The Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka has issued a travel advisory, urging Sri Lankan citizens to exercise extreme caution and refrain from traveling to areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In the wake of the current situation, the Ministry has recommended that Sri Lankans maintain constant communication with the Sri Lankan Missions in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Ramallah (Palestine) in case of any emergencies.
To provide immediate assistance and support, the Foreign Ministry has established two emergency hotline mobile numbers, which are administered by the Consular Affairs Division in Colombo. Sri Lankan nationals seeking assistance or guidance related to the Middle East conflict can reach out via these emergency hotline numbers: 0094711 757 536 or 0094711 466 585.
During regular office hours, the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also be reached via the following landline telephone number: +94 112 338 837, and inquiries can be sent through email to [email protected]. This advisory and the emergency contact information aim to ensure the safety and well-being of Sri Lankans affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
Colombo (LNW): The police arrested a 54-year-old individual for operating a financial institution without the approval of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and defrauding a staggering sum of Rs. 9.9 billion.
The suspect, who served as both the Director and shareholder of the firm, was taken into custody by the Financial and Commercial Crimes investigation on Thursday in Kandy.
Police said he is accused of misuse and money laundering. The Police Financial and Commercial Crime Investigation Unit is conducting further investigations.
Despite multiple warnings and awareness initiatives of the Central Bank on such fraudulent companies, public continue to invest in them for higher return on investments.
Colombo (LNW): In a significant leap towards recovery, Sri Lanka celebrated the arrival of over 1.1 million tourists, rekindling hopes of achieving the ambitious target of 1.55 million arrivals by the end of the year.
This remarkable milestone marks the highest number of visitors to the country since 2019, when Sri Lanka welcomed 1.9 million arrivals.
In first 25 days of October, Sri Lanka welcomed 87,926 tourists, propelling the cumulative arrivals over the 1.1 million mark.
Despite this commendable progress, industry experts are cautiously optimistic about reaching the ambitious monthly target of 147,789 arrivals, with just six days to go.
India, Russia, UK, Germany and China continue to lead the charts as the top five source markets for Sri Lanka in October so far.
The industry anticipates a bustling winter season, buoyed by the commencement of new charter flights operating into Colombo.
The Central Bank reveals that tourism earnings in the third quarter of 2023 were over $ 1.45 billion, reflecting a staggering 67% surge from the corresponding period of last year. September earnings stood at $ 152.2 million but witnessed a 28% dip from August. This dip is attributed to September falling short of its monthly arrivals target
Sri Lanka’s rich natural resources serve as a catalyst for both tourism and operational excellence in businesses.
With diverse wildlife reserves, stunning coastlines, and picturesque landscapes, the country attracts tourists from the UK, India, and Europe, creating opportunities for eco-tourism services and demand for accommodation, food, beverages, and unique offerings.
Additionally, Sri Lanka’s natural resources offer opportunities for investing in clean and cost-efficient renewable energy, such as solar power. Embracing renewable energy sources has already improved Coca-Cola’s operations, contributing to the local economy and global environmental preservation efforts.
Following the end of the ethnic conflict, Sri Lanka has experienced a significant infrastructure boom that has attracted investors worldwide.
Upgraded seaports, international airports, and better roads and highways have facilitated economic growth and made it more convenient for tourists and businesses to travel within the island. This improved infrastructure has made Sri Lanka an appealing destination for global brands looking to expand their operations in South Asia, with enhanced transportation networks making it easier to import and export goods.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Industrial sector is to be promoted with government intervention by providing necessary incentives and inputs to overcome its present set back with contraction by 16.0% amidst economic crisis.
Minister of Industry and Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, stated that due to the limited availability of land for industrial purposes in Sri Lanka, the objective is to designate 646.3 square kilometres 1% of the nation’s total land area for industrial use.
Furthermore, he pointed out that there was a remarkable opportunity to achieve a historic record in our country’s export earnings, with the potential to reach 13.1 billion dollars by the year 2022.
“Amid the recent dual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, individuals across all sectors, from small enterprises to large corporations, devoted their collective efforts to enhance Sri Lanka’s production.
Domestic entrepreneurs played a pivotal role in elevating both domestic production and exports, particularly during periods of import restrictions.
As a result, there was a promising opportunity to achieve an unprecedented milestone by generating an export income of 13.1 billion dollars by 2022.
Sri Lanka faces limitations in the available land for industrial purposes, hindering the growth of our industrial sector.
To address this, measures are being taken to expand industrial land allocation, with a target of dedicating 1% of the nation’s total land area for industrial purposes.
The National Policy for Industrial Development of Sri Lanka (NaPID) has been meticulously formulated and presented to the Cabinet. It has gained approval for inclusion in Sri Lanka’s National Policy Framework (2023-2048) by the Committee on Economic Stabilization Revitalization and Growth Enhancement.
Furthermore, a comprehensive five-year strategic plan related to the industrial policy has been developed and its implementation is already underway within the ministry.
The process of amending the Industrial Promotion Act No. 46 of 1990 to align with current and future requirements has reached its conclusion. The initial draft, along with recommendations from the Drafting Department, has been finalized.
Additionally, the second draft related to the formulation of the national policy regarding automobile production, including assembly and manufacturing of automobile components, has been completed.
This draft has been submitted to relevant stakeholders and after productive discussions; the national policy concerning vehicle assembly is nearing its finalization.
Colombo (LNW): Economic crisis hit Sri Lankan SMEs engaged in apparel sector are readying to weather cascading impacts of global economic challenges by exploring export opportunities in the South Asian market.
JIA MODA shifted manufacturing base to Sri Lanka 20 years ago, headquartered in Paris has cited Sri Lanka’s latent talent to develop high-end apparel and the competitive edge.
With global economic challenges impacting Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are moving from the drawing board into realisation of envisaged plans with numerous options to weather the cascading impacts of declining orders.
JIA MODA for example is seeing potential opportunities in the Indian market. Located in the suburbs of Colombo, JIA MODA is a study in resilience, where for over 20 years it has provided employment to over 250 individuals, most of whom have been with the Company since inception.
The Founder and Managing Director of JIA MODA John De Silva who first launched his Company in Paris, made a conscious decision to shift his manufacturing base to Sri Lanka.
He cites the latent talent that could be developed to create high-end apparel by merging his European experience and knowledge as the competitive edge Sri Lanka has.
The Paris based De Silva stated that the Company was able to forge ahead primarily because of Sri Lanka’s knowledgeable workforce, “with their ability to produce high-end apparel, which we leveraged with strong partnerships we have built with our buyers over the years. Most of our buyers are located in neighbouring India.”
Explaining further he said, “One cannot overlook the potential of trading with India. JIA MODA’s export capacity to India has significantly grown and now accounts for 80% of our output.
“However, there is further room for expansion if we fully leverage the ISFTA (Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement),”he said.
De Silva stated that JIA MODA is in the process of launching an online platform specifically catering to the Indian market, as a measure to enter into the retail market further under the brand JIA MODA. “Plans are afoot to open an additional two new outlets in Sri Lanka and in Paris.”
India is one of Sri Lanka’s largest export partners, with over USD 800 million in trade carried out in 2022, showing a notable increase in textile imports. This increase is not limited to raw materials but includes finished goods.
JIA MODA has embraced the opportunity to work with this $24 billion USD Indian apparel market, given that it opens opportunities and allows the Company to subcontract for major brands and be an integral stakeholder in the fashion industry.
“Sri Lanka’s potential should be harnessed wisely,” stressed De Silva. “Instead of chasing low-value exports, the focus should be on utilising the country’s unique strengths and making the most of available resources, from raw materials to fabric. The opportunity is right next door.”
The Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Examinations, has rolled out a convenient online service for the authentication of G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) exam certificates. This service is applicable to certificates issued from the year 2001 onwards.
Under this newly implemented online system, individuals can apply for the authentication of their O/L and A/L exam certificates through the Consular Affairs Division’s online platform, eliminating the need for in-person visits. Here are the steps for availing this service:
Visit the official Examinations Department website and submit an online application for O/L and A/L examination certificates via the following link: https://certificate.doenets.lk/certificate.
Upon certificate generation, applicants will receive a confirmation via SMS, including a unique reference number for each certificate along with a link.
Once you receive the SMS confirmation, proceed to request authentication of the document from the Consular Affairs Division through this link: http://consular.mfa.gov.lk:90/.
Pay the associated fees for certificate generation and authentication online, separately to both the Department of Examinations and the Consular Affairs Division, using the provided links.
For additional information, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the following telephone number: 011-2338812. This innovative service streamlines the process of certificate authentication, making it more accessible and efficient for individuals.
Colombo (LNW): The IMF-economist – turned Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) President sought enhanced business ties with Sri Lanka and hailed President Ranil Wickremesinghe for stabilizing the economy.
The two countries are exploring the possibilities of enhancing cooperation in field of tourism, IT and trade in accordance with Sri Lankan President‘s far reaching policy of instituting stronger ties with African nations
Chambers of Commerce of the two countries are to sign MoU to strengthen ties and Plans afoot to organise a mission for potential investors.
Sri Lanka is to make use of Ivory Coas’s investor-friendly rules, tax regime and trade agreements with Europe and USA attractive to foreign investors.
He made these remarks when Sri Lankan Ambassador Kana Kananathan called on him at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan, marking a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations and fostering cooperation between Sri Lanka and Côte d’Ivoire.
“The President expressed his commitment to strengthening the ties between the two countries.
The President emphasized that this is a positive development in diplomatic relations between the two countries and a promising sign of strengthened ties,” said Ambassador Kananathan and reiterated Sri Lanka’s eagerness to further engage with Côte d’Ivoire to realize the full potential of their relationship.
“At the outset, President Ouattara who is an economist and had previously worked for the IMF expressed commendation for the swift and timely effective actions taken by President Wickremesinghe to stabilize the Sri Lankan economy,” a source said.
Ambassador Kananathan and President Ouattara reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation in various sectors such as; trade, and Agriculture.
Both President Ouattara and Ambassador Kananathan acknowledged the potential for mutual benefit in these areas, recognizing the need to explore new avenues for collaboration and to create opportunities for their respective business communities.
Key points discussed during the meeting included; Bilateral Relations, Strengthening Economic and Trade Ties and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Trade Opportunities to support Sri Lankan Businessmen to start operations in Côte d’Ivoire.
President Ouattara highlighted the benefits of AGOA and encouraged Ambassador Kananathan to invite Sri Lankan businessmen in the textile and Garment sectors to explore the advantages of AGOA.
AGOA offers Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to set up operations in Côte d’Ivoire, an opportunity to export garments into the United States tariff-free, presenting significant potential for Sri Lankan Businesses to expand their presence in the Americanmarket.
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s top exporter of cocoa beans, raw cashew nuts, a net exporter of oil and with a significant manufacturing sector. Côte d’Ivoire is the largest economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
The medical faculty students held a protest yesterday under the theme ‘නිදහස් අධ්යාපනය, නිදහස් සෞඛ්ය වනසන LYCEUM, NSBM, SLITT, GATEWAY, කොතලාවල වෙද උපාධිකඩ ගෙන යන ආණ්ඩුවේ කුමන්ත්රණය පරදවමු!’.
In an attempt to disperse a protest launched by the Faculty of Medicine Student Action Committee, it is reported that the police fired tear gas and water cannons near the Lotus Tower in Colombo.
Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, Nalin Fernando, revealed plans to enlist police officers to bolster the special investigation unit of the Consumer Affairs Authority. This move is aimed at enhancing the authority’s capacity to address consumer-related issues effectively.
Furthermore, the Minister also emphasized that measures will be implemented to ensure the safety and security of Consumer Affairs Authority officers during their operations and raids, indicating the government’s commitment to safeguarding their activities.
National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency says it is awaiting Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval to conduct research with the Chinese vessel “Shi Yan 6”, which has docked at the Colombo Port.
Korean Destroyer vessel “ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great” docks at the Colombo Port: the docking followed by a high-level reception graced by Korean Ambassador Miyon Lee, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and other top level dignitaries and invitees.
Joint Development Officers’ Assn Secretary says Govt workers are demanding a Rs.20,000 increase in salaries from Budget 2024 amid increased living expenses consequent to an electricity tariff hike and other factors, against a backdrop of the state salary bill dipping by 4% in early 2023.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana participates at an “opening ceremony” of the replaced dilapidated bridge at the Bambalapitiya railway station: says there are 30 dilapidated bridges around the country and more than Rs.2,000mn is needed for their repairs: laments however that due to the several crises, none of these bridges can be repaired, no matter how badly they are damaged.
Police use water cannons & tear gas to disperse a protest staged by the students of the Medical Faculty near the Nelum Pokuna theatre: 5 persons arrested.
Police say that Danish Ali (who forcefully entered the Rupavahini Corporation premises during the violent agitations of last year) has been arrested over his violent and unruly conduct at the Fort railway station.
A fire breaks out at a shop in the Main Street, Pettah: 15 people admitted to hospital with burn injuries following the fire.
Governor of the Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman says land distribution in the Eastern Province is conducted in accordance with legal procedures and is free from any ethnic or religious bias: stresses that any attempts to disrupt the land distribution activities in the Province will result in legal action being taken by the Police.
Minister of Industries & Health Dr Ramesh Pathirana says 1% of the nation’s total land area is to be allocated for industrial use.
More SL athletes win Medals at the Asian Para Games 2023 in China: Anil Prasanna (Silver) at the Men’s 100m event with a timing of 12.98 seconds: Nuwan Indika (Silver) at the Men’s Long Jump event: Galina Basnayake (Silver) at the Women’s 400m freestyle swimming event: Naveed Raheem (Bronze) at the Men’s 400m Freestyle swimming event.
