President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Indian Ocean region should be opened to all to ensure freedom of navigation for commercial viability. He noted that Sri Lanka will not participate in military alliances and do not want the problems of the Pacific coming into the Indian Ocean. In this scenario, he urged the countries in the Indian Ocean region to come together to look at how best to maintain stability of the region.
Addressing the first ever graduation ceremony of the National Defence College in Colombo yesterday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized, “That is important for commerce to carry on. We have to remember that bulk of the petroleum supply and energy supply to the world goes through the Indian Ocean. A large amount of shipping goes through the Indian Ocean. We don’t want this to be an area of conflict and an area of war.”
He noted that Sri Lanka does not want to see big power rivalry in the Indian Ocean, as such rivalry could get reflected everywhere. He said that Sri Lanka is open to the navies of all countries and there is no discrimination. “If the navies want to come, we have no problem. They helped in the anti-piracy operations. But we don’t want a level of rivalry which will affect the security and the peace of our area. Whatever it be that we will not join any big power or take sides, we will stay out of it. And that’s why we want to ensure that the big powers and the rivalry don’t need to certainly lead to conflict in the Indian Ocean. That’s one thing we can’t afford.”
President Wickremesinghe also noted that the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean has made Sri Lanka the ‘punching bag’ for Hambantota. He pointed out that here are around 17 ports that are operated by the Chinese in the Indian Ocean and all the ports are commercial ports. He stressed that Hambantota is also a commercial port and not a military port.
The President pointed out that if there is security significance, it is in the port of Darwin in Australia where the Chinese ports are operating side by side with the area with the Australian and the US forces used for training. “We don’t have that. We don’t allow anyone to come and train here, but we do have our southern command of the navy. We have a divisional headquarters of the army and we have a detachment of the Air Force. But none of them are involved. They only ensure that this is a commercial port and no less,” he said, adding that as it is a commercial port, it shows Sri Lanka’s strategic importance that many people sort of come to conclusions which are unwarranted. The President also expressed hope that the next agreement Sri Lanka has with China, will not cause such speculation, and it is only about debt reduction for Sri Lanka.
However, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of safeguarding the security of India and other neighbouring countries. “When it comes to the security of Sri Lanka, we are of the view that in looking after the security of Sri Lanka, we must also ensure that nothing adverse happens to the security of India. That we have been committed to, and we will go ahead with it. There will be no movement out of it. That’s why we work with India on the Colombo conclave, on the trilateral security arrangements and many other fields, especially outside the military field of piracy, of human trafficking, of drugs. All those are useful ways in which we cooperate with India and the other island states. Then we also value our friendship with Maldives, those small islands, and we know how important the Maldives is.”
He also said that now that the terrorism war is over, peace needs to be established in the country and expects to reach a final settlement with the Tamils and the Northern population of the country within the next few months. In this regard, the President said that he is currently in discussion with the Tamil parliamentarians in order to achieve that goal.
Meanwhile, the President also said that Sri Lanka should not allow any other country to use it to attack third parties. He also said that a proper plan needs to be set to determine the roles of Sri Lanka’s Army, Navy and Air Force in the future battlefield.
State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, Secretary, Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Inspector General of Police C. D. Wickramaratne, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence R. M. P. S. Rathnayake, Commandant of the National Defence College Major General Amal Karunasekara, Director, Department of National Budget Ms. W. M. S. K. Weerasekara and Secretary, National Defence College Brigadier Asanga Perera also graced the occasion.
A preliminary discussion was held today (14) under the chairmanship of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to reach a bilateral agreement between Nepal and Sri Lanka on the development of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and the expansion of university education opportunities.
H.E. Mr. Bashu Dev Mishra, Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, attended the meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, an agreement was reached to implement a youth exchange program enabling the youth of both the countries to join university education and tourism sector opportunities.
The administrative measures to make the agreement a reality is to be done by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka and the Government of Nepal.
A preliminary round of discussions was held between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens to explore the opportunities for investment in the renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka.
The discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (14) with the participation of a group of Australian investors.
President Wickremesinghe has given priority to encouraging new investments in the renewable energy sector as a solution to the current electricity crisis and to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
• Multi-sector combined mechanism is established
• Modern technology to agriculture
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that a national plan should be implemented to ensure food security and nutrition in Sri Lanka.
He made this observation addressing at the inaugural program of the establishment of the Multi-sector Combined Mechanism for empowering of Rural Economic Revitalization Centers to ensure food security and nutrition.
The program was held at the Presidential Secretariat today in the afternoon (13).
The president pointed out that agriculture should be made a foreign exchange earning sector by way of enhancing production and competitiveness through the modernization of agriculture.
The President who emphasized the need to work in an organized and collective manner to solve the food issue in the face of the global food crisis said that everyone should join hands with the government’s new program to ensure food security and nutrition.
The President’s statement is as follows;
The government has got to face the challenge of provision of food to all since the country experienced a minus seven economy. He added when the economy shrunk the people would deprive of living.
The construction sector is experiencing a massive unemployment rate by now and all have to face this situation until the government finds funds for them.
A proportion of the people in the country have been deprived of food while the middle class have lost their income. The country would have to face the same situation which has been aggravated by the global food crisis, the next year as well. Due to the Ukrainian war, we don’t get the flour supplies while the floods in Pakistan have destroyed their farming lands. The rise of the food items in the world market due to the shortage of food affects the smaller countries such as Sri Lanka.
With this situation, India has brought the food export to a close while China too has reduced. This situation would not come to an end by this December but could last for two years. Thus the country would have to face a food crisis. Even the fuel price could rise in the winter.
Food security should be guaranteed to get rid of this economic crisis and the same food should be produced locally. The food security program was initiated in order to achieve this end. The government has found USD 200 million for the provision of fertilizer for the Maha season cultivation which has already initiated. Another sum of USD 20 million should be found to cater the fullest requirement.
Discussions in progress at the Ministerial level to get the needy seeds for cultivation from the countries such as Thailand as there is a shortage of seeds for some areas. When implementing the cultivation program it should be assessed as to what is required and how could it be fulfilled. If there is a surplus of harvest the market would crash.
There should be a national program to guarantee the food production and the same should be implemented at the Provincial, district and divisional secretariat level with participation of all.
The powers of the government are vested on the executive while the powers of the Provincial councils are vested on the President. By now the Provincial Councils are not in function. All these 03 sectors should be brought together and a combined project should be implemented make this endeavor a success. The district secretaries have been full powers to implement those programs.
In the meantime the Ministry secretaries and the department heads should convey the same message to the people at their levels and no one should give excuses to their failures. As an initiation hold a discussion on Friday with the stakeholders, plan the work and then work the plan. Then at the divisional level combine all and direct them to the production.
Get all the five officers at the Grama Niladari division level and the assistance of the principles if necessary, and commence cultivation program with their assistance. The discretion to decide what to do and where to do it is with them according to the plan.
For the first time, the Grama Niladari division is used not only for administration but for production as well. Then the divisional secretariats are also joined the production program. When this program is initiated in such a manner same could be used even for development in the future.
The second is to amassing the harvest and reduction of the wastage. These officials will be educated on the matter and the necessary assistance could also be provided for it. If the wastage could be reduced by 10 percent or 25percent the attempt is successful.
There should be a mechanism to store any type of food and the assistance of the private sector is sought in this endeavor. Provided that all these endeavors made successful at Maha Season cultivation, hopefully the country could come out of the chaotic situation.
The tourism should also be developed while some government businesses need to be restructured. We take measures set up a pool of USD 03 billion at the initiation the rupee could be strengthened by next year and move forward.
Next up is the Agriculture Modernization Program. Efforts are being made to increase agricultural production and increase competition. By the end of 2023, we should go for the modernization program. We should earn foreign exchange from agriculture. Not only oil, coconut, rubber. By 2050, our population will be 25 million. Adult size is too much.
By way of Agriculture Modernization Program efforts are being taken to increase agricultural production and increase competition and it is expected to commence it by the end of 2023. The country is needed to earn foreign exchange through agriculture. The population from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia increases by 500 million. Then we can provide them with the food they need.
There is a collapse in the small industries as well. Inability pay the bank loan is an issue. The issues at the ground level should be addressed or there would be a big disturbance. If the problems are solved at the village level, the background of the economy for the next 25 years will be set.
All administrative institutions required for this work are under the Prime Minister. All should avoid the shortcomings and move forward to make this a success. We will start this program by the first week of October and continue it to bring about a positive change in the Sri Lankan economy.
• No citizen should starve due to lack of food
• 07 committees for food safety
• Prioritizer eradication of malnutrition
• Fertilizer at reasonable prices for farmers
• Continuity of agricultural inputs to make the season successful
• Plans to meet food needs locally by 2025
The multi-sector mechanism to empower rural economic revitalization centres to ensure food security and nutrition was initiated under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (13).
The vision of the Food Security Programme of the Government is to ensure every citizen has access to enough food at a reasonable price to lead an active and healthy life, at any given situation of the country.
The government has initiated this program with the view of achieving dual objectives of ensuring that no citizen of the country should starve due to lack of food and no child should be a victim of malnutrition.
In order to achieve these dual objectives, it is required to protect all families in the country from being victims of poverty.
The relevant mechanism has been implemented through seven committees while the National Food Security and Nutrition Council will function under the chairmanship of the President.
The National Combined Mechanism on Food Security and Nutrition will function under the Chairmanship of the President’s Secretary whereas the Technical Advisory Committee on Food Security and Nutrition will be chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary.
The Provincial Combined Mechanism on Food Security and Nutrition will function under the chairmanship of the Provincial Governors while the District Combined Mechanism on Food Security and Nutrition will be chaired by the District Secretaries. The Combined Regional Mechanism on Food Security and Nutrition is to be implemented under the chairmanship of the Divisional Secretaries.
Rural Economic Revitalization Centers will comprise Grama Niladhari, Development Officer, Agriculture Research and Production Assistant, Samurdhi Niyamaka Niladhari, Midwife, principle of the closest school and two representatives of the local government institution.
This program will function under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the instructions of the President’s Adviser on Food Security Dr. Suren Batagoda, joined by the entire government machinery, from the Prime Minister and the President’s Secretary to the Grama Niladari level, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, professionals and religious leaders.
It is planned to produce 3.6 million metric tons of the total rice requirement of the country, 50% of the annual onion requirement and 35% of the potato requirement, locally.
It is also planned to produce 20% of the annual soy requirement of 250,000 metric tons in the country by 2025, 20% of the dry chili requirement to be produced locally by 2025, and the entire requirement of cowpeas, green beans, peas, sesame seeds and groundnuts to be produced locally by 2025.
It is planned to produce 80% of the 650,000 metric tons of maize required annually for the development of livestock such as eggs and poultry meat this year. By 2025, Sri Lanka is expected to grow its entire requirement of maize, locally.
Currently, steps have been taken to import 230,000 metric tons of urea, 100,000 metric tons of TSP and 182,000 metric tons of MOP required for the production of paddy and maize in the Maha season under the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Indian credit line and to import fertilizer required for the production of other food crops with the contribution of the private sector.
Facilities are to be provided to buy agrochemicals and organic fertilizer from the market without shortage and it is planned to provide a 50 kg bundle of urea at a fair price lower than the current market price.
The government has already started the mechanism to supply the chemical fertilizer, organic fertilizer, agrochemicals and seeds to the farmers through the market at the right time to make the 2022 season a success.
It is planned to bring the products of the agriculture and livestock sector to the production level of the year 2018 and the necessary agricultural inputs including seeds, chemicals, chemical fertilizer, animal feed and fuel will be provided in sufficient quantity.
To achieve these production targets modern advanced irrigation systems and technology are planned to be used.
It is also planned to achieve the agriculture and livestock sector production to the levels experienced in 2018 and sufficient amounts of agricultural inputs such as seeds, chemicals, chemical fertilizer, animal feed and fuel will be provided to reach this goal.
Modern advanced irrigation systems and technologies are expected to be used to achieve the production targets.
The government’s concept of fertilization is planned to be popularized in plantations, thereby increasing production productivity.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Presidential Adviser on National Food Security Dr. Suren Batagoda and government officials including Governors, Ministry Secretaries, District Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Bank and Corporation Chairmen were present at the inauguration.
MP Premalal Jayasekara has been appointed as the State Minister for Ports and Aviation.
He was sworn in before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (12).
Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake and several other officials were present on this occasion.
A preliminary discussion was held today (12) between the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka focussing on several areas where the ADB can provide support and bilateral cooperation to the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the current crisis.
The discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussion was held with a group of representatives including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Director General of the South Asian Department of the Asian Development Bank Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama.
This discussion was attended by Mr. Chen Chen, Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, Utsav Kumar, Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Mission, and Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Chief of Staff to the President.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his warm congratulations to the Sri Lankan cricket team for winning the 2022 Asian Cricket Cup.
“Our cricket team raised Sri Lanka’s reputation in the international arena by achieving a record-breaking victory in the finals of the Asian Cricket Tournament.
All these achievements were helped by the unity and immense commitment of the leadership and other members of the team.”
The President expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those who dedicated themselves for this great victory, despite the grave challenges Sri Lanka is currently facing, noting that the common commitment made by everyone until victory was assured, is a great example not only for the cricket world but also for the younger generation in other fields.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated the unbeaten Sri Lankan Netball team that won the Asian Netball Championship 2022 by defeating the Singaporean team.
The President in his congratulatory message stated that this deserved victory could be achieved by the Sri Lankan Netball team due to the team and its leader’s dedication and team spirit despite the challenges levelled by the difficulties under the crisis situation in the country.
He said further that the perseverance made by the netball team to attract the attention of all netball fans including those of the international sphere set an example to all the sportsmen and sportswomen.
He also extended warm wishes that the netball team could make more victories in the future bringing fame to the country.
• Scotland Yard to be brought in to review & finalize Easter attack report
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he is focusing on an export oriented, very competitive market economy for Sri Lanka as the country has the opportunity of supplying South Asia, Southeast and east Asia.
“Our focus is on competitiveness and export markets. That’s what we are working on looking at the industry for technology and modernizing agriculture. If you look at the region by 2050 from Saudi to Indonesia there will be an addition of 500 million mouths to feed at high income level.”
He said this during the meeting with the visiting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power who is currently in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit.
President Wickremesinghe said that the wheels have been set in motion to make Sri Lanka a prosperous nation by 2048 as we reach the centenary of our independence.
He noted that Sri Lanka is an aging population and automation and semi automation is one way out for Sri Lanka. He also noted that a 25-year program has been planned from 2023, adding that Sri Lanka will need the assistance of USAID for its 25-year program to go ahead.
He also noted that as far as democracy is concerned, the 22nd Amendment is before parliament. “We are waiting for the parliament to pass it. In administrations, we have brought out the first cabinet manual in Sri Lanka. Hence, that will have to go before the cabinet and we’ll establish procedures for the whole of the cabinet. The oversight committees are back again and we’ll be looking forward to support from the USA.”
The President also said that increased economic committees from Public Finance, committee on Public Accounts, committee on Public Enterprise to include the Ways and Means Committee, committee on Banking and Finance because the banking sector is relatively weak and the Committee on State Enterprise Restructuring, they will start a parliamentary budget office and for the first time, legislative research service in Parliament.
“We are also bringing in the new anti-terrorist legislation. I’m going to call the parliament to say once and for all that they must agree on electoral reform. This has been going on. The parties are arguing among themselves. I give them six months. If they don’t, I’ll have a referendum and ask the country which system they want. The political parties can’t be putting this off forever. They have to bite the bullet at some stage. So, if they are not willing, I have not told them yet. They’ll I will go for a referendum on the major reforms,” he said.
The President also said that former Speaker Karu Jayasooriya and Victor Ivan have come up with the concept of People’s Councils at grassroots level. “We are giving them support, whatever finance they require. And officials at grassroots level have been asked to promote the concepts. So, it will be done not by us. And that’s a request, even with the Galle Face Green that the people at Village level must be allowed to express their views. So, there will be 14,000 people’s councils in the 14,000 basic units.”
He also added that discussions have been held with the Tamils regarding the PTA detentions. “We’ve agreed on a formula that will set off against the judgment, the period in detention, since they have all had more than ten years, no judgment will be more than ten years. It will be out. Except for the few who had bombed the temple of the tooth and the assassination one or two other Parliamentarians.”
The President also noted that he intends to bring in some of the associate degree here, which can be an employment-oriented degree with two years rather than go for the bachelor’s degrees for fall.
“So help in having your associated degrees that are in community colleges would certainly be welcomed by Sri Lanka.”
President Wickremesinghe also noted that there’s much that can be done towards agricultural modernization of the ongoing projects.
He thanked Ms Power for the $ 40 million for the farmers, which will certainly be a big help as the country is about to launch a food security and nutrition initiative which will go down to the 14,000 basic administrative units in the country. “And we are making use of all the officials, plus the private sector and others to push to ensure that we are self-sufficient in rice and many other food stuff. We have a good Maha season cultivation, that’s the main season. Then the economy gets stabilized and if you go to the next smaller season, also in 2023, that will help us certainly in a big way.”
He also highlighted the novel concept of including youth representation in committees, where the ideas of the youth will receive due focus. “In addition to the members of Parliament, there will be five youth representatives, people under 35 who will be there. They have the right to ask questions through the chairman and they cannot contribute to the main report. But we are giving them addendum so they can say whatever they want on the report. Thereafter it will be in print. This is the first time it’s happening in the world and we have to select the five members. We have what’s called a youth parliament that will legislate for that and bring it under the law.”
The President also highlighted the anti-corruption laws which have to be brought in, which were just approved, and the women’s caucus has been requested to prepare the Women’s Equality and Empowerment Bill. “That’s the first one, I think. The first one for the region. A private member bill has come to decriminalize homosexuality. And I said the government will not oppose it. We are for it, but you have to get the support of individual members. It’s a matter of their private conscience,” he added.
Meanwhile, the President also touched on the topic of the Easter Sunday terror attack investigations and said that the Scotland yard has been asked to come in, review the reports and come to a final conclusion on this whole issue to determine if there was a hidden hand behind the bombing.
He also mentioned that land issues and how much land can be released. The missing persons, he said would also be accelerated.
Reconstruction plans will be also be reviewed and accelerated, the President said, adding that the Northern Plan development plan is also on the cards. “With renewable energy, the north will become big economic center followed by the Trincomalee development scheme. So with renewable energy and Trincomalee development we have a big opportunity there.”
The President also said that he intends on bringing in the new anti-terrorist legislation. He also said that he plans call the parliament to say once and for all that they must agree on electoral reform.
Meanwhile, the visiting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power said she conveys on behalf of President Biden that the stand with Sri Lanka.
“We certainly are here to come together with you and to help take advantage of this rare window of opportunity. Also, for you to be able to make the kinds of changes that have been proposed for so long.”
She also highlighted Sri Lanka’s vibrant private sector and said measures should be taken to unleash the potential of the private sector. “You have such an incredible private sector, such entrepreneurship. But the government, over so many years has largely stood in the way of unlocking that potential instead of fueling it. Mangala used to say, as you know, government has no business running business. And you know what was done in the telecom sector? If that could be done in other sectors in an expeditious and transparent way, to unlock the potential of your people, it would be incredible.”
She said that the political reform agenda and the economic agenda go hand in hand which they have already seen this in the United States in trying to engage the business community to look at Sri Lanka now and to see the opportunities that exist here.
Ms. Power assured assistance of $60 million in new assistance. “But compared to the challenges you face, that is very, very small and very modest. But we want to use our convening power to be catalytic as best we can, at the international financial institutions, with the private sector, with other countries that themselves are looking anew at Sri Lanka and thinking where to go.”
Samantha Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Julie Chung, United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Sonali Korde, USAID Deputy Chief of Staff, Änjali Kaur, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Asia, Gabriel Grau, USAID Sri Lanka Mission Director, Anamika Chakravorty, Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasooriya, Chief of staff Mr. Sagala Rathnayake, President Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Ministry Secretary Ms. Anuni Wijewardhana, Finance Ministry Secretary Mr. Mahinda Siriwardhana and Advisor Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga participated in the meeting.