By: Staff Writer

February 20, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of brimming tourism early this year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe paid an observation visit to Tangalle and Galle areas underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing tourist facilities.

During the tour, President Wickremesinghe visited several tourist hotels, engaging with owners to understand their challenges first hand.

Amid a rejuvenated focus on revitalizing Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, Swift action was taken as the President addressed the concerns raised by the business community, liaising with relevant officials over the phone to devise solutions and gather input on industry development strategies.

The tourism sector in Sri Lanka faced a rapid downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges. However, with the government’s new initiatives, there has been a significant surge in tourist arrivals.

 Building on this momentum, the government aims to surpass the peak of 2.5 million tourists in 2017, with plans underway to achieve this milestone by 2024.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is experiencing a striking influx as the country welcomed over 100,000 tourists in the first 15 days of February, continuing to set an optimistic tone for 2024.

Accodibnf to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) released provisional figures yesterday, indicating that 115,328 tourists were welcomed in the first half of the month, pushing the year-to-date (YTD) figure to 323,581.

This achievement exceeds the total arrivals recorded for the entire month of February in 2023 which was registered at 107,639.

Industry analysts said the sector is making significant strides toward its ambitious goal of 238,614 monthly arrivals for February, where 52% of this target has already been accomplished within the first half of the month.

The data also showed that the daily average arrivals have picked up to 7,689 in February so far, a stark increase compared to last year as well as to January which stood at 6,717

In a bid to attract high-end tourists, who spend $500 a day, the government has rolled out infrastructure development projects and innovative tourism promotion programs.

President Wickremesinghe exchanged ideas with the business community in Tangalle and Galle  regarding these initiatives, receiving positive feedback on the transformative impact of the government’s programs on their operations.

The President’s itinerary included visits to tourist hotspots such as Seenimodara, Dikwella, Nilwella, Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Habaraduwa, as well as the Weligama Surf School along the south coast, where he assessed their activities firsthand.

Russia leads the arrivals during the first 15 days of the month with 16,701 visitors, followed by India with 15,220 and the UK contributing 11,548 arrivals. In addition, visitors from China, Germany, France, Poland, Australia, US and the Netherlands were also welcomed.

India maintains its position as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka year-to-date (YTD), with a cumulative total of 49,619 arrivals, followed by Russia with 47,860, UK with 28,213, Germany with 21,671 and China with 20,587 arrivals. For 2024, Sri Lanka Tourism has set an ambitious target to welcome 2.3 million tourists and earn over $ 4.5 billion

By: Staff Writer

February 20, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan Farmers have been deprived of insurance compensation for crop damages due to the failure to use Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS) properly, government audit office stated

Agreements had been reached with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to formulate the new system to streamline the process of insurance compensation for crop damages.

Although the financial facilities of Rs.20 million had been provided to the board for this purpose and the board had spent Rs.23 million towards this end the system has not used for the compensation process and therefore the desired objectives had not been achieved, government audit observed.

The Cabinet has decided to allocate necessary provisions to compensate the farmers affected due to bad weather in the Yala Season last year, the government said.

It said about 53,965 farmers were affected and 58,770 acres of paddy and other crops were damaged in the 2023 Yala Season as a result of the inability to provide sufficient water due to bad weather conditions.

Farmers related to compensation for crop losses have not been identified and settled, it added.

Although Rs.70.8 million compensation paid to 8,185 farmers in the years 2017 and 2018 related to the Kethata Aruna insurance scheme run by the Board to provide reparation to farmers for crop damages with the objective of promoting agricultural products, have sent back by the commercial banks.

This was due to nonconformity in account numbers, names and ID numbers of farmers, the relevant farmers have not been identified and that balance had not been settled for 05 years, audit report highlighted.

Insurance certificates had not been given to farmers after reducing the insurance premiums, the report revealed.

An accident insurance premium of Rs.10.77 million was deducted from the compensation amount to be paid to 26,904 farmers for the 2021/22 season.

Although the accident insurance cover should be provided for a period of one year from the date of reduction, the insurance certificates had not been issued to 14,779 farmers even though 07 months had passed from the date of reduction.

Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS) is developed by the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB) with technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the Global Index Insurance Facility (GIIF) – a multi donor trust fund.

AIMS is a pioneering step towards modernising the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka which consists of a web and mobile application to manage accurate data and streamline the operational aspects of the agriculture sector by connecting all stakeholders in to one hub, a high official of the agriculture ministry said.

It carries a centralised database that consists of farmer and farm field information along with geographical referencing, location data, weather data, irrigation system, fertiliser and many more details to facilitate the current requirements, he added.

February 20, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has rendered its verdict regarding the constitutionality of specific provisions within the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, which is currently under scrutiny in Parliament.

Following its assessment, the court concluded that certain segments of the bill, as currently drafted, would mandate a special majority vote in Parliament for ratification.

This implies that the proposed legislation would necessitate the support of two-thirds of the members present and voting in Parliament to pass.

Additionally, the court ruled that Article 62/1 of the bill, if enacted without modifications, would not only require a special majority vote in Parliament but also necessitate endorsement through a referendum.

Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa formally presented the court’s determination to Parliament earlier today.

1. UN FAO Director General Dr. Qu Dongyu visits President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat, praising his leadership during Sri Lanka’s economic challenges: assures continued FAO support, while President Wickremesinghe outlines recovery efforts, emphasising the need for an agriculture modernisation project.
   
2. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the government has failed in its inability to serve the people in a bankrupt country: stresses the government has not been able to reach an IMF agreement favouring the citizens of Sri Lanka: laments it favours the rich rather than protecting the people: adds that the Online Safety Act and Anti-Terrorism Act are being used to restrict people’s freedom and bar their right to know the truth.
   
3. Renowned human rights activist, Attorney-at-Law S.G. Punchihewa donates his well-known library to the National Peoples Power (NPP): says the NPP is an ‘excellent creation’ in the field of politics in Sri Lanka.
   
4. The Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of sections in the Anti-Terrorism Bill, stating that some sections require a special majority vote in Parliament: Article 62/1 would require both a special majority vote and a referendum for approval: Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa presented the determination to Parliament.
   
5. Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahia begins a three-day visit to Sri Lanka: His visit includes meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Official discussions with Minister Sabry are scheduled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
   
6. Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announces the launch of a digital education pilot project in March 2024, with Microsoft aiding in teacher training.
   
7. The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) praises Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre for pledging to pursue legal action against Sri Lanka for alleged war crimes, including genocide, through international avenues like the ICJ and Magnitsky sanctions: Poilievre aims to advocate for accountability at the UN and elsewhere, aligning with Canadian values: stresses the need for accountability amid ongoing racial violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka, advocating for peaceful, democratic solutions and international support.
   
8. US Ambassador Julie Chung expresses significant concerns regarding Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill, highlighting procedural flaws, ambiguous intentions, and potential threats to freedom of expression: stresses shortcomings in stakeholder engagement, cautions against misuse of the bill to suppress lawful expression, and questions the effectiveness of proposed amendments: urges the government to address citizen concerns and prioritise indigenous perspectives alongside international considerations.
   
9. Ex PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayaka criticises the current chairman’s handling of a public consultation on electricity tariff revision, deeming it inappropriate and unacceptable: stresses the importance of selecting qualified members for independent commissions like the PUCSL: adds that there is a need for proper representation, especially from the business community, in the commission’s composition.
   
10. Sadeera Samarawickrama (51) and Angelo Mathews (42n.o) add 66 runs sixth wicket stand as SL recorded 72 runs win over Afghanistan in their second T-20 game played at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium: The victory also marked 2-0 series win with one game to spare and Sri Lankan dominated both games: The first game won with thrilling 4 runs margin but it was fine team effort to beat them more comfortably with 72 runs margin.

February 20, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced the forthcoming launch of a pilot project aimed at digitising education, scheduled to commence in March 2024.

Addressing a briefing at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) yesterday (19), the Minister disclosed that Microsoft will be assisting in training teachers for this initiative.

Furthermore, the Minister confirmed the dispatch of school textbooks for the year 2024, emphasising complete coverage as all relevant materials have been sent to distribution stations.

The President’s Media Division (PMD) has outlined plans to finalise distribution at the school level by March 1, with an allocated expenditure of Rs. 12 billion for this purpose.

In addition, Premajayantha highlighted collaboration with the Chinese government, facilitating the acquisition of 80 per cent of required cloth for school uniforms, totaling Rs. 05 billion.

Distribution is underway, with the remaining 20 per cent expected shortly.

Efforts are also underway to prepare school timetables and term notes for the current year, with arrangements being made to conduct the G.C.E. (A/L) level examination as scheduled by year-end.

Detailed instructions regarding these activities will be disseminated to schools via circular within the next two to three weeks.

Concerns have been raised regarding decreased school enrollments due to a decline in birth rates, impacting children’s absence from school.

Additionally, the Minister addressed teacher shortages, with legal proceedings causing delays in recruitment.

Pending court decisions, efforts are underway to swiftly fill vacancies, including 20,000 teacher positions and 13,500 provincial-level vacancies.

Examinations for science and technology level vacancies are scheduled for the first week of March, with recruitment expected to conclude by month-end.

A budget of Rs. 16 billion has been allocated for school lunches, with agreements signed with USAID to provide meals to 200,000 children.

Initiatives have also commenced to engage parents through class meetings, focusing on guidance in areas such as road safety, drug prevention, and safeguarding against abuse.

Plans are in place to launch career and technology guidance courses across 300 centers nationwide, coinciding with the release of Advanced Level examination results.

Moreover, preparations are underway for the pilot project for digitalising education, scheduled for launch in March with support from Microsoft for teacher training.

February 20, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahia commenced a three-day official visit to the island on Monday night (19).

Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, the Iranian Foreign Minister, along with a delegation of 20 individuals, was warmly received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya.

This visit, initiated at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, will span from 19th to 21st February.

Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahia is slated to extend courtesy calls to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during his stay in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, official discussions between the visiting Iranian Minister and his delegation and Minister Ali Sabry are scheduled to take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.