Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed officials to provide credit facilities to small and medium scale rice producers to support their businesses.

The Prime Minister made this directive while was participating in a discussion with representatives of the All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Rice Growers Association held in a Committee Room in Parliament yesterday, the Prime Ministers Media Division said.

The Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to give priority to resolving problems of small and medium scale rice producers over large scale rice producers. The meeting was held to discuss several issues including obtaining a fixed controlled price for rice which will be updated in six months from February 1 according to the prevailing guaranteed paddy prices in the country.

Attention was also drawn to providing facilities to small and medium scale paddy mill owners to repay their loans at concessional rates.

Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Ministers of State Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Shehan Semasinghe, Indika Anuruddha, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Shashindra Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Chaminda Kularatne, Banks and heads of Government agencies including Paddy Marketing Board officials and small and medium scale rice producers were present.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed 18-member De-Regulation Commission for the Simplification of the Existing Laws and Regulations in the interest of the people.

The Commission is co-chaired by former Secretary to the President and Principal Advisor to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Chairman of John Keells Group Mr. Krishan Balendra.

Other members of the Commission are the following:

1. Mr. S.D.A.B. Boralessa – Secretary, State Ministry of Land Management, State Enterprises Land and Property Development
2. Mr. M.M.C. Ferdinando – Retired Ministry Secretary, Power sector
3. Mr. Suresh de Mel – Chairman, Export Development Board
4. Ms. C. Weligamage – Director General, Department of Public Finance
5. Mr. Chandana Kumarasinghe – Director General of Establishments, Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government
6. Dr. Harsha Cabral – Company Law expert
7. Dr. Nihal Jayawardana – President’s Counsel
8. Mr. Thishan Subashinghe – Chartered Accountant of Sri Lanka
9. Mr. Ranjith Gunathilake – Chief Executive Officer, Sanken Constructions (Private) Limited
10. Ms. Renuka Weerakoon – Executive Director, Board of Investments of Sri Lanka
11. Mr. Gerard Ondaatjie – Board of Director, Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC
12. Mr. Arjun Fernando – Non-Executive Director, Nations Trust Bank
13. Mr. S.P. Liyanarachchi-  SME Construction Sector
14. Mr. Anslem Perera – Managing Director, Mlesna Tea
15. Mr. Nissanka Wijeratna – Secretary General/ Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Construction Industry
16. Mr. Chandra Wickremasinghe – Chairman/ Director General, Theme Resorts and Spas

The tasks of the Commission cover the following.

1. Review all laws, regulations and circular instructions pertaining to Government finance, revenue laws and circular instructions, licensing and permit arrangements, investments, approvals and building permits etc., and how those regulations and circular instructions have evolved and circumstances influencing such regulations.

2. Assess as to whether the issuance of regulations and circular instructions has resulted in over regulation and deviated from the scope and objectives of original legislations.

3. Assess the relevance of them in the context of global standards and applicability of them in the Sri Lankan context to identify new rooms to adopt to make the most effective modern regulatory systems.

4. Assess the cost of enforcement to the state, compliance cost to the people and potentials for corruption and irregular practices associated with complex and over regulatory systems.

5. Identify areas where simplifications and rationalization could be made to existing regulations and circular instructions and issue directions to do away, modify if required and simplify all such regulations.

6. Study if there is a repetition occurs due to issuing various approvals, permits and licenses through the national level, Provincial Councils and local authorities and take necessary measures to amend such processes appropriately.

The Commission is given 90 days period to fulfill this task and issue instructions to relevant agencies as required for the purpose of executing the task entrusted.

Mr. G. S. Vithanage, retired Ministry Secretary has been appointed as Secretary to the Commission.

• Let’s join to bring prosperity by fulfilling promises made to people in “Saubhagyaye Dekma”
• Go to village and work, without confining to offices

President, PM request Ministers, MPs and officials

 By cultivating what can be grown in the country, the money going to the farmers abroad will be diverted to the hands of our farmers, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

In order to uplift the agricultural sector, the Government has given priority to provide water, technical knowledge and solving land issues of the farming community. A large sum of money has been allocated from 2021 budget for this purpose. More than 800 projects planned utilizing foreign aid and local grants have not yet been completed. President is of the view that all these projects should be completed expeditiously and committed to fulfill aspirations of the people.

President Rajapaksa made these comments during a special programme held at the Temple Trees today (7) to apprise the government officials on the National Programme of “Back to the Village with Work” through the initiative of “Discussion with the Village”.

President pointed out the need for a sustainable mechanism to uplift the living standards of rural population which represents 75% of the total. The present generation is moving away from agricultural activities due to inherent problems and difficulties that had to be faced by the farming community.

President Rajapaksa emphasized that officials should focus more on solving issues through methods such as ensuring higher prices for the harvests, technical knowledge, water management, local seed production, marketing and transportation facilities and encourage farmers to engage in organic agriculture.

It is important to use people-centered approaches in resolving issues prevailing in rural areas rather than strictly adhering to rules and regulations. Therefore, the President pointed out that it is the duty and responsibility of the officials to go to the villages and identify the problems faced by the people and work to find solutions for those issues, not confining themselves to respective offices.

This year’s budget is aimed at improving the living standards of rural people who are engaged in farming, fishing and other industries, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his address. He stated that the assistance of foreign experts or consultants is not required to implement the plans in this regard and that it is the responsibility of government officials to implement those strategies at grassroots level for the benefit of the rural people.

The Prime Minister commended the sacrifices made by both the public and private sectors to make a success of the changed lifestyle with the coronavirus pandemic.

With the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, a tendency has emerged to use digital technology in a number of fields, including school education to service needs. It revealed the ability of local officials to embrace and work on something new at any moment. Considering the current situation, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out the need to integrate modern technology with state institutions speedily.

The Prime Minister said that on every occasion that a government led by them came into power, it effectively carry forward   the abandoned development  as well as the promotion of economic growth of the country . He also stated that he expects the support of the public servants to build the country in the future too, as in the past at every occasion.

The objective of today’s programme was to discuss the issues that arise in the implementation of projects and programmes and how to resolve them.

Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Head of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation, said in response to questions raised by the people’s representatives  that the government has taken a number of steps to protect crops from wild elephants and other animals.

Mr. Rajapaksa also requested to submit proposals compiled at rural level to address such issues, to the government.

Cabinet and State Ministers, Governors, District and Divisional Secretaries, Planning Service officials, Accountants and many other government officials were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stated that in future he will provide necessary constitutional protection to ensure that any public officials who has served the people in good faith will not be punished.

The Prime Minister was speaking at an awareness programme for public officers about the national programme Gama Samaga Pilisandara -Weda Samaga Yali Gamata at Temple Trees yesterday.

The Prime Minister said that some public servants today were reluctant to go out of their way to help and serve the public due to the unpleasant experience they had during the previous Yahapalana regime.

“The greatest betrayal of the Yahapalana Government to this country was the imprisonment of government officials for serving the people” he said.

“I remember the former Army Commander was brought to the FCID and questioned for distributing flood aid during a national disaster. You are aware that the former Secretary to the President and the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission were imprisoned for distributing Sil clothes. We understand this situation and we are working on a solution” he added.

The Prime Minister said he will work towards providing constitutional protection to ensure that no officer who acts in good faith when serving the public will be punished.

• Agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations
• Priority areas identified

India is ready to give priority to Sri Lanka when supplying to other countries the vaccine now being produced by India to treat COVID 19 virus, the External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Arrived yesterday in the country for a two-day visit, the Indian Minister called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (6).

Commenting on the future course of action to control the COVID 19 pandemic during the ensuing discussion President stated that Sri Lanka would like to obtain the COVID vaccine, which is being produced by India following an accurate assessment of the need for treatment.

Dr. Jaishankar agreed to give priority to Sri Lanka when his country begins exporting the vaccine to other countries. Both President and the Indian Minister agreed to further enhance Indo – Sri Lanka bilateral relations so as to maximize mutual benefits.

In addition to the ongoing projects carried out in Sri Lanka with the assistance of India, several other areas for cooperation development were identified during the discussion. The East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port, LNG power plant, construction of houses and roads, development of agriculture and research, communication technology and development of alternative energy sources are of among them.

Stating that Sri Lanka possesses a youth generation equipped with formal education, President Rajapaksa sought India’s support to provide them with proper vocational training in various fields. When specific needs of Sri Lanka are known, India is willing to assist vocational training programmes, the External Affairs Minister said. Indian aid has already been received to utilize solar power as an alternative energy source. He said that India would be able to provide further financial and technical assistance in the future.

Both parties expressed views on the need to revive the tourism sector which was crippled in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic.

“The Maldives continues to attract tourists following the bio-bubble method. A large number of Indians have already gone there. People like to travel in order to get rid of the stress caused by the pandemic. Hotels in New Delhi are now brimming with Indians. We can encourage them to visit Sri Lanka”, Dr. Jaishankar said.

It was decided to hold a joint discussion between India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal as soon as possible to determine possible course of action for the revival of the tourism industry.

Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley, Joint Secretaries to the External Affairs Ministry of India Amit Narang and Dr. Shilpak Ambule, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Ministry Admiral Jayanath Colombage were also present during the discussion.

The Government will amend the Press Council Law and the Rupavahini Corporation Act and set up a ‘National Development Media Centre’.

Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella presented the proposal in this regard and it was approved at the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The Centre will function under the Mass Media Ministry to convey accurate information on Government policies and development efforts to the public.

The provisions of the Sri Lanka Press Council Law No 5 of 1973 will be amended to include electronic and new media in addition to the print media.

“The Sri Lanka Press Council has been set up to prevent any prejudice to the public through press coverage and to establish a cordial relationship between journalists and the public. The provisions are restricted to newspapers only. It has been identified that the Press Council should be reformed to cover electronic, print and new media as a tribunal for journalists and media institutions and as a centre that promotes media education,” the Cabinet proposal stated.

The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No 6 of 1982 will be amended to increase the number of Board of Directors from 7 to 9. “The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has played a significant role in the media in Sri Lanka for the past 38 years. To deal appropriately with the intense media competition, the need to change the composition of the Board of Directors of 7 members, which is empowered to make decisions and implement them, has been identified. Therefore, the Cabinet approved the proposal to increase the number of Board Members up to 9 by including a representative of the Treasury and the Secretary to the Line Ministry in charge of the subject or a representative of that Ministry he appointed,” the Cabinet proposal stated.

Chief Incumbent of Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, Colombo Ven. Prof. Ittademaliye Indrasara Thera yesterday said the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) has been rendering an invaluable service for the preservation and promotion of religion, culture, language and the national heritage of the country for over a century.

The Thera was delivering an Anusasana after invoking blessings for the year 2021 at the Lake House company premises yesterday.

Ven. Prof Ittademaliye Indrasara Thera said that Lake House Founder late D.R. Wijewardene was committed to the freedom of the country. The Thera said that he rendered a yeoman service for the uplift of the Buddha Sasana. The Lake House employees are also following in the footsteps of its founder and rendering a great service to the country and the religion. The Thera said Lake House Chairman W. Dayaratne, PC is steering the institution on the right path despite many obstacles and difficulties.

The Thera also invoked the blessings on the staff and the management led by Chairman W. Dayaratne, PC for the New Year

Hindu, Catholic and Islamic religious dignitaries also blessed the staff and the management for the New Year. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House) Chairman W. Dayaratne, PC said the company plans to meet its economic targets this year in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. He said that 13 new educational publications in Sinhala and English mediums will be launched tomorrow at a ceremony to be held under the patronage of Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in addition to three educational publications launched by the company during the course of last year.

The ANCL Chairman sought the support of all employees to make this effort a success. He also thanked the staff, on behalf of the management who rendered their service to the company in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that the company was operating at a loss of over Rs.600 million when he assumed duties as the Chairman on December 16, 2019. The Chairman described how he and the members of the Director Board reached all Government institutions to obtain advertisements in order to ease the debt burden of the company.

He added that the company incurred a loss of Rs.100 million due to the prevalent situation in the country.

"Lake House stopped printing papers for more than a month for the first time since the establishment of the company . Though arrangements were made to print the paper thereafter, the company did not receive any income,” he said.

He said that the company succeeded in launching several tabloids targeting the students who are sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level, Grade 5 Scholarship Examinations and pre-schools students. The ANCL Chairman added that the operations at the Commercial Printing Department commenced after a lapse of four years and the company succeeded in making some profits.

Commencing duties in the New Year President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met Ministers, Members of Parliament and his staff at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Mingling with the gathering, President Rajapaksa said that it is necessary to work with optimism, determination and commitment to achieve the aspirations of the people while being conscious about the challenges facing the nation. Extending his warm wishes to the Ministers, MPs and his staff, the President was engaged in a cordial discussion with them.

Secretary to the President Dr. P.B.Jayasundera administered the oath marking the commencement of official duties by public servants 2021.

“The entire public service should be sincerely committed to an efficient and effective public service as per the “Saubhagyaye Dekma” policy framework,” the Secretary to the President stated. The country is moving towards professional leadership.

Jayasundera said the President hoped for a public service that would fulfill the aspirations of the people under the “New Normal” situation that has evolved following the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Despite severe financial difficulties, ours is the only Government in the world that has paid salaries and allowances to over 1.5 million public servants and over 600,000 retirees on time without any deductions,” the Secretary pointed out.

The Government led by President Rajapaksa is committed to protect the public servants.

The Secretary to the President emphasized that it is the responsibility of all public servants to commit themselves to render best of their service to the country.

Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, Director General (Administration) Retired Major General K.B. Egodawele, Private Secretary to the President Sugeeshwara Bandara and officials of the Presidential Secretariat were also present.

The New Year will be a year full of challenges, but the country must forge ahead under challenging COVID-19 threats. However, even under such conditions, the Government is ready to overcome these challenges and forge ahead, said Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The Minister was addressing staff members at the Government Media Department yesterday, commencing work in the New Year.

Minister Rambukwella commended the members of his Ministry who had worked with commitment during the most decisive situations, making special note of the dedicated staff of the Postal Department who had carried out the delivery of medicines during the height of the COVID pandemic.

273 buses belong to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) which were taken out of service due to dilapidation were repaired and re-added to the passenger transportation under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Galle Face Green today (31). These buses will be utilized to meet the passenger transportation needs in rural areas throughout the country.

The project based on a concept of the State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama was implemented under the guidance of Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge.

In order to rebuild the collapsed economy vehicle imports were restricted after the new government came into power. As a result, there occurred a shortage of buses for passenger transport. Launched as a solution to this issue, the new project will save foreign exchange spent on importing buses.

273 buses that were completely out of service at 107 depots island-wide have been repaired at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The project is being carried out by SLTB depots and Lakdiva Engineering with the full support of the Sri Lanka Public Transport Employees Union.

After inspecting the standard of the buses President had a cordial chat with the workers of SLTB and motivated them.

Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge, State Minister Dilum Amunugama, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Chairman of SLTB Kingsley Ranawaka were also present.

The dawn of the New Year motivates us to move towards a new meaningful heights in life while providing opportunity to clearly understand the challenges we face at each passing moment. We welcome 2021 with positive attitudes, determination and absolute commitment, states President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his New Year message.

The message:

No sooner than we commenced the journey towards prosperity that we had successfully initiated, we were compelled, together with the rest of the world, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which had engulfed the country. Amidst formidable challenges and obstacles, we were able to lay the foundation for sustainable development while prioritising national aspirations.

The Government is determined to further strengthen the steps that it had already taken to meet the expectations of the people in the New Year. The Government was formed with the objective of securing people-centric development and to protect and preserve national identity. No room should be left for the erosion of confidence the people placed in the Government that it would not go against the country and the people’s will.

The prime responsibility of the Government is to make development targets enshrined in Saubhagyaye Dekma policy framework, a reality. To achieve this objective, it is essential that the public and private sectors, work together as partners. If each and every public servant properly performs the duties and responsibilities entrusted to them, it is not a difficult task for the Government to conquest any challenge faced by it. I expect that commitment from all public servants. Furthermore, I hope that all the citizens will continue to faithfully serve the Motherland.

We strongly believe that we have self-determination and courage to overcome challenges that we have to face in the New Year. That is because we have already built that confidence in the country by formulating and implementing necessary plans with a clear perception.

There is no need to separately mention the economic and social prosperity that a disciplined country could achieve. Therefore, let us determine that in this New Year we will fulfill our respective duties in a proper and disciplined manner.

I wish that New Year will usher in a prosperous future devoid of diseases for all Sri Lankans and their children living here and overseas.