Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera has begun presenting the Budget 2018 to the Parliament. 

Access his speech LIVE below: 

 “The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns any act of torture, and will ensure that allegations of torture committed in the country will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law and seeks the assistance and cooperation of all those relevant parties in this endeavour, including parties outside the country, as evidence is key in the conduct of investigations”, the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prasad Kariyawasam informed New York Times yesterday (8th Nov.).

Responding to the article titled ‘Dozens of Men Describe Rape, Torture by Sri Lanka Government’ by the Associated Press that was published in the New York Times Mr. Kariyawasam further said the government is committed, as promised to the people of the country, to work towards reconciliation, good governance, rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights, and has taken numerous concrete steps to prevent the commission of torture.

In his letter written to the Editor of New York Times, the Secretary describes many steps the present government has taken in this respect including strengthening the National Human Rights Commission, forbidding of torture of any kind and issuing a standing invitation to Special Rapporteurs of the High Commission for Human Rights.

Mr. Kariyawasam also added that it would be appreciated in this regard, if this response from the Government of Sri Lanka could also be published in the New York Times, considering the gravity of the allegations and the firm commitment of the National Unity Government to uphold the rule of law.

President Maithripala Sirisena this afternoon appointed a Cabinet sub-committee comprising 3 ministers to look into the current fuel crisis in the country.

This is despite Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga assuring the public yesterday that there was enough fuel to last until November 9.

The Petroleum Resources Minister also said a new shipment of oil was expected on November 8 (tomorrow).

However, the President has appointed a Cabinet sub-committee to probe the issue and offer solutions.

President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed a nine-member committee headed by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva to handle issues relating to the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM).

These include implementing the proposals previously put forth on SAITM as well as meeting any other new issues that may crop up in the implementation of the proposals.

On October 30, the government announced the contentious SAITM medical faculty – that is, the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital would be abolished and a not-for-profit entity would be established in it’s place.

While the announcement was welcomed – with reservations – by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), local university students have today embarked on a ‘fast unto death’ demanding the closure of SAITM.

The nine-member committee appointed by the President consists of: 

Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva (Chairman)

Secretary of the Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Ministry, Janaka Sugathadasa

Secretary of the Higher Education and Highways Ministry, D.C. Dissanayake

Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof. Mohan de Silva

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Prof. Colvin Gunaratne

Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake

Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Prof. Sampath Amaratunga

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Prof. Jennifer Perera

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Prof. Nilanthi de Silva

Three observers from the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), the Medicine Teachers Association and a representative from the parents/students unions will also be included. 

A senior Minister representing the SLFP is now on a desperate mission to broker a 'peace agreement' between the SLFP and the Joint Opposition, Asian Mirror reliably learns. 

The Minister has held a round of discussions with a joint Opposition stalwart at the latter's residence in Nugegoda on signing a no-contest pact with the JO at the forthcoming Local Government election. 

Under the proposed pact, the SLFP will not field candidate in electorates where the Joint Opposition holds sway and vice versa. 

The Minister had repeatedly pointed out during he discussions that the division of the SLFP would only contribute to the UNP victory at the Local Government elections fixed for January, next year. 

Several senior SLFP members in the Sirisena group had encourage the senior Cabinet Minister to proceed with the talks and arrive at an agreement with the Joint Opposition. 

However, informed SLFP sources said it was unclear if President Maithripala Sirisena, the party chairman, was in favour of a no-contest agreement. 

To sustain growth, job creation and poverty reduction, Sri Lanka needs to move to a more private investment, tradable sector-led growth model, says the latest Sri Lanka Development Update, the World Bank’s half-yearly flagship report on the country's economy, future outlook and policy priorities. It recognizes Vision 2025 as a roadmap that outlines such a shift.

The update makes a strong case for better risk management which can support Sri Lanka’s transition to this new growth model - which while opening more opportunities for development and making Sri Lanka more resilient to traditional risks, will also expose it to new ones. These risks need to be well managed to maximize the opportunities for households, firms, the public sector and the economy as a whole. 

This edition of the update focuses on managing risks related to fiscal and trade policy reforms, public debt and contingent liabilities and natural disasters.

While Sri Lanka's growth, especially in the agriculture sector, was affected by the impact of floods and drought in the first half of 2017, the World Bank projects that Sri Lanka's economy will recover in the second half and reach 4.6 percent growth over the full year. The island nation regained concessions under the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) from the European Union in May 2017. Meanwhile, the Government of Sri Lanka is committed to an economic reform agenda, a key highlight of which was the passing of a new Inland Revenue Act in September. 

“Sri Lanka’s progression towards Upper-Middle-Income status, as outlined in its ambitious Vision 2025, hinges on the economy’s competitiveness and its ability to pursue an export-led growth model, while ensuring it leaves none of its most vulnerable citizens behind.” said Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

According to the update, the new growth model, as captured in the Vision 2025 document will require a shift from a public investment, non-tradable sector-driven growth model to a private investment, tradeable sector-led model; a move that will allow the island nation to benefit from its location close to the largest fast-growing economies in the world.

The update identifies some key reforms required to improve a business-friendly environment and remove barriers to trade such as tariffs, inefficient border clearance procedures among other constraints. In addition, it lists the drafting of a comprehensive public financial management law, meaningful progress on the debt management agenda and passing of the Audit Act as priorities that must progress. 

“Increasingly frequent natural disasters also demand more preparedness. It is therefore important to manage risks at different levels” said Ralph Van Doorn, the Senior Country Economist for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the principal author of the report.  Sri Lanka can become an upper middle income country by maintaining macro-fiscal stability and increasing its preparedness for natural disasters” says Van Doorn, mapping out the World Bank’s observations on the current state of the economy.

President Maithripala Sirisena says a righteous and disciplined society can be built only through strengthening the religious background in the country.

The President was speaking at the concluding ceremony of the 14th annual summit of World’s Young Buddhist Sangha Sabha, held yesterday (Oct. 30) at Millawana Maha Vidyalaya in Matale.

This summit which was held in Sri Lanka for the 3rd time was participated by about thousand bhikkus of Theravada, Mahayana, Thanthrayana, Vajrayana and Sen Buddhism.

It commenced on October 27 and held at the BMICH and the Provincial Council Seminar Hall in Pallekele, Kandy. 

Speaking further, the President said unity, brotherhood and cooperation can be built in the human society through creating of a religious environment in the country.

He pointed out when the people move away from religion, their values and humanity diminish and as a result, the society move towards decadence.

“When seeking for solutions for the religious, social and political issues the guidance from religions is important”, he said.

The President who was the first leader to visit Millawana was warmly welcomed by the students. Anu Nayaka of Malwathu Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaya Ven. Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thero administered five precepts to the devotees while the General Secretary of the Young Buddhist Sangha Sabha Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero delivered the welcome address.

President of the World Buddhist Summit Ven. Annga Zadu Thero also addressed this occasion.

President Sirisena presented gifts to the representatives of the member countries of the World’s Young Buddhist Sangha Sabha.

Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, MP Ranjith Aluvihare and the UNP organizer in Dambulla Priyan Wijeyrathne were among those participated in this occasion.

The Presidential Commission appointed to look into the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) issue has proposed the private medical college is abolished and a not-for-profit entity is set up under the Health Ministry in its stead.

In a statement issued by the Government Information Department the Presidential Commission further recommended that Dr. Neville Fernando and his family rescind all ownership of the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital.

At an earlier date the government made a series of proposals that included extended training for SAITM medical graduates at government hospitals in order to resolve the problems but local university students rejected the proposals and continued to call for SAITM to be abolished.

The local university student, supported by trade unions and the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have been calling for the private medical college SAITM to be abolished on the grounds that it was a ‘hora upadee kade’ that undermined the efforts put in by local students.

The pubic is allowed to view the Parliamentary debate on the interim report of the steering committee on the new constitution. 

"In terms of clause 11 of the Framework Resolution, the proceedings of the Constitutional Assembly shall be open to the public. Therefore any members of the public who wish to view the debates in the Constitutional Assembly on the 30th and 31st of October and 1st of November 2017 are kindly requested to send their details (names and identity card numbers) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by noon on Friday 27th October in order to arrange clearance," the Constitutional Assembly blog announced. 

The draft Interim Report of the Steering Committee was tabled in Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chairman of the Committee. 

The blog also said translations of all the aforesaid political party observations into Sinhala, Tamil and English as necessary, have been done by the Parliamentary Interpreter’s Office and approved by the respective Members  of the Steering Committee. 

The new Constitution is to ensure progress not to enable regression, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Dayasiri Jayasekera clarified today.

Addressing the weekly press briefing he said all communities should come together to find a unitary solution to the national question.

The Minister said uneducated statements made by certain sections of society indicated their backward mentality and warned that similar statements could open the door to extremism.

He also said the President would speak to the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiri and Malwattu Chapters again to ascertain their position on the new Constitution.