Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama recently appointed country representatives to six countries in a bid to disseminate actual facts about the Sri Lankan image to potential investors and promote the country as the premier destination for investment.  

The country representatives, who are well-experienced personnel in diverse sectors, will represent Sri Lanka in countries such as India, Malaysia, UAE, Republic of Korea, Qatar and the United Kingdom.

Addressing the event, the State Minister said, “It is evident and apparent that the country’s image is being tarnished by the erroneous information being circulated in foreign media, which have a detrimental and monumental bearing on the country’s image.” 

“Due to the proximity to potential investors and their knowledge of economic and political conditions in the countries, these officials can reach out directly to the potential investors and deliver accurate information, and provide them with the data they need to make an informed investment decision in favour of Sri Lanka,” Amunugama articulated.

“Furthermore, given the international competitiveness to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the promotional aspect of the country’s position and nation branding has come to the fore. As we know, Sri Lanka’s strong suit is its strategic location and business-friendly atmosphere to do business. In this context, it is imperative to focus on promoting Sri Lanka as the best destination in the Asian region. As such, the newly appointed representatives would be ideal to tell positive stories about Sri Lanka, thereby driving more investments into the country,” the State Minister added. 

These officials will monitor the conditions of respective countries and maintain a cordial and direct dialogue with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.

Investment Promotion Ministry Secretary M.M. Nayeemudeen and BOI Director General Renuka M. Weerakone participated in the occasion.

DAILY FT

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces that a foundation is presently being established to advance Sri Lanka’s economy to a global level over the next five years by implementing green economic policies.
2. SL’s foreign reserves estimated US$ 1.7 billion as of September, 2022 increase by 23.5 per cent to US$ 2.1 billion as of February, 2023: Headline inflation previously recorded 94.9 per cent in September, 2022 drops to 60.1 per cent in January, 2023: Tourist arrivals surge by 261 per cent, rising to 107,639 in February, 2023 from 29,802 in September, 2022: State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the Rupee has strengthened due the ‘political stability’ and a ‘peaceful’ atmosphere established by the government: Despite the purported stability, the government is vehemently being criticised for the repressive measures it has taken against the Opposition and protesters, who are demanding the assurance of democracy.
3. Chief Opposition Whip and SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella says the popularity of the government has dropped to 08 per cent as per the latest survey, and the government, therefore, is afraid of holding elections.
4. The President’s Media Division says the government will be digitising investment information to facilitate easy access for investors and efficient use of state-owned land to boost agriculture, in a desperate bid to direct the cash strapped country towards the reawakening of investment promotion and development.
5. Parliament to hold a two-day debate on the proposed postponement of the LG Polls as agreed during a special Party Leaders’ meeting hosted by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: The debate is scheduled for March 09 – 10.
6. Reports storm that media giant Dilith Jayaweera is entering public politics; claim he has secured a registered political party previously owned by Hemakumara Nanayakkara for his future political journey: Jayaweera previously seen establishing a movement namely “Aramuna” and holding awareness campaigns on how to face the economic crisis.
7. The Election Commission scheduled to meet today to discuss the problematic situation regarding the date of the LG Polls: Chief Nimal Punchihewa says its members M.M. Mohammed, S.B. Diyaratne and K.P.P. Pathirana will participate in the meeting.
8. Child rights charity “Save the Children” says Sri Lanka’s economic meltdown has spiralled into a full-blown hunger crisis, with half of the families forced to reduce the amount they feed their children; warns the Sri Lankan government and the international community must act now to prevent the country’s children from “becoming a lost generation.”
9. Media reports ‘heated exchange’ of words between the lawyers appearing for the plaintiff and the respondent in a case against State Minister Diana Gamage: A complaint urging a probe into her passport in question called in before the Colombo Magistrate Court: Police accused of ‘challenging’ the Magistrate’s request to proceed with an arrest by citing ‘lack of evidence’: Case adjourned by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.
10. Expolanka Holdings says its latest acquisition of the Trans American Customhouse Brokers LLC and its related companies will help further consolidate its position in the key North American market: EFL Global LLC, a leading global supply chain and logistics solutions company owned by Expolanka, acquired 100 per cent equity interest in Trans American Customhouse Brokers LLC for a purchase consideration of US$ 42.5 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

The Election Commission is scheduled to meet today (03) to discuss the problematic situation regarding the date of the local government election.

The chairman of that commission, Nimal Punchihewa, mentioned that its members, M.M. Mohammed, S.B. Divaratne and K.P.P. Pathirana will participate in this meeting.

Earlier, the local government election was scheduled to be held on March 09, but the election commission had announced that it could not be held on that day due to lack of financial allocation.

Applicants advised to provide accurate information to the concerned authorities immediately

The on-going information survey aimed at identifying eligible individuals for the welfare benefits payment program, as instructed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, will conclude on March 31, according to the Welfare Benefits Board.

The Welfare Benefits Board cautions that failing to provide data before the deadline, could result in the loss of benefits. They urge all applicants to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of their data by promptly providing it to the field officers conducting the Information Survey for the Welfare Benefit Payment Program.

The implementation of this program will align with the amended Welfare Benefit Payment Orders No. 1 of 2022, as per the provisions of the Welfare Benefits Act No. 24 of 2002. The Cabinet of Ministers approved this amendment, which was published in the Special Gazette No. 2302/23 dated 20 October 2022, as per the Special Gazette No. 2310/30 dated 15 December 2022.

The application process to identify eligible candidates for welfare benefit payments has concluded, with a total of 3,728,139 applications received. However, as of yesterday (01), only 102,143 applicants have provided accurate data.

To collect data for the information survey of the welfare benefit payment program and identify eligible beneficiaries, a total of 6,728 officers have been deployed across all divisional secretariats in the island. This includes 3,190 development officers, 494 economic development officers, 205 village officers, 1,127 other officers, and 1,712 temporary recruits.

To ensure their eligibility for the welfare benefit payment program, applicants must provide accurate information to the relevant officials and verify their identity with a National Identity Card, Electoral Register registration number, or a letter issued by the Divisional Secretary.

Additionally, clinic and medical records of kidney patients and disabled persons, as well as water and electricity bills, may also be submitted as supporting documents for the welfare benefit payment program application.

Once the data acquisition process is complete, carried out under the slogan “Let’s be truthful – let’s give benefits to deserving people”, applicants must sign a statement confirming the accuracy of their data. A QR code will be provided to every household, which can be used to monitor the summary of the data provided.

President’s Media Division (PMD)

The newly appointed Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to the Republic of France and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris on Monday, 27 February 2023.

Her assumption of duties was marked by a simple ceremony organised by the staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy.

In her address to the staff of the Embassy, the Ambassador-designate referred to the longstanding vibrant relations between Sri Lanka and France; the celebration of the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year; the need to further elevate trade, investment and tourism ties as well as cultural cooperation; and expanding bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining an efficient and effective consular service by the Embassy towards Sri Lankan nationals and the community of Sri Lankan heritage residing in France.

The Chief of State Protocol and Diplomatic Events of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ambassador Philippe Franc met Ambassador-designate Gunasekera at the Embassy on Monday 27 February. The Chief of Protocol welcomed the Ambassador-designate and assured her of his fullest cooperation as well as that of the French Foreign Ministry during her tenure in France. He extended his best wishes to the new Ambassador-designate. Ambassador-designate Gunasekera presented the open copy of the Letter of Credence of her appointment to the Chief of State Protocol, and deeply appreciated the warm reception extended to her, as well as the sentiments expressed.

Ambassador-designate Gunasekera has served in various portfolios in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service in her career spanning 27 years. She most recently served as the Additional Secretary/ Bilateral Affairs (West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. She has previously served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador-designate Gunasekera has a BA (Hons.) in English from the University of Delhi, an MA in International Political Economy and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, an MA in Women’s Studies from the University of Colombo, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Studies from Sciences Po, Paris. She is a past pupil of Musaeus College, Colombo.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

France

01 March 2023