to Sri Lanka in his current capacity.

During the visit, Foreign Secretary called on the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris.

He also held meetings and discussions with the State Minister for Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure Jeevan Thondaman, Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd) Prof. Jayanath Colombage and Defence Secretary General (Retd) G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne.

“During his meeting with the President on October 05, 2021, Foreign Secretary underscored the importance India attaches to expeditiously taking forward mutually beneficial projects, including proposals to enhance air and sea connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. Foreign Secretary thanked President for his guidance and close cooperation in the defence and security sphere. Further, he reiterated India’s position on complete implementation of the provisions under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest,” the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said in a statement today.

In his meeting with the Prime Minister held on October 04, 2021, Foreign Secretary mentioned that India-Sri Lanka relations are underpinned by vibrant people-to-people ties which would be further strengthened with signing of the Inter-Governmental MoU for the USD 15 million Buddhism grant.

The meeting with the Minister of Finance focussed on the strong economic and commercial relations between India and Sri Lanka. In this connection, both sides agreed to make progress on joint projects, including those under the loan and grant assistance extended by India.

The Foreign Secretary held wide-ranging and comprehensive discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Secretary on all areas of mutual interest, including on the need to face the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic together to mitigate its economic impact.

The Foreign Secretary also held meetings with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation led by Member of Parliament and Leader of the TNA R. Sampanthan, a Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) delegation led by Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan and a Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) delegation led by State Minister for Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure Jeevan Thondaman.

“The Foreign Secretary reiterated India’s longstanding support for the reconciliation that addresses aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity within the united Sri Lanka and in accordance with the 13th Amendment,” the Indian High Commission said.

The High Commission said that the extensive and warm discussions held during the Foreign Secretary’s meetings with all interlocutors and the joint inauguration of development cooperation projects will impart further impetus to the close, friendly and mutually beneficial ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Ferry service between Karaikal and Jaffna awaiting clearance to set sail

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The ferry service proposed between the ports of Karaikal in the Union territory of Puducherry and Jaffna in Sri Lanka is awaiting clearance from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to take off, Puducherry Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said on Tuesday

Shortly after flagging off Samudra Naukayan, an ocean sailing expedition by NCC naval wing cadets from Puducherry to Karaikal, she said shipping services between Karaikal and Jaffna were available in the past and were discontinued for various reasons, the New Indian Express reported.

The territorial government was pursuing the proposal to revive the service and the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner and ministers had recently held discussions with the Puducherry administration in this regard. According to Puducherry Transport Minister Chandira Priyanga who interacted with the Sri Lankan ministers, Sri Lanka wanted the ferry service to one more port on the island nation’s east coast.

As part of efforts to promote tourism, the Ministry for Shipping had mooted the proposal to start the ferry service between Karaikal and Jaffna, covering a distance of 56 nautical miles (103.7 kilometres), in February 2021. Union minister of state for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting with the Puducherry administration at the Chief Secretariat in this regard.

He said many Tamils from Sri Lanka come to India for religious purpose. Besides, Sinhalese people also desire to visit Buddhist places in India. The ferry service will facilitate their visit for spiritual purposes. It will not only give a boost to tourism, but also improve bilateral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, he said.

The project would be on private-public-partnership (PPP) basis, where the operator would operate the service, Karaikal Port will be the facilitator and the state and central government would extend support, he had said.

To take the proposal forward, a committee under the Chief Secretary along with Secretary, Port, and other officials had been constituted. The committee went into the nitty gritty and presented a report to the shipping ministry. Now, various clearances, immigration, customs and no objection certificates by agencies are being obtained.

It is a major tourism project that is expected to help in the development of Karaikal and bring business and economic development to Puducherry.

Earlier, after flagging off the ocean sailing expedition by NCC cadets at the Puducherry Port, she said it was part of an effort to infuse in the youth the spirit of courage and capability to tide over all challenges.

The expedition would be for 11 days between Puducherry and Karaikal, adding that the team had 60 cadets including 25 girls. The expedition would sail from Puducherry to Karaikal through Cuddalore, Parangipettai and Poompuhar. On each leg of journey, six cadets and one instructor will be sailing in non-motorized boats also called DK Whaler harnessing wing force. On the return leg, they would sail along the same route up to Kalapet and the expedition would culminate at Thengaithittu Harbour thus travelling a total distance of 302 km. The cadets underwent extensive training in rowing and sailing techniques before starting the journey. During the expedition, the team would undertake social service activities such as pollution awareness drives, coastal clean-ups, sapling plantation and adventure related activities including kayaking.

She said that the territorial government was ramping up facilities in hospitals to ensure that patients with complaints of dengue were taken care of without delay. The Lt Governor appealed to the people to maintain cleanliness at homes.

SC Directs AG And Prisons Commissioner To Ensure The Safety Of 08 Prisoners Who Have Filed FR Petitions Against Lohan

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court has directed the Attorney General to instruct the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Superintendent of Prisons in Anuradhapura to ensure the safety of the eight prisoners who have filed a Fundamental Rights petition against State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

The Supreme Court has also directed the Attorney General to instruct the Commissioner General of Prisons and the Superintendent of Prisons of Anuradhapura to provide the necessary access for their lawyers to meet the relevant prisoners.

The SC made the order after considering the FR petition filed by eight suspects detained at the Anuradhapura Prison by their lawyer alleging that Lohan Ratwatte had entered the Anuradhapura Prison and threatened a detainee with a pistol.

The petitions were filed today before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Murdu Fernando and S. The case was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Thurairajah.

The petitioner further requests that an order be issued to release him on bail and finally release him from all charges.

PSC agrees to present the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Bill to Parliament

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to consider the government business presented to Parliament by the public institutions that do not come under the preview of the existing Ministries agreed to present the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Bill to Parliament.

The PSC chaired by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed on presenting the bill on the 6th October when they met under the leadership of Minister of Highways and Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando Tuesday (05).

In particular, under the Registration of Electors Act No. 44 of 1980, voters are registered on the first day of June of each year at the age of 18 years. However, young people who have their birthdays after the said date will have the right to vote in the elections to be held after May 31 next year.

Therefore, this amendment is being made to give the opportunity to those who have attained the age of 18 years in order to cast their votes expeditiously.

The Extraordinary Gazette Notification on this regard was issued on 13th March 2021. Accordingly, this (Amendment) Bill is due to be presented to Parliament on the 6th.

Ministers (Prof.) G. L. Peiris and M.U. M. Ali Sabry, the Chief Opposition Whip, Member of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella attended this meeting.

Reveal who really owns Rosetti Ltd in Jersey Island: Vijitha

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The National People’s’ Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath today urged the Government to reveal the actual owner of the Rosetti Ltd., the Company which was set up by former parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan in the Jersey Island as exposed by the Pandora papers.

He told Parliament that the Government could not keep quiet on the incident claiming that it was a personal account and that the Government has a responsibility to educate the people on this matter.

He said the Government should reveal who had the official registration of Rosetti Ltd. and whether the bank account connected to it was under the name of Nirupama Rajapaksa or Thirukumar Nadesan or if it was a joint-account.

“According to Pandora Papers, the account was opened in 1991. The Money laundering Act was enacted in Sri Lanka in 2006. It should be revealed whether money had been channelled to this account after the Money laundering Act was enacted. How much money has been channelled and how the money has been channeled,” he said.

The MP said several individuals such as Vidya Amarapala were listed in such papers for similar incidents and said this was the first time where a politician was listed in an incident of this nature.

“The previous Government did not take any action when Vidya Amarapala’s name was revealed. He fled to Australia and the incident went uninvestigated thereafter,” he said.

He said the Government should reveal its stance whether action would be taken against the culprits under Money Laundering Act, if money had been channeled to the particular account after 2006.

Sri Lanka reports 40 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, toll rises to 13,142

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka Tuesday reported 40 deaths due to COVID-19 after the figures were confirmed by the Director General of Health Services on Monday, October 04.

Among the deaths reported today, 22 are of males and 18 of females. The majority of deaths – 36- are of elderly people in the 60 years and above age group.

According to the data reported by the Government Information Department, the total deaths due to Covid-19 since the pandemic began last year has now risen to 13,142.

Sri Lanka prints Rs106.7bn rupees to fully sterilize interventions, SRR hike effect

Posted on October 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka has printed 106.7 billion rupees to fully sterilize liquidity shortages that emerged in the banking system in September from a statutory reserve hike and foreign reserve losses, data show.

On October 04, the central bank’s Treasury bills tock rose to 1,442.7 billion rupees from 1,336 billion rupees.

The central bank withdrew about 150 billion rupees from the banking system through a statutory reserve ratio hike on September 01 and subsequently also intervened in forex markets to lose foreign reserves.

From August 30, 227.6 billion rupees had been printed through outright purchase of Treasury bills and bonds and another 103.5 billion rupees was printed through a term reverse repo auction.

Sri Lanka’s newly re-appointed central bank Governor Nivard Cabraal had lifted a ceiling on yields which had led to failed bond and bill auctions and allowed rates to go up limiting money printing.

Sri Lanka has been printing large volumes of money and also buying bonds into its balance sheet, in a severe deterioration of rule based policy seen under ‘flexible’ inflation targeting and ‘flexible exchange rate’ since 2015.

The central bank jettisoned a ‘bills only’ and started buying up bonds into its balance sheet with printed money even taxes were raised and then started buying bonds from failed auctions, which is against section 112 of its Constitution.

“Provided, however, that except in the case of treasury Bills, for which the Central Bank may make direct tenders, the bank shall
not subscribe to any issue of such securities or agree to purchase the unsubscribed portion of any such issue,” the MLA says.

Sri Lanka’s MLA is however a has enough provisions according which can be used to print money trigger forex shortages destroy the currency, though originally the intention was that there would be no direct government financing except through the 180 day provisional advances.

Until money printing began after the setting up of the central bank, Sri Lanka had an East Asia style currency board which had kept the currency stable through two World Wars and a Great Depression.

While excessively large liquidity shortages may not be required analysts say, higher rates and some liquidity shortages are required to stop a complete collapse of the rupee.

However foreign exchange shortages persists and the latest injection had reduced a liquidity short to 9 billion rupees.

Sri Lanka’s forex reserves are low and the central bank is seeing reserve liabilities rise.

On Monday bond markets continued to limp back seeing some activity as more realistic rates are emerging.

A one year bond maturing on 01.10.2022 was quoted 7.40/8.00 percent.

A 15.11.2023 bond was quoted at 8.20/30 and also traded, dealers said.

A 15.09.2024 bond was quoted at 9.00/20 percent.

A 01.12.2024 bond was quoted at 9.00/30 percent.

A 01.08.2025 bond was quoted at 9.50/75 percent

A 15.10.2027 bond was quoted at 10.25/50 percent.

Indian Foreign Secretary calls on PM Rajapaksa

Posted on October 4, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning (04).

At the outset, Secretary Shringla conveyed the “very personal greetings” of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the best wishes of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the PM’s Office said.

During the meeting, the two delegations discussed a number of sectors of mutual cooperation, including the further strengthening of bilateral relations, ongoing projects, tourism and the promotion of Buddhist ties.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s initiative to promote Buddhist ties. Secretary Shringla said it was a priority area of Prime Minister Modi.

Last year, during the virtual bilateral summit between the two prime ministers, the Indian Prime Minister announced a $15 million grant for the promotion of Buddhist ties that aimed to deepen people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

Secretary Shringla said India is also looking forward to receiving the first pilgrims flight, from Sri Lanka, to the Kushinagar Airport after it was upgraded as an international airport. This was also a request made by Prime Minister Modi during the virtual summit last year.

Another topic of discussion centered around the resumption of tourism. With the vaccine drives in both countries progressing well, Secretary Shringla spoke of the importance of resuming connectivity, the statement said.

India has been Sri Lanka’s top source of tourists with inbound tourism from India making up about 18% of total tourists arrivals in pre-COVID-19 years.

The Indian Foreign Secretary is currently in Sri Lanka on a four-day official visit.

The Indian Foreign Secretary is also expected to meet with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for talks.

Mr. Shringla arrived in Colombo on Saturday on a four-day official visit, his first official visit to the island nation, following an invitation from his Sri Lankan counterpart Admiral (Retd) Prof Jayanath Colombage.

Foreign Secretary Shringla visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy yesterday before traveling to Trincomalee and Jaffna.

He was extended a warm welcome by Indian Consul General in Jaffna and Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council, Mr. C.V.K Sivagnanam. Officials from Civil Aviation Authority briefed the foreign secretary about the development and rehabilitation of Palali Airport.

Foreign Secretary Shringla also visited the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre built with Indian grant assistance.

He also visited the Oil Tank Farms at Trincomalee and was briefed by LIOC about the development undertaken at the Lower Tank Farms and the possibilities for further strengthening India-Sri Lanka energy partnership to enhance Sri Lanka’s energy security.

Our focus is to reacquire Trinco oil tanks: Gammanpila

Posted on October 4, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

While explaining that all 100 oil tanks in Trincomalee have already been handed over to India based on Indo Lanka agreements signed in 1987 and 2003, Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila stated that the Government’s focus is to reacquire these tanks.

He made these statements at a press conference held today (04).

Gammanpila also dismissed allegations leveled against him which claimed that he, together with the Indian Foreign Secretary, visited the tanks.

“A certain Opposition Parliamentary showed a photograph of a helicopter claiming it was myself and the Indian Foreign Secretary travelling to Trincomalee. I wish to responsibly state that I have not travelled in a helicopter with anyone since I was appointed as the Minister,” he said.

He also added that the Foreign Secretary has not even requested a discussion with him.

“According to information from India, my subject will not be a matter which will be discussed,” Gammanpila explained.

Meanwhile, in response to Ven. Dr Omalpe Sobitha Thero claims which suggest that this is an attempt to give away 85 oil tanks to India, Gammanpila stated that the country does not have that many tanks to give away.

“We do not possess 85 tanks to give away. I want remind him that the UNP has already done that,” he said.

Pandora Papers hits the high ranks as Nirupama Rajapaksa documented in it

Posted on October 4, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Pandora Papers, which has exposed the secret wealth and dealings of world leaders, politicians and billionaires in one of the biggest leaks of financial documents, last night stirred up the high ranks within the government and political circles in Sri Lanka as former parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapaksa was documented in it.

The papers have been put together by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and over 600 journalists the world over, in the largest collaboration in journalism history.

The Daily Mirror learns that the matter will be discussed within the high ranks today as some leaders such as Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have already vowed to investigate the claims against all the citizens documented in the papers.

Nirupama Rajapaksa has been documented in the Pandora Papers as a ruling party member.

She was a former member of parliament.

According to the Pandora Papers, it is alleged that Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband Thirukumar Nadesan together controlled a shell company they used to buy luxury apartments in London and Sydney and to make investments, according to leaked files.

It is alleged that Nadesan set up other shell companies and trusts in secrecy jurisdictions, and he used them to obtain lucrative consulting contracts from foreign companies doing business with the Sri Lankan government and to buy artwork.

According to the Pandora Paper leaks, in 2018, one of the companies, Pacific Commodities, transferred 31 paintings and other South Asian art pieces to the Geneva Freeport, an ultra-secure warehouse where assets are not subject to taxes or duties.

In confidential emails to Asiaciti Trust, a Singapore-based offshore services provider, a long-time adviser of Nadesan’s put his overall wealth, as of 2011, at more than $160 million. ICIJ said it couldn’t independently verify the figure. It was alleged that Asiaciti Trust managed some of Nadesan’s offshore companies and trusts, with assets valued at about $18 million, according to an ICIJ analysis.

The firm listed him as a politically connected individual because of his wife’s political position. asiaciti kept the family as clients even after Nadesan was charged with embezzlement in 2016.

Rajapaksa and Nadesan declined to answer ICIJ’S questions about their trusts and companies, the ICIJ said.