News
Otara Launches “Who We Are” promoting Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small businesses
Otara Gunewardene has launched the online platform, www.whoweare.lk, that shares the products of local creators from around our beautiful island and promotes Sri Lankan ingenuity across the globe! It is yet another brand by the accomplished businesswoman, a pioneer in the fields of fashion and retail in Sri Lanka, and one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the country. Promoting Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan made has been her passion for the last 25 plus years – and her mission this time is to showcase the creativity and talent of creators of small businesses, enabling their products to be available to a larger and more diverse audience.
As well as supporting local communities, ‘Who We Are’ is committed to championing a conscious lifestyle, meaning all items are ethically sourced, cruelty free and sustainable. There is a stunning and diverse range in the collection – from jewellery and gifts, to fashion and home wares, as well as food, beauty and wellness. Conscious consumerism is at the forefront of this venture, along with the pledge to support creators and their communities through fair and just pricing.
In recent times our island has seen a large increase in imports, resulting in locally crafted goods taking a back seat and losing visibility. As ancient Sri Lankan traditions and crafts are pushed to the brink of extinction and family businesses close, generations of valuable knowledge, technique and heritage are lost. A timely needed initiative, and much ‘Who We Are’ provides an opportunity for craftspeople and artisans from all corners of Sri Lanka to market their products more widely, and to elevate their businesses in the process. Not only will this support the growth of our country’s economy, but Sri Lankan talent will be more accessible both locally and globally!
‘Who We Are’ challenges us all to rethink our lifestyles and consumer habits, and to develop a mind-set as a ‘conscious consumer’. It challenges us to make purchasing decisions that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact – without compromising on style, quality and comfort.
‘Who We Are’ is a true celebration of culture and heritage, and it beautifully captures Sri Lankan kindness and compassion – because that is Who We Are.
More creators and products will be added daily to the online market.
“I see a future where we contribute in more sustainable and ethical ways to our communities, where people live meaningful lives and where we have a greater connection to nature.’ Says Otara Gunewardene
‘Who We Are’ promotes a conscious lifestyle, the Sri Lankan way! Not too much, not too little – just the right amount of local, eco-friendly, sustainable, ethical, stylish, healthy and happy!
“Who We Are” is available on whoweare.lk and @whoweareSL on Facebook and Instagram.
BBC reported that at least three people have died and one is missing after New Zealand’s largest city experienced its “wettest day on record” on Friday.
Auckland is said to have received 75% of its usual summer rainfall in just 15 hours.
A local state of emergency was declared as authorities managed evacuations and widespread flooding.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins thanked emergency services for their swift response to the disaster.The new prime minister travelled to Auckland, where he also expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those who died in the floods.
“The loss of life underscores the sheer scale of this weather event and how quickly it turned tragic”, he said in a news conference on Saturday afternoon.
The downpour flooded the airport, shifted houses and resulted in power cuts to homes for hours.
New Zealand’s defence forces were mobilised to assist with evacuations and emergency shelters were set up across the city.
President says cabinet agreeable to fully implementing 13 A until party leaders decide whether or not to abolish the Amendment
Parliament was prorogued from midnight Friday (27) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe under powers vested in him by Article 70 of the Constitution, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
The Department of Government Printing was due to issue the relevant notification on Friday night but it was not out as this edition went to print.However the President’ Media Division (PMD) confirmed the prorogation on Friday evening saying that President Wickremesinghe “is expected” to make a policy statement based on the decisions taken after the 75th Independence anniversary when parliament recommences on Feb.8.
A separate bulletin said that the president had informed the party leaders Conference on Reconciliation that the cabinet was agreeable to “fully implementing (the) 13th Amendment until party leaders decide whether or not to abolish the Amendment.”
Parliamentary sources explained that a prorogation which is a temporary recess of parliament, should not extend to a period of more than two months, However, such date for summoning parliament may be advanced by another presidential proclamation provided it is summoned for a date not less than three days from the date of such fresh proclamation.
Political observers believe that the prorogation is related to the president’s effort to secure as wide a consensus as possible on the National Question. They dismissed speculation that it is related to the scheduled local elections. This issue was clarified by the PMD bulletin.
When parliament is prorogued, the proclamation should notify the date of the commencement of the new session of parliament under Article 70 of the Constitution.During the prorogation the speaker continues to function and MPs retain their membership of the legislature even though they do not attend meetings of the House.
The effect of a prorogation is to suspend all current business before the House and all proceedings pending at the time are quashed except impeachments.A Bill, motion or question of the same substance cannot be introduced for a second time during the same session. However, it could be carried forward at a subsequent session after a prorogation.
“All matters which having been duly brought before parliament, have not been disposed of at the time of the prorogation, may be proceeded with during the next session,” states the paragraph (4) of article 70 of the constitution.
In the light of this constitutional provision, a prorogation does not result in an end to pending business. Thus, a pending matter may be proceeded with from that stage onwards after the commencement of the new session.
At the beginning of a new session all items of business which were in the order paper need to be re-listed, if it is desired to continue with them.At the end of a prorogation a new session begins and is ceremonially declared open by the president.
He is empowered under the constitution to make a statement of government policy at the commencement of each session of parliament and to preside at ceremonial sittings of parliament in terms of the provisions of paragraph (2) of article 33 of the constitution.The president is empowered to make a statement of government policy at the commencement of each new session. In the past, it was known as the Throne Speech which was delivered by the Governor-General.
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