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USAID supports to modernize SL’s trade facilitation infrastructure

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The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is supporting the Sri Lankan Ministry of Finance to modernize the country’s trade facilitation infrastructure through the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Trade National Single Window System (TNSWS). The TNSWS, when operational, will streamline the collection of information required for trade, leading to increased transparency and efficiency, reduced costs, and more potential revenue.

As part of our ongoing collaboration, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies with support from USAID recently held a workshop for 94 key TNSWS project stakeholders. The interactive workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of how the single window system works and its benefits. It also encouraged collaboration and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s TNSWS implementation.

“As a long-time partner and Sri Lanka’s largest export market, the United States supports efforts to boost exports and improve efficiency for businesses and government agencies. We are committed to initiatives like the TNSWS, which will make trade more transparent and predictable, easing business challenges,” said USAID Mission Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Gabriel Grau.

Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, emphasized, “Establishing a trade national single window system is crucial as Sri Lanka recovers from an unprecedented economic crisis. The TNSWS will increase our trade competitiveness and support export growth, leading to sustained economic stability.”

As part of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, which Sri Lanka signed in 2017, implementation of a TNSWS is required.  Implementation of a TNSWS received cabinet approval in 2022.

Over the past year, the United States has provided technical assistance to help the Government of Sri Lanka establish a Project Implementation Unit to lead the TNSWS project.

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Govt. urged to cap mask & sanitiser prices

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The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.

He said this during a media briefing.

Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.

Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.

“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.

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Several senior police officers transferred

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The National Police Commission has approved a series of immediate transfers and appointments affecting several senior police officers.

Senior Superintendent Of Police M.S. Mohan Lal has been appointed as the Director of Investigations at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). He currently serves as CIABOC. He previously served as the SSP in charge of the Financial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The list of transfers and appointments is as follows:

  1. Senior Superintendent of Police M.S. Mohanlal – From the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as Director (Investigations) of that Commission
  2. Superintendent of Police A.S.K. Bandara – from Ampara Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  3. Assistant Superintendent of Police W.T. Anuranga – from Mount Lavinia Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  4. Assistant Superintendent of Police B.L.A. Prasanna – from Elpitiya Division to Nugegoda Division
  5. Assistant Superintendent of Police M.D.P. Deepthi Kumara – From Nugegoda Division to Elpitiya Division
  6. Chief Inspector of Police J.D.D.C. Jayakody – from the post of OIC of Balangoda Police to Badulla Division for general duties.
  7. Chief Inspector of Police W.D.K.C. Navaratne – to perform duties as OIC of Balangoda Police Station from Colombo Central Division.
  8. Chief Inspector of Police R.P.C.U. Rajapaksa – to perform the duties of the post of OIC of the Udawalawe Police Station from the Human Resources Management Division.
  9. Chief Inspector of Police B.P.L. Fernando – transferred from the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters to Batticaloa Division for general duties.
  10. Chief Inspector of Police K.M.D.N.D. Kangara – From the post of OIC of Delft Police to the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters
  11. Chief Inspector of Police K.W.C.N. Abeynarayana – from the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police to the post of OIC of Delft Police
  12. Chief Inspector of Police S.S.K.Rathnayake – To perform the duties of the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police from Matale Division
  13. Chief Inspector of Police D.G.S. Wijesinghe – transferred from the post of OIC of Nawa Kurunduwatta Police to Gampaha Division for general duties
  14. Police Inspector M.H.N. Tharaka – As OIC of Poovarasankulam Police from the post of OIC of Bemmulla Police
  15. Inspector of Police S.M.N.N. Siripathi – As OIC of Bemmulla Police Station from Negombo Division

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Govt to recruit 10,000 retired soldiers to Police

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The Ministry of Public Security plans to recruit 10,000 individuals under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service into the police force.

Public Security Minister – Ananda Wijepala announced this during the opening of the Thambutthegama Superintendent of Police office.

He had stated that a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to recruit these ex-military personnel for a 05 year period will be submitted to the Cabinet today (June 09).

Meanwhile, he also revealed that approximately 7,880 children have been identified as being at risk of drug abuse.

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