Sri Lankans will be getting Wi-Fi 6 facility soon which is the current ideal gateway toward realization of an enterprise-wide wireless infrastructure.
With many office spaces temporarily vacated due to the COVID pandemic, such places had the unique opportunity to test this latest Wi-Fi standard in a real office environment using laptops equipped with Intel® Wi-Fi 6E (AX210) network cards.
Dialog Axiata PLC, has unveiled ‘WiFi 6’ − the Next-Gen standard in Wi-Fi technology for the first time in Sri Lanka.
It said with most homes having significantly more Wi-Fi enabled devices, from smartphones, tablets to TVs and smart home devices which require seamless connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 enables better communication between these multiple devices, which requires data simultaneously at faster speeds and lower latency along with wider coverage.
Wi-Fi 6 will enable devices to work in an optimal manner even in interference zones (i.e. multiple Wi-Fi networks), where the beam forwarding feature of this technology provides overall superior Wi-Fi experience due to the Wi-Fi signal only targeting Wi-Fi 6 enabled devices.
Wi-Fi 6 is a substantial upgrade over previous generations and introduces new technologies to help mitigate issues that arise when using multiple Wi-Fi devices on a single network, keeping connections strong even as more and more devices start demanding data.
Further, the lower latency enabled by Wi-Fi 6 technology provides the best gaming and streaming experience.
Dialog Smart Home recently launched the WiFi 6-enabled ‘Wi-Fi Mesh’, a holistic and highly-secure home Wi-Fi system designed to boost WiFi connectivity to every corner of the home, thereby eliminating low-coverage blind spots.
This is the latest addition to Dialog’s portfolio of future-ready solutions and addressing the need for seamless, uninterrupted connectivity.
Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation standard in WiFi technology. Wi-Fi 6 also known as “AX WiFi” or “802.11ax WiFi” builds and improves on the current 802.11ac WiFi standard.
Wi-Fi 6 was originally built in response to the growing number of devices in the world. If you own a VR device, multiple smart home devices, or simply have a large number of devices in households, then a Wi-Fi 6 router might just be the best WiFi router for such households.
In this guide, we’ll go over Wi-Fi 6 routers and break down how they’re faster, increase efficiency, and are better at transferring data than previous generations.
Dialog unveils next generation ‘WiFi 6’ enabled devices in Sri Lanka
COPE uncovers SLECIC irregularities amidst efforts to disband it
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has uncovered details of the management and structural irregularities of the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation (SLECIC) at a time where the government has already earmarked the disbanding of the institution bringing its functions under an investment promotion agency (authority) finance ministry sources said.
At a meeting convened under the chairmanship of Prof. Ranjith Bandara, the COPE examined the Auditor General’s reports for the years of 2019 and 2020, as well as the current performance of SLECIC, only to express its absolute displeasure about the way the institution has been functioning.
Special committee appointed by President Ranil Wickremasinghe has already made a recommendation to set up this new agency by bringing the Board of Investment (BOI), the Export Development Board (EDB) and the Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation (SLECIC) together onto one platform.
National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) and other entities that support exports and investments will also come under the purview of the new agency.
The budget 2023 has allocated Rs 100 million to implement the investment and export sector reforms expeditiously.
COPE chairman, shedding light on the failure of the SLECIC to table the Annual Reports, expressed displeasure over the lack of assistance provided to the Auditor General as a responsible government institution.
The committee also questions the General Manager of SLECIC as to why a corporate plan was not prepared for more than a decade and on what basis the administration process of the institution was carried out without a corporate plan.
The COPE members went on to instruct the SLECIC officials to take immediate measures to present a corporate plan at the earliest possible.
Further, the COPE members also inquired as to why 05 main positions of the director board including finance remain vacant.
While strongly condemning the actions of the General Manager in steering the institution, the COPE members emphasized that the neglect and inaction of respective officials have resulted in the failure of reaching the set objectives of the institution as per the Act.
In this regard, the COPE chairman recommended that the board vacancies be filled with immediate effect to ensure stability and proper institutional mechanism.
Whilst expressing disappointment regarding the indolent nature of the Ministry of Finance in looking into the ongoing irregularities of the SLECIC, the COPE chairman recommended that an investigation should be probed through the CID regarding the loss of institutional information of the institution and recommended that the Chairman of the Corporation take immediate action regarding the said matter.
Furthermore, recommendations were also made to the Finance Ministry to appoint an independent committee consisting of the Internal Auditor affiliated to the Ministry and to submit a report regarding the financial irregularities of the Corporation within 3 weeks.
Recommendations were also given to the Ministry of Finance to conduct a separate investigation regarding the actions of the General Manager of the institution and report to the committee before April 18
Sri Lanka begins importing electric vehicles for migrant workers
Sri Lanka is to import 12 electric vehicles under the program of allowing Sri Lankan migrant workers to import an electric vehicle after remitting money through official channels although the country has no proper charginging centres and electric car repairing facilities.
The programme to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import electric vehicles with relief on duty was launched yesterday (March 10).
Accordingly, Sri Lanka Customs has already commenced clearing the electric vehicles imported by migrant workers.
Earlier, Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that the foreign remittances to Sri Lanka have increased up to USD 475 million by the end of last year, adding that this programme has contributed to the foreign remittance hike.
Through this programme, a license is issued to local migrant workers who import an electric vehicle equivalent to 50% or less of the remittance they have transmitted to Sri Lanka through legal channels.
Furthermore, the duty fees incurred when importing the vehicles should be settled in foreign currency.
However, the Foreign Employment Minister mentions that positive feedback has been received from migrant workers regarding the programme being launched.
The nominated representative of the first recipient of the newly introduced program to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import an electric vehicle after remitting money through official channels received the relevant vehicle import permit from Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday.
Daham Perera, the authorized representative of the Sri Lankan migrant worker who imported the vehicle, received the vehicle import permit from Minister Nanayakkara.
The minister on the occasion noted that the decision to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers who remit money through official channels to import an electric vehicle has been much appreciated and inquiries in this regard by workers are increasing on a daily basis.
Any Sri Lankan who lives, works or holds dual citizenship in a foreign country are eligible to import an electric vehicle under the scheme.
Those sending USD 20,000 or more between May 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, can obtain a permit to import an electric car. Those who remit USD 3,000 or more via official channels from May 1st 2022 to May 2023 are eligible to import an electric motorcycle.
The minister emphasized that mandatory remittances directed to Sri Lanka are sent through the legal channels such as the banking system to be eligible for this benefit. The minister further said that it was also mandatory that 50 percent of the money sent has been converted into rupees.
Several high level professionals including GMOA on strike from Monday
The discussion held yesterday (10) between the trade unions of those professionals and the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance regarding the tax levied on the salaries of high level professionals has ended without agreement.
Accordingly, the Federation of Professionals’ Unions says that they will start a continuous strike from next Monday (13).
After the discussion, Mr. Haritha Aluthge, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association, said,
“We are starting a strike action. All hospitals in the Western, Central, Southern and Eastern provinces will be closed from 8 am on Monday. Other provinces will join the strike on Tuesday. If no solution is found on Tuesday, a continuous union action will be taken from 8 am on Wednesday.”
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 11/03
- LKR starts to depreciate again: USD buying rate depreciates 1.37% from Rs.307.36 to Rs 311.62: selling rate depreciates 1.03% from Rs.325.52 to Rs.328.90: as per IMF internal Debt Sustainability analysis calculations, the LKR expected to depreciate to 400 this year and 500 next year.
- Well-known local economists (former CB Deputy Governor W A Wijewardena and Peradeniya University Economics Professors Ananda Jayawickrama & W L Prasanna Perera) insist the appreciation of the LKR that has taken place over the last few days, is temporary.
- State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe requests Deputy Speaker to advise relevant authorities not to take any action on the interim order given by the Supreme Court with regard to the LG election, until the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges concludes its hearing on the privilege issue raised by MP Premanath C Dolawatte.
- Sri Lanka’s Global Perception plunges: ranking in the Brand Finance “Global Soft Power Index” falls from 73 to 115 position in the annual ranking: this Index is the world’s most comprehensive research study on perceptions of a country, surveying opinions of over 100,000 people across over 120 countries.
- CB says Tourism industry earnings were USD 331.7 mn in the first 2 months of 2023: earnings in corresponding period of 2022 was USD 321.1 mn: increase of just 3.3%.
- Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says CPC and CEB will be removed from the Collective Agreement which specifies a 25% salary increment every 3-years: also asserts the CEB will definitely be restructured.
- Report done by the Centre for Society and Religion states the use of tear gas in Sri Lanka reveals that Police has not conducted any laboratory tests over the contents of tear gas munitions: also claims Police used “expired” tear gas munitions to disperse protests in 2022, and some of those munitions were produced in 2000.
- SLPP rebel MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara says the IMF has now become a public enemy after destroying the livelihoods of nearly 3.5 mn families: ridicules the President’s recent comments that the economy is recovering.
- Education Minister Susil Premajayantha says the release of the results of the GCE A/L Examination will be delayed by at least 2 weeks due to the strike by University academics: also says University academics should not be confused between tax issues and the paper-marking process.
- Trainee Full Stack Developer Course offered by the Uni of Moratuwa, on its online learning platform in collaboration with DP Education awarded 1st place at the 8th e-learning Excellence Award 2022 by the European Conference on e-Learning.
Legislative Standing Committee agrees on 25% of youth representation under the proposed Local Authorities Elections Bill
The Local Government Elections (Amendment) Bill presented by the Member of Parliament Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatta and Hon. Imthiaz Bakeer Markar as Private Members’ Bills along with Ministerial reports were considered by the Legislative Standing Committee recently (28) in Parliament.
The Legislative Standing Committee which took into discussion the said Bill was chaired by Hon. Ajith Rajapakse, Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
Standing Orders 53(4) dictates that "No clause that is not in accordance with the basic desire of the Honorable Member presenting a Bill shall be allowed to be included in a Bill." Accordingly, the committee directed to re-draft the Bill 126 considering the youth representation.
The Committee also instructed the officials of Attorney-General’s Department and Legal Draftsman Department to re draft the Bill No. 160, by deleting the Principal Enactment which includes with Women Representation by substituting it with Total Youth Representation with the concurrence of the sponsoring Member of Parliament.
Given that, the Committee was of the view that 25% of the youth from the aggregate should be represented in the first and second nomination lists of the local government elections. Accordingly, The Committee directed the officials representing the Legal Draftsmen and the Attorney General’s Departments to re submit the amended draft of the said Bill before the Committee.
Ministers Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Hon. M.U. M. Ali Sabry, State Ministers Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura, Hon. Sisira Jayakody, Hon. (Dr.) Rajitha Senarathne, Hon. (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Hon. Ajith Mannapperuma, Hon. Sarathi Dushmantha, Hon. (Ms.) Kokila Gunawardena, Hon. Milan Jayathilaka, Hon. (Major) Sudarshana Denipitiya, Hon. Premnath C. Dolawatte, Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana, Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Sagara Kariyawasam, Hon. (Ms.) Manjula Dissanayake were present at the Committee meeting held.
Four new chairs appointed for Sectoral Oversight Committees
The appointment of new chairpersons into four other Sectoral Oversight Committees took place yesterday (09) in Parliament.
Accordingly, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa was appointed as the chair to the Sectorial Oversight Committee on International Relations. His name was proposed by Hon. Akila Ellawala and was seconded by Hon. S. M. M. Muszhaaraff.
Hon. Buddhika Pathirana was appointed as Sectorial Oversight Committee on Increasing Export of Goods & Services. His name was proposed by Hon. Udaya Gammanpila and was seconded by Hon. Karunadasa Kodithuwakku.
Moreover, Hon. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda was appointed as the chair to the Sectorial Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport and his name was proposed by Hon. Gamini Lokuge and was seconded by Hon. Yadamini Gunawardena.
Hon. Gamini Waleboda was appointed as the chair to the Sectorial Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis. His name was proposed Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep and was seconded by Hon. Dhammika Perera.
Mr. Tikiri K. Jayathilake Assistant Secretary-General (Legislative Services) and H.E. Janakantha Silva, Director of Legislative Services and Director of Communications (Acting) of Parliament participated in these meetings.
CPC fuel sales gone down during the last year
The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has pointed out in a tweet that the fuel sales of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have decreased in the last 13 months.
It shows that Lanka Auto diesel sales have decreased by 50%, petrol sales by 30% and kerosene sales by 70% when comparing January 2022 sales with January 2023 sales.
The court rejects the interim injunction requested by Channa Jayasumana against LNW!
The case filed by former minister Channa Jayasumana claiming that he has been defamed by a story published on the Lanka News website was called before the Nugegoda District Court today (10).
During that case, Channa Jayasumana had also requested the court to issue an interim restraining order against Lanka News Web to refrain from publishing any news against him and the lawyers representing Lanka News Web had filed their written objections against that request.
Accordingly, the Judge of the Nugegoda District Court refused to issue the said interim order after hearing the request.
The case was adjourned to August 11 for the verdict.
Advocate V Choksi appeared for Channa Jayasumana and Senior Advocate Panduka Keerthinanda appeared for the respondent Lanka News Web on the instructions of Ranga De Silva.
LKR starts to depreciate again against the USD
The value of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar has fallen today (10).
Accordingly, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s exchange rate chart, the buying price of one dollar was 311.62 rupees and the selling price was 328.90 rupees.
During the past week, the price of the dollar changed as follows.
