Colombo (LNW): Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Vadivel Suresh has assumed the role of Senior Advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Presidential Secretariat announced.
In this capacity, Suresh will focus on facilitating the comprehensive integration of Hill Country Tamils into Sri Lankan society.
Notably, SJB recently removed Vadivel Suresh from the position of SJB’s Passara Organiser due to his vote in favour of the second reading of the 2024 Budget during a parliamentary session last week.
Colombo (LNW): To honor the 50th death anniversary of Chilean Nobel Prize laureate and poet Pablo Neruda, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Embassy of Chile in New Delhi, partnered with the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Kelaniya, the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, India said in a statement.
Together, they organised an event featuring the presentation of the book “සෙයිලාන් දූපතේ දීප්තිමත් හුදෙකලාව” (Ceylan Doopathe Deepthimath Hudekalawa) on December 1, 2023, at the University of Kelaniya.
The translated book, by Indrani Rathnasekara, captures a chapter from Neruda’s memoirs, “Ceilán: La Soledad Luminosa,” recounting his time in Ceylon from 1929-1930 as the first Chilean Consul.
The event saw the presence of Juan Angulo, the Chilean Ambassador in India concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, as the guest of honour.
The inauguration included Senior Lecturer Wijayananda Rupasinghe, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, and Professor M. M. Gunathilake, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, both from the University of Kelaniya. Indrani Rathnasekera, the translator, and Dr. Darshana Samaraweera, Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Education, played key roles in the event. The book was presented to the University of Kelaniya librarian and the Director of National Schools for circulation among schools.
This commemorative event served as a successful initiative to strengthen the ties between Sri Lanka and Chile, showcasing the potential for collaboration between Sri Lanka and diplomatic missions concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka from other capitals.
Currently, 99 foreign diplomatic missions are concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka from New Delhi, with the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi acting as the focal point for their interactions with Sri Lanka.
Colombo (LNW): On November 30, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe addressed the inaugural cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers set to depart for Sri Lanka on December 1, 2023, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC said in a statement.
The ceremonial event, held at Hotel Washington in Washington D.C., marked the 25-year partnership between the Peace Corps and Sri Lanka, emphasising U.S. support for the Sri Lankan Government’s priorities in English education development.
Rebecca Gong Sharp, Regional Director for the Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia region of the Peace Corps, acknowledged the support from the Government of Sri Lanka and local communities. She introduced Ambassador Samarasinghe as a dedicated and highly experienced diplomat and former senior politician.
Ambassador Samarasinghe, in his remarks, delved into the history of the Peace Corps in Sri Lanka, highlighting the opportunities it created and its impact on vulnerable rural communities, enhancing their English proficiency and employability.
Ambassador Samarasinghe also addressed the regional disparities within provinces and districts, emphasising the U.S. Peace Corps’ focus on collaborating with rural communities where English knowledge dissemination is essential. He underscored the significance of 2023, marking 75 years of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States, expressing appreciation for the Peace Corps’ initiative to strengthen the friendship between the two countries through people-to-people contact.
Carol Spahn, Director of the Peace Corps, conveyed her gratitude to the Peace Corps Volunteers, praising the hospitality of Sri Lanka and its people. She extended her well wishes to the volunteers, expressing confidence in their transformative experience in Sri Lanka.
It was noted that upon arrival, the twenty-three Peace Corps Volunteers will undergo an extensive three-month training in Sinhala and Tamil languages, local culture, and customs before commencing their two-year English Language Training as teachers alongside Sri Lankan teachers in the rural communities of Uva and Central Provinces.
Established in May 1960 by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps engages skilled volunteers in service opportunities across more than 60 countries. The Peace Corps envisions being a dynamic, forward-leaning champion for international service, defined by its energy, innovation, and development impact. The Peace Corps is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
A surge in Polish visitors to Sri Lanka this Winter/Spring season is expected due to the increase in direct Polish charter flights form Warsaw and other Polish cities, to Colombo and Mattala airports. These include LOT Charters (a fully owned subsidiary of LOT Polish Airlines – Boeing 787 Dreamliner)), SkyUp Airlines (Boeing 737-800 NG) and Enter Air (largest Polish charter airline and second largest in Europe), in addition to the regular Turkish Airlines’ flights carrying Polish tourists to Sri Lanka from Warsaw via Istanbul.
A fresh impetus to activating further interest in destination Sri Lanka, was given by the recent official unveiling of LOT Polish Airlines’ 2024-2028 Strategy, which identified Sri Lanka among the profitable Asian destinations.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Poland Dhammika Kumari Semasinghe, invitee of LOT PolishChief Commercial Officer Michał Fijoł to the unveiling ceremony, welcomed the news thatITAKA Travels, a top Polish tour operator, in collaboration with LOT Charters and its Sri Lanka partner, will operate direct flights from Warsaw to Colombo, from 4 January until 21 March 2024.
While ENTER Air began its flights to Sri Lanka in November 2023, SkyUp Airlines will commence its first direct flight from Warsaw to Mattala on 18 December 2023, and for the first time, its second and third inaugural flights from Southern Polish cities Katowice and Rzeszów on 22 and 25 December, respectively, and continue until 16 April 2024.
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Warsaw has continued to maintain the momentum of its destination promotional activities in creative ways using different platforms.
Integrating trade and travel promotional activities, the Sri Lanka Mission continues to participate in public diplomacy events in different Polish cities and towns through its established networks.
Sri Lanka’s standing in Poland, as an attractive destination in Asia, has substantially increased since August 2021, which resulted in Poland’s ranking among the top ten tourism source countries for Sri Lanka from December 2021 until May 2022. The country has also been identified by the Sri Lanka Tourism as a new tourism generating country in Central Europe.
Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, has announced the initiation of a pilot programme for the implementation of new educational reforms across all grades in the upcoming year.
The programme aims to digitise the entire education system with support from local and foreign sponsors.
Minister Premajayantha also revealed plans to conduct the GCE O/L Examination in Grade 10 and the GCE A/L Examination in Grade 12.
The 2024 budget allocates Rs. 237 billion to the Ministry of Education and an additional Rs. 280 billion for provincial education, totaling approximately Rs. 517 billion for education.
Special programmes for the educational advancement of children with special needs and the introduction of an inclusive education system are part of the agenda.
Efforts are directed toward STEAM education, emphasising science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The digitalisation of the education system will be introduced through a pilot programme in the coming year, spanning grades 1-5, 6-9, and 10-13.
Plans to revise student exam grades are underway, aiming for university completion before the age of 21. In the next year, 2,535 teachers will be recruited for estate school development, and training opportunities will be extended.
A special programme for early childhood development, targeting children aged 3-5, has been devised in collaboration with the Children’s Secretariat, National Institute of Education, and UNICEF.
Proactive measures are being implemented to fill existing vacancies within the education service before the next school year.
Colombo (LNW): In a noteworthy development aimed at enhancing the facilities for students at Sri Lanka Law College, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced the allocation of government-owned land for this purpose.
The decision was made during a discussion held at the Parliament Complex on December 6.
President Wickremesinghe emphasised the historical significance of Sri Lanka Law College, set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2024, and its notable contribution, having produced three presidents.
Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga conveyed that a plot of land owned by the Urban Development Authority would be provided to Sri Lanka Law College in accordance with the President’s directive.
President Wickremesinghe instructed relevant authorities to promptly develop plans for the immediate enhancement of the law college’s facilities. In the initial phase, a 40-perch plot will be allocated, with further allocation based on the comprehensive plan, following consultations with the Ministry of Justice.
Dr. Atula Pathinayake, the Principal of the Law College, noted during the event that in the school’s 150-year history, no land had been allocated to improve student facilities. He acknowledged President Wickremesinghe for the attention given to this matter.
The gathering included Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Satyananda, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority Nimesh Herath, officials from the Attorney General’s Department, and representatives from the students’ union of the Law College.
Leasing & Loan Repayment Members Association Chairman Asanka Pothupitiya says loan interest rates have risen from 8% to 18%, & leasing rates have risen from 12% to 34%: laments there is no pay increase for Govt or private sector employees & the prices of necessities are exorbitant: asks how people are going to pay their housing and leasing payments in such circumstances: meanwhile, according to media reports, approximately 8.5 mn people are listed in the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB) as being delinquent in their credit status.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe reveals there are 1,104,458 cases being heard in courts throughout the country as at 30th Jun’23: says these cases are being heard by 429 judges: also says though the number of Justices in the Supreme Court & Appeal Court were increased under the 20th Amendment, the number of cases resolved hasn’t increased in comparison to the increase in Judges: adds the COVID pandemic & civil unrest last year also played a part in delaying cases.
Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera says that over a year after the killing of 8 persons including SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Atukorale & his police bodyguard and destruction of approximately 150 private properties, the Govt is yet to conduct a proper inquiry into the incidents.
The 13th Round of Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) negotiations between SL & India scheduled to be held from January 8 to 10, 2024, in India.
Rebel SLPP MP Professor G L Peiris says the duty & responsibility of the Govt should not be to establish new universities and higher education institutions, but to improve the quality of the existing institutions.
National Water Supply & Drainage Board says it is working on introducing a revisable water tariff formula, like the fuel price formula: asserts the Board needs electricity (which has risen in cost) & imported chemicals to treat water: further asserts that therefore that it is focusing on introducing a “water tariff formula” factoring those charges.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena says SL is poised to receive approval from the IMF for the 2nd tranche of the USD 2.9 bn EFF next week: asserts the State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe believes funds can be transferred on 12th Dec’23.
Residents of Thirappane claim the wild elephant, popularly known as “Agbo”, has started roaming around their villages again due to its habituation: also say this has become a serious risk to the elephant: previously, the elephant sustained gunshot injuries & recovered after being treated by Wildlife Dept’s veterinarians.
National Dangerous Drugs Control Board says there is an increase in drugs being sent to SL by post from overseas: asserts anti-narcotics officers have been deployed to the postal service who are working on cracking down on these drug parcels.
SL Taekwondo Federation to conduct an International Taekwondo Championship in Colombo, commencing today: competitors from 8 South Asian countries & several Asian countries expected to participate.
Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places over most provinces of the island after 1.00 p.m, and fairly heavy showers about 75mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and North-central provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (07).
Several spells of showers can be expected in coastal areas of Western province and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning too, the statement went on, adding that misty Condition can be expected in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island particularly during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be South-westerly to South-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed may increase up to 40 kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankasanthurai and from Hambanthota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai and from Hambanthota to Pottuvil can be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW):The Hambantota International Port says that it is ready to move up its operations to a refinery, energy hub and container transshipment.
Tissa Wickremasinghe, COO of HIPG in a statement said that Sri Lanka needs to have a holistic approach in terms of container handling.
While noting that there is a ‘huge potential market out there’, and it can be captured under a unified Sri Lankan brand, the COO of the Hambantota International Port Group said that it will also provide great value in terms of cutting costs for the Indo-Pacific region manufacturers and for regions in the far east, who are reaching out to the gulf, European and African markets.
Hambantota International port (HIP) has earned the ‘amongst the best in the world’ benchmark for handling transshipment of vehicles coming on and off vessels in the past few years, with several of the largest shipping lines in the RO-RO business now operating in and out of HIP.
HIP’s latest endorsement comes from the shipping line MOL, who awarded the port an appreciation certificate for achieving ZERO damage operation and maintaining safe Pure Car Carrier (PCC) cargo handling during the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023.
“The award was presented under the category ‘Handling more than 40,000 annual MOL,’ at the shipping line’s Annual Stevedore Meeting (India and Indian Ocean Region), which was held in Chennai, recently,” said a statement.
The COO says HIP, which is the only ISO certified port in Sri Lanka with special emphasis on Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE), won several accolades for its RORO operations due to stringent practices and protocols.
Yuri Kannangara, General Manager Operations of HIPG attributes their success to the best-in-class technology adopted by the port which he says is key to maintaining high standards.
HIP has implemented modern port management systems, technology for cargo tracking, and advanced communication tools to streamline its operations.
“Apart from that the first pillar of maintaining standards in Ro-Ro port operations is a robust safety protocol.
This includes clear signage, designated pathways, and comprehensive emergency response plans. We conduct regular drills and training sessions to ensure that all personnel are well-prepared for any unforeseen circumstances,” he added in a statement.
Sagala Ratnayaka, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, has directed pertinent institution heads to furnish progress reports and future plans for the Beira Lake Development Project by December 15, as per discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat.
Ratnayaka’s directives also encompassed the submission of a comprehensive report detailing the status of the Colombo City Beautification Plan directly to the President.
During the meeting held on Monday at the Presidential Secretariat, the focus was on reviewing the execution of the Colombo City Beautification Plan and assessing the advancements made in the Beira Lake Development Project. Discussions centered on various facets, including plans for public engagement in the identified land around Beira Lake through collaboration with private entities. Notably, efforts to prevent sewage diversion into the lake were discussed, aiming to mitigate bacteria and algae accumulation.
Key agenda points included the redevelopment of the central bus station in proximity to the Fort Railway Station, partnership initiatives with the private sector for commercial development at the current bus station site, and initiatives for tree management in Colombo. Furthermore, the discussion encompassed the identification and maintenance of deteriorated buildings, devising traffic regulatory plans, and progress updates on rainwater drainage projects.
The meeting also addressed a collaborative program involving the Sri Lanka Police, Colombo Municipal Council, and Trade Associations aimed at managing congestion during the upcoming Christmas season in Colombo. Senior officials from various entities, including the Colombo Municipal Council, Urban Development Authority, Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, and Sri Lanka Police, actively participated in these deliberations.
