The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States of America, in collaboration with the “Wharton Club of DC, hosted a vibrant evening reception on 23 June 2023 at the Embassy premises in Washington D.C., promoting trade and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka among large number of entrepreneurs and senior professionals of the Club.

Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, in his speech, highlighted that Sri Lanka was the first ever country in the South Asian region that adopted market economic policies liberalizing the economy way back in 1977. He emphasized that even though the country faced severe economic challenges triggered by foreign exchange shortage in the last year, now the economy of the country is back on track from all fronts and invited attendees to make use of vast array of trade and investment opportunities available in the country.  

Chairman of DC Innovation Summit as well as President of “Wharton Club of DC” Alan Schlaifer, in his address, thanked the Ambassador and the staff for organizing such a reception creating important platform for the members of the Club to engage with the Embassy in promoting mutual interests.

Minister (Commercial), Charitha Yattogoda of the Mission ran a detailed presentation to the audience briefing them about promotional opportunities of exportable Sri Lankan products in the US market while highlighting investment opportunities available in the country from the US perspective covering key potential areas such as manufacturing, ICT & It enabled services, logistics, tourism & leisure, renewable energy and in the Port City Colombo inviting the attendee to consider Sri Lanka as their next trade and investment destination.

Additionally, the investment related promotional materials received from the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, were distributed among the participants in addition to include key areas therein in the detailed presentation.

On this occasion, the Embassy took the opportunity to boost tourism in Sri Lanka by exhibiting vivid photographic sceneries and screening tourist-oriented videos promoting diverse tourist attractions in the country while giving opportunity for the attendees to choose tour packages that suit them to visit Sri Lanka through a Washington DC based tour operating company of “VoyagX” that joined the event.

A cultural recital showcased the talents of “Serendib Dance Troupe” in Washington D.C captivating the attendees. Dances of both up-country and low-country styles that depicted Sri Lanka’s rich traditional dance heritage were performed. The talents of the troupe of “Ceylon Bera” enthralled the crowd with the rhythms of Sri Lanka accompanied by instrumental music. A Bharatanatyam dance depicting the culture of the Tamil community was performed by the “Natraj School” showcasing vibrant diversity of Sri Lankan culture.

Attendees were treated to a sumptuous authentic Sri Lankan dinner buffet with flavours of Ceylon spices prepared by a Sri Lankan chef with a live station serving “Hoppers” and   “Kottu Roti”

The Embassy with the objective of promoting Ceylon tea made arrangements to serve all the visitors a freshly brewed cup of hot & iced Ceylon tea sponsored by “Basilur” and “Shan Teas” (Sri Lanka) and “QTrade Teas & Herbs”(California, USA) in a specially set up tea corner that demonstrated different types of Tea.

The event concluded with a raffle draw offering prizes of complimentary hotel packages for stays in reputed hotels in Sri Lanka from Siddhalepha Ayurvedha Health Resort in Wadduwa, Theme Resorts & Spas, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Tree of Life Nature Resort, Kandy and Theva Residency Boutique Hotel Kandy. 

The event was held parallel to the 9th Annual Wharton DC Innovation Summit hosted by “Wharton Club of DC” which is a business-focused membership organization that provides opportunities for networking and lifelong learning to entrepreneurs and business leaders as well as professionals from elite/top universities and business schools, on 22 June 2023 in Washington DC.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Washington D.C.      

27 June 2023

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (27) validated the Ratnapura High Court’s ruling on six accused who had been charged for complicity in the violence that had erupted following the assassination of MP Nalanda Ellawala in 1997.

Accordingly, the defendants, including former Ratnapura Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sugath Dissanayake, will be serving a five year rigorous imprisonment sentence as validated by the Supreme Court Bench.

The verdict was given by the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja and Achala Wengapulli today.

The defendants were charged by the Attorney General for torching a trade shop during the violence incited upon the murder of Ellawala 26 years ago.

In 2007, the Ratnapura High Court ruled the defendants were guilty of the charges and sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonments, but the defendants had later filed an appeal before the Appeal Court demanding an order nullifying the High Court ruling and thereby, acquittal.

The defendants then had filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, as their first appeal was rejected by the Appeal Court.

The Supreme Court, which had dismissed the second appeal forwarded by the defendants, has ordered the prison sentence to be implemented from today (26).

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): The petitions filed against State Minister Sanath Nishantha over contempt of court will be heard before the Court of Appeal on July 13, 2023, as ordered by the Bench.

This was when the petitions were taken up before the Appeal Court Bench comprising President of the Appellate Court Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice A. Marikkar today (27).

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama appearing for the AG’s Office said a notice was filed before the Court under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act pertaining to the examination of the video footage obtained with regard to the comment in question allegedly made by Nishantha.

State Minister and Ruling Party MP Sanath Nishantha is accused of committing contempt of court via a comment he had allegedly made during a press conference called in by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) last year, criticising the magistrates for granting bail to a group of suspects involved in the ‘Aragalaya’ people’s protest.

The petitions against Nishantha were filed by Attorneys-at-Law Priyalal Sirisena, Vijith Kumara and the Judicial Service Association of Sri Lanka.

The 5th Round of Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) negotiations commenced in Colombo June (26), aligning with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s vision of strengthening economic ties with major and emerging economies, with a particular focus on ASEAN countries.

K.J. Weerasinghe, the Chief Negotiator, International Trade Office (Leader of SL delegation), expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Free Trade Agreement discussions, which are proceeding according to the agreed-upon timeline. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Thailand from August 21st to 23rd, 2023. Three additional rounds are planned to conclude the Agreement by February 2024, with the signing expected to occur in March 2024.

During the opening session at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, Weerasinghe welcomed the SLTFTA delegation and emphasised the Sri Lankan Government’s objective of integrating into the global economy. Sri Lanka aims to expand its economic reach first within South Asia and then extend further eastward to become a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Sri Lanka will formally request the member countries of RCEP to support its application. Given Thailand’s active participation in both ASEAN and RCEP, Sri Lanka will seek Thailand’s support in joining RCEP.

The Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiations and Chief Negotiator of Thailand, Arumon Supthaweethum, participated in the negotiations virtually. The Thai delegation, including Ambassador of Thailand in Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol, and the Sri Lankan delegation, including Kshenuka Seneviratne Senior Advisor to President on International Media, Chandani Wijayawardana Senior Additional Secretary to the President, K.J.Weerasinghe Chief Negotiator, International Trade Office (Leader of SL delegation), S.W.C. Jayamini Additional Secretary to the President (Deputy Chief Negotiator) also attended the event. The 5th round of discussions is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday (28).

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): A gazette declaration has been made by Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, increasing the renewal licence fee of foreign employment agencies.

The gazette has been declared under Section 51 of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act of No. 21 of 1985.

The amendments, accordingly, will take place as follows;

• The renewal fee of the licence in respect of the same premises will increase to Rs. 100,000 from Rs. 50,000.
• A fee of Rs. 18,000 (subject to applicable taxes) shall be paid under the category in which an employee has entered into a contract with an employer for the first time.  
• A fee of Rs. 3,600 (subject to applicable taxes) shall be paid under the category in which an employee has renewed the contract with the same employer for the second, or subsequent time.

COLOMBO, June 27 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka will enter into an agreement with the World Bank for $500 million in budgetary support after the cabinet approved it on Tuesday, the biggest funding tranche for the crisis-hit nation since an International Monetary Fund deal in March.

The island nation of 22 million is emerging out of its worst economic crisis in seven decades and its economy is expected to shrink 2% this year before returning to growth next year, following last year’s record contraction of 7.8%.

Reuters reported last week that the World Bank is likely to approve $700 million in budgetary and welfare support for Sri Lanka at its board meeting on June 28, out of which $200 million will be for welfare programmes.

The government said on Tuesday that funding from the lender will come in two tranches.

Source: REUTERS