Srilanka

Within two weeks of the assurance given by President Maithripala Sirisena to the business leaders that the government would provide adequate assistance to revive the tourism industry from the blow received from the Easter Sunday terror attacks, a wide-ranging relief package was announced. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a one-year moratorium on capital and interest repayment for travel and tourism sector and offered many concessions including banking sector exposure to leisure sector estimated at Rs. 280 billion, two-year working capital loans based on turnover at 3.4% interest rate under Enterprise Sri Lanka programme with govt. subsidizing 75% of the cost and Value Added Tax (VAT) reduced to 5% from 15%.

The tourism industry would benefit from billions of rupees in support due to this relief package. A week after the Easter Sunday terror attack, President Sirisena called a meeting of tourism sector said that the government was responsible for working towards recovering and reviving the tourism industry and the hotel chains and other business sectors that were badly affected due to the recent terrorist attacks.

A Cabinet Sub-Committee was appointed at the very first Cabinet meeting after the terror attack to inquire on the future steps to be taken towards the development of the field of tourism and the relief package was formulated by thereafter.

Rebuilding tourism industry

On April 29, President Sirisena held a meeting with hotel owners, officials of the Tourist Board and Ministry of Finance to discuss the difficulties faced by the entrepreneurs engaged in the tourism sector due to this tragic incident and to find ways and means of rebuilding the tourism industry.

The agreements reached during the discussions regarding reliefs that should be given to the tourism industry, postponement of their loan repayment period, and to provide some sponsorship by the government to the institutions who are not able to pay wages for their employees.

&Moreover, on May 6, I summoned the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and discussed regarding the reliefs that could be given by the Government for the entrepreneurs. I should clearly mention that the National Security Council meeting I didn&t hold alone. I have invited the Prime Minister, the Cabinet as well as the MPs from Opposition,& President Sirisena said in Parliament on May 7.

In accordance with the Cabinet decision, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will direct banks not to seek capital and interest repayment of loans taken by all registered travel and tourism businesses for one year, i.e. till March 31, 2020. This is applicable for loans granted to the tourism sector as of April 18, 2019. The Government estimates the banking sector exposure on the travel and tourism sector to be around Rs. 280 billion, whilst analysts claimed it could be as high as Rs. 400 billion.

The tourism sector employs 500,000 directly and the number dependent on this industry is over two million. The sector accounts for 6% of the economy.

Relief package

Announcing the relief package in Parliament, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said that the one-year moratorium will be granted to loans taken under the Enterprise Sri Lanka programme as well. Approximately Rs. 15 billion had been lent under the Enterprise Sri Lanka loan schemes for the tourism sector. The Value Added Tax (VAT) on the travel and tourism sector has been reduced to 5% from 15% until March 31, 2020. In 2018, VAT collection from the sector is estimated to be Rs. 18 billion.

The banks will also allow the borrowers to extend the repayment period for the number of months it was falling due during the moratorium. Furthermore, the repayment will start from April 1, 2020, and capital and interest payments falling due during the moratorium can be recovered from July 2020 onwards. Under Enterprise Sri Lanka, travel and tourism loans registered on or before April 18 will be granted before the end of the current financial year. The interest subsidy of these loans will be borne by the Government.

The package also provides subsidies to travel or tourism business with different turnover levels in accordance with their capital investments. Those who are with less than Rs. 100 million, the maximum working capital available under this scheme is Rs. 20 million. Other slabs include Rs. 50 million for those with a turnover of Rs. 100-250 million, Rs. 150 million for those with Rs. 250-750 million in turnover, and Rs. 250 million for turnovers above Rs. 750 million. The Finance Ministry and the Central Bank are also exploring options to extend relief for lease repayments of the travel and tourism sector.

In addition to the above, an interest-subsidized working capital for the travel and tourism sector has also been announced. These working capital loans, based on annual turnover, will be provided under the Enterprise Sri Lanka programme, with a two-year repayment period. For these funds, the Government will bear a 75% interest subsidy until March 31, 2020, and the applicable interest rate will be 3.4%.

In the tourism sector, Sri Lanka earned $ 4.4 billion last year with 2.3 million tourist arrivals. The tourist arrival suffered a loss of 7.5% in April 2019, recording the first-ever decline in the last few years. The tourist arrival averaged almost 20% increase annually during the last decade.

The month recorded 166,975 tourists arriving in the country compared to the 180,429 arrived in April 2018.AAs at April 30, 2019, 907,575 of tourists had visited Sri Lanka for this year. It is a 2.2% growth over last year when 888,353 tourists had visited the country during the same period.

United Kingdom, India, Germany, China and Australia were Sri Lanka's top five international tourist generating markets. In April United Kingdom was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 15% of the total traffic received. India accounted for 14% of the total traffic while Germany, China and Australia accounted for 10%, 8% and 6% respectively.

At the meeting called by President Sirisena to discuss the issue, Chairman of Hotel Owners& Association, Sanath Ukwatte expressed his gratitude to President Sirisena and the Government for the swift action taken following the Easter Sunday attacks. Business tycoon Harry Jayawardena thanked President Sirisena for the leadership displayed and the steps taken to restore normalcy in the country and expressed the fullest confidence that the country could recover quickly.

Terrorism that began with the Easter Sunday's suicide attacks should be eliminated, TNA MP Dharmalingam Siddarthan said.He said that this attack had not been made targeting a particular race, religion or creed and it is mere terrorism. He added that the majority Muslims against terror complain that they face difficulties after this attack. "We faced difficulties like this during the time when the LTTE held sway," MP Siddarthan said. "So we request you all to take measures to eradicate extremism and terrorism,"

Joining the adjournment motion debated for the third day on the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attack,MP Siddarthan said that the government in 1983 did not attempt to deal with the Thirunelveli Bomb Blast incident politically. It resulted in the 1983 Black July riot which later turned into a three decade bloodshed. He said however the government is handling the matter politically in this incident and he hoped that the matter will come to an end soon.

COPE will probe ‘Sharia University& project - Handunnetti

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil Handunnetti said he will summon the Board of Investment (BOI), the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and all the other institutions which have links with the controversial ‘Sharia University& project in Batticaloa on 21 May before the Committee on Public Enterprises, as COPE Chairnman,

Handunnetti urged not to mention the said educational establishment as a &training centre& or a &university& and referred to it as &a business&.

&This institute tries to register as a University these days. Now the government tries to escape from this problem by saying that this controversial project was started during the former government. Let us say that it is true. But then, why is the current government letting the project to continue without any investigation& Handunnetti questioned.

&Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella earlier today made some remarks about leasing 35 acres to Sri Lanka HIRA Foundation (SLHF) for building this so called University in 2013.That land was owned by the Mahaweli Development Authority. How is it possible for a state department to hand over its lands to a Non-Government Organization like that The Leader of the House forgot to mention that fact. The other thing which Kiriella forgot to mention the owner of this HIRA Foundation and who owns the shares of this ‘Sharia University& project. Is he scared to say that this HIRA Foundation is owned by none other than Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M Hizbullah& he further questioned.

&We should investigate these things thoroughly. That is why I hope to summon all the relevant institutions related to this project at the COPE. I am doing it within the power I have as the COPE Chairman. Everyone related to this project should be questioned,& he added.

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Opposition will assist Govt to combat terror - Opposition Leader

The Opposition will assist the government to combat Islamist extremism in the country, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

He added the Opposition will not attempt to take petty political advantage from this incident.

He made these observations joining the adjournment motion debated for the third day on the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks by the Islam extremists and its impact on tourism industry and other related industries.

He said all citizens live in fear in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and this new form of terrorism is totally different from what the country experienced for three decades. He sought public assistance to defeat extremist forces bent on committing destruction.

He requested the government not to open schools until the situation was brought back to normal heeding the advice of His Eminence Cardinal Ranjith and the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theras who requested to do so.

He also said that all members in the government should only have one view on this issue. He said however the President, the Prime Minister and other members held different views and the public stand to lose the confidence on national security.

The Opposition Leader also requested the Police and security forces be allowed to handle this situation.

He said not all Muslims are terrorists. He said that as all object to the Counter Terrorism Act measures to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act to include the other required amendments should be done without delay.

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All Minority laws should be brought under the Fundamental Rights chapter - Jayampathy

All Minority laws should be brought under the Fundamental Rights chapter and the Supreme Court should be allowed to take the decision on what complies with the Fundamental Rights laws and what does not, said UNP MP Jayampathy Wickramaratne.

Joining the debate on the current security situation in the country, he commented on the views expressed regarding various laws in the country such as the Desavalamai law, Kandyan law and the Muslim law. &I was one who always said that all other laws of various segments of society should come under the Fundamental Rights chapter.&

Focusing on the Kandyan laws, he said it has certain of these laws are unfair to females but some are very progressive. &It is the same with the Muslim laws and many Muslim women complain to us that it is unfair to them. But this does not mean that all these laws must be abolished as they are issues pertaining to their relevant cultures.&

He warned that despite the desire of some to do so, these minority laws will never be abolished in this Parliament.

&Therefore, if all private laws are incorporated into the Fundamental Rights laws, then the decision on such matters falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will decide on which sections of these minority laws are in line with the Fundamental rights laws and what are not. Then even Parliament will accept its decision. But, if we try to do it in Parliament, it will never happen,& he said.

He pointed out that the LTTE had international connections to some extent, but the current threat faced by the country is several folds greater than what the country faced during the war. It seems like the IS has given a franchise to this group in Sri Lanka.

&We would like to urge the Muslim leaders not to make the same mistake that was made by the Tamil leaders earlier. They referred to the acts of these LTTE members at the time as acts of young boys. I met a Tamil priest at a conference overseas who asked me why we were so worried about certain small human rights violations by young boys.

I told him there are no small human rights violations and that they are all violations. Hence, the Muslim leaders should not make the same foolish mistakes that the Tamil leaders did at the time.

Hence, they have a huge responsibility to prevent extremism and educate those concerned. We too have a responsibility not to fuel extremist sentiments,& Wickramaratne said.

He expressed sadness regarding the manner in which certain social media sites are being used to spread hatred against the Muslims. &When Muslim youths read these derogatory posts, it only served to push them towards extremism and violence.

Then it becomes harder to get them back on track.

There were many requests to boycott Muslim businesses. If this happens and these businesses close down, the owner will manage to invest elsewhere, but what happens to those who lose their jobs This could pave the way for them to move towards the extremists,& he said, urging the people to act very responsibly without aggravating the situation.

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Hira Foundation permitted to set up only vocational training center - Kiriella

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday revealed that the controversial vocational training center in Batticaloa had several discrepancies pertaining to its establishment.

Kiriella said 35 acres of land was leased to Hira Foundation in 2013 to set up a training center in 2013, for an estimated lease of Rs. 491,200 per year. Taxes amounting to this were also paid, he added.

However, Minister Kiriella pointed out that it was later discovered that the said Hira Foundation was registered in 2014, despite it getting 35 acres of land to establish the training center in 2013.

&This is why we are saying both parties need to take responsibility of this and move on.& Minister Kiriella said.

He made these observations when the Opposition demanded the government to take over the said 'Sharia University' and said the government should be responsible in turning the training center into a university.

According to the Minister, the said 'training center' is not a &university& as claimed by many. He pointed out that Yahapalana government refused the request proposal to accept the said training center as a &university& which was forwarded by then Higher Education Minister Sarath Amunugama, in July 3, 2015.

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Minister Rishad wants Select Committee to probe allegations

Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Vocational Training and Skills Development Minister Rishad Bathiudeen requested the Speaker to appoint a Select Committee to probe into allegations against him by MPs and others.

Joining the adjournment motion debated for the third day on the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attack, he added that when he went abroad for official work, the media and Opposition members said that he fled the country.

"As far as it is wrong, allegations that I am involved with this extremism is baseless. "So I request the Speaker to set up a Select Committee to investigate allegations levelled against me," Minister Bathiudeen said.

He added that the Islam never promotes terrorism but peace.Islam never accepts the terrorist activities that were commenced by the extremists. Nabi never accepted terrorism. He requested not to misinterpret the Quran. "We condole with the relatives of those who died in the attack and those who were injured," Minister Bathiudeen said.

He said MP S. B. Dissanayake made false allegations as he did not join 52 day government.

"Muslims are ready to support to eradicate terrorism. All Muslims are not terrorists," he said.

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Search operations must be more productive - Dinesh

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday questioned what the governmentposition was on the extension of the state of emergency declared in the country.

Gunawardena asked as to why the government had not listed the extension of the State of Emergency in the activity list of yesterdaysession.When would Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe make a statement on the governmentstance, Gunawardena questioned. The gazette on declaring the State of Emergency needs to be extended, if the government is considering such, he pointed out.

&We have not listed the extension of the State of Emergency. Why have you not We do have some reservations on it, but we are supporting the extension of the state of emergency because the country has not been properly brought under security that we want. Day to day life has to be restored. Until it is restored and all the conspirators are brought before justice, they have to be taken into custody, they have to be questioned, links have to be established. That is why you need state of emergency extended.& MP Gunawardena pointed out.

Speaking at the adjournment debate on the prevailing situation in the country following the Easter Sunday carnage, Gunawardena pointed out that the door-to-door search operations need to be intensified and more structured. He urged that security forces should be assisted by security committees working together with the public to make these search operations more productive.

&There are certain areas which are not yet properly searched. I won&t speak about which police stations or which areas. Some places where extremists are meeting have not being searched as yet. Intelligence reports should give this information. I don&t want to criticize any individual in the government. You all have been criticized enough. But you have to do your duty,& he said.

Several spells of light showers will occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces after 2.00 p.m.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR SEA AREAS AROUND THE ISLAND

Mainly fair weather will prevail over the sea areas around the island. Winds will be South-westerly and speed will be 25-35 kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed can be increase up to 50-55 kmph at times in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Kankasanturai via Mannar and the sea area extending from Matara to Batticaloa via Hambantota. Deep and shallow sea areas extending from Matara to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regards.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR NEXT 36 HOURS

Several spells of light showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere. Fairly strong winds up to 40-50 kmph can be expected over Hambantota, Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

Weather Forecast for Main Cities Date : 11-May-2019

City Temperature (0C) Relative Humidity (%) Weather

Max Min Max Min

Anuradhapura 34 25 90 55 Mainly fair

Batticaloa 33 26 85 60 Mainly fair

Colombo 33 27 80 60 Several spells of light showers

Galle 31 27 85 70 Several spells of light showers

Jaffna 34 28 85 60 Mainly fair

Kandy 31 21 95 60 Mainly fair

Nuwara-Eliya 24 11 90 40 Mainly fair

Ratnapura 34 24 95 50 Several spells of light showers

Trincomalee 38 26 85 40 Mainly fair

Mannar 31 28 80 65 Mainly fair

The Sri Lanka Air Force providing security to the country's international airport in Katunayake have eased the entry and exit restrictions considering the inconvenience to the passengers. Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne at the press briefing held at the Media Centre in Kollupitiya, on Thursday (09 May) said the authorities were made aware of the considerable inconvenience to the passengers arriving and departing the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to the enhanced security arrangements put into effect from 21st April.