Month: October 2022

BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A

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BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A Warns failure to create independent institutions will negatively affect future law reforms and rule of law Claims recent constitutional reform was a result of the public outcry due to the economic crisis Says 21A does not restore status quo which prevailed prior to 20A Calls on the President and all responsible to ensure integrity of nominations to independent institutions The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for strong independent institutions to be created through the 21st amendment to the constitution.…

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera (Dily Mirror 29th Oct 2022) The World Food Programme estimates that 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka, which is more than 30 per cent of the country’s total population, are “food insecure” and in need of humanitarian aid. Of these individuals, around 5.3 million are either cutting down on the number of meals they eat or missing meals entirely, and at least 65,600 are in a state of acute food insecurity. Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka…

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50 kg bag of Urea at Rs. 10,000 for farmers

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50 kg bag of Urea at Rs. 10,000 for farmers First stock of 13,000 tons of urea received on World Bank concessionary loan                                                 The Ministry of Agriculture has received the first stock of 13,000 tons of Urea fertiliser yesterday under the World Bank concessional emergency loan of $ 110 million. The Government will provide a 50 kg bag of urea fertiliser to paddy farmers at Rs. 10,000.…

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Netherlands to provide innovative agro know-how to ‘Grow Food’ program

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Netherlands to provide innovative agro know-how to ‘Grow Food’ program PM appreciates assistance provided by Netherlands for infrastructure development, agriculture Calls for more investments in agriculture, IT, renewable energy, transport and tourism The Netherlands has assured to extend further support to Sri Lanka especially with know-how to the Government’s “Grow Food” program. This assurance was given by when Netherlands Ambassador Bonnie Horbach called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday. The Premier thanked the Netherlands for the assistance provided to infrastructure development and agriculture and various other sectors and urged…

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The political crisis and the evolution of 22A

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The political crisis and the evolution of 22A M Y M Ayub (Daily Mirror 22nd Oct 2022) The draft 22nd Amendment was conceived, born and bred within the ranks of the SLPP, the party that brought in the 20th Amendment. It was in essence approved twice by the Cabinet dominated by SLPP members who voted for the 20th Amendment Irrespective of whether the 22nd Amendment to the constitution Bill is passed in Parliament or not, the vacillation of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) over supporting it in the…

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President justifies tax hikes amidst criticism

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President justifies tax hikes amidst criticism Says country will have to revert to an era of queues if revenue is not raised through direct tax increases Admits new tax measures are IMF recommendations, hence critical to secure international support to salvage SL economy Insists tax hikes not being taken wilfully but being done reluctantly Reveals SL lost Rs. 700 b due to wrong economic policies in the past Inflation rate increased to 70% since Rs. 2.3 t printed during the past two-and-a-half years Suggests tougher times ahead but reassures Govt. ready…

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Dutch FMO proposes $ 10 m investment in Sri Lanka seafood exporter

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Dutch FMO proposes $ 10 m investment in Sri Lanka seafood exporter Taprobane Seafoods’ 15 facilities mainly employ underprivileged women HANOI – Dutch impact investor FMO said it has proposed a $ 10 million investment in one of Sri Lanka’s leading seafood exporters, which mainly employs underprivileged women including war widows. Established in 2010, Taprobane Seafoods has one main processing facility and 14 smaller locations in the South Asian nation and employs over 2,000 people. Taprobane processes blue swimming crab and white-leg shrimp, which it began farming two years ago.…

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RTI Commission holds sessions in Jaffna on IDUAI Day

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RTI Commission holds sessions in Jaffna on IDUAI Day Jaffna GA Office 28 September 2022 RTI Commission holds sessions in Jaffna on IDUAI Day Marking the International Day for Universal Access to Info-rmation, on 28 September the Right to Information Commission of Sri Lanka held a series of discussions in collaboration with the District Secretariat of Jaffna, the Press Clubs of Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi and academics of the Northern Province on 28 and 29 September.  At the meeting at the District Secretariat of the Jaffna presided over by the…

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