U.S. State Dept. Officials Will Visit Asian Countries

Tuesday February 7, 2012

Officials will visit Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Officials will visit Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. will travel to South Asia, marking Under Secretary Otero’s inaugural trip to the region since she assumed her new duties as Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

During this travel Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will consult with a broad cross section of government and civil society leaders on a range of issues including education and youth programs, trafficking in persons, and peace, accountability and reconciliation processes.

Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka February 12-14. In Sri Lanka, Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will meet with a broad spectrum of Sri Lankan government officials and attend a luncheon hosted by Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris. Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will also meet with civil society representatives, youth groups, and political leaders.

Following her visit to Sri Lanka, Under Secretary Otero will travel to New Delhi, India February 14-15 to meet with senior government officials, civil society representatives and youth leaders. She will engage on a range of issues including trafficking in persons, refugees, and regional security. Under Secretary Otero will then travel to Nepal February 15-16. In Kathmandu, she will meet with government and civil society leaders to discuss a number of bilateral and regional issues, including the peace process in Nepal and rule of law, steps to combat trafficking in persons, and youth engagement.

Assistant Secretary Blake will depart Colombo for Bangladesh, where he will stay February 14-16 and participate in a series of education and university events. On February 14, Assistant Secretary Blake will attend the Edward M. Kennedy Commemoration at Dhaka University. This commemoration will bring together eminent members of Bangladeshi society along with State Department alumni and youth leaders to celebrate American-Bangladeshi friendship and the 40 year anniversary of Senator Kennedy’s visit to Dhaka in 1972. While in Dhaka, Assistant Secretary Blake will also meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other senior government officials and representatives of civil society. Assistant Secretary Blake will also travel to Chittagong, where he will attend events at the Independent University Bangladesh and Asian University for Women, and participate in a Certificate of Completion Ceremony for madrassa students who have held English language scholarships. Assistant Secretary Blake will also visit a Grameen Bank Borrower’s Group site in Bangladesh.

Rajapaksa double-speak holds Sri Lanka captive to its history

Firstpost POLITICS

The modern history of Sri Lanka, centered around the politics of its Tamil minority population and its umbilically bound relationship with India, is one of broken promises, linguistic chauvinism, mutual distrust – and all-round treachery.

The annihilation in May 2009 of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which waged a bloody 30-year campaign for a separatist Tamil homeland and was in its time arguably the world’s most ruthless killing machine, gave rise to hopes that Sri Lanka might just be able to break free of its tortured history – and move towards lasting political reconciliation.

But recent twists and turns in the political discourse in the island-nation point to a regression into the old habits of double-speak, and reflect an unwillingness to “seize the moment” to let ancient ethnic quarrels die down.

In particular, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appears in recent days to be walking away from promises he had made to India and to Sri Lanka’s own Tamil minority population that he would seek out a political solution based on devolution of powers to autonomous provincial councils under the 13th amendment of the Constitution.

   Full Story>>>

Lankan Tamil leaders meet US diplomat Rapp

Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 
Colombo: Ahead of a key UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session where the US may move an anti-Sri Lanka resolution, leaders of the main Tamil party here on Tuesday met visiting US diplomat Stephen Rapp and discussed matters relating to the minority community. 

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R Sampanthan and the party's national list MP M A Sumanthiran held talks with Rapp, the US Ambassador at Large on Global Criminal Justice who is on a 4-day visit to the island nation. 
Several matters related to the problems faced by the minority Tamils were discussed at the meeting, a TNA release said. 

Rapp's visit assumes significance against the backdrop of accusations by Colombo that the US was trying to coax governments to support its possible anti-Sri Lanka resolution at the UNHRC session in Geneva later this month.. 
The proposed resolution is likely to be based on a letter sent to Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister G L Peiris by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on January 27 emphasising the need for implementing recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). 

Two more US officials who would be visiting Colombo over the weekend are Under Secretary for Civilian Security Democracy and Human Rights Marie Otero and Assistant Secretary for Central and South Asian Affairs Robert Blake. 

PTI

IMPLEMENTING LLRC COULD HAVE STARTED ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

February 6, 2012

by Jehan Perera

Addressing the nation and the international community on Independence Day President Mahinda Rajapaksa made many inspirational statements.  These could be regarded as statements of government policy that will charter the future course of the country. The President’s speech was also finely tuned to appeal to the nationalism of the masses of people and their sense of patriotism. Making reference to the economic crisis that the country was experiencing and which is eroding their standards of living he said that "We would be able to exist as an independent, sovereign state only if we strengthen our economy. We have to get together and work just as we got together and worked with dedication to defeat terrorism."

 The President’s promise with regard to economic prosperity was important in the context of the pessimism that has set in on account of balance of payments difficulties.  For months, in the face of governmental denials, independent economists have been warning that the country’s economy is imbalanced with imports far exceeding exports.  The economic success has led to huge imports and the country’s trade deficit touched a record USD 9 billion in the first 11 months of last year, shrinking its foreign currency reserves to USD 6 billion by January 2012.  Foreign reserves stood at USD 8 billion in July 2011.  Now the Central Bank has announced a devaluation of the rupee which will have adverse consequences on the cost of living of the masses of people  Read more...

Fishermen's tragedy exposes Sri Lanka's early-warning gaps

  07 Feb 2012 12:07

A traditional fishing boat operates in waters near Kaparatotta, Sri Lanka, where 14 fishermen were killed when gale force winds swept through in November 2011, without any early warning of the storm. ALERTNET/Indika Sriyan

By Amantha Perera

KAPARATOTTA, Sri Lanka (AlertNet) - When they headed out into shallow waters that evening, the fishermen of the small village of Kaparatotta didn’t notice anything to cause alarm. The sky was a little cloudy, and the sea its usual boisterous self - not safe for a swim, yet nothing seasoned fishermen couldn’t handle.

But around 9 pm on Nov. 25, 2011, the ocean suddenly turned vicious. Within a few minutes, the small wooden boats with outboard engines, trolling just 1 to2 kilometers from shore, were being battered by waves as high as 25 feet.  Full Story>>>

Teen wins Ontario Junior Citizen of Year Award

 

Teen wins Ontario Junior Citizen of Year Award. Andrew Sigmaringam, right, receives his Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year certificate from Grace Peacok, managing editor of the Etobicoke Guardian. Sigmaringam is one of 12 young people from across the province honoured by the Ontario Community Newspaper Association for outstanding community contribution. Born deaf, Sigmaringam works extensivly as a peer mentor and leader, and will be studying social work at Ryerson University next September. Staff photo/MARY GAUDET

February 7, 2012

An Etobicoke teen has been awarded the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award.

The award recognizes youth ages six to 27 who are outstanding leaders making a difference in their communities.

Nominees may be involved in community service, contribute to their community while living with a physical or psychological limitation, have performed acts of heroism or bravery or are simply "good kids" who show a commitment to making life better for others.

Andrew Sigmaringam, 17, is one of 12 finalists out of 176 nominees who will receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award at a ceremony in Toronto in March officiated by Lt.-Gov. David Onley.

Born deaf, Andrew had cochlear implant surgery as a toddler to allow him to hear and has helped other deaf students receive the necessary surgery "that has made him so successful," said his teacher Diana Francavilla, who nominated him for the award.

"Andrew is an unselfish member of our community - ready to help in any way he can."

Andrew helped raise $5,000 for Free the Children, a charity that empowers "children helping children through education." He has assisted children with autism. He speaks about his personal experiences as a guest speaker at workshops.

Another Etobicoke native, Andrea Tenuta, 17, will receive a 2011 Junior Citizen of the Year certificate for her nomination.

Andrea acted as student leader for three years at Father Serra Catholic Elementary School to organize toy collections for the CHUM City Christmas Wish. She has spent 160 hours as a Bible camp counsellor at All Saints Church.

Andrea has also been the main organizer at Bishop Allen Academy Catholic Secondary School's Irie Huntington's fundraiser, which raised approximately $3,000 each year.

This March Break, Andrea is headed to Guatemala to work at an orphanage.

The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are promoted through 300-plus member newspapers of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association, which includes The Etobicoke Guardian, with the support of corporate sponsors TD Bank Group and Direct Energy.

Six murders, two suicides in past two month in Jaffna due to military presence: Udul

TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 


The ‘We are Sri Lankans' organisation yesterday charged that there had been six murders and two suicides in the Jaffna district in the past two months allegedly owing to the large military presence in the north which the organisation said should be removed immediately from the area.

The organisation which aims to promote national unity said despite continuous assurances from the government that the military would promote the quality of life and development in the north and other parts of the country, the organisation’s Convener Udul Premaratne said the military presence created further restrictions to the people living in the area. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

America advancing proposals against SL is a concocted brazen lie: hereunder is the truth

(Lanka-e-News-07.Feb.2012,4.00PM) The regime’s media and pro regime private media have made a big din that the USA has decided to present to the UN human rights Council proposals against Sri Lanka (SL). It is now high time to convey to the people the true picture in this regard.

The SL authorities claim that this ‘hostile’ action is purportedly contained in the telex message sent by US State Secretary Hilary Clinton to SL foreign Minister. But according to this message , text of which is given hereunder there is no such proposal against the SL Govt. 

The SL Rajapakse regime had earlier promised to the International community that after the recommendations based on the events during the war are made by the Lessons learnt and reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed by the SL Govt., an action plan will be brought before the Parliament. There it is stated that the Commission in its proposals to the Human rights Council has made mention that there occurred no such events and has forced to accept its recommendations . But before this , the foreign Minister had been invited for a discussion. It has been regretted that the LLRC has not inquired into whether the two parties have violated international laws during the war. 

The members constituting the LLRC were not foreigners . They were appointed by the regime chief. Those are not recommendations which cannot be implemented. Like the opposition parties of SL , India too wanted them implemented. In those circumstances , it is only the mentally deranged and feeble who would claim ‘ proposals are antagonistic to SL’.

How can proposals recommending to restore Democracy in the country be against SL?

In a country where an individual is sentenced to a three year jail term , just because a journalist (female) with a tainted antecedence induced by bribes wrote an article in a newspaper based on statements purported to be made by that individual , and which allegations of the infamous journalist had no supporting evidence via a tape recording or any other , where can there be justice or lawfulness? How will the world treat the rulers of such a country who mete out punishment to an individual who is the victim of unsubstantiated accusations and who allow the journalist who blatantly lied and wrote a false story against him go scot free.

In a country where a notorious kudu (drug) peddler is a monitoring Minister in the defense Ministry , can such governance be democratic? Or a Mafia administration ? Didn’t no less a person than the Prime Minister of this Rajapakse regime himself admit that there are drug dealers among them? In a country where law abiding citizens are forcibly abducted in broad daylight by the notorious criminal white Van and murdered ? can there be Democracy? What prevails in this country is not only a flagrant breach of international laws , but even the sacrosanct rule of law of the country has gone to the dogs. In such a country , when a proposal is made to it to enthrone Democracy , and if such proposals are construed by anybody as ‘ against the country’ is it not such a scoundrel a traitor ? Robert O Blake ,America’s Deputy State Secretary for central and south Asian affairs , and Mary Otero , the US Deputy State Secretary are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on the 12th to hold discussions on this matter. An American Ambassador on universal criminal laws was also to visit SL on the 6th , that is, yesterday. The letter sent by Hilary Clinton is published hereunder…

By Sandaruwan Senadheera -Editor LeN (Translated from Sinhala by Jeff)

IMF Dodges on Sri Lanka as Defense Spending Climbs 30%, "Stealth Militarization"

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 6 -- When the International Monetary Fund establishing a lending program with Sri Lanka in 2009, the year in which according even to a UN report the government killed tens of thousands of civilians, the IMF stated that

"This, together with savings on military spending ... should help finance the considerable reconstruction spending needs... Cuts in military and other expenditures will help make room for post-conflict reconstruction and relief spending."

  The IMF has since been ducking questions about its program in Sri Lanka, declining to answer questions submitted during and after its biweekly media briefings, most recently this year on January 12 and January 26. 

 Inner City Press first asked the IMF about Sri Lanka in Mrach 2009, when spokesman David Hawley saying the IMF would support the government's priority. Since then, despite some answer on other countries, the IMF has stonewalled on Sri Lanka.

  The IMF's reasoning has belatedly become clear in a table of data the Fund sent out on January 31 in response to inquiries by the Sri Lanka Campaign to Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

  First, the IMF's "head of mission" to Sri Lanka Brian Aitkins sent a response claiming that in Sri Lanka "overall security-related spending has declined both as a share of GDP and of total government spending."

  When asked for the data behind this claim, the IMF produced a chart, about which Inner City Press has asked the IMF for comment -- so far, there has been none -- and which is now being placed online here.

  Contrary to the IMF's table, according to the SLC,

"much of the so called 'reconstruction' work the Government is conducting in the north and the east – no doubt under non military budget headings – is actually a form of militarization by stealth. Our contacts in the north talk of the creeping infiltration of the military into every aspect of civilian life – and that in the Vanni area soldiers now form one third of the population.

A non exhaustive list of industries the military is involved in would include: construction, fruit production, whale watching, fishing, hotels, management of the three largest cricket stadiums, pedalo hire, and transport. This militarization is doing untold damage to Sri Lankan society and rapidly undermining the primacy of the civilian state. The IMF demanded a cut in the defense budget and instead the Government of Sri Lanka increased defense spending by 30%. This demands firm action."

   But what action will the IMF take? So far, it has been unwilling to even answer questions.

(c) UN Photo
IMF's Lagarde & UN's Ban Ki-moon, supporting militarized Sri Lanka?

  Meanwhile at the UN, Inner City Press on February 6 again asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman aboutBan accepting as a "Senior Adviser" on Peacekeeping Shavendra Silva, named in Ban's own Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka in connection with war crimes such as shelling hospitals and killing people who were trying to surrender.

   On this, SLC chairman Edward Mortimer after back and forth told Inner City Press:

“It’s disgraceful that someone against whom there are strong and credible charges of war crimes should serve as Deputy Permanent Representative of his country at the UN, and even more disgraceful that the Asian Group has chosen him, without even taking a vote, to serve on the Secretary-General’s Special Advisory Group on Peacekeeping Operations – disgraceful, and insulting to the Secretary-General. I’m surprised that he puts up with it.”

Keheliya’s condition serious after a fall in Australia

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 

Our sources in Australia say that Sri Lanka Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is being treated in a serious condition after a fall on Monday from a third floor balcony at commo hotel in south yara near Melbourne city.

The Minister has tried to jump to the balcony of the adjacent room after he mistakenly locked his room’s door to the balcony having gone there for a smoke. The Minister who was a bit drunk at that moment has fallen from the third floor balcony to a flower bush on the ground.

Our sources say that Minister Rambukwella’s both legs are broken as a result of the fall. He has also received serious head injuries. Doctors who conducted surgeries at room no 701 at alfred hospital in Melbourne, have so far failed to get any positive result.

Sri Lanka Media Minister has accompanied his son, young cricket sta Ramith Rambukwella, to Australia where Ramith was to undergo a knee surgery. The Minister’s wife has left for Australia last night.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 February 2012 11:17

US confirms Blakes visit

 Tuesday, February 07, 2012

The US State department has confirmed that US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. will travel to Sri Lanka next week.

Earlier the US Embassy in Colombo and the External Affairs remained tight lipped over his visit to Colombo despite details being leaked to the media.

However in a press statement on Monday the State Department confirmed that Blake will visit Sri Lanka between February 12-14.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero will also be in Sri Lanka during that period, the State Department said.

In Sri Lanka, Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will meet with a broad spectrum of Sri Lankan government officials and attend a luncheon hosted by Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris. Under Secretary Otero and Assistant Secretary Blake will also meet with civil society representatives, youth groups, and political leaders.

Following her visit to Sri Lanka, Under Secretary Otero will travel to New Delhi, India February 14-15 to meet with senior government officials, civil society representatives and youth leaders.

Assistant Secretary Blake will depart Colombo for Bangladesh, where he will stay from February 14-16 and participate in a series of education and university events.

Unperturbed, He writes this poem: Interview with Cheran

 Ignite Your Mind

Vavuniya Refugee Camp

Aparna Eswaran in conversation with Eelam poet Cheran Rudhramoorthy

As an undergraduate student, Cheran Rudhramoorthy from atop his hostel room witnessed the burning of Jaffna city and the public library being set ablaze by the Sri Lankan military forces. He saw therein, a message the fire had written upon the clouds. It was a sunset, but he called it a second sunrise, knowing very well that the future was bleak, because “when you burn books, what follows next is inevitably a burning of people”. In a powerful prophetic vision, he saw the apocalypse approaching. Thirty years later when he comes out with his eighth collection of poems, Kaadaatru (The Healing of the forest), the unsettling images of his earlier poems; the wounded land mass, the dance of the dead, the blood of tears; had all come true. By May, 2009, genocide had been committed, people were burned.
R. Cheran

Growing up among books and in company of poets that included the influence of his father ‘Mahakavi’, Cheran very early on discovered the oral potential of poetry. He memorized and recited huge chunks of his poetry in public and performed in plays. Cheran’s poetry is also a continuing story of Sri Lanka and Tamils, the poet and his craft journeys with it. The lyricism and aesthetic resonances of his earlier poetry gave way over time to a more economic writing which conveyed the parching of sensibilities at the onslaught of external violence, of living amidst the dead. In his early poems while we see a depiction of the pastoral beauties of his land, later on, the same landscape is evoked to convey the brutality committed on it by the war. Each poem of his became a testimony of a witness, a draft of the struggle at understanding, at reconciliation. It is also a human document pleading for clarity in the most difficult of times, when forgetting is a crime. He became the chronicler of specific events as well as a curator of universal human emotions.

READ MORE

A powerful country begins investigating illegal deals transacted by regime

Monday 6 of February 2012
(Lanka-e-News-06.Feb.2012, 11.45PM) A country wielding immense power and influence has begun special investigations into the illegal transactions conducted and those on going ones of the Rajapakse regime in association with other foreign countries.

With the surfacing of an illegal transaction of the Rajapakse regime with Iran , this investigation has been commenced.
During the period of the SL war , the sudden visit of Iranian President to SL , and the illegal deal transacted not in keeping with accepted customs and norms has come to light , which has triggered this investigation , according to information reaching us.
These same informed sources further added , more illegal deals transacted by the regime chief along with Sajith Vaas Gunawardena who is a regular member of the entourage of regime chief’s foreign tours , will get exposed shortly.

AA bigwig close to the regime is in the process of exposing these illicit transactions.

Defense Secretary Bayagotha ignores SL independence day and visits India seeking Sai Baba protection

Monday 6 of February 2012

Defense Secretary Bayagotha ignores SL independence day and visits India seeking Sai Baba protection (Lanka-e-News-06.Feb.2012, 11.45PM) The Sri Lanka (SL) defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse reckoned as ranking second only to the President in the hierarchy did not participate in this year’s independence celebrations . Since it is being made known that Bayagotha’s ‘stars’ are increasingly turning against him , Bayagotha on the day of the independence commemoration was at the ‘Devale’ of Sai Baba situated in Shirdi town, Maharashta province in India which is attended by devotees following Sai Baba . Bayagotha was there on that day performing a pooja in that Devale. This Sai Baba is not the Sathya Sai who passed away recently. Bayagotha who fell at the feet of Sai Baba in worship was accompanied by his wife and son. SL defense Secretary Bayagotha after humbly worshiping the Sai Baba , told the Indian media when answering questions that he is a devotee of Sai Baba : "I am a devotee of Sai Baba. I come to Shirdi two times a year to offer my prayers. I also make it a point to read one chapter of ''Shri Saisatcharitra'' (Sai Baba''s life story) every day. Sai Baba' s secular teachings have found a number of devotees in Sri Lanka," he added. What Bayagotha told after going so close to Sai Baba was a deliberate and blatant lie. Though Bayagotha had forgotten , it is this ‘Bayagotha’ who fled to America in mortal fear of the SL war , and never even spared a thought for his motherland for 16 years , let alone visit . This Bayagotha who did not pay a visit to see even his brothers in SL for 16 long years lied that he went to India to see Sai Baba twice a year. Baygotha who is noted for his cowardice in SL has proved to the Indians , he is also an accomplished liar.

Can GOSL Implement LLRC Recommendations?

*groundview journalism For citizens 

Photo credit Ada Derana

This is the question of the day. This is raised nationally and internationally and answers contrast for different reasons. In this article, I endeavor to briefly answer this question from a governance perspective, keeping in mind the present socio-political realities  in Sri Lanka.

The President appointed the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliations (LLRC) on 15^th May 2010 with a broad mandate to inquire into and report on specific matters, in terms of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. The title of the Commission and the mandate in general suggests that the objective of the appointment of the LLRC is to find ways for reconciliation among all communities, after a bloody ethnic conflict.  It is also possible to argue that the LLRC was appointed to advise the Head of the State on how to avoid a national tragedy in the future. The Warrant has, among others the following term of reference:Continue reading »
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LLRC head’s wife to be appointed as Justice Ministry Secretary

‘US aiming to corner Lanka at UN rights session’

 Monday, February 06, 2012, 
Colombo: A close ally of Sri Lankan President on Monday claimed that US was working to "haul" Mahinda Rajapaksa before the international court in the Hague over war crimes. 
"The US has got busy collecting signatures to move the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council session in March", Wimal Weerawansa, the minister of engineering services and construction told a public gathering at Matale in the central province. 

"They (US) will frame charges against Sri Lanka for war crimes in order to haul president (Rajapaksa) before the international court in the Hague", Weerawansa stressed. 

"The public must stand as one against this US action," he said. Weerawansa, the leader of the nationalist National Freedom Party (NFF) is a key ally of the president Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

The NFF leader's comments came ahead of the impending Sri Lanka visits by key US officials, Steven J Rapp, the Ambassador at large on war crimes and Robert O'Blake, the Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian affairs.

2011: Lanka $1.491 billion tea exports of $10 billion worldwide

SRI LANKA: Tea rich but nutrient poor
Photo: Contributor/IRIN
Sunday 05 February 2012Children from the estate sector
2011: Lanka $1.491 billion tea exports of $10 billion worldwide
By Elmo Leonard
Sri Lanka’s 2011 tea exports of $1.491 billion was the highest for a tea producing country while global exports of this commodity was $10 billion, Minister of Plantation Industries Mahinda Samarasinghe said last week. Colombo tea auction prices for 2011 was higher by half a US dollar per kilogram over that in other auction centres the world over, Minister Samarasinghe told delegates at the 20th session of the Food and Agricultural Organization’s (FAO) IGG – Inter Government Group, which met in Colombo, last week.
Colombo hosted the FAO sessions marking 145 years of commercial tea production in Sri Lanka. In attendance were over 100 delegates from 25 nations. Deliberations were intended to cover issues over the next ten years, from current market activity, the progress of selected tea markets, factors affecting supply and demand, analysis of risk management and short to medium term factors.  
Also marking the milestone of the 145th year, chairperson, Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) Janaki Kuruppu took over the chairmanship of the FAO-IGG body on tea. Kuruppu will hold the post for the next two years having succeeded Ashok Mangotra, India’s additional secretary to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Minister Samarasinghe called on FAO to hold a producer forum of tea producing countries, to ensure mutual benefit for all.     
Minister Samarasinghe drew attention to external factors which affect tea prices. During the past year unrest in the Middle East reduced demand from some of Sri Lanka’s main buyers; the Euro Zone countries saw a weakening currency and Japan was hit by a series of natural disasters. Thus, there is a possibility in the future of external factors affecting global prices. Necessi-tating a win-win outcome, Minister Samarasinghe called for a producer conference, with Sri Lanka willing “without hesitation” to host such a conference on tea during the coming year. 
Two million or 20 per cent of Sri Lanka’s workforce is directly and indirectly involved in the island’s tea industry. Around 1.5 to 2 per cent of Sri Lanka’s GDP comes from tea. Yet, there is a need to bring down Sri Lanka’s extremely high cost of producing tea, Samarasinghe said. 
The Tea Board head said that while Sri Lanka had a name change from Ceylon, in 1972, the word Ceylon Tea, a branded name, stood firm and continued to grow.