Kapila Kumarasinghe, the Additional Commissioner General of Excise, announced that all licensed liquor shops in Sri Lanka will remain closed today in commemoration of World Temperance Day.
This decision underscores the country’s commitment to promoting temperance and responsible drinking. World Temperance Day serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. During this observance, Sri Lanka is taking a proactive step to encourage individuals to reflect on the impact of alcohol and to make responsible choices.
Colombo (LNW): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Indo Pacific Opportunity Project (IPOP) and Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance (SLTA) recently launched a social media influencer campaign to support efforts to increase Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals and boost the tourism industry.
The campaign will be conducted by a team of 10 global influencers with followers from top tourism source markets, including: the UK, India, France, Germany, Poland, Scandinavia, Canada and the United States.
The team will travel to many exotic locations around the country to showcase a range of sustainable niche tourism products and experiential cultural attractions that Sri Lanka has to offer to attract more visitors to the country.
Sri Lanka is currently experiencing an encouraging surge in tourist arrivals and on Tuesday 26 September, crossed the crucial landmark of one million tourists for the year 2023 – easily surpassing the total of 720,000 recorded for the whole of 2022.
USSAID launched the Indo Pacific Opportunity Project (IPOP) tourism activity in July 2022 to support economic reforms and promote foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka.
The two-year project is assisting the Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry to streamline and implement new policies and procedures to enable fast-tracking and attraction of foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
The launch of this social media influencer campaign is another step forward in USAID-IPOP’s strategy to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism.
The landmark also coincided with the celebration of World Tourism Day on 27 September.“The increase in tourist arrivals this year in Sri Lanka is very encouraging,” said Chief Guest, Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka Julie Chung at the special launch event.
With the United States having worked side-by-side with Sri Lanka for 75 years, this is what a strong partnership looks like,” she added.
Using social media influencer campaigns has become a popular strategy for brands and organisations globally to communicate their messages, products, or services to a broader and more engaged audience.
USAID has successfully sponsored social media influencer campaigns in Georgia and, most recently, Nepal. Theses campaigns are especially useful to target specific markets (e.g. UK, Germany, India, etc.) as well as certain interests (Adventure, Culture, Wellness etc.).
“This social media influencer campaign is a novel idea and very timely boost for tourism in Sri Lanka. said Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu.
By leveraging the power of social media through high-quality influencers, it is possible to increase the global awareness of the amazing tourism assets in Sri Lanka, positioning the country as a high-value destination.
Through captivating content, engaging storytelling, and strategic targeting, the campaign can generate demand, stimulate tourism growth, and contribute to the economic recovery of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
“In the tapestry of landscapes and cultures that cloak the island of Sri Lanka, there lies an abundance of singular and sustainable experiences and sights,” says Steller Co-Founder and CEO Pete Bryant.
Colombo (LNW): Former Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy has set the record straight over remarks concerning elections and the need to uphold fiscal discipline.
“Certain remarks which he made during a recent webinar organised by Capital Alliance have been the subject of misinterpretation in press articles which are currently doing the rounds. The gist of this is that he advocated the postponement of elections in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Coomaraswamy said.
Issuing a clarification he said that during some of the previous 16 IMF programs, progress was made in stabilising the economy, only for the approach of elections to result in the reversal of gains through indisciplined fiscal priming for narrow political gain.
“Significant progress has been made in stabilising the economy over the past 12 to 18 months.
In this context, he said that we should not allow elections to distract us, by which I meant that in the lead-up to any election, fiscal discipline should not be lost – as has happened time and again in the past, under multiple governments – and the long term macroeconomic program should be maintained.
“He noted that repetition of such fiscal indiscipline on this occasion would have much worse consequences than ever before, as the recent multiple crises have significantly eroded the resilience of both the economy and a large proportion of the population.
He said that he did not advocate the postponing of elections. Let me make it clear that I would under no circumstances advocate that the Constitution should be violated.
“To summarise, what he said was: do not repeat the same mistake of having fiscal indiscipline as the elections approach. The consequences this time will be much worse than anything we have known so far. I said nothing about the timing of the elections.”
Meanwhile it has been revealed that postponed local polls incurred Rs1 billion cost for state coffers
The government has spent a massive sum of public money amounting to Rs1 billion for prelimineray activities of the postponed local government elections scheduled to be held on April 25 2023 finance ministry records showed.
The cost for the Election Commission to conduct the elections estimated at just over Rs. 9 billion and the printing cost alone was Rs.1.827 billion out of which a sum of Rs.1 billion has already been spent.
Executive director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarchchi said that the local government elections had been postponed indefinitely and the government is planning to cancel the nominations given to elections.
A high Official of the Elections Commission stated that the deposits could be refunded only in the event the nominations submitted for the upcoming election are cancelled.
He further noted that in order for the nominations to be cancelled, the government is required to table a Bill in this regard before the Parliament, else, nominations will be cancelled only by way of a gazette notification.
Colombo (LNW): Global fashion infrastructure platform PDS Limited will be unveiling a centralized cutting plant in its Sri Lankan subsidiary Norlanka, located in Malwana.
With a fully digitalized and integrated system, starting from mill inspection to warehouse operations, fabric inspection and the cutting process, this initiative is a testament to how multinational companies can collaborate effectively with local manufacturers, by leveraging technology.
Founded over 24 years ago in Hong Kong, PDS has been growing steadily, creating a network that oversees the end-to-end manufacturing process of apparel.
Despite global economic challenges that have impacted apparel manufacturers worldwide, the Company generated US$ 2 Bn in Gross Merchandise Value and is poised to more than double its revenue in the next 4-5 years.
Priding itself as a global collaborative platform catering to over 300+ brands, the Company has expanded to over 22 countries, providing a global plug-and-play platform for entrepreneurs in the areas of designing, sourcing, manufacturing and brand management, serving leading global brands and retailers.
This unique business model not only operates in an asset-light manner, infusing scalability and robustness into the business, but also promotes a large entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout its entire value chain.
Executive Vice Chairman of PDS Pallak Seth says, “We are looking to further expand our manufacturing footprint to include Egypt and India, while also exploring other strategic locations.
Reflecting on the PDS journey when it established a presence in Sri Lanka over ten years ago to set up Norlanka, Seth observed that the country possessed the strength of a knowledgeable workforce and a rich vendor base.
“In just a few years, we generated a revenue of US$ 100 Mn by adopting a customised model designed specifically to meet consumer needs. We are now regarded as the preferred vendor for retailers who would otherwise find it challenging to manage and collaborate with smaller factories.
PDS is the conduit that ensures designs and financing are provided to factories. This leaves room for the factories to focus on manufacturing.”
In the world of global manufacturing, PDS views its subsidiary Norlanka as a thriving success story, poised for remarkable growth. The Company aspires to achieve a staggering revenue of US$ 120 Mn this year, with ambitions to double its business within the next 3-4 years.
In order to reach this target, PDS has several initiatives in the pipeline. The Company recently invested in a manufacturing base in Trincomalee for babywear and partnered with a further 2 to 3 factories to enhance its capacity.
The Company also established a centralized cutting plant in close proximity to the commercial capital Colombo, opening up capacity, adding value and creating further investment opportunities for vendors and customers.
Colombo (LNW): The ongoing evaluation – the first such review by the IMF – of the four year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, the new Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, continuing disinflation, the domestic debt optimisation (DDO) framework, and the fluctuating price of fuel are having whirlwind effects in business circles.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says it is confident that policy measures adopted thus far along with well anchored inflation expectations will stabilise the Colombo Consumers Price Index (CCPI) around mid-single digit levels over the medium term.
Governor of the Central Bank Nandalal Weerasinghe reveals that “a sizeable and swift downward adjustment in market lending interest rates is expected in the near term.”Indeed, this assurance will be music to the ears of businesses of all sizes and shape.
Approval Ofcreditors will play a pivotal role in securing debt sustainability. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasised the importance of this to ensure debt sustainability, which is a critical requirement of the US$ 3 billion EFF, not to mention efforts to overcome bankruptcy and external debt default.
Meanwhile, the government announced that Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs) have been completed within the DDO framework.
This could enable the government to reduce its gross financing needs (GFN) so as to align it with the target specified in the International Monetary Fund’s EFF programme.
Amid these developments, the LMD-NielsenIQ Business Confidence Index (BCI) gained eight basis points in September to reach 81 – which is still seven notches shy of its average over the last 12 months (88).
The index is also a whopping 27 points below its high-water mark since October last year – i.e. 108 in April. For the record however, the barometer is five points higher than where it was a year ago (76).
Topping the list of sensitivities could well be the outcome of the IMF’s review of Sri Lanka’s progress in meeting the commitments made under the EFF agreement.
To this end, Verité Research recently reported that Sri Lanka has met “at least 38 of the 57 IMF commitments due by end-August.
In addition, the business community will soon factor in two forthcoming pronouncements – viz. first and imminently, the presentation of Budget 2024 in parliament in November, which could be followed by news on the election front.
Meanwhile, OPEC has warned of a massive global crude inventory deficit of 3.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in the fourth quarter and this could have far-reaching impacts on prices across the globe in the new year.
PROJECTIONS NielsenIQ’s Market Leader – Sri Lanka Adrian Hakel says that “it remains to be seen how the recent price increases for gas and fuel will impact the index in October.”
And LMD continues to stand by its assertion in recent months that the index will remain in negative territory given the sensitivities that businesspeople will be mulling over in the near term.
Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva says the loss incurred by SriLankan Airlines over the last few days due to flight delays is USD 6 mn: also says there’s no possibility to grant a salary increase to employees right now: further says it has been decided to let other airlines operate the flights of the carrier by granting them the ‘5th Freedom Rights’.
SLPP MP Professor Ranjith Bandara says the SLPP is set to unveil the identity of the Party’s candidate for the Presidential Election 2024 at the Party Convention in November’23: also says the person has a name with 3 letters.
NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says plans are afoot to sell Milco, Highland and the dairy farms owned by the National Livestock Development Board to India’s Amul Diary Company: also says Cabinet approval has already been granted to sell Milco while a Cabinet Paper has been finalised to sell Highland: further says NLDB’s dairy farms in Adigama, Ridiyagama, Narammala & Polonnaruwa are also included.
Central Bank says Exports in August’23 has recorded USD 1.12 bn, which is a decline of 8.7% YOY compared to USD 1.22 bn in August’22: Imports also declined 4% YOY to USD 1.43 bn in August’23, compared to USD 1.49 bn in August’22.
Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella says a decision has been taken to halt the emergency purchasing of medicinal drugs, with immediate effect.
Technology State Minister Kanaka Herath confirms that the tender to build the platform for SL’s digital national identity card project will be refloated after the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee disqualified the 2 Indian companies that had submitted bids.
State Minister for SME Development Prasanna Ranaweera says SL will work with the SME Foundation of Bangladesh to implement joint ventures.
Electricity Consumers’ Association lament that the Public Utilities Commission does not intervene sufficiently to prevent the Ministry of Power & Energy and CEB from violating policies regarding electricity tariffs: also accuses the Govt of violating policies that govern the rights of the electricity consumers.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the Ministry is planning to recruit a group of Assistant Customs Superintendents and Customs Inspectors to increase the active contribution of young & talented officials to prevent tax evasion: also says the Govt had increased its revenue by 50% thus far this year, compared to the same period last year, although the progress is still not sufficient.
Sri Lanka’s Mixed Relay team comes second in the Mixed 4x400m event at the Asian Games, currently being worked off in China: however, the team has been denied the Silver Medal as it has been disqualified in the event due to a lane infringement.
Health Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, has announced the immediate suspension of emergency medicine procurement. This declaration came during a press briefing in Colombo on Monday (2).
In addition to his verbal statement, Minister Rambukwella also took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to provide further details. He revealed the formation of a Medicinal Management and Strategizing Committee (MMSC), tasked with overseeing, evaluating, and regulating the entire medicine procurement process within the ministry.
Furthermore, the Minister’s online post highlighted a series of decisions aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of drug procurement in Sri Lanka. These measures include the regulation and standardization of procurement practices, all designed to expedite the vital process of securing essential medicines for the nation.
Showery condition in the South-western part of the island is expected to be enhanced during next few days from today (03).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere, particularly in Eastern and Uva provinces during the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
02 October 2023 (Internet Media Action): The draft for the proposed Online Safety Act in Sri Lanka, unveiled recently, is one we strongly condemn for several reasons, including its overreaching, and unclear provisions which present a grim outlook for online freedoms, and democratic discourse in Sri Lanka. Despite its portrayal as a means to safeguard individuals, particularly children, from online harm, we believe the draft is a draconian measure which aims to stifle dissent, and exercise authoritarian control over online content, and commentary.
The draft’s provisions are overbroad by design and in some parts, indecipherably misguided, leading to potential misuse under vague legal cover to suppress dissent which is inconvenient to Executive, and autocratic rule. Our concerns extend to how the draft law will build on Sri Lanka’s existing surveillance state framework, normalising pervasive, and invasive captures of private or privileged communications. Rather than fostering a nuanced discussion on online safety, the absence of meaningful consultations or corrective measures to address a climate already marred by impunity, violence, and surveillance, only serves to highlight the unfeasibility of the goals set forth by this legislation.
The draft reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of enforcement dynamics. For instance, expecting global, and leading social media firms to comply with arbitrary directives that could potentially implicate them in human rights violations is unrealistic, at best. The draft does little to address the real harms arising from coordinated inauthentic behaviours (CIB), which have been trialled, and perfected in Sri Lanka since 2013 – and for the most part, serving those in power. The draft’s language highlights a complete ignorance around the technical, and contextual understanding necessary to tackle complex CIB dynamics, which are also changing at pace. Relatedly, the draft also fails to address influence operations, particularly from China, which have been studied to have a significant imprint on Sri Lanka’s digital discourse.
Furthermore, experts have drawn worrying comparisons drawn between Sri Lanka’s draft law, and Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), pointing out the unsuitability of transplanting legislation without considering the vastly differing political, technological, and social contexts between the two nations. What critics have found problematic in the context of Singapore, we argue, will be completely catastrophic for human rights in Sri Lanka, already defined by a democratic deficit growing at pace.
The legislation, as proposed, is a serious threat to journalists, satirists, digital creators, and all citizens expressing dissent. If passed in its current form, this law will invariably become a tool for state-sanctioned suppression of dissent. We unequivocally reject the draft, and believe it is irredeemably flawed. As always, we advocate for a more balanced, grounded, meaningful, transparent, and inclusive approach to addressing online safety, upholding first principles, to more fully realise Sri Lanka’s democratic potential.
Colombo (LNW): Following the continuity of heavy rainfall, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued landslide early warnings for several areas in eight districts, and urged the public to stay vigilant against the possibility of the occurrence of landslides, slop failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence.
Accordingly, a Level 2 (Amber) advisory has been issued for several areas in Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara and Ratnapura districts until 05.00 p.m. tomorrow (03).
Galle District – Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Division Kalutara District – Ingiriya Divisional Secretariat Division Kandy District – Pasbage Korale Divisional Secretariat Division Kegalle District – Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala Divisional Secretariat Divisions Matara District – Kotapola and Pitabeddara Divisional Secretariat Divisions Ratnapura District – Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Eheliyagoda, Kiriella and Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat Divisions
Meanwhile, a Level 1 (Yellow) warning has been issued for the following areas:
Colombo District – Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat Division Galle District – Elpitiya Divisional Secretariat Division Hambantota District – Walasmulla Divisional Secretariat Division Kalutara District – Agalawatta, Mathugama, Bulathsinhala and Walallawita Divisional Secretariat Divisions Kegalle District – Dehiowita, Yatiyanthota and Kegalle Divisional Secretariat Divisions Matara District – Mulatiyana and Athuraliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions Ratnapura District – Kolonna and Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat Divisions
