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Hulton concerned over ‘high profile cases’

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/30

British High Commissioner in Colombo Sarah Hulton, during talks with Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris had raised concerns relating to certain high profile Sri Lankan cases that are of current interest and focus, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday (29).

Some of these issues were adverted to in the context of Sri Lanka’s ongoing engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry however didn’t name what these cases were.

During the engagement on Tuesday, Minister Peiris and the UK Envoy discussed several key issues pertaining to the close bilateral relationship between the two countries. Minister Peiris referred to the recent cordial engagement with British Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad on the side-lines of the 76th UN General Assembly in New York, following up on previous communication with the UK’s Minister of State.

This dialogue, the Minister stated, is important in the context of Lord Ahmad’s initiatives to engage the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK and to generate a more realistic understanding of contemporary developments in Sri Lanka. This is expected to be further enhanced by a proposed visit by the UK State Minister later in 2021.

Several key areas impacting on future Sri Lanka – UK bilateral relations were discussed, including the recent initiatives to foster and develop domestic reconciliation measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government. These included the work of the institutions dealing with national unity and reconciliation, missing persons, accountability and reparations.

Minister Peiris and High Commissioner Hulton also discussed enhanced trade and investment opportunities for UK businesses in Sri Lanka – especially new opportunities in the Port City development.

Widening intra-Commonwealth trade and economic cooperation and related issues were also referred to.

Going forward, Sri Lanka’s positive commitments in support of global environmental initiatives in the larger context of participation in the upcoming COP26 Summit in the UK and its ongoing efforts in this sphere were also discussed.

Minister Peiris expressed his appreciation of the close, long-standing, historically significant and enduring relationship between the two countries and said he expected the fruitful and productive partnership to continue.

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There is a shortage of 40,000 Teachers Island wide – Prime Minister

Published

5 hours ago

2025/05/22

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there is currently a shortage of 40,000 teachers across the country, and that the government expects to recruit a certain number of the required vacancies by the end of this year.

The Prime Minister made these remarks in Parliament on Wednesday (21), while responding to a question raised by the member of the opposition, Mujibur Rahuman.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“There are currently 4,240 teacher vacancies in the Sinhala medium and 2,827 in the Tamil medium for Grades 1 to 5 in government schools. The number of vacancies form Grades 6 to 11 reported 11,274 in the Sinhala medium and 6,121 in the Tamil medium.

In the Western Province alone, government schools report 1,310 Sinhala medium and 302 Tamil medium teacher shortages for Grades 1 to 5. For Grades 6 to 11, the vacancies stand at 1,325 for Sinhala medium teachers and 397 for Tamil medium teachers. As a whole, nationwide there are 40,000 vacancies for teachers.

The Public Service Commission has issued a recommendation that recruitments to fill the vacancies in the Ministry of Education should be done through an examination-based process. Currently, there is an ongoing court case regarding the recruitment of graduates into the teaching profession. Taking all these matters into consideration, attention is being directed towards recruiting graduates to fill the existing teacher vacancies.

However, the Prime Minister reiterated that the government expects to fill at least a certain number of the required vacancies by the end of this year.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Poson Week will be observed from June 7 to June 13

Published

5 hours ago

2025/05/22

Priyan

The Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Thero, expressed his appreciation to the government for its decision to hold the Poson Festival 2025 with full state patronage.

The Nayaka Thero made these remarks during a discussion held on Wednesday (21) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the State Poson Festival 2025.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs , Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Venerable Dhammarathana Thero further reiterated that it is the responsibility of the government to reinstate the State Poson Festival, which has been on hold since 2023, and to safeguard it for the benefit of future generations.

The theme of this year’s State Poson Festival will be “May the world be enlightened by the teachings of Buddha.”

In line with the State Poson Festival, a series of religious programmes focusing on offerings of both material and doctrinal significance will commence from June 1.

Poson Week will be observed from June 7 to June 13. During this period, it was decided to close all liquor outlets in the Anuradhapura District to maintain the sanctity of the observances.

Special attention was also drawn to ensuring that all necessary facilities are provided for the thousands of pilgrims expected to visit Anuradhapura during the festival period.

Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, instructed state officials to take appropriate measures to facilitate the successful conduct of the State Poson Festival.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Director General of Buddhist Affairs R.M.P. Rathnayake and other Heads of institutions were also present at the occasion.

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‘India-UK FTA could adversely impact SL apparel exports’

Published

9 hours ago

2025/05/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

NEXT factory closure in Katunayake ominous sign: Trade Exprt

One-time Director General of Commerce, Gomi Senadhira, has warned that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, signed on 06 May, could cause a significant drop in Sri Lanka garment exports to the UK.

The FTA is expected to take effect in January 2026. In an exclusive article to The Island––carried in today’s edition––Senadhira has said that the FTA will provide India with a nearly 10 percent tariff advantage. India would gain at the expense of other exporters, including Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s former Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, from January 2004 to December 2006, said.

Senadhira

The trade expert, contacted for comment, following the sudden closure of the NEXT Katunayake production unit, said it was an ominous sign. NEXT is the largest apparel retailer in the UK and perhaps NEXT factories are the only manufacturing plants owned by a British retailer in Sri Lanka.

Senadhira also chaired the WTO Committee on Trade and Development (2005). Prior to his appointment in Geneva, he served as the Minister (Commercial and Economic Affairs) in the Sri Lanka Mission to European Communities in Brussels (2001 – 2003) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington D.C. (1998 – 2001).

Senadhira has found fault with the government for its failure to address the issues at hand while underscoring the importance of public discussions with trade chambers, think tanks, exporters and the media.

The independent trade consultant has explained how Sri Lanka’s exports to the UK eroded over the years, primarily due to our failure to face competition from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Pakistan and Vietnam.