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Debt-restructuring about to be completed, govt. proceeding towards 3rd review of IMF programme  – Vijitha

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Herath addresses Colombo-based diplomatic community

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (14) assured the Colombo-based diplomatic community that the new government was going ahead with the IMF-led debt restructuring programme.

The assurance was given at an interaction with them at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Herath said: “Earlier this month, we had productive discussions with the visiting IMF team who reiterated their support to Sri Lanka. We will work closely with then on the next phase relating to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the related reform programme.

“Also in this month, the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and the IMF confirmed that the agreements reached with Sovereign bond holders is in line with the ‘comparability of treatment’ requirements and debt sustainability targets, respectively. This in simple words means that the debt restructuring process is very near completion, enabling the government to proceed towards the third review of the IMF programme, further cementing economic stability, and reinforcing the foundation for sustainable, inclusive economic recovery and growth.

“In another positive step, the World Bank signed the agreement on the RESET (Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround) Development Policy Operation (DPO) amounting to $200 million. This is aimed at implementing a reform programme, including economic governance, enhancing growth, and protecting the poor and vulnerable. As the programme is proceeding satisfactorily, this was the second operation to be disbursed of the two-part series.

“The Government is keen to ensure that these stabilization measures go hand in hand with improving the standard of living of all Sri Lankans and will implement practical programmes to alleviate the heavy economic burden faced by them. We are committed to ensuring that economic growth is truly inclusive, which will at the same time drive growth and investment, with the confidence of our private sector and business community.

“I believe that this meeting will provide me with an opportunity to brief you on the initial plans of the new Government and have some informal interaction. It is only after the Parliamentary Election is concluded in November, that the new Government will be able to fully focus on operationalizing its way forward, and we look forward to having more comprehensive engagements with each one of you at that stage on matters related to bilateral matters.

At the recently concluded Presidential Election, the people of Sri Lanka voted for a mandate for ‘change’ – a change that will bring all our citizens together in a new ethical political culture.

As the President mentioned in his inaugural address to the nation, this change entails many steps, and one of the most important is to reinforce stability and confidence in the economy and stimulate growth, while prioritizing welfare and alleviating the hardships of the people.

“The President has also placed high emphasis on ethical governance, elimination of corruption, efficiency in public service and fostering a new political culture that embodies the rule of law, accountability and integrity. We believe that economic success must be accompanied by these supportive pillars.

“In line with the commitments made by us on zero tolerance for bribery and corruption we have already commenced investigations into certain key matters. The Bribery Commission has already expedited action relating to cases of alleged corruption.

“Another key objective of this Government is to end the era of division based on race, religion, class and other differences and build a nation that respects diversity. We are ready to bring in the necessary constitutional, economic, and political reforms towards this end.

“The Government will protect democracy and human rights of all citizens, including addressing past issues. As directed by the President, investigative authorities have already announced a redoubling of investigation into a number of clearly identified accountability cases that were pending from the past.

“On all these fronts, the Government is encouraged by the support that it has received from the countries and the organizations you represent. We look forward to working closely with all of you as partners, and seek your continued support for our efforts to advance sustained economic growth and social well-being of all our citizens.

“I have been active in the recent weeks on a number of matters on the foreign affairs front:

*Sri Lanka has decided to apply for the membership of the BRICS and the New Development Bank. HE President and myself – we are unable to attend the Outreach BRICS Summit to be held in Kazan, Russian Federation, from 23-24 October 2024, due to the upcoming elections.  Secretary/Foreign Affairs will represent Sri Lanka and place on record our request for membership.  I have already addressed letters to my counterparts in the BRICS member states seeking support.

* We consider BRICS to be an effective partnership to realize aspiration for mutually beneficial cooperation, peace and development, through strengthened and inclusive multilateralism within the framework of the UN Charter.

* On 9 October 2024, the government made a statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. In our statement to the Council, we highlighted our commitment to have credible and independent domestic mechanisms and processes on reconciliation that enjoy the people’s trust. We have already initiated action to move forward on this front.

* Despite our rejection of the resolution that was tabled at the Council, we will continue to engage constructively with the Council and its regular UN human rights mechanisms. As you are well aware Sri Lanka opposes the resolution which establishes an external mechanism on human rights issues.

* We thank the countries that took helpful and principled positions in support of Sri Lanka in Geneva and a number of countries also spoke in support of the progress made by Sri Lanka at the interactive session.

* On Sri Lanka’s chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), we would like to inform you that, due to the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, we are compelled to postpone the meeting of the IORA Council of Ministers till next year. The timeframe is to be decided in consultation with IORA Members and the Secretariat.

* On the international front, we continue to remain highly concerned about the current global situation, particularly in the Middle East region. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is turning dire by the day, and recent developments that have an impact on wider regional dimensions, in particular in Lebanon, are most concerning. We continue our call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and a sustainable two-state solution that includes the establishment of an independent sovereign and viable State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions, as well as ensuring the security of Israel.

* We deeply regret the attacks that injured two of our peacekeepers in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We are proud of our peacekeepers who serve in several challenging UN Missions and it is important that the obligation of all parties to respect UN personnel and UN premises is respected.”



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Navy seize about 11kg and 300g of gold being smuggled via sea

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A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the sea area off the Baththalangunduwa Island, Kalpitiya on 04th January 2025, led to the interception of a dinghy with 03 suspects who were smuggling about 11kg and 300g of gold.

The Navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to preventing an assortment of nefarious activities stemming via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, a team of Special Boat Squadron attached to SLNS Vijaya was pressed into action, on receipt of information by the Northwestern Naval Command of a gold smuggling racket. Accordingly, naval personnel intercepted the suspicious dinghy off the Baththalangunduwa Island and recovered about 11kg and 300g of gold being smuggled from the country, concealed in the dinghy. The operation also led to the apprehension of 03 suspects in connection to the racket.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Kalpitiya. Meanwhile, the suspects along with gold will be handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake for onward legal action.

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Trump to be sentenced over hush money case but judge signals no jail time

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A judge has ordered that Donald Trump will be sentenced on 10 January in his hush-money case in New York – less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.

New York Justice Juan Merchan signalled he would not sentence Trump to jail time, probation or a fine, but instead give him an “unconditional discharge”, and wrote in his order that the president-elect could appear in person or virtually for the hearing.

Trump had attempted to use his presidential election victory to have the case against him dismissed.

The president-elect has posted on social media  dismissing the judge’s order as an “illegitimate political attack” and calling the case “nothing but a rigged charade”.

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

The charges related to attempts to cover up reimbursements to his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who in the final days of the 2016 election campaign paid off the adult-film star to remain silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

The president-elect has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, arguing the case was an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign.

In the post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday Trump said the judge’s sentencing order “goes against our Constitution and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it”.

Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung earlier called the order part of a “witch hunt”.

“President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts,” Cheung said.

“There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”

In his latest motion against the case, Trump had argued the case would hang over him during his presidency and impede his ability to govern.

Justice Merchan said he had been advised of several measures he could employ that could assuage Trump’s concerns about being distracted by a criminal case while serving as president that fell short of the “extreme remedy” of overturning the jury’s verdict.

His options included delaying the sentencing until Trump, 78, leaves the White House in 2029, or guaranteeing a sentence that would not involve prison time.

Trump had initially, and unsuccessfully, argued the case against him ran afoul of a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

In July, the country’s top court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for “official actions” they take while in office.

However, last month Justice Merchan ruled Trump’s hush money conviction was valid.

Trump is currently set to be the first convicted felon to serve in the White House.

He may attempt to appeal against the conviction after the sentencing.

While falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison in the US, there is no minimum sentence and incarceration is not required.

Even before his election victory, legal experts thought it was unlikely Trump would face jail time given his age and his legal record.

Trump has also  been charged in three other state and federal criminal cases,  one involving classified documents and two relating to his alleged efforts to overturn his loss in the election of 2020.

The president-elect was initially scheduled to be sentenced on 26 November, but Justice Merchan pushed the date back after Trump won the presidential election.

[Cricinfo]

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PM highlights need for common education system

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is also the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, emphasized the importance of establishing a unified education system for all children in the country under a common examination framework. She stated that education is a priority for the government and plays an important role in driving the nation’s progress.

Speaking at a meeting with provincial education heads at Temple Trees on January 2, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s vision for a transformative era.

She remarked:

“Education is a very sensitive topic. When implementing such a transformation, we must act with agreement and understanding to avoid potential crises. While there may be diverse needs across provinces, we believe that there cannot be significant contradictions in policies. Decisions at the policy level must align with national-level objectives.”

The Prime Minister stressed that education is central to shaping the human resources necessary for the country’s renaissance. She also called for a comprehensive approach to address challenges in the sector, including the need for professional teacher training programs, addressing staff shortages in the Educational Administrative Service, and enhancing nutrition programs for children.

Key stakeholders present at the meeting included Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthree, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Provincial Education Secretaries, Provincial Education Directors, and other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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