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Pathfinder’s webinar on “Sri Lanka’s path to RCEP membership: Unlocking new horizons” on Wednesday
The Government of Sri Lanka has officially submitted a letter of intent to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade bloc.
This strategic step is set to pave the way for broader access to markets, increased trade, and robust economic growth for Sri Lanka amidst the dynamic landscape of global commerce.
To delve deeper into the myriad of opportunities and challenges this accession presents, a webinar titled “Sri Lanka’s Accession to RCEP: Opportunities and Challenges – Learnings from Existing Member Countries” is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 March.
This event is a collaborative effort between the Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka and the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS), alongside APTA CCI.
Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga, Senior Economic Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka will grace the occasion with insights into the Government’s policy direction, motivations, and objectives behind Sri Lanka’s move to join RCEP.
The event will begin with welcome remarks by Ambassador (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke, Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka chairman; NUS Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, and APTA CCI Chairman Ajith D. Perera.
The webinar will feature a comprehensive introduction to RCEP and its evolution by Pathfinder Foundation Executive Director Dr. Dayaratna Silva, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Foundation Sri Lanka, followed by a panel discussion moderated by NUS Institute of South Asian Studies Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead Dr. Amitendu Palit who will explore the practical implications of RCEP membership, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of existing member countries.
Distinguished panelists, including K.A. Vimalenthirarajah from Sri Lanka, Dr. Mohammad Masudur Rahman from New Zealand, Wang Yanguo from China, and Phouxay Thepphavong from Lao PDR, will offer valuable insights into promoting trade in goods, sharing experiences, and discussing the perspectives of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within the RCEP framework.
This webinar will conclude with a discussion, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers, followed by concluding remarks that outline the way forward for Sri Lanka in the context of RCEP.
Stakeholders from across the spectrum – policymakers, business leaders, academics, and the general public – are invited to join this dialogue.
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Our government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing the launching the She Trades Sri Lanka Hub funded by the UK’s She Trades Commonwealth+ Program held at Galle face Hotel in Colombo on March 14 organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
While addressing the audience, the Prime minister stated, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. Emphasizing gender-inclusive policies, financial inclusion, and access to global markets, authorities are prioritizing support for women-led businesses in key sectors such as ICT, agribusiness, and engineering.
A new initiative will establish 200 women-led cooperatives, fostering supportive environments for female entrepreneurs. Additionally, efforts to strengthen childcare, elderly care, and disability services aim to reduce the burdens that limit women’s economic participation.
A dedicated platform has been launched to provide women entrepreneurs with knowledge, networking, and international trade opportunities. Strengthening public-private partnerships and expanding global market access are key strategies to create an inclusive and sustainable trade ecosystem.
By equipping women with the necessary skills, financial resources, and digital trade access, the government aims to ensure that women entrepreneurs become key drivers of economic growth, aligning with broader policies for inclusive and sustainable development.
The event was attended by Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Officials from the International Trade Center and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Export Development Board Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe and Officials from Export Development Board and International Trade Centre and woman Entrepreneurs.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
by Saman Indrajith
TheBatalanda Presidential Co-mission report was tabled in Parliament yesterday (14) by the Leader of the House and Transport Minister, Bimal Ratnayake.
Minister Ratnayake announced that the government has decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for legal advice. Additionally, a Presidential Committee will be appointed to provide guidance and recommendations on how to proceed with the findings of the report.
Ratnayake said that the Cabinet-of-Ministers, along with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made a policy decision to take necessary action in response to the report. He reassured the public that steps are being taken to ensure that such a dark chapter in the country’s history is never repeated.
Minister Ratnayake said that a two-day debate on the Batalanda Commission report will be scheduled in Parliament at an appropriate time, allowing for a detailed discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations.
The report, which will be printed in all three official languages—Sinhala, Tamil, and English—will be made available to the public in the near future. Ratnayake confirmed that printed copies would be provided to Members of Parliament, as well as the general public, for review.
The Leader of the House revealed that there are 28 evidence volumes associated with the Commission’s work, which will be submitted to Parliament at a later date for further scrutiny.
Ratnayake said that as the entire country is concerned about the findings of the Batalanda Commission, the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised, and preventing future atrocities, stands clear. The next steps, including legal action and policy recommendations, will be shaped by expert advice and informed parliamentary discussions, he said.
The Parliamentary watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has found that there were fake documents regarding the importing of medicines under the emergency procurement system in 2022 and 2023.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at Parliament probing the transactions of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
NMRA CEO Saveen Semage told the Committee that several fake documents have been found due to the lack of registration of medicines.
Stating that six such fake documents were found last year alone, Saveen Semage said he had recorded statements regarding each of the documents with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division.
He revealed that, however, no investigations have been conducted yet into the incidents.
“We have documents with confessions from a woman accepting that fake documents had been made. However, a statement has not even been recorded from that woman yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, COPE member MP Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana also revealed that the highest number of waive-off registrations (WOR) for medicines had been obtained in 2022 and 2023.
He said 656 waive-off registrations (WOR) had been obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, adding that this proves that discrepancies have taken place during the emergency procurement of medicines during these periods.
Furthermore, Deputy Director General of the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, said discussions are underway on allowing the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.He pointed out that it was essential to take a policy decision in this regard as a solution to mitigate such discrepancies.
Our government has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s full participation in the economy, recognizing their vital role in national development. – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
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