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Sri Lanka and China Sign USD 400 Million Agreement to Build South Asia’s Largest Commercial and Logistics Hub

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Yesterday, an agreement worth USD 400 million was signed between China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. (70%), Sri Lanka Ports Authority (15%), and Access Engineering PLC (15%) to build South Asia’s largest commercial and logistics hub at the center of Colombo Harbour. The eight-floor complex, 92 meters in height, will be constructed under a Public-Private Partnership with a concession period of 50 years.

The project is aimed at making Sri Lanka a major logistics hub in the region and aligns with the country’s national development strategy. It is identified as a key sector and driving force for economic development in the National Policy Framework (NPF) 2019. The construction of the project will commence in two months and is expected to be completed in two years.

“The investment in the project will bring in much-needed foreign investment into Sri Lanka,” said Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva. “Sri Lanka’s aspiration to become a major logistics hub in the region too would receive another boost with the launch of this project.”

Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Keith Bernard said that the project will provide direct employment to a minimum of 1,800 people and create 10,500 other indirect job opportunities. Additionally, the complex will be directly linked with the airport via the Port Access Elevated Highway. The five million square foot complex will offer the full range of logistics-related facilities and services such as Less than Container Load (LCL), Multi-Country Consolidation (MCC), Container Freight Station (CFS), General warehousing, and various other value-added services.

The project aims to improve the operational efficiency of the Port of Colombo and introduce leading-edge technology and innovation. It will also provide better logistics and warehousing facilities and services, enhancing the port’s competitive advantage and consequently strengthening its hub status. The Port of Colombo is currently ranked among the top 13 ports in the world in terms of shipping.

The investment is a clear indication of the investor appetite for Sri Lanka despite the ongoing economic crisis. The project will bring in much-needed foreign investment into Sri Lanka and bolster its position as a major logistics center in the region.

Weather Alert: Heavy Rains Expected Today

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Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern, Uva, Northern, North-central, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the afternoon or night. Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in elsewhere during the afternoon or night.

Showers may occur in the Western province during the morning too.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

Ramazan Message from the President

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Following the completion of fasting for one month, this year’s Ramazan festival is being celebrated by the devotees of Islam in a revived environment in the country. Undoubtedly this has brought contentment to the nation in its entirety.

The Eid festival holds significant religious, spiritual and social importance, as the Muslim community strives to uphold the core values through their unwavering dedication to the doctrinal practices.

This month of abstinence is not only an opportunity for individuals to fulfil their hallowed duties, but is also an important message to the world on promoting generosity and equality to the wider society, underlining the importance of social values.

These principles of social responsibility are in tandem with the ideals the Government envisions to achieve in building a more peaceful and developed Sri Lanka, through solidarity and brotherhood. It is incumbent upon all of us to draw upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and adhere to these principles for the betterment of our society.

I am confident that this year’s Ramazan celebration, will serve to unify all Sri Lankans irrespective of race and religion, in working towards our common goal of developing a robust and equitable society, which upholds the values of freedom and human dignity.

I extend a prosperous and peaceful Ramazan celebration to all Sri Lankan Muslims here and abroad, and their brethren worldwide.

Happy Eid al-Fitr!

Ranil Wickremesinghe

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Muslims in Sri Lanka to celebrate Eid al-Fitr today

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Muslims in Sri Lanka celebrate Eid al-Fitr on today, Saturday, 22 April 2023, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramazan and the commencement of the month of Shawwal. This announcement was made by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) after the Hilaal (Crescent) of the Month of Shawwaal 1444 AH was sighted on Friday, 21 April 2023, as per the reports of the Hilaal Subcommittees appointed around the country.

The Colombo Grand Mosque, ACJU Hilaal Division, and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs unanimously declared that the 1st of Shawwaal 1444 is on 22 April 2023. This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with experts.

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramazan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. The festival is a time for prayer, feasting, and spending time with family and friends.

Lanka News Web wishes all Muslims in Sri Lanka a blessed and joyous Eid al-Fitr. Eid Mubarak!

DP Education Establishes a Branch of DP Coding School at Dambana Vidyalaya(VIDEO)

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DP Coding School program recently established a branch at Dambana Vidyalaya to provide computer language education to tribal children. This initiative aims to give them access to various job opportunities in the computer field, including software engineering careers.

Around 60 tab devices were provided to the school, giving approximately 300 children the chance to study computer languages. The Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation’s DP Coding School program offers a basic foundation course that is free of charge and can be completed online. Children who complete this course are eligible to join the Trainee Full Stack Developer course at the University of Moratuwa.

The establishment of a DP Coding School branch in Dambana Vidyalaya was welcomed by Uruvarige Vannilattan, the tribal leader of the area. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to the indigenous children of remote Dambana, providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the digital world.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in this coding course can do so from the comfort of their homes by visiting the dpcode.lk website. The course, worth 24 lakh rupees, is entirely free of charge.

The DP Education’s DP Coding School program aims to make computer language education accessible to children across the nation, giving them the tools and skills to secure successful careers in the tech industry.

Public Security Minister Chairs Dispersal Ceremony for 189 Sub-Inspectors

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Under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, Mr. Tiran Alles, a dispersal ceremony was conducted on April 20, 2023, for 189 sub-inspectors who had completed their training at the Katukurunda Police Training College. Of the 189 sub-inspectors, 167 were male sub-inspectors, while 22 were women sub-inspectors.

During the ceremony, Minister Alles emphasized the importance of the new police officers’ responsibility to contribute to peace in the country and to avoid becoming victims of corrupt individuals during their careers.

The Minister acknowledged that challenges would arise in the officers’ careers, particularly when dealing with individuals involved in the underworld and drug-related activities. He warned the sub-inspectors to never become victims of such individuals and to remain vigilant and focused on their duties.

He also acknowledged that corrupt individuals could be found in any institution, including the police, armed forces, or government institutions. Minister Alles urged the new officers to remain steadfast and avoid falling victim to corrupt practices.

He went on to invite the newly-dismissed sub-inspectors to participate in the government’s programs aimed at eliminating drugs and the underworld in the country.

The dispersal ceremony was conducted with the goal of ensuring that only qualified and dedicated individuals serve in the Sri Lankan police force. The government’s efforts to root out corruption and maintain law and order in the country are ongoing, and the dismissal of the 189 sub-inspectors is just one step in this process.

Sri Lanka’s National Consumer Price Index Drops Slightly in March 2023

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The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has reported that the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) for Sri Lanka in March 2023 stood at 49.2%, based on the year-on-year change. This is a slight decrease compared to February 2023, which recorded a headline inflation of 53.6%.

The report attributes the inflation to the higher price levels that prevailed in both food and non-food groups compared to March 2022.

On a monthly basis, the year-on-year inflation of the food group decreased from 49.0% in February 2023 to 42.3% in March 2023. Similarly, the year-on-year inflation of the non-food group decreased from 57.4% in February 2023 to 54.9% in March 2023.

The contributions to the inflation recorded in March from the food group and non-food group, on a year-on-year basis, were 18.92% and 30.28%, respectively, compared to March 2022.

Despite the slight decrease in inflation, the DCS report suggests that the overall inflation in Sri Lanka remains high, with food and non-food groups still experiencing inflation rates that are considerably higher than the average inflation rates of previous years.

As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with high inflation rates, the government and other stakeholders will need to take measures to stabilize the economy and provide relief to consumers affected by rising prices.

Innocent Victims of Easter Sunday Terror Attacks Seek Justice, Says Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith

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On the fourth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, led a commemoration service at the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, Sri Lanka. During his speech, he called for justice for the victims of the attacks that claimed the lives of many who had gathered for religious activities and meals at hotels.

Archbishop Ranjith lamented the fact that the current government was protecting those who were responsible for the attacks. He accused both the former and present governments of trying to bury the memories of the attacks and said that there was clear evidence of a political conspiracy behind the incident.

The Archbishop pointed out that former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Chief, Nilantha Jayawardena, had failed to prevent the attacks despite having prior information on possible attacks. He further alleged that the government was protecting Jayawardena, who was currently facing charges related to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Archbishop Ranjith also questioned the need for continuous DNA tests to identify Sara Jasmine, the wife of the Katuwapitiya church bomber, among those killed in the Sainthamarudu blast. He stated that previous DNA tests had revealed that Jasmine was not among those killed in the blast.

The Archbishop’s speech suggested that the true mastermind behind the attacks was still attempting to cover up their links to the incident. He called on the government to ensure that justice was served and that the victims of the attacks received the closure they deserved.

The Easter Sunday terror attacks, which took place on April 21, 2019, claimed the lives of 269 people and injured more than 500. The attacks were carried out by a local extremist group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS).

Vietnamese Fishing Vessel Carrying Sri Lankans Rescued in Vietnam Seas

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On 7th November 2022, a Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessel carrying 303 Sri Lankan nationals was reported to be in distress in Vietnam Seas. The Sri Lanka Navy’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) stationed at the Navy Headquarters coordinated the rescue operation, and the group was temporarily settled in Vietnam upon rescue.

Following the rescue operation, 151 of the Sri Lankan nationals were deported from Vietnam and arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on 28th December 2022. Additionally, 23 more Sri Lankans who were deported subsequently arrived in Katunayake on 19th April.

Upon receiving the distress signal, MRCC Colombo promptly informed MRCC Singapore, MRCC Vietnam, and MRCC Philippine for the rescue of the people in distress at sea within their respective jurisdictions. In a coordinated search and rescue operation, MRCC Singapore and Vietnam deployed MV ‘HELIOS LEADER’ to rescue the group of Sri Lankans. The rescued individuals were taken to Vietnam by a SAR vessel on 9th November and were temporarily settled there.

According to reports, the group of Sri Lankans had flown to Myanmar legally and attempted illegal migration from there with the help of international human smugglers. Among the group deported on 19th April were 15 males and 6 females, aged between 19 and 50, and two individuals below 18 years. They have been identified as residents of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration, along with other relevant authorities, will carry out the legal proceedings into the incident. The MRCC Colombo played a crucial role in coordinating and managing all aspects of the SAR effort within its region and beyond, with the support of similar stakeholders.

Department of Meteorology: Showers Expected in Several Parts of Sri Lanka Today

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The Department of Meteorology in Sri Lanka has announced that several parts of the country will experience showers and thundershowers later today. According to the department’s announcement, the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, and North-central provinces, as well as the Mullaitivu district, will be affected during the afternoon or night.

In addition to these areas, the Western and Southern coastal regions may experience a few showers in the morning. The public has been advised to take necessary precautions to prevent damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The department also announced that there is a possibility of showers or thundershowers occurring in a few places in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Colombo to Hambanthota via Galle, during the night. Wind speeds in these areas will be south-westerly, with a speed of 20-30 kmph. However, wind speed may increase up to 40-45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar are expected to be fairly rough at times, while the other sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. During thundershowers, there may be temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas.

The Department of Meteorology advises the public and fishermen to be vigilant and cautious during these weather conditions.