Colombo (LNW): India’s Union minister for port, shipping, water ways Sarbananda Sonowal today (05) flagged off India’s first cruise ship to Sri Lanka from Chennai Port, Times of India reported.
The luxury cruise ship named Cordelia Empress will reach the Hambantota Port on June 7, and is set to sail to Trincomalee and dock there for a day before sailing back to Chennai on June 9, the report said.
The ship features a luxury shopping area, pubs, a swimming pool, a food court, a casino, a play area, spas, theatres and others.
Addressing a gathering on the ship, the minister said, “It’s the vision of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote cruise tourism in our country. The initiatives taken by the Chennai Port Authority and the Tamil Nadu government’s tourism department are praiseworthy.”
He said the Union government has started building international cruise terminals in Mumbai at Rs 5,000 crore. “It will be ready soon,” he said.
Cordelia CEO Jurgen Bailom said the ship would carry 50,000 passengers from India to Sri Lanka in the next four months.
Cordelia is operating cruises to Kochi, Goa, Mumbai and Lakshadweep.
High Commission of India, Colombo is organising a Special Exhibition on India’s rich Buddhist Heritage as a part of the Homagama Poson Zone from 3-4 June 2023. The Exhibition was inaugurated by Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media, Hon. Bandula Gunawardana, in the presence of members of several dignitaries including members of the diplomatic corps.
2. The Exhibition showcases a series of photographs depicting some of the prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India including Dhamek Stupa in Uttar Pradesh, Mahabodhi Temple and the Ashoka Pillar in Bihar, Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh. Photographs of over centuries-old sculptures and carvings are also exhibited.
3. A special attraction of the Exhibition is a lantern depicting the arrival of Arahat Mahinda to Sri Lanka on one of its panels. The other panels depict the strong linkages between the four virtues of Buddhism i.e Metta, Karuna, Mudita and Upekka and the theme of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20 i.e. One Earth, One Family, One Future.
4. The festival marking the arrival of Arahat Mahinda to Sri Lanka with the teachings of Buddhism from India, commemorates the age-old ties between India and Sri Lanka. In order to further this civilisational connect, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had announced a special grant of USD 15 million for promotion of Buddhist ties. Work is underway to carry out solar electrification of hundreds of temples across Sri Lanka under this grant. Last month as a part of the sacred Vesak Festival, High Commission of India had organised a Special Exhibition at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.
Anuradhapura General Hospital was one of the healing homes for the military personnel as it extended noble services to seriously injured soldiers brought in from the warfront for emergency treatments, the Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne mentioned while recalling treatments he received at the same hospital twice, then.
Gen. Gunaratne recalled these noble services extended to the military by Anuradhapura General Hospital during a brief ceremony organized to donate a dialysis machine worth of Rs 3.3 million to the hospital’s kidney treatment unit, today (Jun 04).
This noble cause was funded through the ‘Sandahiru Seya Charity Trust’ under a notion of the Defence Secretary and it was the maiden such donations made using the ‘Sandahiru Seya Charity Trust’.
He also recalled the specialized Doctors and hospital staffers taking care of its patients with a good human touch since then.
Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital played a pivotal role during the battle in the North and East Provinces, nursing thousands of military/civilian casualties. As of today, Anuradhapura district has recognized as one of the regions with people suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and receiving treatment from this hospital.
Gen. Gunaratne pledged his fullest support in future endeavours as well mentioning that it is a duty of the military to uplift institutions that ensure the safety of citizens in our country.
Ven. Maha Sanga including Chancellor of the Rajarata University and Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya Ven. Eethalawetunawewe Gnanathillaka thero, Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Provincial Director of Health Services (North Central Province) Dr. Palitha Bandara, Security Force HQ-Wanni Commander Maj. Gen. Champika Ranasinghe, General Officer Commanding – 21 Division Maj. Gen. Dinesh Nanayakkara, Deputy Director Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura Dr. Ajantha Rajakaruna, military personnel and Hospital staffers were present during the session.
Colombo (LNW): The official exchange rate list of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reveals a slight appreciation in the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar today (05).
The buying price of the US Dollar has dropped to Rs. 285.61 from Rs. 287.42, and the selling price to Rs. 298.85 from Rs. 300.32.
The Sri Lankan Rupee had slightly depreciated against the US Dollar last week, but indicates an appreciation this week. it also indicates appreciation against several other foreign currencies as well.
The Sri Lankan Rupee, however, indicates slight depreciation against Gulf currencies.
On Sunday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners (known as OPEC+) made no changes to its planned oil production cuts for the rest of the year. However, the world’s top oil exporter Saudi Arabia announced further voluntary output cuts which will be implemented from July.
The kingdom’s output will decline to 9 million barrels per day from around 10 million barrels in May, Saudi’s energy ministry said in a statement.
Both benchmarks rose more than 2% on Monday during early Asia trade but dipped lower by mid-morning. Global benchmark Brent futures were last trading up 1.43% at $77.22 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 1.5% to $72.86 per barrel. OPEC+ pumps approximately 40% of the world’s crude and production decisions can have a significant impact on prices.
On April 3, several producers of the oil cartel had revealed a combined 1.66 million barrels per day of production declines until the end of this year. And many market watchers, including analysts at Goldman Sachs, had expected the alliance to keep output unchanged this time around.
“The market did not widely expect the Saudi decision to cut production by 1 million barrels per day unilaterally,” the president of analysis firm Rapidan Energy, Bob McNally, told CNBC in an e-mail following the decision.
“It once again demonstrated that Saudi Arabia is willing to act unilaterally to stabilize oil prices,” McNally said, citing the example of January 2021 when the oil titan unilaterally cut by production by 1 million barrels per day.
“We see large global deficits materializing in the second half of 2023 and crude prices exceeding $100 next year,” he added.
Similarly, Kang Wu, head of global demand and Asia Analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights, estimates that the significant rise of global oil demand in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer season will lead to an oil inventory draw and “support higher oil prices” over the coming months.
RBC Capital Markets’ Managing Director Helima Croft noted that while some market participants will focus on the fact that Saudi Arabia slashed its output independently, its actions lends to the integrity of the cuts.
“The fact that [Saudi Arabia] is willing to shoulder it alone adds to the credibility of the cut and signals real barrels coming off the market,” Croft wrote in a research report. However, others have not viewed the kingdom’s move with that much optimism.
This weekend marked an “ultimate failure of the Saudis” to marshal together all the OPEC+ members to undertake “what was required to bring better prices into the market,” said Ed Morse, Citi’s global head of commodities research and managing director.
Morse told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” Monday that it’s still “an extremely weak” oil market in part due to disappointing demand in the three largest consuming regions: China, the European Union and the United States.
“We have a potential for supply to be a lot bigger than where demand growth is going,” he said, citing the potential of a recession on the horizon. “There is no guarantee that [oil prices] won’t go below $70,” he said.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia is of the view that Saudi Arabia will extend July’s production cuts if Brent futures remain in the $70 to $75 per barrel range, or even drop below that. “We think Saudi Arabia will look to deepen production cuts if Brent futures sustainably drop below $US70/bbl,” CBA’s Vivek Dhar wrote in a research note Monday.
Colombo (LNW): For the first time in Sri Lanka, a Digital Coding Pandal designed by children under 14 years of age was exhibited on June 03, 2023 at the Colombo Gangarama Temple premises. The Pandal was opened by Chairman and Co-Founder of Dhammika and Priscilla Foundation Dhammika Perera.
Devotees from many parts of the country came to witness the Digital Coding Pandal’s opening night.
Join “DP Coding School and Robotics Campus” to open your child’s path to many career opportunities ranging from software engineering today. The course worth Rs. 2.4 million is provided for free of charge
PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Prime Minister and the people of India following the tragic multiple train collision in Odisha state. The accident has resulted in a significant loss of lives and numerous injuries.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India, President Wickremesinghe expressed his profound sadness upon learning about the devastating incident. He emphasized that the people of Sri Lanka stand united in their sympathy and support for India during this difficult time.
President Wickremesinghe extended his condolences to the Government of India and the bereaved families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. He also expressed his wishes for a swift recovery to those who have been injured.
The President further assured the Prime Minister of India that the thoughts and prayers of Sri Lanka are with the families of the victims, and he hoped that they would find the strength and resilience to overcome their grief.
Colombo (LNW):South-West monsoon conditions are gradually establishing across the island, announced the Department of Meteorology in its daily weather forecast today (05).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, and fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province and in Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts, it added.
Several spells of showers will occur in North-Western province.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Uva and Central provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the evening or night.
Strong winds about (40-45) kmph can be expected at times in Northern and North-Central provinces and in Hambantota district.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain: Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.
Winds: Winds will be south-westerly over sea area around the island and speed will be (25-35) kmph.
Wind speed may increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Wind speed may increase up to (40-45) kmph at times in the sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
State of Sea: The sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be rough at times. The sea areasoff the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle will be fairly rough at times.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe to strengthen the military and confer more powers on Chief of Defence Staff: embarks on ambitious “National Transformation Roadmap” as announced in the recent “Address to the Nation”: the plan to be accompanied by a “Presidential Delivery Bureau”.
Health Ministry floats tender for 25 ambulances for the “1990” Suwa Seriya service to be financed through a grant from the “Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction”: tender to be open to suppliers from ADB member countries: grant to be channelled through the Health System Enhancement Project.
Legal experts inform Govt that it would be opportune to “lay by” the X-Press Pearl damages claims action in Singapore or ask the Court for a lengthy delay until the UK case on the damages action is concluded: say a limitation on damages action filed in Britain by insurers of the X-Press Pearl could otherwise force a delay in the ongoing compensation claim filed by SL in Singapore.
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung highlights importance of equality and expanding women’s contributions to the country’s legal profession.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry records income of USD 131.5mn for May from 83,309 arrivals, the lowest monthly income thus far in 2023: it’s also a decline from USD 166.5mn in April and the year-to-date highest of USD 198.1mn in March.
Price of a Litro LP Gas 12.5kg cylinder reduced by Rs.452 & the new price to be Rs.3,186: the price of a 12.5kg cylinder on 31st March 2022 was Rs.2,675.
Popular social media influencer and Emirati blogger Khalid Al Ameri based in the Middle East, announces a visit to Sri Lanka.
Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara releases a list of 121 fuel stations that did not place any orders between 27 and 31 May: says CPC fuel stations are obligated to maintain a minimum stock level of 50% at all times: also says the licences of fuel stations found to have violated the conditions of their contracts will be terminated.
Athletes Tharushi Dilsara (53.70 secs) and Jayeshi Uththara (55.51secs) win Silver and Bronze medals respectively in the 400 metres event (female) at the 20th Asian Under 20 Athletics Championships in South Korea.
Sri Lanka win the 2nd Cricket ODI against Afghanistan by 132 runs: Sri Lanka – 323/6 (50): Mendis – 78, Karunaratne – 52: Afghanistan – 191 (42.1): Dhananjaya de Silva – 39/3, Wanindu Hasaranga – 42/3, Chameera Fernando – 18/2.
Colombo (LNW): Business leader Nawaz Rajabdeen has been appointed as the Honorary Director General (Sri Lanka) for the Global Council for The Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT).
With an impressive combined experience of nearly 45 years in both the private and public sectors, Nawaz Rajabdeen brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to this esteemed position.
Throughout his career, Nawaz Rajabdeen has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a remarkable track record of turning around underperforming organisations and driving them towards profitability.
He has held senior positions in various business chambers in Sri Lanka and overseas, showcasing his deep understanding of international trade and commerce.
Currently, Nawas Rajabdeen is leading a United Nations-backed organisation in Sri Lanka, further highlighting his commitment to promoting sustainable development and fostering economic growth.
His extensive experience in the private sector, coupled with his involvement in key business chambers, has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by enterprises.
Rajabdeen’s notable contributions extend beyond his professional roles. He serves as the Co-Chairperson of the Global Peace Institute (GPI), a prestigious non-profit organisation based in the UK that works towards global peace and resilience.
Additionally, he founded and currently presides over the Confederation of Micro, Small, and Medium Industries (COSMI) in Sri Lanka, an organisation dedicated to reviving and promoting MSMEs through various initiatives.
As an Ambassador for the World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME) in Italy, Rajabdeen actively promotes SMEs as drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable social progress.
His advocacy for women entrepreneurs and focus on livelihood and employment generation are noteworthy contributions to fostering economic empowerment.
With his vast experience, influential network, and commitment to promoting international trade and business collaborations, Rajabdeen is well-positioned to lead GCPIT’s initiatives in Sri Lanka.
His appointment as the Honorary Director General will further strengthen our efforts to foster global trade, facilitate partnerships, and support the growth and development of businesses.
