February 26, Colombo (LNW): Opposition parties have recently announced their intention to table a motion of no confidence against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, confirming this development during a briefing, cited the Speaker’s alleged violation of Parliamentary procedures by disregarding directives from the Judiciary concerning the Online Safety Bill as the rationale behind the decision.
Bandara further stated that the motion of no confidence would be formally presented in the coming days.
The decision to pursue the motion of no confidence was reached during a meeting convened by the Opposition parties earlier today.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee indicates appreciation against the US Dollar today (26) in comparison to last week’s Thursday, as per leading commercial banks in the country.
At Peoples Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 304.99 from Rs. 305.48, and the selling price to Rs. 315.62 from Rs. 316.13.
At Commercial Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 304.77 from Rs. 305.01, and the selling price to Rs. 314.75 from Rs. 315.
At Sampath Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 305.50 from Rs. 306, and the selling price to Rs. 314.50 from Rs. 315.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s export sector is to be reinvigorated by entering into free trade agreements with India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China by the end of 2024 moving away from limited market access.
The recently released fifth Export Barometer Survey by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce showcases the resilience of Sri Lankan exporters despite a challenging global outlook.
In a survey covering 2023 and forecasting 2024, exporters expressed confidence in their growth prospects.
Amidst economic dynamics, the export sector exhibited robust growth in 2023. Exporters stressed that increasing utility prices and the cost of transport and logistics posed significant challenges during 2023.
Service-oriented exporters grappled with a lack of skilled labour, highlighting a sector-specific challenge that warrants attention. However, most exporters identified new business opportunities, leading to workforce expansion to meet growing production demands.
Digital transformation was a key trend, with exporting firms, especially SMEs, leveraging digital tools for streamlined processes.
From digital marketing to cutting-edge technologies, exporters embraced innovation to enhance global visibility.
Political stability and a consistent energy supply were identified as crucial facilitators for operational optimisation.
Despite global uncertainties, Sri Lankan exporters remain optimistic about economic and export growth in 2024.
Looking ahead, exporters plan to implement strategic measures, including adopting more competitive pricing strategies, to boost export orders.
At present Sri Lanka significantly lags behind regional competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh.
This issue was highlighted by foreign minister Ali Sabry, who pointed out the vast difference in export earnings.
While Vietnam boasts exports of USD 370 billion and Bangladesh at USD 60 billion, Sri Lanka struggles with a mere USD 12-14 billion
Recognizing this challenge, President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on a long-term program to establish FTAs with Asian countries.
By unlocking new markets and empowering the export economy, this initiative aims to revitalize Sri Lanka’s economic growth and build a more resilient future”, the minister explained.
Sri Lanka’s economy is set for a significant boost thanks to a recently signed free trade agreement with Thailand and on-going negotiations with other major economies.
This agreement, along with technical assistance from Thailand, is expected to attract substantial investments in key sectors like fisheries, tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.
By the end of 2024, Sri Lanka aims to finalize free trade agreements with India, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
These agreements have the potential to significantly expand market access for Sri Lankan businesses and attract even more foreign investment.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Army has announced the authorisation for public access to seven Hindu temples (Kovils) located within the high-security zone under the jurisdiction of the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna.
Under this directive, civilians will be allowed to partake in weekly poojas and other associated rituals at the following Kovils: Kaduwan Muttumari Amman Kovil, Vasavilan Manampirai Kovil, Visavilan Shivam Kovil, Vasavilan Naga Kovil, Palali Raja Rajeswari Kovil, Palali Naga Thampilan Kovil, and Palali Shaktiveli Murugan Kovil.
This decision comes in response to numerous appeals from temple trustees and civil organisations.
Previously, permissions were restricted to monthly and special poojas at these Kovil premises.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka wellness tourism has been boosted by a ground-breaking strategic action plan by the Export Development Board (EDB) focusing attention on product development, brand evaluation and development as well as marketing strategy.
The objective of the project is to provide an overview and analysis of Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism capacity and define its unique selling propositions (USPs)
Based on the analysis, the assessment will provide key recommendations for a short-, medium- and long-term strategy to maintain and secure new markets to position the country as an attractive destination for wellness tourists.
The UK, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Australia have been recognised as initial focused markets to promote wellness tourism.
Interface Tourism, a leading marketing and communications agency in the tourism has announced the launch of a ground-breaking wellness campaign to promote Sri Lanka, targeted at the French and German markets.
This initiative, commissioned by the European Union Delegation with the support of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, is a part of Sri Lanka’s strategic effort to position itself as a premier wellness destination in Asia.
Interface Tourism is launching a 2-month digital campaign to promote Sri Lanka as the premier wellness destination in Asia, tapping into the burgeoning global wellness tourism market.
This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s unparalleled wellness offerings, such as authentic Ayurveda, Yoga, meditation, Pancha Karma, and Hela Wedakama, against the backdrop of the country’s abundant biodiversity.
At the heart of the campaign are thirty influencers from France and Germany, embarking on journeys through Sri Lanka to share the country’s wellness experiences on their social media platforms, bringing to life the authentic and captivating aspects of their travels.
Supplementing these influencer stories is a well-crafted digital media strategy, featuring captivating video content, a lively social media footprint, and targeted display advertising.
A multilingual microsite further enriches the campaign, acting as a comprehensive source of information and experiences related to Sri Lanka’s wellness offerings.
The campaign commenced on 15 February with the introduction of six German influencers to Sri Lanka.
They are set to discover the country’s distinct landscapes, rich culture, and diverse wellness services. Their experiences will be broadcasted on Instagram and TikTok, providing a glimpse into their journeys to a global audience.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said, “This collaborative effort with the European Union in promoting wellness tourism segment through this campaign will definitely support the Srilankan Tourism stakeholders to capture a lucrative market having a great potential for Sri Lanka especially from the European countries.”
He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the European Union, Interface Tourism and local industry for their contribution in making this campaign a success.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): In light of recent controversy surrounding a planned evening gathering in Unawatuna, the Russian Embassy in Colombo has released a statement denouncing all forms of racial discrimination and nationalism.
The event, organised with a “dress-code: white” theme by a group of entrepreneurs, initially sparked concerns.
While it was revealed that the primary promoter and the bar owners agreeing to host the event were reportedly Russian citizens, these claims remain unverified, as stated by the Embassy.
Following confusion and apprehensions regarding entry requirements, the organisers subsequently issued apologies and clarified that their intentions were not to propagate harm.
Press-release of the Russian Embassy regarding the controversial night event in Unawatuna pic.twitter.com/Hx1BN5WpC8
In its statement, the Russian Embassy reiterated Russia’s steadfast stance against injustices of any kind and affirmed its dedication to combatting such behaviours.
Furthermore, the embassy advised all Russian nationals visiting or residing in Sri Lanka to adhere strictly to the country’s laws and to show respect for local customs.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and the official creditor committee has agreed on a debt restructuring deal, the Paris Club Secretariat said.
“The OCC and Sri Lanka agreed on the main parameters of a debt treatment consistent with those of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement between Sri Lanka and the IMF,” the statement said.
French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jean-François Pactet yesterday said France’s collaborative efforts with fellow members of the Paris Club group of creditors to finalise an agreement addressing Sri Lanka’s debt negotiations.
He highlighted the dedication of Paris Club members in striving to achieve a consensus to tackle Sri Lanka’s debt crisis.
The Ambassador said that Paris Club members are diligently working towards reaching a consensus to address Sri Lanka’s debt crisis.
“It is a very complex negotiation and we need to build consensus,” the Ambassador told a group of journalists yesterday.
Despite the complexity of the negotiations, the Ambassador remained optimistic about the progress being made. While he refrained from setting a specific timeline for the agreement, he assured that efforts were underway to expedite the process.
Ambassador Pactet also highlighted France’s collaboration with the French Development Agency to support ongoing and new projects in Sri Lanka.
He pointed out that despite the challenges posed by the debt crisis, France remained committed to continuing its developmental initiatives in the country.
The Ambassador underscored the importance of resolving the debt crisis promptly to facilitate future collaborations and projects between France and Sri Lanka.
“This is why it is essential to reach a consensus swiftly with the Official Creditors Committee to be able to move forward with our commitments and projects,” he added.
Ambassador Pactet commended the positive turnaround in the economy over the last year and reiterated France’s dedication to supporting Sri Lanka during this challenging period and reiterated its readiness to assist as soon as an agreement is reached.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): The prevailing dry weather condition in Eastern and Uva provinces is expected to temporarily change from today (26), the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today.
Showers will occur at times in Nuwara-Eliya, Matale and Polonnaruwa districts, the statement added.
Several spells of showers will occur in Eastern and Uva provinces.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Galle and Matara districts in the evening or night.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in eastern slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern, North-western, Uva and Eastern provinces.
The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Batticaloa.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Hambantota via Matara. Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Hambantota via Matara can be rough at times. The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil can be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
February 26, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lankan cricket star Tillakaratne Dilshan has been awarded Australian citizenship, a development confirmed by Australian MP Jason Wood in a recent social media update.
Dilshan, known for his dynamic batting prowess, notably contributed to numerous victories for the Sri Lankan cricket team during his illustrious career.
With his retirement from professional cricket, the 47-year-old’s acquisition of Australian citizenship signifies a significant milestone in his post-playing days.
“Today’s citizenship ceremony was graced by the presence of Tillakaratne Dilshan, the former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team,” remarked MP Jason Wood in his social media post.
Wood highlighted Dilshan’s remarkable cricketing achievements, emphasising his reputation as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in ODI run-chases and his pivotal role in the team’s triumphs, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
Welcoming Dilshan as a new Australian citizen and local resident, Wood expressed optimism about the veteran cricketer potentially joining a local cricket team.
He also mentioned Dilshan’s daughter Resandi, who appears to be following in her father’s footsteps.
Dilshan’s cricketing legacy includes over 10,000 runs from 330 ODIs, 5492 runs from 87 Test matches, and 1889 runs from 80 T20I matches. Known for his innovative batting techniques, such as the famous scoop shot, Dilshan’s versatile and effective style left an indelible mark on the cricketing world across formats.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe launches the “Presidential Academic Scholarship Programme 2024/2025” to support Sri Lankan students from Grade 01 to Grade 11 across all schools nationwide: The initiative, funded by the President’s Fund with Rs. 3,600 million, aims to aid 100,000 students annually and ensure uninterrupted education for those facing financial challenges.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says he will never accept an invitation by an administration that protects thieves to build the country together: asserts the country needs good policies rather than public figures: stresses had he pledged allegiance to the current regime upon invitation, he too would have to raise hand in favour of the former Health Minister who executed the importation of sub-standard medicines.
NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya invites all women to join hands for a change in era: says the NPP has no individual expectations but a collective effort: adds every person is important to play a role in building the country: stresses the context of ‘servant-and-master’ should be replaced with equal citizens who are fighting for their rights: asserts diversity among the communities should be the strength of the people.
Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe emphasises the need for collective agreements among BIMSTEC countries: highlights the importance of progressing a free trade agreement within the group, aiming to strengthen trade relations and enhance regional security: also addresses the challenge of increasing financing amidst global interest rate hikes and stresses opportunities for investment and trade in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power: affirms Sri Lanka’s efforts to promote regional investment in power generation and engage in global forums to address climate change.
The Army grants public access to seven Hindu temples (Kovils) located within the high-security zone in Jaffna: Civilians can now participate in weekly poojas and rituals at these temples, following appeals from temple trustees and civil organisations: Previously, permissions were limited to monthly and special poojas.
The Central Bank requests a forum with MPs to explain the recent salary adjustments for CBSL personnel: Governor Weerasinghe conveyed the request to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, emphasising transparency and accountability: says the salary recalibration was endorsed by the Governing Board within the triennial Collective Agreement negotiated with Trade Unions: expresses readiness to provide clarifications upon receiving the requested platform or relevant inquiries from authorities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry says for the first time in history, tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka may surpass 2.5 million in 2024: asserts considering the tourist arrivals in the months of January and February this year compared to last year, it is clear that the relevant target can be easily achieved.
Fishermen in Tamil Nadu’s Thangachimadam and Rameswaram regions, along with their families, commence a hunger strike protesting against ongoing arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy: Recent imprisonment of five fishermen prompted the strike: demand unconditional release of detained fishermen and assurance against future arrests: Leaders vow to continue strike until demands are met and call for Central government intervention to secure release of fishermen and their boats.
The Russian Embassy issues a statement condemning racial discrimination and nationalism amidst controversy over a planned evening gathering in Unawatuna with a “dress-code: white” theme: While the event’s promoters and the bar owners were reportedly Russian citizens, the Embassy asserts these claims were unverified: Following concerns and confusion over entry requirements, the organisers apologised and cancelled the event: The Embassy reaffirms Russia’s stance against injustice and advises Russian nationals in Sri Lanka to obey local laws and customs.
Former Sri Lankan cricket star Tillakaratne Dilshan granted Australian citizenship, confirms Australian MP Jason Wood: Wood highlights Dilshan’s cricketing achievements, including leading Sri Lanka to victories in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20: welcomes Dilshan as a new citizen and expressed hope for his involvement in local cricket.
