News
Trade Minister says export economy key to country’s economic wellbeing
By Saman Indrajith
Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane told Parliament on Tuesday (20) that the strengthening of the export economy was vital for solid economic growth and to balance macroeconomic variables of the country
Presenting several orders under the Export Development Act for the approval of the House, Minister Dr Gunawardane said that the Ministerial Council on Export Development established to develop the export sector in the country had not met for 28 years. However, after 28 years the council had met under the chairmanship of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
“This ministerial council on export development is supposed to consist of all ministries that are directly linked to our export items such as the Ministry of Agriculture, minor exports and so on. This council is expected to evaluate our export sector, propose policies, draw an export development plan and then establish and monitor export development authority. Most unfortunately this council has not met for 28 years. The last time this council met was during the time Lalith Athulathmudali was the Minister of Trade in the country. For moving ahead, we first need some orders approved regarding the Export Development Act so that we can utilise the Export Development Board and the Export Development Fund.
“If we look at the history of Sri Lanka, we have been recognised as noble traders in the international market with rich export items. Sri Lanka was a centre for international trade. That is why we were colonised by several foreign nations. However, after colonisation we became a nation dependent on imports. Since Independence there have been several attempts to introduce import substitution policies. That is how industries such as Lanka Loha, Sri Lankan made steel, tyres, textiles developed in the country. During this time, we had no issues relating to our finances. Due to the introduction of the open economy by late President J.R. Jayewardene created a situation which is unhealthy for our local economy. Since then our expenditure on imports kept growing larger than our income from exports.”
Minister Gunawardena tabled a report prepared by the CINTEC, which is engaged in an experiment to manufacture a battery with locally extracted graphite. “We must be able to allocate a few billions of rupees to develop the export items such as the one proposed by the CINEC. At least 25 percent of the export development fund should be directed to encourage exporters and researchers.”
News
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.
The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.
The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.
The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.
The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.
Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.
The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.
The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.
The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.
During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.
Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.
Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.
The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.
Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.
Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.
The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Uva and Eastern provinces.
Harshitha’s composed knock seals Sri Lanka’s semi-final berth
‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
Dengue death toll rises to 73
Ranil accuses govt. of undermining democracy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
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