By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): In a significant development, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced that the much-anticipated National Tourism Policy has received approval from the Cabinet of Ministers.

SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando revealed on Thursday that the policy is set to be officially launched in the near future, marking a crucial step in the country’s efforts to enhance its tourism sector.

He further elaborated that the National Tourism Policy serves as the blueprint for a dynamic and sustainable growth path for the tourism sector.

Notably, the policy is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the sector, providing a clear direction for its evolution over the coming two years.

“One of the key outcomes resulting from the implementation of the Tourism Policy is the finalisation of the Tourism Strategic Plan that charts the course of the industry’s development until 2025, he said.

In addition to the short-term strategic plan, Chairman Fernando also unveiled ambitious long-term goals for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. He outlined the forthcoming unveiling of a comprehensive 10-year Master Plan, expected to span up to the year 2035.

“This plan is envisioned to provide a roadmap for sustainable growth, encompassing a range of initiatives and strategies to propel the industry forward,” he said.

He expressed his confidence in the solidity of the strategic plans, emphasising their resilience even in the face of potential governmental changes.

“We know exactly what we are planning to do leading up to 2035. With a solid plan in place for the industry, irrespective of Government changes, it will remain unchanged,” he added.

By adopting a comprehensive and future-oriented approach, he said Sri Lanka Tourism aims to create an ecosystem that is not only resilient, but also capable of realising its full potential over the next decade and beyond.

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that the much-awaited 10-year National Tourism Policy is being finalised and will be unveiled during the second half of the year.

“It is being reviewed by various experts and committees. Thereafter, we will submit a Cabinet paper for approval for immediate implementation. This will help the industry have a clear vision of the industry objectives and goals,” he added.

The 10-year National Tourism Policy comprises a comprehensive strategy covering the entire industry including; regional development, increasing female participation, identifying new tourist attractions, markets and so on.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow says it has initiated direct employment opportunities for Sri Lankan skilled migrant workers in the Russian Federation for the first time in the history.

The employment opportunities are provided in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA), a fully state-owned organization in Sri Lanka.

Under this initiative, the first group consisting of 58 seamstresses arrived in the Russian Federation on August 02, 2023, to be employed at two renowned textile manufacturing plants located in Nizhny Novgorod region.

The embassy has facilitated the said employers to enter into agreements with the SLFEA to recruit these 58 seamstresses without the involvement of intermediate agencies.

The embassy said discussions are underway in a progressive manner with the regional government authorities in Nizhny Novgorod to make 700 more employment opportunities available for Sri Lankan skilled seamstresses.

Moreover, the embassy, in liaison with relevant authorities, is in the process of devising a mechanism in order to create more employment opportunities for Sri Lankan skilled migrant workers in the Russian Federation and other countries of accreditation, under a number of technical categories.

Under this initiative, the first group consisting of 58 seamstresses arrived in the Russian Federation on August 02. They will be employed at two renowned textile manufacturing plants located in Nizhny Novgorod region.

The Embassy facilitated the said employers to enter into agreements with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency to recruit these 58 seamstresses without involvement of intermediate agencies.

Discussions are underway in a progressive manner with the regional government authorities in Nizhny Novgorod to make more 700 employment opportunities available for Sri Lankan skilled seamstresses.

 Moreover, this Embassy in liaison with relevant authorities is in the process of devising a mechanism in order to create more employment opportunities for Sri Lankan skilled migrant workers in the Russian Federation and other countries of accreditation, under a number of technical categories, the Foreign Ministry said.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): A Chinese Navy warship capable of surveillance has docked at the Colombo port, nearly a year after another spy vessel berthed at a strategic port in the country and raised concerns in India.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived at the port of Colombo on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Navy said. The vessel is to leave on Saturday.

“The 129 metre-long ship which arrived in Colombo is manned by a crew of 138 and it is commanded by Commander Jin Xin.

The ship p is scheduled to depart the country today,” the Navy statement said. According to media reports on Friday, Sri Lanka delayed its arrival upon concerns raised by India. “The Chinese authorities sought permission for it earlier, but Sri Lanka delayed permission because of resistance from India, local media reported.

Despite a briefing by Sri Lanka to Indian officials, the latter remained concerned about the research ship’s visit to the island nation.

In August last year, a similar visit by the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship, ‘Yuan Wang 5’, which arrived in the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota elicited strong reactions from India.

There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel’s tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian defence installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.

India is keeping an eye on the Chinese warship which docked at the Colombo Port this week.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India carefully monitors any development that bears on the country’s security interests. He also said that India takes all necessary measures to defend its security interests.

“I am not sure whether it is a warship or not. Having seen these reports, I would emphasise that the government carefully monitors any development having a bearing on the country’s security interests and takes all necessary measures to defend them,” Bagchi said in his weekly press briefing.

Sri Lanka has increasingly come under pressure from world powers such as the United States and India not to allow docking of Chinese military vessels in its ports.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has maintained that Sri Lanka stands for a neutral Asia-centric foreign policy without being caught in super-power rivalry. Also, he said the conflict involving Taiwan should not allow to be played out in the waters of Indian Ocean.

Currently Sri Lanka is in an exercise to manage equally good relations both with New Delhi and Beijing because both the powers are crucial in restructuring the country’s external debts.

The President visited New Delhi recently and held talks on numerous connectivity projects between the two countries including land connectivity. India is skeptical whether Sri Lanka has the necessary strength to maintain a neutral foreign policy.

1. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the 2nd IMF tranche of about USD 350 mn (Rs.120 bn) is likely to be received following the 1st review scheduled for Sept’23: asserts “we had agreed on 9 conditions required to be fulfilled before the review & we have done that”: analysts point out that the amount receivable is even less than one month’s public servants’ salary bill of the beleaguered Govt.
   
2. Japan’s Ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki lauds the robust collaboration between Tokyo and Colombo in navigating Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring: asserts Japan places the highest priority to transparent and equitable debt restructuring where the principle of equitable treatment is applied among all creditor countries, organisations and entities.
   
3. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasizes the importance of capital, particularly financial and human, for driving growth: notes that Sri Lanka’s historical capital formation efforts had been disrupted over the years, leading to current financial struggles: since April’22, the economy has recorded massive negative growths of 8.4%, 11.8%, 12.4%, & 11.5% in 2Q22, 3Q22, 4Q22, & 1Q23, respectively.
   
4. COVID-19 Coordinator Dr. Anwar Hamdani says the existing stock of Sinopharm Covid vaccines will expire on August 24: asserts that there is still some time for anyone to be vaccinated: over 8 mn people have been so far vaccinated against Covid-19 with boosted shots.
   
5. Govt amends the existing licence fee chargeable from any person or entity applying for public exhibition of any foreign or local films, stage dramas, musical or performing shows, under the Public Performance Act.
   
6. Water Supply & Drainage Board requests the public to use water sparingly due to the dry weather conditions.
   
7. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the Govt expects to shortly relax restrictions on import of lorries, trucks and buses used for public transport: analysts expect the exchange rate to be further impacted negatively as a result.
   
8. Newly appointed Deputy Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey assures fullest support in furthering defence cooperation between the 2 countries.
   
9. Navy rescues 7 fishermen from a fire-hit fishing trawler in the Southern waters, about 58 nautical miles (approx. 107 km) off Galle: the distressed trawler ‘Ruhunu Kumari 6’ had been at sea on a routine fishing expedition, having left from Wennappuwa.
   
10. Sri Lanka to host Afghanistan’s 3-match ODI home series against Pakistan from 22 to 26 August, ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup.

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman concluded a pivotal meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (11), in a significant step towards advancing the well-being of the plantation community.

The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to address pressing issues and introduce ‘transformative solutions to plantation communities,’ Thondaman tweeted.

The decisions made at the meeting are as follows;

1. Strategic Utilisation of Indian Grant: The President and the Minister are in complete agreement that the generous Rs. 3 billion Indian Government grant should catalyse substantive and sustainable changes within plantation communities. The aim is to move beyond superficial modifications and steer towards impactful transformations that uplift communities on multiple fronts.
2. Deed Programme: Recognising the importance of property rights, the government is initiating a comprehensive deed programme for the 44,000 homes built since 1972 within these communities. It is unacceptable that residents who have received homes over decades still lack valid property deeds. The focus is resolute – swift action to ensure rightful ownership and security for homeowners.
3. Land Ownership Mechanism: The two agreed on establishing a transparent mechanism for land ownership that reinforces property rights for plantation communities. The government will introduce a mechanism that will empower individuals to gain rightful ownership over the land they have live in for generations. It is a pivotal step towards rectifying the housing crisis in plantation communities.
4. Address Wage Disparities and a New Revenue Sharing Model: With a pragmatic understanding of last year’s inflation crisis, Minister Thondaman is embarking on pursuing a wage hike for estate workers. The Rs. 1000 daily wage is grossly inadequate and pushes plantation workers deeper into poverty. The government will also commence crafting a new revenue-sharing model that strikes a balance between workers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of companies. Collaborative prosperity will be the government’s objective.
5. Resolve unpaid EPF & ETF by JEDB and SPC: The President agreed to resolve the pending EPF and ETF payments owed by Government-owned plantations to estate workers. The Minister said he is confident that his commitment will addresses a long-standing concern of workers.
6. Equitable Access to Services: With a dedication to equity, the government will re-evaluate GN division boundaries in plantation regions. The ratio of Grama Niladharis to families in plantation regions is unacceptable. The Minister wishes to rectify disparities for plantation communities in accessing basic Government services, making these services equally accessible to all.
7. Enhancing Education: Recognising the integral role of education, the President and the Minister agreed to resolve teacher shortages in upcountry regions. This involves both new teaching appointments and tailored training programmes, thereby elevating the quality of education available to plantation communities.
8. Presidential Task Force: The President will establish a Task Force to address the multifaceted challenges faced by plantation communities. This task force embodies the President’s commitment to developing well-rounded, effective solutions that span various aspects of development for the plantation community.
9. Ethical Lease Extensions for RPCs: The President underscored his dedication to ethical tea trade practices, and this will extend to lease extensions for Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs). The government’s commitment to sustainability and fair practices is resolute.
10. Unifying Voices for Collective Progress: As all opposition upcountry MPs skipped the meeting on Friday to attend another event, Thondaman proposed to the President to convene another meeting that will involve upcountry MPs from all parties and communities to address issues faced by the plantation community.

In a significant step towards advancing the well-being of plantation communities, President @RW_UNP and I, concluded a pivotal meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. This meeting underscored our shared commitment to address pressing issues and introduce transformative…

— Jeevan Thondaman (@JeevanThondaman) August 12, 2023

Colombo (LNW): Yet another antibiotic has been withdrawn from use following the death of a patient at the Gampaha District Hospital, in a dramatic addition to the series of similar events affecting the quality of the Sri Lankan Health Service.

The patient had died after developing an allergic reaction to the antibiotic in question and the authorities, therefore, were compelled to withdraw it from use, said Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

The deceased was admitted to the Gampaha Hospital on August 06 for a wound treatment, but later was pronounced dead after an allergic reaction to an antibiotic that was administered during his treatment, according to a report by Daily Mirror.