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Outgoing US Ambassador tells Lanka to train its citizens to ensure peace through strength
Outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung has stated that Sri Lanka needs to train its citizens not only for the jobs of the future, but also for the military of the future, to ensure it can maintain peace through strength.
Addressing the faculty and students at the National Defence College, Diner’s Club, in Colombo, recently, the Ambassador said: “I want to emphasize the critical links between prosperity and strength, and the connection between economic security and national security. Economic security is not just about prosperity – it is intrinsically linked to national sovereignty. A strong economy empowers a nation to make independent decisions, free from undue external influence. This is particularly crucial for Sri Lanka, given its strategic location and the economic opportunities and security risks associated with its maritime domain, including sitting on the sea lanes transporting 2/3 of the world’s oil. Sri Lanka’s ability to service and protect these shipping lanes is an economic opportunity, but it is also a national and regional security challenge, with regional competitors seeking their own advantages. As Sri Lanka’s economy strengthens, it will be better equipped to independently navigate these sensitive geopolitical waters.
“In recent years, Sri Lanka has seen these risks clearly. In the lead-up to the 2022 economic crisis, Sri Lanka found itself in a precarious position. Faced with mounting fiscal pressures and sustained public protests, the Sri Lankan government sought debt relief from creditor countries. This decision to bilaterally negotiate debt outside an IMF programme would ultimately be insufficient to avoid a default and opened the door for some nations to press Sri Lanka for political concessions while also leaving Sri Lanka vulnerable to economic coercion. Economic vulnerability can give foreign powers leverage over national decisions, impacting not just on the economy but the very fabric of national security.
“During my three years in Sri Lanka, I’ve seen a remarkable turnaround in the country’s economy, but the journey is far from over. A quarter of Sri Lankans are still living in poverty. Sri Lanka still depends on a handful of industries for most of its foreign currency and most of its growth. Inefficient state-owned enterprises burden the economy while red tape and opaque regulations hamper foreign investment. Now that the economy has stabilised, long-needed structural reforms are the necessary next step to ensure Sri Lanka gets on a long-term growth path. Sri Lanka needs to train its citizens not only for the jobs of the future, but also for the military of the future, to ensure it can maintain peace through strength.
“The Indo-Pacific region remains one of the most politically dynamic and economically influential areas in the world. As an island maritime nation, Sri Lanka’s economic security and national security are directly tied to the maritime domain. Because of this, we all have a stake in keeping an open, free, and peaceful Indo-Pacific.
“Sri Lanka’s commitment to this goal strengthens its security framework, aligning with global standards and practices. Given its critical location in the Indian Ocean, maritime domain awareness is essential to ensuring our trade routes in the region remain secure and unhindered. These routes are the lifeblood of Sri Lanka’s economy, and by safeguarding them, Sri Lanka is safeguarding its future,” she said.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government would not extend the suspension of ‘parate executions’ that was now effective, Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma told Parliament yesterday.
Suriyapperuma said so in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who asked about the government’s plans regarding a relief package to assist small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) struggling to repay loans.
Pointing out that about 263,000 SMEs had closed down, Premadasa asked what action the government would take to address the grievances of these SMEs.
He said that from 01 Jan., 2019, to 01 Dec., 31, 2023, licensed banks had collected Rs. 113.7 billion through 2,263 parate executions. As of 31 Dec., 2024, Rs. 1,380 billion had been recovered from Stage III defaulters.
The government has introduced loan schemes to assist SMEs impacted by the economic crisis. They included capital loans of up to Rs. 10 million, with a six-month grace period and a three-year repayment term at 8% interest, Suriyapperuma said. Additionally, another loan scheme under the consolidated fund aimed to help SMEs that werecurrently paying their loans. That scheme offered loans of up to Rs. 15 million, which must be repaid over ten years with a one-year grace period and a 7% interest rate. For SMEs that had defaulted on their loans, a loan of up to Rs. 5 million is available at 8% interest, with a six-month grace period and a five-year repayment term, Suriyapperuma said.
By Saman Indrajith
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Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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