Sri Lanka economic transformation Bill another major legislation under the IMF supported programme shaping the future of the country received the cabinet nod this week amidst the government’s failure to fulfill 19 transparency and legislative commitments.
This far reaching legislation dominated headlines in both print and electronic media highlighting that all citizens will be assured an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families along with the continuous improvement of living conditions for all those residing in the country
It has been proposed that the President should, every five years commencing from 2025, ensure the Cabinet of Ministers prepares and presents a report to Parliament on the policy framework, strategies, and legislation which will ensure the continued adherence to the National Policy on Economic Transformation.
As usual opposition political parties spearhead by SJB and JVP have vehemently protested against the bill claiming that IMF will not be allowed to dictate terms on economic activities of the country in the long run.
The economic transformation bill is aimed at maintaining public debt to be below 95% of the country’s total GDP by 2032 and thereafter while transforming into an export-oriented, digitised economy
Parliament is to hold oversight power of Cabinet when executing the act and the government to seek assistance of five agencies for effective implementation
The Government is to seek assistance from several agencies to implement the proposals in the new legislation.
These agencies are the Economic Commission, Zones SL (charged with the responsibility of advising the Economic Commission on the requirement for investment zones, while also operating and managing these zones), Office of International Trade National Productivity Commission and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade
United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu said that it is important that Sri Lanka must have a functional truth and reconciliation programme in place. He also mentioned that it is expected from the leaders emerging from the upcoming Elections to make it a reality.
He also noted that the US wants to be a part of it through assistance to the island nation. Commenting further, he emphasised that the biggest support that the US can extend to Sri Lanka at the moment is advice.
The controversy surrounding the VFS Company is still persisted with the opposition strongly questioning this issue both inside and outside parliament.
The government has convened a cabinet meeting hurriedly and revoked the visa issuance rights previously granted to VFS Company, transferring them back to the Immigration Department
Officials from the Ministry of Public Security and the Immigration Department didn’t turn up to attend the committee meeting of the public finance in parliament to provide answers on question s relating to VFS company transactions.
In a significant event at the end of the week, the National War Heroes Day will be marked with a ceremony to be held at the war memorial in Battaramulla today.
The event which marks the 15th anniversary of the end of the 30-year armed conflict will be attended by families of war heroes and this anniversary comes around at a critical historical juncture, amid the humanitarian catastrophe unleashed by Israel’s assault on Gaza and Russia Ukraine on going war.
At least 40,000 people were reported killed in the fighting, but some estimates based on population figures suggest the death toll could be as high as 169,000.
Meanwhile, commemorative and religious events were held in several locations. The War Heroes Commemorative Foundation held a commemorative event at Borella Cemetery, where retired army officials paid floral tributes to troops killed in the war.
Speaking at a commemoration Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, said: “Today’s anniversary is a grim reminder of the collective failure of the SL authorities and the international community to deliver justice to the many victims of SL’s 3-decade-long internal armed conflict
The Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday afternoon (18), on a three-day visit signaling Indian cultural and religious influence in the country. .
He will stay in Sri Lanka from May 18 to 20 and is slated to attend an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom’ to be held at Taj Samudra on May 19.
At the event,12 skill development centers of The Art of Living across the country, will be inaugurated. These centers aim to empower over 5000 youth with skills to make them job-ready. At the same event, Gurudev will also virtually inaugurate The Art of Living Center in Wattala.
Gurudev will grace the ‘Kumbabishekam’ event in Seetha Amman temple in Nuwara Eliya and bless the community. He will travel to Trincomalee at the invitation of the Governor of the Eastern Province where community programs have been organized in Gurudev’s honor.
His visit comes after A historic milestone in the Indo-Sri Lankan cultural and religious bond was marked yesterday (21) with the official launch of the ‘Sri Ramayan Trails’ project at Taj Samudra, Colombo. This initiative aims to bolster the country’s tourism industry by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative tourism methodologies.
Under the auspices of His Holiness Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the Chief Treasurer of the renowned Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, and graced by Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, the launch event showcased a commitment to fostering deeper ties between the two nations.
The Sri Ramayan Trails seeks to highlight nine significant sites mentioned in the epic Ramayana, scattered across Sri Lanka. By offering a spiritual and cultural journey for Hindu pilgrims and travelers alike, This even has created wide spread protests of Sri Lankans who accused the organizers for distorting King Rawana’s epic in the island
As Presidential election nears pushing the parliamentary poll proposal of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to back burner, several key issues and challenges emanated to the fore on the way for presidency of presumptive candidates.
The issues have shone a spotlight on deep divisions in the country as it moves closer to what is expected to be a heated battle for the presidency between President Ranil Wickremasinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and JVP and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Despite wild speculation, some cooked up and others orchestrated; by individuals or interested parties, the demand for an immediate parliamentary general election has become nonentity at the time being.
, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is empowered constitutionally to dissolve Parliament—which has now completed more than two and half years—wants a presidential election first.
Constitutionally the presidential election is scheduled for a date between September 17 and October 16. And he is working towards that end. .
Only a formal announcement of the president is awaited though some minor issues remain to be sorted out. Yet, there are cynics who argue that Wickremesinghe may not contest and would pull out at the eleventh hour.
In another political chess move SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa MP telephoned President Wickremesinghe and spoke about the presidential election expressing his intention to contest the election.
.President Wickremesinghe replied that he was perfectly entitled to be a candidate on behalf of his party and wished him well creating another confusion among the people on Namal’s s entry into the presidential race along with billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera and another prospective nominee for the candidacy.
UNP sources claim there were 18 but the exact number will not be known until the dates are finalised for their switch.
Among those SJB members who have received funds for development on an initiative of President Wickremesinghe are Ajith Manapperuma, J.C. Alawathuwala, Gayantha Karunatilleke, Harsha de Silva, Ishak Rahman and Kavinda Jayawardena. Among the others who have received funds for development activity in their electorates are Asanka Navaratne (Sri Lanka Mahajana Party – Rs 150 million)) and Champika Ranawaka (United Republic Front – Rs 150 million)
On Thursday, SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, speaking to the media from his party headquarters in Battaramulla, declared, “We are ready for any election, presidential or parliamentary. We are also opposed to the sale of national assets.”
