The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) will hold a session on “Bilateral Trade between Sri Lanka and Norway”. The seminar will be held on Wednesday 20 January 2016 from 3.00 to 4.30 p.m. at the National Chamber Auditorium on D R Wijewardene Mawatha in Colombo.Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka Ambassador Thorbjørn Gaustadsætherwill grace the occasion as the Special Guest Speaker.

The Norwegian Ambassador will speak on current business trend, trade potential, opportunities for export, import and investment, and other services available in Norway.

At the session the participants will get an opportunity to meet the Ambassador and officials to clarify issues related to doing business with the Netherlands.

Sri Lanka’s exports to Netherlands include apparel, gloves, headgear while imports from Norway include fertilizer, machines and mechanical appliances. Potential export items include textile, eco-friendly garments, silver jewelry, leather products, ceramics, and coir.

(N.Sethurupan)

Sri Lanka and Norway bilateral trade needs to be increased, Norway’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Thorbjourn Gaustadsaether said on Wednesday (20th). Addressing a forum on bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Norway held by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) at the NCCSL, he said that bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Norway increased by 26% to USD 32 million since 2008.The balance of trade is in Sri Lanka’s favour, (exports US$ 20 million and imports US$ 12 million.)
Norwegian private sector is keen in going abroad for investment and looking for potential markets.

“Our companies have identified some priority sectors for cooperation in Sri Lanka based on its own expertise and comparative advantage,” he said.

Among those sectors were oil and gas, marine and maritime sector including aquaculture and off shore fish farming, energy mainly renewables like solar, information and communication technology and tourism.

“I have been contacted and informed by Norwegian companies of their interest to work in the oil and gas industry, they are awaiting the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) responses in this connection, the Ambassador said.

“Technical expertise and support services in the oil and gas industry are key areas where I believe the Norwegian private sector can play a key role.”

Similarly, in the maritime and marine sector, Norwegian companies can play a role in the support services in maritime transport, IT related services, supplies, also on technical assistance and technology transfer.

Norwegian Ship Owners Federation which is the largest in the world is keen to develop ‘climate friendly’ sea transport, he added.

Norwegians expertise in the fisheries sector, which fetches the second largest revenue in offshore fish farming, is one of the key successful areas in the Norwegian export economy, he said.

In the renewable energy sector, a Norwegian company has done a thorough feasibility study for generating 300MW of power from solar energy and scaling it up to 900 MW.

“The company is ready to make its presence here as and when the required green light is given, he added.

He also said, there are several Norwegian operations in Sri Lanka’s BPO and software development sector.

Speaking about Sri Lanka’s investor friendly political situation he said that good governance, rule of law and sound economic management go hand in hand and predictability and managing risks are key priorities for any investor. Getting the systems and priorities right are important.”

“Norway, among other international players, is happy to note the new government’s open and liberal policies for business and investment, and Norway is keen to support Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process and the rebuilding of its economy,” Gaustadsaether said.

The domestic mechanism process on the war will begin next week, SriLankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says. The observation was made after having official talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Børge Brende today. “You are coming to Sri Lanka at a time when Sri Lanka is trying to come to terms with its past and to forge ahead. The domestic mechanisms through which we are trying to address this past, are in the process of being developed and the consultation process to design these mechanisms, will begin next week,” Samaraweera said.He also went on to say that also a special session of Parliament will form a constitutional council, a committee consisting of the whole Parliament, which will begin the serious business of consulting the people and drafting a new constitution for Sri Lanka that reflects the aspirations of all Sri Lankans on Saturday.
“Your visit Minister Brende, comes at a very propitious moment, as Sri Lankans are preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the Sirisena Presidency and the new political trajectory that Sri Lanka undrtook one year ago. As Sri Lanka embarks on this new path, we are encouraged that we have been able to gain the support and confidence of the international community after years of censure and isolation.

The Government of Norway and United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] in Sri Lanka recently entered in to a partnership agreement to improve access to justice and livelihood opportunities of the recently resettled communities in the Jaffna District of Sri Lanka. Country Director of the UNDP in Sri Lanka, Joern Soerensen and Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka, Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther signed a partnership agreement to extend Government of Norway’s support to the recently resettled communities in the Jaffna District.UNDP Sri Lanka, with support of the Government of Norway, will strengthen its work on improving access to justice and livelihood opportunities of the recently resettled communities in the district.

The event held in Colombo, was also attended by Mr. Knut Nyfløt, Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ms. Vidya Perera, Senior Advisor, Royal Norwegian Embassy and Mr. Rajendrakumar Ganesarajah, Assistant Country Director, UNDP Sri Lanka.

(N.Sethu)

Foreign Minister of Norway, Borge Brende arrived in Sri Lanka this morning. Upon his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister was welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera.Sri Lanka and Norway are set to ink agreements enhancing economic development and cooperation. The two foreign ministers are set to hold bilateral discussions later this evening. This is the first visit by a high-ranking official of Norway after eleven years.

Norway has pledged their technical support to conduct an assessment on marine fish stocks in Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister of Norway Børge Brende said. “We would like to support in the assessment of the fish stocks with our research vessel.

I think there is also a huge potential for renewables like solar,” Minister Brende said.Brende was speaking at the Foreign Ministry following the meeting with Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday.

The Two countries have also agreed to explore the possibility of expanding Norwegian investment in Sri Lanka, both through portfolio and foreign direct investment.

“We see a huge potential for Norwegian investments. So you can count on Norway as a true partner to move forward.” Brende further said.

(N.Sethu)

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende, is scheduled to visit the Srilanka, SL Foreign Ministry Sources confirmed.

He is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka immediately following Pakistan Prime Minster Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s visit which concludes on January 6.

The visit marks a positive turn point in the relations between the two countries.

This is the first time a high ranking diplomat from Norway is visiting the country in close to a decade.

(N.Sethu)

The Norwegian Government is to hold talks with former Srilankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Børge Brende, who will undertake a one-day official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow, will hold talks with former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Foreign Ministry said.Norway played a key role in Sri Lanka during the war when Kumaratunga was President. The last visit by a Foreign Minister of Norway took place in 2005.
The former President currently heads the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).

Børge Brende is visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera.

Minister Brende will hold bilateral discussions with Minister Samaraweera at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow, following which the two ministers will address the media.

Minister Brende will call on President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan, and former President Chandrika Kumaratunga tomorrow afternoon.

In the evening Minister Brende will attend a Business Forum organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The visit is expected to focus on economic and development cooperation and explore ways to strengthen and enhance bilateral relations.

In a book to be launched in Oslo next month, the former Norwegian peace envoys to Sri Lanka will tell the story of Norway’s efforts to bring peace to the island nation during its three decades long war with the Tamil Tiger. The book titled “To End a Civil War: Norway’s Peace Engagement with Sri Lanka” by UK journalist and author Mark Salter will be launched at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in Oslo on November 2.Two of the key contributors to the book, Former Norwegian Development Minister and Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Erik Solheim and former Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen tell the story of how a faraway European nation came to play a central role in efforts to end the long-running South Asian conflict.
Erik Solheim was the main negotiator in the peace process in Sri Lanka from 2000-2005.

According to PRIO, the book tells what Norway’s small, dedicated team of mediators did in their “untiring efforts to reach the ultimately elusive goal of a negotiated peace.”

“In doing so the book fills a critical gap in understanding the Sri Lankan conflict. But it also illuminates in detail a much wider problem: the intense fragility that surrounds peace processes and the extraordinary lengths to which their proponents often stretch in order to secure their progress,” PRIO said in an announcement.
Norway, as the third party to the Sri Lankan peace process, mediated peace talks between the two warring parties the Sri Lankan government and the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for almost five years following a ceasefire agreement in early 2002.

However, the peace talks, held in various places ranging from Thailand and Japan to Norway, Germany and Switzerland yielded no peace until the Sri Lankan government of Mahinda Rajapaksa abrogated the ceasefire agreement in January 2008 and waged an all-out war to comprehensively defeat the LTTE at a great cost and sacrifice of thousands of lives on both sides.

The abrogation of ceasefire agreement also terminated the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) established in 2002 by Norway to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.

During its operations in Sri Lanka, SLMM and Norwegian peace facilitators came under severe criticism by various parties for their alleged support to the terror outfit, LTTE due to their ineffectiveness in preventing ceasefire violations by the LTTE.

Between 1983 and 2009 Sri Lanka was host to a bitter civil war fought between the Government and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers), which sought the creation of an independent Tamil state. The war ended violently in May 2009 with the crushing defeat of the Tamil Tigers by the Sri Lanka Army amid the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. But prior to this grim finale, for there had been hope for a peaceful end to the conflict. Beginning with a ceasefire agreement in early 2002, for almost five years a series of peace talks between the two sides, facilitated by Norway, took place in locations ranging from Thailand and Japan to Norway, Germany and Switzerland.
To End a Civil War tells the story of trying to bring peace to Sri Lanka. In particular it tells the story of how a faraway European nation came to play a central role in efforts to end the long-running South Asian conflict, and what its small, dedicated team of mediators did in their untiring efforts to reach the ultimately elusive goal of a negotiated peace. In doing so the book fills a critical gap in understanding the Sri Lankan conflict. But it also illuminates in detail a much wider problem: the intense fragility that surrounds peace processes and the extraordinary lengths to which their proponents often stretch in order to secure their progress.

Erik Solheim (former Norwegian Development Minister and Special Envoy to Sri Lanka) and Vidar Helgesen (former Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, now Minister for Europe) are two of the key contributors to the book, authored by Mark Salter.

Speakers:

Chair: Henrik Syse, Senior researcher, PRIO
Erik Solheim (former Norwegian Development Minister and Special Envoy to Sri Lanka)
Mark Salter (Author)
Anne Julie Semb, Professor, University of Oslo
Iselin Frydenlund, Senior researcher, PRIO

Erik Solheim was the main negotiator in the peace process in Sri Lanka from 200-2005. As minister he also contributed to peace processes in Sudan, Nepal, Myanmar and Burundi. In January 2013, Mr. Solheim took the lead of the main body of world donors the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). He is also serving as United Nations Environment Programme’s special envoy for environment, conflict and disaster. From 2007 to 2012 he held the combined portfolio of Norway’s Minister of the Environment and International Development; he also served as Minister of International Development from 2005 to 2007.
Mark Salter is a teacher and BBC journalist by training. Over the last 25 years he has worked in a wide range of professional settings including international NGOs, research institutes and intergovernmental organizations. His work has focused on issues of democracy, conflict, reconciliation and diversity management.

Anne Julie Semb is professor at the Department of political science, University of Oslo. Semb’s academic interests include conflicts between states and groups, state sovereignty, citizenship, minority issues, and human rights.

Iselin Frydenlund is a senior researcher at PRIO and Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo. Her research interests include the role of religion in war and peace, suicide terrorism, interreligious dialogue in its various forms, and freedom of religion or belief. She has written extensively on the role of Buddhism in the Sri Lankan civil war.

Henrik Syse is a senior researcher at PRIO. He works on the ethics of war, historically and systematically, as well as on the relationship between religion and the use of armed force.

(N.Sethu)

Sri Lanka is keen to reinvigorate the relations with countries that Sri Lanka had once difficult relations with over a number of issues, the Foreign Ministry said. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway, Musthafa M. Jaffeer, on completion of his tenure as Ambassador to the Kingdom, recently paid a farewell call King Harald.During this meeting, the Ambassador briefed His Majesty on the new policies and direction being adopted by the government under President Maithripala Sirisena an in particular moves to reinvigorate the relations with countries that Sri Lanka had once difficult relations over a number of issues.
In this respect, Ambassador Jaffeer expressed his happiness over the positive shift taking place in the bilateral relations between Norway and Sri Lanka, since early this year.

The Ambassador contended that new developments in the relations, had opened up opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in the economic, trade, tourism and education sectors between the two countries.

King Harald, responded by stating, that while many regions were facing difficult challenges at present, the positive developments in Sri Lanka offers more hope. The King further opined that both countries should strive to work closely to forge further cooperation for the benefit of their people.

In addition to the King of Norway, Ambassador Jaffeer, also met Thommessen Olemic, the President of the Norwegian Parliament. At this meeting, he handed over a letter from Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament to his counterpart extending an invitation for him to visit Sri Lanka with a Parliamentary delegation.

Olmeic, while thanking the Ambassador for the Speaker’s invitation, said that the Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee would give its consideration to Sri Lanka’s invitation to undertake the visit at a later date.

Ambassador Jaffeer was also hosted for farewell events by Sri Lanka Expat Associations in Norway, including the Sri Lankan Association of Norway, Sri Lanka Friends Association of Norway and the Tisarana Sri Lanka Buddhist Association. A special ceremony was also arranged for the Ambassador at the Durga Kanapathi Temple. While acknowledging the remarkable contribution made by Sri Lankan societies in Norway for linking both peoples through several cultural and social initiatives, the Ambassador called on the Sri Lanka Associations and its members to work hard for promoting reconciliation among Sri Lankans so as to fully realize the dividends of peace in the country.

Ambassador Jaffeer contended that the number of Sri Lankan community members, including diaspora seeking the Embassy’s assistance for consular, investment and tourism purposes has considerably increased over the last few years, a sure sign of trust and confidence placed on the developments taking place in Sri Lanka.

Dilmah Tea Founder Merrill J. Fernando will be one the five Honourees of the 2015 Business for Peace award of the Oslo based Business for Peace Foundation. Nominated by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce through the International Chamber of Commerce, Fernando will be bestowed with this honour on Saturday which happens to be his 85th Birthday.2015 Oslo Business for Peace Award is an annual event and recognizes the exceptional global business leaders who, through their own actions and commitments truly are business worthy, promoting socially responsible and ethical business practices in an outstanding way, and standing out as examples to the world. Honourees are selected by an independent committee of Nobel Prize winners in Peace and in Economics, after a global nomination process through its partners International Chamber of Commerce, UN Global Compact and UNDP.
Fernando,who started his career as a tea taster, established his own tea brand Dilmah in 1988 which is today Sri Lanka’s single known brand of world repute and soon became a capable competitor with multinationals.

Twenty-five years after the launch of Dilmah, its single-origin, unblended teas are now sold in nearly 100 countries.

(DN)

Former Norwegian peace facilitator Erik Solheim who told to Sri lankan media last year that he would reveal information to a UN probe on Sri Lanka’s last phase of the war and the white flag issue if he was called to give evidence, admitted that he had indeed stood before the panel and gave evidence. He also said he was ready to share all he knew before any national or international tribunal.
Solheim who was also the ex-Minister of Environment and International Development of Oslo and at present the Chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) told Ceylon Today in an exclusive interview that although he received harsh criticism from the former leader of the country, the government knew about his involvement in the peace process and there was no hidden agenda.
Following are excerpts:
?: From 2002 to 2008, Oslo played a major role in peace negotiations until former President Mahinda Rajapaksa terminated the Oslo deal alleging that they were supporting the LTTE. You were one of those key players but faced criticism from all those involved in the conflict. You, once again appear to be getting involved in Sri Lanka’s political, social and economic affairs. Can you explain your new involvement with Colombo?

A: I will remain a lifelong friend of Sri Lanka. I have been heavily criticized by both Tamil and Sinhala extremists, but that will never deter me from giving support to all the fantastic people of the most beautiful island on the planet.

? : We hear that you are coming back to Sri Lanka. When will you be here?

A: I won’t come before the parliamentary elections as some people will find that undue. I may come later this year if invited by any institution in Sri Lanka.

? : You tweeted that recent elections brought ‘shock and joy to Sri Lanka’. Were you also shocked and delighted over Rajapaksa’s defeat? If so why?

A: As with India, the US and the international community at large, I am very happy that the people of Sri Lanka on 8 January decided to restore democracy.

? : In your tweet you said, ‘positive meeting with Tamil diaspora in Oslo. Will strongly assist Sri Lanka with investment and aid from the huge resources in the diaspora’. Are you their mediator or spokesperson?

A: Not at all! But I occasionally meet Sri Lankans living abroad. I encourage all the talented Sri Lankans in other parts of the world to use their vast abilities for the benefit of the Sri Lankans. So many Tamils and Sinhalese in the diaspora are doctors, engineers, bankers and dentists. They have a lot of expertise to offer. They are also a major potential source of investment to increase the economic growth and prosperity of the country.

? : However, the ban on Tamil diaspora organizations has not been lifted yet. Do you have concerns about that?
A: That is a matter to be resolved in a dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil diaspora.

? : You have been in the bad books of Sri Lankan politics. Despite that, you still strive to be a ‘negotiator.’ What do you stand to gain?

A: I stand to gain nothing. No one has asked Norway to negotiate. I am just sharing my modest experience and trying to promote the rapid economic development in Sri Lanka. The latter is also my job as the chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee.

? : During an interview with Ceylon Today last year, you claimed that you would go before the International Criminal Court or any other recognized international tribunal to give evidence against Sri Lanka on alleged war crimes. Do you still stand by that statement?

A: I am ready to share all I know with any credible national or international tribunal.

? : Did the UNHRC ask you to give evidence about the last phase of the war and the white flag issue?

A: Yes. And I told them all I knew.

? : If the Tamil diaspora’s strong stance on former government’s alleged war crimes and accountability issues take centre stage, there could be political turmoil in Colombo ‘weakening’ the present government. Have you thought about it?

A: Accountability in other former war zones like Balkans, Africa and Latin America has always taken time. Everyone must show some patience, but at the end, war crimes will be exposed and brought before Court. It is important to condemn all war crimes in equal terms. Very clearly both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE committed atrocities.

The most urgent issue is to establish the truth. Survivors need to know what happened to their loved ones. How can a woman continue and restart her life if she does not know whether her husband or children are still alive?
? : How can there be a true sense of reconciliation with the unchanged mindset of the Tamil diaspora, which is weakening every effort of the government?

A: I sense a clear change of direction among the Tamil diaspora. More and more people are ready to work with the government for reconciliation, long-term peace and economic reconstruction of the North and East. But for this to happen there is also the need for a stronger party, the Sinhalese and the government to reach out to Tamils.

? : Wouldn’t it negatively impact on your second stage engagement with Sri Lanka, trying to bridge the diaspora with the government?

A: I definitely consider the Tamil diaspora as a huge asset to the future of Sri Lanka. They have such a lot to offer. Why always focus on the negative?

? : The suppression of the LTTE led to a political solution diluted far from federalism and the political possibilities are at the lowest since 1976. Can you comment?

A: I am confident that the government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will come forward to find a lasting solution to the Tamil national question through negotiations. Such a solution will have to be federalism or another version of devolution of power to Tamils in the North-East. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke passionately about federalism while visiting Colombo and Jaffna. Nearly all international observers share his views.

? : The new Government of Sri Lanka denied entry to the UNHRC panel of experts to visit besides getting the UNHRC to postpone the Lanka review to September 2015. At the same time, US Secretary of States, John Kerry urged Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN war-crimes probe and to release remaining political prisoners. There is a divergence of views between the US and Colombo. How do you view it?

A: I was very impressed by the speeches made by John Kerry in Colombo. This was the first visit of an American Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka in 43 years. It is a strong signal of the international support for lasting peace and economic development in Sri Lanka.

? : Are there chances for Colombo review in Geneva session in September to be ‘diluted’ or ‘softened’ in favour of the government as they have proposed for a lasting political solution for the Tamils of Sri Lanka?

A: The UN does not operate that way. They will publish the report establishing the most accurate version to date of what happened in the last phase of the war. Don’t expect it to be soft on any crime, whoever committed it.

Q : You tweeted that UN High Commissioner Zeid bin Raad assured you that he will release the Sri Lanka report in September and it will contain surprises. Can you elaborate?

A: We discussed human rights on all continents, for instance the present situation in Burundi. Regarding Sri Lanka he firmly confirmed that the UN Human Rights report will be released in September.
? : There is concern over police harassment of Tamil journalists and Tamil returnees from overseas and, the diaspora says Sri Lanka is continuing to fail to deliver justice to the Tamils. How can you bridge the diaspora with Colombo at this point?

A: These acts are remnants of a negative past. I am very optimistic that over time all this will stop.

? : Do you think that Tamils have confidence in the present government in resolving the national issue, because several members of the former regime are still in power with the new government?

A: I have a lot of confidence in the present President Maithripala Sirisena and the government. Tamils and Muslims overwhelmingly voted for Maithripala, knowing that Ranil Wickremesinghe would be the Prime Minister. But nothing in life will come by itself. Tamil rights in Sri Lanka will not be ‘given’ by anyone but be established through non-violent political struggle by the Tamil community.

? : If the new government offers you a role in the reconciliation process, will you accept such an assignment?

A: I am always ready to assist Sri Lanka, but there is no such offer in the pipeline.

(Ceylontoday)

Norway is satisfied with the success of the government’s 100-day programme, the Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen told the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena when she called on the President Friday at the Presidential Secretariat. The Norwegian Ambassador commended the initiatives taken by the President to establish good governance and restore democracy amidst various obstacles.
The Ambassador also praised the President for his speech made yesterday addressing the nation. She said the President’s Address to the Nation yesterday clearly portrayed his dedication to take the country in right direction.
“It is well evident that the President is firmly committed to direct the country towards the right path,” the envoy said assuring the fullest support of the Norwegian government to Sri Lanka to achieve its goals.

The President told Ms. Lochen that his dedication for the wellbeing of the country and the people will not change in the future.

Sri Lankan President expressing his gratitude to Norway for its positive attitude towards the new government thanked for their support extended to Sri Lanka during the conflict period to restore peace in the island nation.

(N.Sethu)

Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Grete Løchen together with the UN Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Mr. Haoliang Xu, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Subinay Nandy, and UNDP Country Director Joern Sorensen recently made a visit to Thampaddy fishing village in Kayts Divisional Secretariat in Jaffna District.The aim of the visit was to open a Crab Processing Centre and hand over the asset certificate to the Thampaddy Fisheries Cooperative Society. The newly opened Crab Processing Centre is a partnership of Thampaddy Fishers Cooperative Society and Annai Sea Foods (Pvt) Ltd. This intervention was facilitated by UNDP under the Northern Livelihood Development Project, funded by the Government of Norway.
This Crab processing centre will provide opportunity for the fishermen of 23 other villages in the Velanai, Karainagar and Delft Divisional Secretary Divisions in Jaffna, which are strategically located for crab and prawn fishing throughout the year. With the establishment of this Centre, around 600 fishing families are going to benefit with higher prices for their catch. Training on value addition of Prawn processing and food production principles have been provided to 35 members of the Fisheries Society and 25 women have received advanced value addition training. This intervention will provide employment for approximately 120 persons, majority of them being women.

“We have evidence to see that our efforts have been fully used in a more efficient manner and going to produce remarkable improvements in the social and economic development of needy families in the area. I am also happy to see that so many women have benefitted from our support. Investment in women is smart investment” the Ambassador stated at the opening ceremony.

The Ambassador also visited the Jaggery Processing Centre at the Kayts Palm Producers Development Cooperative Society, which is another intervention under the Northern Livelihood Development Programme implemented by UNDP and financially supported by the Norwegian Government.

The Ambassador met the beneficiaries of the Norwegian supported initiatives and witnessed how employment opportunities directly benefit members to increase their income and play an active role in the society. Women also reported that the alcohol abuse by men is reduced due to this initiative. Improving women’s access to economic opportunities is prioritized by Norway in its development cooperation, as this will empower women to take part in the rebuilding of their societies.

(Norway.lk)

The Sri Lanka – Norway business matchmaking programme was started in 1994 to evaluate the opportunities in Sri Lanka. The result of stating the BMMP (Business Match Making Programme) in India resulted in NORAD considering operating a similar programme in Sri Lanka. The overall objective is to establish sustainable investment, collaborations/Joint Ventures between Norwegian and Sri Lankan Companies.Sri Lanka has the advantage to do business with Norway. This is because it is about the right size. We also are comfortable with the level of English in this country. The infrastructure is also good. There are plenty of opportunities for people who want to start business ventures. There is a very good demand for aquaculture products. Sri Lanka has the climate and ground area to develop this sector, said Norwegian Ambassador Her Excellency Grete Lochen speaking at the BMMP conference recently.
Commenting on the impact the BMMP has had over the years Norad’s Business Match Making Programme, Project Director, Inge Reithaug, said, having the experience from 20 years of matchmaking in Sri Lanka and other countries, we ask ourselves, could we achieve better results? Therefore could a broader or a more in-depth sector based approach give an even stronger development impact in an area where this country has a great potential and where the technology from Norway can fill a required and potential gap? Because with these opportunities comes the exchange of skills and technology. This is beneficial to both countries.

Lastly we would like to say that we are extremely grateful for having the opportunity to work with businessmen and women in Sri Lanka, whom we have learned to be very hospitable and professional in their way. We have experienced a culture, different from ours, but so rich and fascinating. The impression is also shared by most business visitors that come to Sri Lanka Reithaug said.

(N.Sethu, ceylon today)

The election shock on Sri Lanka has been called a model for how reformist elites and a fed up people can get rid of increasingly authoritarian leaders. To become a true role model, the reincarnated Sri Lankan democracy must in the next years deliver political reform, inclusive development and devolved power to minorities.There were few people outside of this beautiful island who thought the unknown Maithripala Sirisena could beat the increasingly authoritarian president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa put the entire state apparatus behind his election campaign. Thousands of busses were redirected to transport people to his election rallies. Fake pamphlets called on the Tamils to boycott the election. The media was broadcasting propaganda and outright lies. Imagine the CNN on the eve of the upcoming US elections reporting that Bill Clinton has joined the Republican Party.
The new president Sirisena led one of the broadest coalitions in electoral history. Free market supporters and communists stood shoulder to shoulder. Tamils, Muslims and ultra-nationalistic Sinhalese Buddhists rallied behind a common candidate to get rid of Rajapaksa. Massive support from the minorities was a key to the coalition’s success. A solid 80 percent support from minority Tamils and Muslims combined with 45 percent of the majority Singhalese Buddhist vote secured victory.

The new Sri Lanka is facing great challenges. The democracy must be secured and strengthened. Economic growth and development must be more inclusive and benefit all ethnic groups. The question of the role of the Tamils on Sri Lanka, the source of a conflict that has lasted for half a century, must be resolved. Sri Lanka proved that democracy could get rid of the authoritarian leader. The big challenge will be to prove that the new democracy can deliver democratic reforms, inclusive development and satisfy the Tamils and other minorities. The new government has done a lot right so far. But the international community must support in any way it can.

Many democratic reforms are being put in place to make the courts, central bank and military independent from politics. Media censorship is lifted to ensure a free press. Activists will no longer be picked up by the “white van’s” and never seen again. Rajapaksa was never invited to Europe or the US and made Sri Lanka increasingly isolated. But Sirisena will go to India for his first state visit and it should not be long before we see the President in the White House and European capitals.

Sri Lanka is doing well on poverty reduction and the economy is growing fast. But improvements have not been equally shared. Many are still poor in the rural Deep South and among Muslims and Tamils. Sri Lanka needs more and better aid, investments and domestic taxes to develop faster and fairer. More development aid should target the remaining pockets of poverty. The West should rapidly match the useful Chinese investments in promising industries like fisheries, energy, textiles and IT. The most important source of development finance is always domestic resources. But Sri Lanka only generates 12 percent of national income in taxes, much lower than the developing country average of 20 percent. OECD Tax for Development programs which have assisted other countries in raising millions dollars could be implemented in Sri Lanka. The large and successful Tamil diaspora can also be a source of investments and expertise and the new government has signaled a strong will to engage with them.

Sri Lanka also has a huge potential for tourism with beautiful beaches, magnificent cultural sites and elephant reserves — all within few hours’ drive from the capital Colombo.

The biggest challenge will be reconciliation with the minorities and resolving the Tamil national issue. The new government has signaled a willingness to reach out. They will investigate human rights abuses during the final stages of the civil war. The international community will continue to call for war criminals and human rights abusers to be held accountable. This is good, but the international community must give the government enough time and space. To bring this to a close, the Sinhala majority must also be brought on board and understand what Sri Lanka looks like from a Tamil perspective. Accountability unfortunately takes time as we saw in Chile and Serbia. But at the end it will come. Talks between government and the main Tamil party TNA are urgent.

The new ”Sri Lanka model” could make many dictators lose their sleep. If the new democracy is able to deliver results; democratic reforms, inclusive development and Tamil and Muslim rights, it will become a true role model. We should all do what we can to support the new government and the people of Sri Lanka.

Erik Solheim
Chair of OECD DAC, UNEP special envoy for environment, conflict and disaster, and former Norwegian Minister of environment and international development also former Sri Lanka peace envoy.

(huffingtonpost)

Reforms towards good governance, rule of law and sound economic management goes hand in hand towards increasing foreign direct investments, said Grete Løchen, Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka. Speaking at the20th annual General meeting of the National Chamber of Exporters she said that since the election positive steps have being taken in this regard which was encouraging.“Good governance was needed to build investor confidence and lead to more foreign direct investments and increase of exports. What happened in Sri Lanka can be best described as a domestic process of people giving a clear message of good governance.”
“The 100 day program launched by the government is both ambitious in both substance and time span.” “I am also positive that a new chapter of relations could be opened between Norway and Sri Lanka soon that deals sheer values and mutual concerns.”

Commenting on the interest of Norwegian companies to do business overseas, she said that size of a country does matter and Sri Lanka is this regard fits perfectly to the Norwegian requirement. “Norwegian companies are looking at new areas to do business based on market access and India being the neighbour of Sri Lanka makes it an attractive country to invest.”

“I see great potential and synergies for Sri Lankan companies to do business with Norwegians.”

The trade between the two countries too has increased by 26% to US$ 32 million since 2008 with trade balance in favor of Sri Lanka.

“Customers are increasing are aware the ways companies operate, their safety standards, respect for workers and use of child labor are all elements in the manner in which products and services are produced before they buy a product.”

She said that responsibility of companies towards the environment and use of pesticide too is a concern. “Smart business is Green Business”

“NGO and the media put pressure on companies in reveling bad practices that are using unethical ways and means to produce products and services and put pressure on the companies to act. Number of have special interest groups have increased substantially to put pressure even of small companies to change if they are engaged in bad practices.”

In general Sri Lanka has a very good record in this regard in comparison to some of the other Asian countries. One should look at this as a competitive advantage and take further steps to safe guard it.

“CSR globally was earlier recognized as a form of charity. Today CSR is recognized as an integrated part of doing business and Norway companies would definitely look at the CSR profile track records of local companies before entering to any business agreement. CSR is not only a right thing to do but is also pays for.”

(dailynews)