News
Dutch take up battle cry: “Say NO to violence against women and girls”
The Embassy of the Netherlands yesterday joined the global campaign “Orange the World: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” in Sri Lanka. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Netherlands Embassy took the initiative – together with UN agencies, diplomatic missions, governance institutions, private companies and civil society organisations in Colombo — to raise banners to urge people to “Say NO to violence against women and girls”.
Ambassador Tanja Gonggrijp launched the campaign by delivering the “Orange the World” banners by bicycle to other diplomatic missions and (international) organisations in Colombo that support the 16 days campaign. They will all raise the banner during the 16 Days of Activism, concluding on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. While delivering the banners, several Heads of Missions and representatives of (international) organisations joined the Ambassador’s cycling tour in Colombo. Members of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus of Sri Lanka also joined the campaign at the Residence of the Ambassador, where the cycling event ended after delivering the banners.
“Gender-Based Violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the situation for women and children has worsened worldwide. Staying at home under the lockdowns proved especially dangerous for women, as domestic violence increased dramatically. The more reason to take a stance together against Gender Based Violence!” Ambassador Gonggrijp said.
“I decided to deliver the banners by bicycle as for many women and children worldwide the bicycle symbolises independence. It is your own mode of transport and, of course, also very sustainable. This event underlines the importance the Netherlands attaches to ending violence against women and girls. And it is also a gesture of appreciation for those organisations and individuals in Sri Lanka who work tirelessly to this crucial cause.”
“Orange the world: End violence against women now!” is an international campaign started in 1991. The colour orange, a colour symbolising hope is chosen worldwide as the colour of the campaign. During the 16 Days of Activism governments and organisations worldwide organise online and offline activities to raise attention for and take action against Gender-Based Violence.
Govt. MPs make contradictory statements on state of economy
By Shamindra Ferdinando
UNP National List MP Wajira Abeywardena on Sunday (26) disclosed the issuance of a circular by the Finance Ministry to restore overtime and other payments in the public sector.
The declaration was made in Galle soon after Transport and Media Minister Bandula Gunawardane lamented that the government was short of billions of rupees to pay public sector salaries, pensions, Samurdhi payments and meet recurrent expenditure.
Minister Gunawardena and UNP National List MP Abeywardena addressed the local media after the handing over of several buses to the Galle SLTB depot.
Cabinet Spokesman Gunawardena said that the government needed as much as Rs 196 bn before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and its projected revenue was Rs 173 bn. In addition to that Rs 500 mn was required to settle what Minister Gunawardena called bilateral debt.
Minister Gunawardane said that a part of the first tranche of USD 333 mn from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be utilised to pay public sector salaries.
Of the USD 333 mn received so far, USD 121 had been used to pay the first installment of USD 1 bn credit line secured from India early last year, according to State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera in the second week of August last year revealed as much as Rs 3 bn had been paid as overtime to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) workers for several months. This disclosure was made in response to a query raised by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.
One of the major demands of the public sector trade unions on the warpath over the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s new tax formula is the restoration of overtime.
Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (27) urged Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to act speedily on the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) request to summon Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena before the parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Addressing the media on behalf of the Freedom People’s Alliance, the former External Affairs Minister said that the Treasury Secretary had challenged the parliament by withholding funds allocated in the budget 2023 to the Election Commission thereby sabotaging the election.
Prof. Peiris said that there couldn’t be a far worse violation of parliamentary privileges than a government official undermining Parliament.
Instead of appreciating the intervention made by the Supreme Court to facilitate the delayed Local Government polls, the ruling party had sought to challenge the apex court, Prof. Peiris said, urging Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to fulfill his obligations.
Prof. Pieris said that if the government lacked funds, just one percent of USS 333 mn received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was sufficient to conduct the election.
The ex-minister said that the IMF wouldn’t oppose the utilisation of a fraction of the first tranche of USD 2.9 bn loan facility provided over a period of four years to guarantee the constitutional rights of the Sri Lankan electorate. (SF)
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera announced yesterday that the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for allowing China’s Sinopec, Australia’s United Petroleum and RM Parks of the USA, in collaboration with multinational Oil and Gas Company – Shell plc, to enter the fuel retail market in Sri Lanka.
The minister said that each of the three companies would be given 150 dealer operated fuel stations, which are currently operated by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). A further 50 fuel stations at new locations will be established by each selected company, he said.
They will be granted licences to operate for 20 years to import, store, distribute and sell petroleum products in Sri Lanka, the minister tweeted.
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