News

What will happen to SLT’s most precious fiber optic cables?

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2023

editor

Among the physical assets owned by Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) to be sold, it is reported that the most valuable asset is the cable system consisting of five underground cables (submarine fiber optic cable system) that provides communication facilities from Sri Lanka to foreign countries.

Meanwhile, it was reported that both Malaysia and India are trying to buy the SLT.

However, it is said that if SLT were to sell the 49.5% shares owned by the government, Malaysia’s Global Telecom Holding (GTH), which owns 44.98% of the SLT, should first be invited.

According to the SLT Privatization Agreement, shares of GTH owned by Malaysian Tamil Buddhist Ananda Krishnan of Sri Lankan origin and the Sri Lankan Government are prohibited from being sold to third parties.

The government can sell its 49.5% stake to a third party only if the Malaysian company refuses to buy the shares.

Lalitha Hewagamage, a social media activist, in a post on his Facebook page said that Malaysia’s Dialog Axiata already owns more than 82.74% of Dialog’s shares. If GTH owns SLT, Malaysia will be the lead telecommunications owner in Sri Lanka.

He said that this is a beautiful acquisition compared to the South Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and English conquests.

He also said that the minions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe are trying to violate the agreement and transfer the shares owned by the government to a third buyer like Lycamobile or Reliance.

Mr. Hewagamage warned that if the agreement is violated, the country will have to pay compensation to GTH in an international court in the future.

He said the amount of compensation could be more than the amount obtained by selling the shares owned by the government.

Who is behind the idea?

Economic experts pointed out that developed countries with large economies have achieved their economic growth by moving to the world of e-commerce.

Accordingly, it is important for the government to have a stake in the country’s communication system to develop a country.

Meanwhile, security analysts pointed out that India is already working carefully to acquire the printing of national identity cards and its database, and its second step is to take over the national communication network.

Indian wolves vying for SLT

It has been confirmed that Reliance company owned by the Mittals family, as well as Jio company owned by Mukesh Ambani and Lycamobile owned by Subaskaran Aliraja are interested in buying SLT.

Reliance also owns Airtel in Sri Lanka.

Rohan is the most unsuccessful chairman…

Meanwhile, SLT trade unions said that current Chairman Rohan Fernando is the most unsuccessful chairman in SLT history.

Though the Chairman has told the media how SLT has become profitable, they said he is now silent about selling such a profitable company.

What Nanda Malini said about selling country’s resources:

News

SLPP poses condition to consider RW as presidential candidate

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna General Secretary – Sagara Kariyawasam says that the party might consider President Ranil Wickremesinghe as their presidential candidate if the latter resigns from the United National Party (UNP) and joins the SLPP instead.

He had said this to the media after a discussion at the SLPP headquarters

Kariyawasam further stated, “For the next presidential election, we are yet to name a specific candidate. We will nominate the right candidate at the right time.”

News

Japan – SL sign Exchange of Notes for JDS scholarship

Published

3 hours ago

July 3, 2024

editor

Yesterday (July 02), the Foreign Ministers of Japan and Sri Lanka Kamikawa Yoko and Ali Sabry, signed the Exchange of Notes for Human Resource Development Scholarship (known as JDS) in Tokyo during his official visit to Japan, marking a new milestone for JDS in Sri Lanka.

Through the Exchange of Notes, the Government of Japan has provided a grant aid worth approximately Rs.578 million (304 million Japanese Yen) for this project. This project aims to train young promising administrative officers in the public sector at various universities in Japan and develop their knowledge and skills in order to qualify them as future national leaders in their respective fields. Under the project, 17 public sector officials will be sent to pursue a 2 to 3 year Master’s or PhD degree programs commencing in 2025. Their research areas include Public Policy, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and Investment Management, Industry Development Policy and Investment Promotion, and Urban and Regional Development.

Since its inception in 2010, JDS project has supported 222 public sector officials from Sri Lanka. The project will contribute not only to enhancing individual capacities but also to improving institutional capacity of the public sector, thereby supporting healthy and sustainable development of Sri Lanka. We sincerely hope that JDS fellows will play indispensable roles in navigating Sri Lanka’s administration towards full-scale economic growth that we all anticipate coming following the recent agreement on the debt restructuring with the official creditors.

‘JDS fellows are also expected to further solidify the foundations of the bilateral relations with Japan as a bridge between both countries by utilizing their human network developed through academic and social activities while in Japan. In this regard, we welcome the launch of the JDS Alumni Association by the JDS returnees in March this year. We have high hopes for the JDS Alumni Association to facilitate the sharing of knowledge they gained in Japan and encourage collaboration among relevant ministries and agencies, thereby promoting ingenuity in overcoming various difficulties and in ultimately achieving Sri Lanka’s prosperous development. We also hope that the JDS Alumni Association will serve as a vital hub for strengthening our bilateral relations,’ a statement issued by the Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka notes.

It adds that with the signing of the Exchange of Note, the commitment to JDS is renewed with the hope of energizing and solidifying the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

News

Clearance of imported goods delayed due to TU action

Published

4 hours ago

July 3, 2024

editor

Customs Spokesman Seevali Arukgoda has said the clearance of imported goods has been delayed due to the work-to-rule campaign launched by Customs officials yesterday (July 02).

The TU action was launched against amendments to be brought to the Customs Ordinance.

President of the Customs Officers’ Association Amila Sanjeewa said the trade union members will strike on Thursday (04) and Friday (05) against the proposed Revenue Authority Bill.