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.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Warsaw

06 December 2023

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.

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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.
   
10. 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.

By: Isuru Parakrama

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:

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.

Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha addressed Parliament, stating his intention to urge Finance Ministry officials to consider exempting exercise books and stationery from Value Added Tax (VAT).

The Ministry of Finance’s recent directive indicates that the VAT hike will encompass all goods, including those previously not subjected to VAT.

Premajayantha highlighted this matter while responding to inquiries raised by MP Dullas Alahapperuma. He expressed the intent to address concerns regarding VAT charges during the upcoming debate on the VAT Amendment Bill scheduled for this Sunday.