March 03, Colombo (LNW): The Russian Pacific Fleet’s missile cruiser Varyag has docked at the port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Navy reported.
The arrival of the 187-meter-long vessel, serving as a Missile Cruiser with a crew of 529, was met with traditional naval courtesies.
The ship’s Flag Officer, Captain 1st Rank Velichko Anatoly Vasicievich, and Commanding Officer, Captain 2nd Rank Glushakov Roman Nikolaevich, lead the delegation.
During their visit, the ship’s officials are scheduled to meet with Rear Admiral Saman Perera, the Commander of the Western Naval Area.
Additionally, various programmes are planned by the Sri Lanka Navy to foster goodwill and enable the crew to explore local attractions.
The Russian cruiser will utilise its stay in Colombo to replenish essential supplies such as water and fuel.
The ship’s welcome ceremony saw the presence of officials from the Russian embassy, Sri Lanka’s naval forces, and port services personnel.
Following its port call, the Varyag will remain in Colombo until March 4 before continuing its designated missions as part of its extended deployment.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Saman Rathnayake, who was arrested and remanded in connection with the medicine procurement scandal, expressed his willingness to provide a confidential statement during a court hearing yesterday (02).
The case pertaining to the procurement, supply, and distribution of the controversial medicine was addressed in court yesterday.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Rathnayake yesterday when he presented himself to the CID for questioning.
Following over seven hours of interrogation, the Additional Secretary was taken into custody. Earlier yesterday, the court issued an order remanding Rathnayake until March 14, based on the submissions made by Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama at the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.
However, Rathnayake, through his legal representative, informed the court of his intention to provide a confidential statement before the Magistrate. The Magistrate granted permission for this request and scheduled Rathnayake to appear in court on March 4 to deliver the confidential statement. Consequently, he will remain remanded until March 4.
During today’s court session, Deputy Solicitor General Girihagama informed the court that Dr. Saman Ratnayake, the 10th suspect in the case, was arrested for misappropriating government funds.
Investigations revealed that Rathnayake, who possessed a thorough understanding of the emergency procurement process under the Indian Credit Line, misused government funds to procure the controversial medicines.
It was revealed that Rathnayake, along with ex Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, orchestrated a fabricated medicine shortage using counterfeit cabinet papers to exploit the emergency procurement process.
This fraudulent act was carried out with dishonest intentions.
A paper submitted to the Cabinet on September 26, 2022, warned of a critical shortage of 182 medicines in the country. However, upon verification, no record of these 182 medicines was found.
The following day, Rathnayake instructed former Secretary of the Ministry of Health Janaka Sri Chandragupta to initiate an emergency procurement process for 285 medicines based on the fabricated emergency situation.
Deputy Solicitor General Girihagama emphasised that Rathnayake’s actions led to the misappropriation of Rs. 2 billion of government funds.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): Maldives’ national carrier ‘Maldivian Airlines’ has unveiled plans to introduce a new flight route to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, effective April 25, 2024.
This strategic move underscores Maldivian’s dedication to fostering connectivity between the Maldives and key global destinations, facilitating travel options for passengers, and fostering cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian, expressed enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “We eagerly anticipate serving Colombo, bridging the gap between the Maldives and Sri Lanka for both leisure and business travel. This expansion underscores our commitment to extending the reach of the Maldives internationally. We extend our gratitude to all authorities and partners involved in facilitating this new route.”
Maldivian has collaborated with Nawaloka Air Services Pvt Ltd in Sri Lanka to serve as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for the new route.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for travelers seeking seamless connectivity between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
With its rich cultural heritage, diverse offerings, and thriving business landscape, Colombo presents an appealing addition to Maldivian’s expanding network of destinations.
The flights will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays with the following schedule (local times apply):
The airline has commenced ticket bookings for the new Colombo route through various sales channels, including its website, mobile application, and ticketing office, allowing travelers to plan and secure their trips in advance.
Maldivian will offer two weekly flights to Colombo, departing every Thursday and Saturday, catering to both leisure and business travelers.
Passengers will have the opportunity to connect to Maldivian’s extensive domestic network of 16 destinations seamlessly.
Eng. Athula Galketiya, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited (AASL), expressed delight at the launch of scheduled flight operations by Maldivian, especially as Sri Lanka’s tourism industry rebounds.
He commended the collaborative efforts of airline partners, emphasizing their positive contribution to the aviation and tourism sectors in Sri Lanka.
For further inquiries, travelers can visit Maldivian’s official website at www.maldivian.aero or contact Nawaloka Air Services Pvt Ltd at +94 112 325 500, the General Sales Agent in Sri Lanka.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): In response to significant escalations in food production expenses, the All-Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association (ACROA) has officially declared price adjustments for several popular menu items, effective as of last night.
Notably, the prices for a cup of plain tea have risen by Rs. 5, while a cup of milk tea now reflects an increase of Rs. 10.
Moreover, patrons can expect a Rs. 25 increment in the cost of a packet of rice and curry.
Similarly, the prices of popular dishes such as Kottu and Fried Rice have been raised by Rs. 50 each.
ACROA underscored its commitment to maintaining fair pricing standards and assures the public that corresponding concessions will be extended should there be any reductions in consumer goods prices.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): A group of individuals pivotal in the advancement of the local newspaper ‘Ravaya’ has issued a letter of demand indicating their intent to pursue legal recourse regarding attempts to cease the printing operations of Ravaya, published by Ravaya (Guarantee) Pvt. Ltd., and to liquidate its assets.
Prominent figures within Sri Lanka, instrumental in the progression of Ravaya, are poised as plaintiffs in this forthcoming litigation.
The defendants in this case include the newspaper’s chairman, esteemed senior journalist Victor Ivan, the current board of directors, and editor-in-chief Wimalanath Weeraratne, among others.
The legal action is predicated on safeguarding the rights of 476 individuals who contributed significantly to Ravaya’s evolution during the 2013/2014 period.
The plaintiffs assert that the defendants’ alleged breach of trust agreement, pertaining to the advancement of Ravaya’s publication standards, necessitates the pursuit of legal remedies.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has expressed profound concern over the tragic loss of over one hundred lives among those awaiting aid in Gaza and has added its voice to the demand for a thorough investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Saturday (02), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the urgent necessity to terminate the blockade imposed on Gaza, which has severely constrained its civilian populace, including women and children, from accessing essential provisions such as food, water, medication, electricity, and fuel.
Emphasising its stance for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian passage to Gaza to alleviate the plight of civilians, Sri Lanka reiterated its call.
Moreover, the Foreign Affairs Ministry disclosed that the Sri Lankan Government has sanctioned the establishment of the “Children of Gaza Fund,” an empathetic initiative proposed by the President, aimed at extending assistance to Gaza’s victims.
Additionally, Sri Lanka has committed to donate USD one million through UN agencies to offer vital support to Gaza’s victims.
Sri Lanka aligns itself with the global demand for a sustainable political resolution to the conflict and stresses the importance of establishing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders as outlined in relevant UN resolutions.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka emphasises the significance of ensuring Israel’s security, as articulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
March 03, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Kalutara, Ratnapura, Nuwara-eliya, Galle and Matara districts in the evening or night, and mainly dry weather will prevail elsewhere in the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (03).
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise the damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas extending from Kalutara to Matara via Galle in the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and from Matara to Potuvil via Hambantota can be fairly rough at times.
March 02, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka yesterday announced the opening ceremony of the One Stop Centre (OSC) at the District General Hospital in Kilinochchi.
The One Stop Centre is a ground-breaking initiative introducing a new service delivery model in Sri Lanka, offering comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, support for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Family Planning Services (FP) all under one roof. The OSC in Kilinochchi also provides essential psychosocial, medical, and legal support for survivors of GBV. This transformative approach is a result of the collaborative efforts between UNFPA Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health, and World Vision Sri Lanka, with generous support from the Government of Norway.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed guests including the visiting UNFPA Regional Director of Asia Pacific Pio Smith, UNFPA Sri Lanka Representative Kunle Adeniyi, representatives from the Embassy of Norway, as well as local health authorities including the Provincial Director of Health Services (PDHS) Northern Province and the Regional Director of Health Services Kilinochchi.
“The holistic nature of the One-Stop Centre acknowledges the intersectionality of the challenges marginalised women and girls face. By consolidating essential services, we aim to create a supportive environment where women can seamlessly access a range of vital resources,” said UNFPA Regional Director of Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith.
The One Stop Centre in Kilinochchi symbolises a significant milestone in UNFPA’s commitment to providing integrated SRH and GBV services within regional healthcare facilities. It represents a collaborative effort to address the diverse and complex needs of women and girls in the region, under one location.
The UNFPA Sri Lanka extends sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Health, the District General Hospital of Kilinochchi, and World Vision for their invaluable collaboration and support in establishing the One Stop Centre.
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend and cover the opening ceremony of the One Stop Centre in Kilinochchi.
March 02, Colombo (LNW): The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka successfully conducted a session on strengthening bilateral trade opportunities between Sri Lanka and Indonesia with the gracious presence of the Ambassador of Indonesia recently.
Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing enlightened the session with her presence as the guest speaker, accompanied by a team of officials from the Embassy of Indonesia in Sri Lanka, Minister Counsellor in Economic Section I Fiki Oktanio and Minister Counsellor in Economic Section II Lailal Khairiyah Yuniarti.
The session marked an important milestone in fostering economic ties and cooperation between the two nations to connect with the business community in Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Jakarta Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and second Secretary (Commercial) Heshani Kaushalya connected virtually.
Ambassador Colombage addressed the gathering and provided an overview of the market conditions and potential sectors to captivate in Indonesia during the bilateral session.
The National Chamber President Deepal Nelson delivered his opening remarks welcoming the dignitaries and emphasised the objective of this session to support the business community who strive to grow amidst the economic calamity that the country has experienced in the recent past. Special invitees attended the session representing Export Development Board (EDB), Board of Investment (BOI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka, media agencies and most importantly the leaders representing the business community.
The Indonesian Ambassador made a presentation on ‘Current status of Bilateral trade, potential market opportunities in Indonesia’, elaborating the need for strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Valuable information on trade, investment and opportunities for export/import were discussed. The participants were able to freely interact with the Ambassador and her officials and discuss possibilities with regard to trade & investments in Indonesia during the Q&A session.
The National Chamber intends to conduct follow up sessions with the intention of developing business connections between the two countries.
March 02, Colombo (LNW): Indian government authorities have expressed a keen interest in supporting the development of Sri Lanka’s component manufacturing industry.
Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) delegation and Indian officials held discussion on strategies to enhance automobile and spare parts trade, including the exploration of trading in Indian Rupees (INR) and the establishment of a robust component manufacturing ecosystem with India’s support.
Deliberations also encompassed the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA), highlighting its potential to significantly benefit Sri Lanka’s automotive industry.
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) recently received an invitation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex national body representing vehicles and vehicular manufacture in India, to discuss ways to revive Sri Lanka’s automotive sector.
CMTA Chairman Charka Perera and Senior Vice Chairman Virann de Zoysa met with key SIAM representatives, including Executive Director Atanu Ganguli and SIAM Policy Advocacy Executive Officer Pooja Nagpal.
A highlight of the visit were the discussions with senior officials of the Indian Government, underscoring the commitment to fostering bilateral relations in the automotive sector. Notable among these meetings were discussions with Ministry of commerce and Industry Additional Secretary Anant Swarup and Deputy Secretary Jyoti Yadav, along with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Indian Ocean Region Division Director Ramkumar C. Swarup Central to the discussions held with the CMTA
The CMTA also engaged in discussions about the component manufacturing industry. Given India’s prowess in this domain, discussions revolved around leveraging India’s expertise to bolster Sri Lanka’s component manufacturing infrastructure. Talks centred around India’s commitment to providing support in terms of procurement, training, and technology transfer to kickstart this vital industry.
The invitation from SIAM underscores the importance of collaboration in reigniting automotive trade between the two countries. The engagement has provided valuable insights into avenues for collaboration and revitalising Sri Lanka’s automotive industry.
As Sri Lanka looks ahead, partnerships forged during this visit are expected to drive much needed growth and innovation in the automotive sector.
