Mechanism established to provide detainee Information

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

The of Defence informed that relating to persons detained by the Terrorist Investigation Division will be released to their close relatives, such as the spouse, parents and siblings.

 

It said that a round the clock mechanism has been established by the Terrorist Investigation Division to provide details of the detainees and those who are already released.

 

This measure has been taken in line with one of the recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission with respect to detainees.  The report said that several instances of detainees remaining in detention without charges and in which next of kin were not notified have been brought to their notice.   It also asserted that no person should be detained outside authorised places of detention.

 

Persons seeking information should submit a certificate obtained from the OIC of the Station in the relevant area or from the Grama Niladhari to ascertain their identity.

 

Information can be obtained from the Terrorist Investigation Unit at the new Secretariat Building of the Police Headquarters in , and from outstation units in Kandy road Vavunia and Boossa in Galle.

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All set for the Victory Day parade

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

The Victory Day parade marking the third anniversary of the vanquishing of the ruthless from the country and end of the 30 years of terrorist atrocity which resulted in the death of several thousand innocent people of this country and destruction of millions worth property, will be held on May 19 at the Galle Face Green under the patronage of President .

 

Defence Ministry sources said that the  parade this year will consist of 852 officers and 12, 828 other rankers from the tri-forces, the , and Civil Defence Force.

 

The parade will be commanded by Maj. Gen. Jagath Rambukpotha, who is the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College. He commanded the 56th Division during the war.

 

The contingent at the parade will consist of 398 officers and 4628 other ranks, the Navy with 115 officers and 2651 sailors, Air Force with 78 officers and 1383 airmen, police including STF with 61 officers and 963 policemen, and the CDF with 30 officers and 462 other rankers.

 

Defence Ministry sources also said that Army will have 148 vehicle columns including signals, engineering, infantry, mechanized and Special Forces vehicles. A fly past by the Air Force with 33 aircraft including helicopters will be held and will consist of 23 officers and 167 airmen. The Navy parade in the seas will see 72 vessels of different types and will consist of 147 officers and 1524 sailors along the Galle Face coast.

 

At this function, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will present ‘Parama Veera Vibushana’ medals to families of war heroes.

 

Meanwhile the Victory Day will be marked in all nine provinces as well.

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3,000 acre Elephant Sanctuary in Sri Lanka

Posted on May 14, 2012 by admin

Three thousand acres in the Horowpathana area has been identified for establishing a wild elephant sanctuary for the protection of the elephant resources in the country. This has become necessary as more than 100 elephants have been killed recently due to human-elephant conflicts.

 

of Agrarian Services and Wild Life S.M. Chandrasena said that that violent elephants from other areas will be brought to this sanctuary. He said the purpose of establishing this sanctuary is to tame and release them to the forests. Rs. 250 million will be spent for establishing this sanctuary.

 

The income derived from visitors to the sanctuary will be used for maintaining the elephants. The Minister also said that food for this sanctuary will be purchased from the farmers of nearby areas thereby boosting their living standards and providing a market facility for their produce.

 

A census last year found that the country has an elephant population of 5,879 animals, and 1,107 of them were baby elephants

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The Highlights of the Economic performance in 2011 at a Glance

Posted on May 13, 2012 by admin

The Annual report of the Bank of issued  on Monday the 09th reveals that the US D 59 billion  worth of Sri Lankan economy   grew  by  8.3  per  cent  in 2011,  the  highest  in  Sri  ’s   post independence history, sustaining a growth momentum of over 8 per cent for the first time in two consecutive years.
Improved consumer  and  investor  confidence  arising  from the    dividend, favourable  macroeconomic conditions, increased capacity utilization, expansion of infrastructure facilities and renewed economic  activity  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern provinces underpinned this growth.

 

Growth, Inflation and Unemployment

  • Economic growth increased to its highest level of 8.3 per cent – the first time the country recorded above 8 per cent growth in two successive years.
  • Per capita income increased to US dollars 2,836 from US dollars 2,400 in the previous year.
  • Inflation remained subdued at single digit levels for the third consecutive year.
  • Unemployment declined to 4.2 per cent, the lowest level recorded thus far.
  • Substantial improvements in youth unemployment

 

External Sector

  • Growth of exports, which was at 22.4 per cent was far outpaced by the growth of imports at 50.7 per cent
  • Trade deficit widened sharply to 16.4 per cent of GDP.
  • Tourist arrivals crossed 850,000 with earnings recording US dollars 830 million.
  • Workers’ remittances reached US dollars 5.1 billion
  • Current account deficit remained substantially higher at 7.8 per cent of the GDP compared to the average deficit of around 3.1 per cent over the last ten years.
  • Foreign direct investments in the country exceeded US dollars 1 billion for the first time.
  • The balance of payments recorded a deficit of US dollars 1.1 billion.
  • Gross official reserves by year end were US dollars 6.0 billion compared to US dollars 6.6 billion as at December 2010.
  • The rupee depreciated by 2.6 per cent against the US dollar by year end.

Fiscal Sector

  • Emphasis on fiscal consolidation continued in 2011.
  • A shortfall in revenue was reflected in the decline in the revenue to GDP ratio to 14.3 per cent from 14.6 per cent in 2010.
  • Total expenditure and net lending was maintained at 21.4 per cent of GDP.
  • Overall fiscal deficit was 6.9 per cent of GDP, marginally above the targeted level.
  • debt to GDP ratio fell to 78.5 per cent from 81.9 per cent in 2010, the first time in nearly 30 years that the ratio was lower than 80 per cent.
  • Government issued the fourth international sovereign bond, amounting to US dollars  1 billion.

 

Monetary and Financial Sector

  • Key policy interest rates were reduced in January  2011 to enhance investments by the private sector.
  • The Statutory Reserve Ratio was raised by 1 percentage point to 8 per cent in April in order to permanently absorb a part of excess liquidity.
  • Monetary expansion, at 19.3 per cent on average,  continued to remain above the targeted level.
  • Market interest rates were broadly stable during the first three quarters of the year but began increasing thereafter.
  • Stability of the financial system continued to be well safeguarded.
  • A new Finance Business Act was enacted while several new Directions were issued.
  • Non-performing loan ratios declined over the year.
  • Banking system remained well capitalised despite a decline in the capital adequacy ratios.
  • Further progress was made towards improving access to finance with the expanding branch network of financial institutions.

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