Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee indicates further depreciation against the US Dollar today (21) in comparison to last week, as revealed by the official exchange rates list issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 316.72 from last week’s Friday’s Rs. 316.28, and the selling price to Rs. 329.59 from Rs. 329.49.
The Sri Lanka Rupee, however, indicates appreciation against several other foreign currencies, whilst indicating depreciation against Gulf currencies.
Colombo (LNW): The Disaster Management Centre has taken proactive measures to intensify the distribution of water amidst the growing water scarcity triggered by the ongoing arid weather conditions in the island.
The Disaster Management Centre, accordingly, has deployed nearly 100 bowsers to distribute water across the country, with a primary focus on hospitals and social service institutions in need, said Centre Director Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe.
Around 202,500 people across 15 districts affected by dry weather have already benefited from this water distribution initiative so far, he added.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (21) met with his Singaporean counterpart HE Halimah Yacob as part of his two-day official visit to Singapore.
The two heads of states engaged in a cordial conversation, and exchanged views on food security, renewable energy, regional economic cooperation, amongst others.
“I was happy to meet Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Istana today. President Wickremesinghe is on a working visit to Singapore from 21 to 22 August 2023. We had a fruitful discussion, covering food security, renewable energy, regional economic cooperation, amongst others. Our friendship is anchored by strong people-to-people ties and cooperation across various sectors. There is much scope to deepen our ties. I wish President Wickremesinghe a productive visit in Singapore,” the Singaporean President wrote on her Social Media.
Colombo (LNW): The heat index is expected to increase up to ‘caution’ level at some places in Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and Hambantota District amidst the prevailing hot climate, warned the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in a statement issued today (21).
The Dept urged the public to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly, the sick and children, limit strenuous outdoor activities, and wear lightweight and white or light-coloured clothing.
Colombo (LNW): The measures taken to control the drug menace in Sri Lanka were recently discussed at the Select Committee of Parliament appointed to look into and identify the mechanisms to be implemented in order to immediately control and eradicate the rapidly spreading drug menace in the country and to submit observations and recommendations to Parliament in that regard.
The matter was addressed at the Committee meeting held on August 10 under the Committee Chief, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles.
The Sri Lanka Police, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol were summoned before this Committee and the measures taken by these departments to control the drug menace in the country were discussed.
A special committee has been appointed headed by Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Deshbandu Tennakoon, to control the drug menace in this country, Alles noted.
Moreover, the officials representing the Police emphasised that many of measures have been taken to stop bringing in drugs into the country in a large-scale. The intelligence agencies of the neighbour countries will also support for this purpose, they added.
Furthermore, the officials representing the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol presented to the Committee some suggestions that could be taken to reduce the use of tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, the officials further stated that the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board is working towards taking necessary measures for the treatment of people who are addicted to drugs.
The MPs who attended the meeting also tendered proposals and ideas regarding drug control and the Committee Chief responded that the proposals of Members should be taken into consideration and a report containing the proposals of these present sectors should be given to the Committee.
State Minister Sisira Jayakody, and MPs Buddhika Pathirana, Jayantha Samaraweera, Dr. Upul Galappaththi, Upul Mahendra Rajapaksha, Rajika Wickramasinghe and Manjula Dissanayake were present at the occasion.
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) indicates a slight fluctuation against the US Dollar at leading commercial banks in the country today (21) in comparison to last week.
Accordingly, Peoples Bank reveals that the buying price of the US Dollar has increased to Rs. 315.31 from last week’s Rs. 314.83, and the selling price to Rs. 330.82 from Rs. 330.31.
At Commercial Bank, the buying and selling prices of the US Dollar remain steady at Rs. 312.75 and Rs. 328, respectively.
At Sampath Bank, the buying price of the US Dollar remains steady at Rs. 317, but the selling price has dropped to Rs. 328 from Rs. 329.
Colombo (LNW): In the occurrence of financial fraud utilising the credentials of the Sri Lanka Customs or related information, the institution urged the public to refrain from transferring money to the bank accounts of unknown persons.
Fraudsters are utilising records similar to the official documents and telephone numbers of the Customs Department, as well as the names of officials of the body to commit financial fraud, warned Customs Director Sudath Silva.
He pointed out that an increase of such financial fraud utilising Customs related credentials is evident, and urged the public to immediately inform the authorities of such fraudsters and to refrain from transferring money to the bank accounts of people who are not familiar to them.
Colombo (LNW): All certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates in Sri Lanka will no longer require a validity period after six months of issuance, announced the Registrar General’s Department.
In a statement, the Dept noted that the previous regulations imposed for invalidation of the said documents after six months of their issuance, accordingly, has been lifted.
The revised decision has been taken to amend the previous requirement of a validity period, and all certified copies issued by the Dept, accordingly, will be accepted without any limitation on the validity period, it added.
The decision has also been informed to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Immigration and the Department of Registration of Persons.
01. President Ranil Wickremesinghe departs the country for a two-day official visit to Singapore: The President has a series of significant meetings planned, including discussions with Singapore’s President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Sustainability and Environment Minister: The latter to engage in bilateral talks with the SL President.
02. President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the tourism industry stands as the paramount sector capable of swiftly advancing the country’s economic objectives: emphasises the significance of substantial contributions from both the public and private sectors: adds the government is diligently working to provide necessary amenities for all stakeholders involved.
03. Health Ministry says 120 specialist doctors who have left the country have been blacklisted: adds 363 doctors had left for overseas training and returned to the island during the time period from January 09, 2022 to August 18, 2023: asserts those blacklisted can return to Sri Lanka, but will have to submit an appeal to the Public Service Commission to resume local practice.
04. The historic Esala Perahera of the Holy Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy commences the first ‘Kumbal’ Perahera today and will tour the streets till August 25: Following Kumbal Perahera, the first ‘Randoli’ Perahera will commence walking on August 26 and will be touring till August 30, later to conclude on August 31 simultaneous to the ‘Diya-Kepime Mangalyaya’ ceremony at the Getambe pier of the Mahaweli River.
05. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says he expects the Agriculture Department to immediately submit a report on the cultivation of b-onions in the country: laments the b-onion cultivation has largely failed for the past seven – to – eight years: Ministry data point out that the annual requirement of b-onions in SL is 300,000 MT, and the amount of b-onions imported during the period is 131,795 MT due to the national production being only 4,716 MT.
06. India’s ‘Spice Jet’ aviation service resumes between Madurai and Colombo with six weekly flights: Flights operate every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from Madurai to Colombo and from Colombo to Madurai.
07. The Registrar General’s Department announces all duplicate copies of birth, death and marriage certificates in Sri Lanka do not require a validity period: reiterates all duplicate copies of birth, death and marriage certificates will be accepted without time limitation: adds a decision has been made to amend the earlier requirement of a validity period of six months from the date of issue of the documents.
08. The Customs says an increase has been observed in financial fraud utilising the institution or related information in the country at present: Customs Director Sudath Silva says fraudsters are utilising records similar to the official documents and telephone numbers of the Customs Department, as well as the names of officials of the institution: urges the public to refrain from transferring money to the bank accounts of unknown persons.
09. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says there is no need to fear that there will be a shortage of rice: asserts the current stock of rice and paddy will be sufficient until the harvest of the next season: adds, however, that the government does not have any additional rice or paddy stock (buffer stock) and currently all the paddy stocks are in the private sector.
10. Sri Lankan boxer Niraj Wijewardena ends his campaign by winning a bronze medal at the 13th Taipei City Cup International Boxing Meet after his campaign ended in the semi-final bout losing finally on points to the Taiwanese boxer Huang Guan-Qun after it went the full distance.
Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has mooted the ‘Greater Yala’ concept which will promote Yala and areas around it.
Speaking after inaugurating the Hilton Yala Resort, the President said that Yala must be promoted as a unified tourist destination by incorporating nearby areas.
“Why are you going to call these places Udawalawe, Kumana and all? These are all connected, and the elephant path passage from Udawalawe will take you up to Kumana. So, let’s brand this as Greater Yala and make it Greater Yala for all promotional activities,” the President said.
The President advised the Minister of Tourism, together with the Minister of Wildlife and Conservation, as well as the officials of those two ministries, to come up with the Greater Yala concept.
“Additionally, an intriguing prospect lies in establishing wildlife reserves that offer visitors a fresh and unique experience, reminiscent of the offerings in countries like India and Nepal. This avenue warrants significant attention as we formulate a new strategy to elevate the tourism industry,” the President said.
He also said that it is essential that Sri Lanka set ambitious targets for the tourism sector, with the goal of doubling the influx of tourists to the country.
Correspondingly, he said, the revenue generated from tourism should witness a four to fivefold increase.
The President also said that international performers are expected to visit Sri Lanka during the upcoming Christmas and New Year season.
Tourist accommodations across the nation are experiencing high occupancy rates in September, buoyed by the historic Dalada Perehara and the Asian Cup cricket tournament in Kandy.
The upcoming Christmas season is anticipated to draw several internationally renowned artists and musicians, including the distinguished Western musician Andrey Mucher, slated to grace our shores in January.
The country hosts a myriad of events, such as the Galle Literary Festival, strategically designed to attract more visitors and generate vital revenue for the nation.
Numerous innovative proposals have been introduced to expedite the progress of our tourism sector. Notably, the government is working to extend support for individuals willing to allocate two rooms in their homes for tourists, providing excellent guest services while commanding rates upwards of a hundred dollars.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also embarked on an inspection tour of the Yala National Park. During the visit, he highlighted the option of purchasing park tickets online for both local and foreign visitors.
Recalling the historical significance of the area, President Ranil Wickremesinghe alluded to the ancient shrines of Situlpawwa and Akasha Chaitya that once graced the Yala region.
He praised the past fertility and collaboration that defined the area, as well as its remarkable architectural marvels.
The President emphasized a resolute commitment to advancing the tourism industry, urging collective participation towards this goal. He envisioned the development of the Yala area as a unified tourist destination, incorporating nearby regions like Udawalawe. This interconnected approach, he suggested, would drive progress and further enhance the tourism experience in the region, the statement added.
