In honor of the momentous 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey, a commemorative stamp was issued on December 8th, marking this significant milestone.
The stamp design, crafted by renowned Sri Lankan artist Vasantha Perera, celebrated for creating 39 distinctive stamps for the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau, beautifully encapsulates the cultural resonance between the two nations. Symbolic elements such as the tulip and the carnation adorn the stamps, reflecting shared cultural motifs found in both Turkish and Sri Lankan traditional designs.
Demet Şekercioğlu, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Sri Lanka and Maldives, highlighted the significance of these floral elements, emphasizing their presence in the artistic heritage of both countries. The tulip and carnation, intricately depicted in the stamp’s design, serve as meaningful representations of cultural affinity and shared traditions between Turkey and Sri Lanka.
In a move set to bolster connectivity, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s inaugural low-cost carrier, announced the inauguration of a fresh route from Abu Dhabi to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s bustling capital.
Commencing from January 3, 2024, the new direct flights will link Abu Dhabi International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, operating three times a week. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We’re pleased to include Colombo in our expanding network, facilitating direct flights from Abu Dhabi. This aligns with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s strategic expansion to fortify the capital’s connectivity with numerous destinations, bolstering the UAE’s travel and tourism sectors. This new route offers travelers an opportunity to explore the mesmerizing island in the Indian Ocean and underscores our commitment to providing affordable and quality air travel.”
This addition marks Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s 34th destination, amplifying its ongoing expansion strategy. The airline operates a fleet of 10 modern Airbus A320 aircraft, known for their comfort and spaciousness. Passengers can relish an enhanced economy cabin experience, featuring generous seat-pitch, complemented by an array of snacks and meals available through ‘SkyCafe’ at budget-friendly prices. Moreover, the airline offers a free in-flight streaming service called ‘SkyTime,’ allowing passengers to enjoy diverse entertainment on their personal devices. The carrier also boasts the innovative and customer-friendly loyalty program ‘Air Rewards,’ enabling passengers to earn, transfer, and redeem points.
Booking for these direct flights is accessible through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or authorized travel agencies, granting customers seamless access to this new route between the two cities.
During a gathering of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development in Parliament on 28.11.2023, the National Action Plan to mitigate human-elephant conflicts took center stage. Chaired by Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, Member of Parliament, the committee saw the presentation of this vital plan by Dr. Sumit Pilapitiya and wildlife scientist Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, who spearhead the committee responsible for its implementation.
The presentation highlighted alarming statistics: 433 wild elephants lost their lives in Sri Lanka during 2022. Officials emphasized that wild elephants now inhabit 62% of the country’s landmass, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human-elephant conflicts. Proposed solutions included the experimental construction of electric fences, such as community-led rural electric fences and temporary ones safeguarding paddy fields.
Emphasizing the need for public awareness programs, the Committee Chair stressed the importance of educating communities about elephant behavior and necessary behavioral changes. Wildlife and environmental organizations were urged to contribute programs tailored to these communities. These organizations emphasized their ability to provide effective awareness initiatives if the conflict areas were accurately identified.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, stressed the necessity for a national land utilization plan to curb human-elephant conflicts. He underscored the importance of accurately identifying elephant-inhabited rural areas and the severity of conflict in certain divisional secretariats. Additionally, he clarified that an elephant census was not intended for exporting surplus elephants but for conservation purposes.
Several Committee Members, including Hon. Varuna Liyanage, Hon. Tilak Rajapaksa, Hon. Chandima Veerakkodi, and Hon. Chinthaka Amal Mayadunne, alongside officials from Wildlife Sri Lanka and activists from wildlife and environmental organizations, actively participated in the discussions.
The meeting showcased a unified effort by government officials, legislators, and wildlife experts to address the escalating human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka
In a landmark announcement during the 150th anniversary celebration of the Colombo Colts Cricket Club (CCC), President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledged a transformative agenda aimed at depoliticizing and modernizing Sri Lankan cricket within the next decade. His comprehensive strategy, outlined at the CCC grounds, focused on instituting an independent trust to oversee school cricket’s financial administration and development, backed by a substantial budget.
Emphasizing the need for transparency and efficiency in fund utilization, President Wickremesinghe revealed a budget allocation of 1.5 billion rupees for the current year, with plans to increase it annually to 2 billion rupees. Central to his commitment was the eradication of political influence in cricket affairs, including the abolishment of interim committees’ powers and ministerial involvement. New legislation is set to safeguard the sport from such interference.
President Wickremesinghe’s proposal introduced an independent trust tasked with managing allocated funds transparently and driving school cricket development aligned with the 2030 vision for Sri Lankan cricket. Acknowledging the Colombo Colts Cricket Club’s historical significance, he applauded its role in shaping the nation’s cricketing heritage and awarded lifetime memberships to members of the victorious 1996 and 2014 World Cup teams.
Reflecting on cricket’s evolution in Sri Lanka, President Wickremesinghe highlighted plans to enhance cricket infrastructure, especially in less developed provinces like the North Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces. He emphasized the goal of making cricket accessible across all schools, irrespective of location, ensuring a level playing field and fostering talent nationwide.
The President’s vision extended to gender inclusivity, aiming to encourage female students’ active participation in cricket. To ensure effective fund management, a group of experts, including former cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Aravinda de Silva, alongside a Chamber of Commerce nominee, will oversee fund utilization.
Additionally, plans were unveiled to refurbish the Diyagama ground into a modern sports campus, aligning with Sri Lanka’s ambition to excel not only in sports but also in economic growth.
President Wickremesinghe’s speech signals a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan cricket, promising a transformative journey toward excellence. The event, graced by dignitaries including First Lady Professor Maithree Wickramasinghe and prominent figures from the cricketing world, sets the stage for a new era of cricketing prowess and integrity in Sri Lanka.
China recently announced a strategic reduction in fees for inbound travel visas by 25%, aiming to entice a higher influx of foreign tourists. This initiative, revealed by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is set to be implemented across all of China’s overseas embassies and consulates starting from December 11, 2023, and extending until December 31, 2024.
The Ministry emphasized its eagerness to streamline cross-border travel and collaborate with relevant nations to establish favorable conditions, ensuring increased convenience for travelers. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s commitment to supporting measures that facilitate smooth international travel.
Wang Wenbin highlighted that this decision aligns with China’s efforts in combatting COVID-19 by implementing stringent measures against Class-B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023.
Authorities in Palai, Jaffna, made a significant breakthrough as they apprehended two individuals in possession of 690 units of T-56 ammunition. The seizure unfolded during a routine inspection of a suspicious motorcycle, revealing the ammunition neatly packed inside a bag belonging to the motorcycle’s rider.
The arrested suspects, aged 26 and 33, hail from Ittavil and Senthil Nagar respectively. The police are currently investigating the origins and intended use of the seized ammunition, as such a substantial quantity raises concerns regarding potential illegal activities or connections to larger networks involved in illicit arms trade or conflicts.
Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekara, confirmed that the anticipated presentation of the Electricity Bill in Parliament on December 13th has been postponed until January 2024. The delay stems from the detection of 42 printing errors within the gazetted Bill, as disclosed by the Ministry.
Assuring corrective measures, Minister Wijesekara mentioned that these errors are slated for review by the Attorney General’s office to ensure accuracy and coherence within the proposed legislation.
In parallel, Minister Wijesekara also revealed plans for a forthcoming electricity tariff revision scheduled for implementation in January 2024. This announcement hints at potential adjustments in energy costs, although specific details regarding the proposed changes remain undisclosed at this stage.
Several spells of showers will occur at Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.Misty condition can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva provinces in the morning.The public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): The Government is ready to reconsider the the inclusion of 97 out of the 138 items slated for the application of Value-Added Tax (VAT) starting January 1, 2024, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.
Siyambalapitiya made this statement recently on the eve of the presentation of the VAT amendment bill in parliament on December 10 aimed at increasing the rate to 18 percent from the present 15 percent marking the highest level in two decades.
The current economic landscape, characterized by escalating income taxes, elevated electricity tariffs, and rise in fuel prices, suggests that an additional VAT increment will further strain consumers’ purchasing power, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce highlighted.
As consumer spending plays a pivotal role in our GDP growth, there’s a significant risk that this tax increase could lead to a further decline in consumption.
.It is likely to hit the spending on consumption of the people, wage earners in particular who have already taken loans, leases and housing loans from bank and finance companies.
The Government is to raise more that Rs.600 billion equivalent to 2.1 of GDP from the 18 percent VAT hike catching petrol diesel and fertiliser which were not liable for this tax earlier in to this tax net, they revealed.
Accordingly an additional sum of over Rs 30,000 will have to be spent by a person per year due to this indirect tax revision, chairman of the parliamentary ways and means committee Patalee Champika Ranawake disclosed.
Several officials of the Ministry of Finance stated that agricultural machinery and other equipment including chemical fertiliser which was listed as exempted previously will be VAT liable under the Vat amendment bill.
They added that that agricultural seeds, agricultural plants, shrimp feed inclusive of prawn feed and animal feed excluding poultry feed will however be exempted from VAT.
Furthermore, dairy products such as liquid milk and eggs will also be liable for the VAT. However, the Ministry of Finance stated that wheat, wheat flour or powdered milk, pharmaceutical products, drugs will be exempted.
Minster Siyambla pitita said the government is prepared to take into consideration the concerns raised by various parties with regard to the proposed removal of VAT exemptions.
He claimed that the government expects to generate an income of Rs.378 billion through the revision of the list of goods exempt from VAT.
The agricultural seeds, agricultural plants, shrimp feed inclusive of prawn feed and animal feed excluding poultry feed will however be exempted from VAT.
Furthermore, dairy products such as liquid milk and eggs will also be liable for the VAT. However, the Ministry of Finance stated that wheat, wheat flour or powdered milk, pharmaceutical products, drugs will be exempted.
Colombo (LNW):The Thirty-seventh Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) will be held as a high-level Ministerial in-person event in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 19 – 22 February 2024.
It will be preceded by the Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) to be held virtually from 31 January to 2 February, 2024.
The state of food and agriculture in the region; agrifood systems transformation; and solutions particularly for smallholders and family farmers will be discussed at the conference..
FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition.
The Asia Pacific Regional Conference will enable ministers of agriculture and high officials from 46 member countries across the Asia Pacific region to discuss challenges and priorities related to food and agriculture and promoting regional coherence.
The Ministerial session planned for 19th to 22nd February 2024 will be preceded by a Senior Officers’ Meeting (SOM) to be held virtually from 31st January to 2nd February 2024.
The SOM will be chaired by Janaka Dharmakeerthi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries. The report of the SOM will be presented at the Ministerial session for adoption.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, held a joint media conference on 8th December 2023 regarding the upcoming conference.
Speaking at the media conference, Mahinda Amaraweera stated, “The 37th APRC will provide a vital platform for regional collaboration, benefitting the agricultural landscape, the fisheries sector and environment of Sri Lanka, as well as participating member countries.”
Vimlendra Sharan stated, “FAO has supported the country in the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and the development of the fisheries sector for growth and climate resilience. The APRC conference will be an opportunity to highlight the innovative approaches introduced in partnership with the government.”
By hosting the 37th APRC, Sri Lanka demonstrates the country’s dedication to the growth of sustainable agriculture, not just at home but across the region, and showcases its commitment to being partners in sustainable agricultural development.
The APRC agenda will include a forum on agritourism, especially requested by the Sri Lankan government.
This forum will give high-level delegates arriving in the island from across the Asia Pacific region the opportunity to recognize Sri Lanka’s viability as an agritourism destination, further developing the nation’s agritourism sector and bringing in valuable foreign exchange. The 37th APRC presents a valuable opportunity for Sri Lanka.
