Mass Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced in Parliament yesterday (July 8) that the National Media Policy will be officially launched and come into effect within the next three months.

The Minister emphasised that the policy is being formulated collaboratively with key media stakeholders, with the Government playing only a facilitator’s role. The aim is to reach a broad consensus between the media industry and the Government to ensure a balanced and transparent framework for media operations in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Jayatissa clarified that the Government has no intention of imposing restrictions on the media. Instead, the objective is to allow media institutions to operate freely and ethically in accordance with the existing common media laws. He also noted that any institution failing to comply with these laws will be dealt with under the prevailing legal framework.

In response to a question raised by NPP MP Prof. Sena Nanayakkara, the Minister revealed that Sri Lanka currently has 23 television channels, including five state-run and 18 privately-owned channels.

He further disclosed that the Ministry is drafting a code of ethics for journalists as part of the broader initiative to encourage responsible and ethical journalism. The new policy will also focus on improving the quality of programmingacross both state and private TV channels. An action plan is being developed to support this goal, aimed at ensuring better content standards for the benefit of the public.

Dr. Jayatissa expressed hope that all media outlets would adhere to high ethical standards while operating in Sri Lanka’s competitive media environment, and contribute positively to public discourse.

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top three summer travel destinations for July and August by Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, based on its latest global booking and search data.

According to Emirates, flight searches for Sri Lanka have risen by 32%, positioning the island as a favourite destination for travellers seeking rich cultural experiences, pristine beaches, lush tea country, and affordable luxury.

As global travel surges this summer, Emirates highlights a growing trend of tourists shifting toward off-the-beaten-path destinations and immersive cultural experiences. Flight searches across the network have increased by 7% year-on-year, with Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Vietnam standing out as the most in-demand destinations.

Vietnam topped the list, registering a 61% increase in interest, followed by Mauritius with 41%, and Sri Lankawith its 32% jump. Emirates currently operates four daily flights to Colombo, connecting Sri Lanka seamlessly with Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The data shows that Sri Lanka’s popularity is growing across several key source markets. Travellers from the UK, US, India, Germany, and Australia are showing increased interest in Sri Lanka as a long-haul summer destination, with UK travellers alone increasing their searches by 12%.

Other top-performing destinations in Emirates’ network include:

• Japan, with a 28% rise in searches due to its unique culture and cuisine,
• France, which saw a 25% increase, fueled by summer events and tourism,
• And Dubai, which continues to draw global travellers year-round.

Emirates noted that Indian travellers are expanding their horizons to destinations like Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, while German travellers show a preference for East Asia, including Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea.

The data also revealed travel trends:

• Solo travellers dominate inbound trips from the US, India, and Australia,
• Families from the UK, US, and India are opting for varied-length summer getaways,
• Couples, particularly from Germany and Australia, favour extended vacations lasting up to a month.

Emirates’ booking insights reflect Sri Lanka’s re-emergence as a top-tier global travel destination, helped by its diverse offerings, competitive pricing, and strong air connectivity. The airline’s strategic connectivity and tourism partnerships continue to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility as a must-visit location for international travellers.

A total of 144,250 premises were inspected across the country during the recently concluded National Mosquito Control Week, according to Dr. Prasheela Samaraweera, Media Spokesperson of the National Dengue Control Unit and Community Medical Specialist at the Ministry of Health.

Speaking at a press conference held today (July 9) to present the week’s outcomes, Dr. Samaraweera stated that 35,495 locations were identified as potential mosquito breeding grounds, while 4,275 premises were found to contain active mosquito larvae.

As part of enforcement measures, 3,812 red notices were issued, and legal action has been initiated against 982 premises that failed to comply with mosquito control regulations.

Among the high-risk areas identified were homes, schools, government institutions, workplaces, factories, and religious sites. Specifically, inspections at 400 schools revealed that 226 had potential breeding sites.

A breakdown of the inspections revealed that:

• 131,789 homes were inspected, with 31,967 found to have possible breeding sites.
• 955 government institutions were examined, with 292 identified as having potential mosquito breeding grounds.

Dr. Samaraweera also reported that 30,228 dengue cases and 16 related deaths have been recorded island-wide so far this year. The highest number of cases have been reported from the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to remain vigilant and eliminate stagnant water sources to help curb the spread of dengue, particularly with monsoon rains contributing to mosquito breeding.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (July 8) emphasised the urgent need to strengthen and digitalise the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) as a cornerstone of achieving Sri Lanka’s digital economy objectives by 2030.

The President made these remarks during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with key representatives from the IRD, the Ministry of Digital Economy, and the Ministry of Finance, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

A major focus of the meeting was the ongoing operation and local procurement process of the IRD’s Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS). The discussion also explored current shortcomings in the system and the technological solutions required to address them.

President Dissanayake stressed that digitalisation is essential for effective tax administration, noting that it plays a vital role in reducing tax irregularities, simplifying procedures, and enhancing transparency. He also called for the introduction of Point of Sale (POS) machines to modernise transactions and ease the tax payment process for citizens.

According to the PMD, these reforms are designed to expand the national tax base and support Sri Lanka’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Officials from the Inland Revenue Department noted that the creation of a dedicated Ministry for Digital Economyunder the current administration will significantly accelerate the IRD’s digitalisation efforts.

The digital transformation of the IRD is seen as a critical component of the government’s overall economic strategy and is expected to drive long-term growth and efficiency across public financial systems.

Key attendees at the meeting included Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, and senior officials from the IRD, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Digital Economy.

Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the North-western province.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

By: Isuru Parakrama

July 08, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s proposal to appoint M.B.N.A. Pemaratne as the new Commissioner General of Excise following the retirement of predecessor U.L. Udaya Kumara Perera.

Perera, a veteran officer of the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Service, prepares to retire on July 10, 2025, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

Pemaratne is a retired Commodore of the Sri Lanka Navy and was proposed to be appointed as the new Excise Commissioner General by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

July 08, Colombo (LNW): A group of four individuals, including a former senior official from the Department of Motor Traffic, has been released on bail following their arrest over alleged involvement in the unlawful registration of a motor vehicle.

Amongst those granted bail is Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe, the former Commissioner General of Motor Traffic. The arrests were made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), which suspects that the individuals played a role in facilitating the allocation of a number plate for a vehicle that had not undergone proper clearance through Sri Lanka Customs.

Appearing before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, counsel representing the Bribery Commission presented the grounds on which the suspects were taken into custody, whilst state prosecutors outlined the preliminary findings of the ongoing investigation.

After reviewing the representations, the Magistrate approved conditional bail for all four suspects. Three of the individuals were ordered to post two sureties amounting to Rs. 1 million each, whilst the fourth was released on a surety of Rs. 500,000.

As a further precaution, the court imposed a travel ban on the accused, directing that their passports be surrendered immediately. This move aims to ensure their continued availability as the inquiry progresses.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on November 14, by which time the Bribery Commission is expected to present additional findings.