Sri Lanka will see visitors from the Russian Federation resume their travel to the island nation once again, with efforts underway to increase flights between Russia and Colombo.
President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase in the number of flights between Moscow and “friendly states”which resulted in the resumption of flights by third Russian airlines, the Russian embassy in Sri Lanka said.
Russian travelers are leading Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in the 2022 winter season as the Indian Ocean Island undergoing the worst currency crisis in the history of its soft-pegged central bank.
From November 1-24, Sri Lanka has welcomed 45,560 tourists led by 11,041 Russian holiday makers, followed by 8,075 Indians and 3,569 British.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow announced yesterday that Red Wings Airlines, a Russian regional leisure airline based in Moscow, will start charter flight operations to Sri Lanka’s Mattala Airport, twice per week with effect from December 28, 2022.
This is the third Russian Airline serving direct flights to Sri Lanka after the resumption of flights by Aeroflot and Azur Air recently, the embassy said in a statement.
According to the commercial director of the Airline, Mr. I. V. Tretiakov, the first few flights are fully booked and that it is supported as well by the Russian top tour operators working in partnership with the Red Wings Airline.
Red Wings Airline planes are expected to switch to the regular flights as soon as the accreditation is granted by the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority and gradually increase the number of flights.
“Given that the Russian Federation could be regarded as an important tourist traffic source to Sri Lanka at this trying time, this Embassy is of the view that this flight resumption will be of vital importance to the Sri Lankan tourism industry.”
The flag carrier of Russia, Aeroflot, begins to operate two flights per week, starting Sunday, October 9.
As Russia’s largest charter airline resumed services to Colombo. An Azur Air flight arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport here with 335 passengers onboard, according to media reports.
Permission has also been given by regional airline Azur Air to fly four charter flights per week, starting early November.
“We cordially solicit Russian tourists to choose to visit Sri Lanka while enjoying the convenience of direct flight experience,” the embassy further said.
A Russian airlines Aeroflot flight arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport on October 10, resuming flights between Moscow and Colombo after a lapse of 4 months
Red Wings becomes the third Russian airline bringing visitors to Sri Lanka
India makes inroads into Sri Lanka under China’s long shadow
COLOMBO/NEW DELHI, Dec 27 (Reuters) – When Sri Lanka slid into its worst economic crisis in seven decades leading to deadly riots and alarming shortages of fuel, food and medicines earlier this year, its giant northern neighbour stepped into the breach.
India provided about $4 billion in rapid assistance between January and July, including credit lines, a currency swap arrangement and deferred import payments, and sent a warship carrying essential drugs for the island’s 22 million people.
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Now, as Sri Lanka closes in on a $2.9 billion loan deal from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its economy stabilises, India is seeking to land ambitious long-term investments, with an eye on countering the influence of regional rival China, a government minister and three sources said.
“What we are looking at right now is investment from them,” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said in an interview this month, referring to a range of projects worth over $1 billion currently under discussion that would help bolster India’s presence in Sri Lanka. “They’re willing to invest as much as it takes.”
“India is probably strategically looking at that…because of their security concerns,” Sabry said.
India’s foreign ministry did not respond to questions from Reuters on its plans and strategic aims in Sri Lanka.
Regional security would always be a focus for New Delhi, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, at a time of persistent friction with China along their Himalayan frontier.
“There are no two ways about security concerns,” the source said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. “In terms of long-term engagement, it is investment that is being focused on.”
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Besides seeking Indian investments to set up renewable energy and power projects in the north of the island, Sri Lanka is also keen to work with New Delhi on expanding and developing the harbour at Trincomalee in the northeast into a major port, several officials said.
Taking advantage of northern Sri Lanka’s proximity to India, these projects could help New Delhi balance China’s extensive infrastructure projects in the south of the island that have been built up over the last 15 years.
Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated north also shares ethnic ties with southern India’s Tamil Nadu state.
CONCERN ABOUT CHINA
The talks, and the scale of Indian aid this year that far exceeds other donors, underline New Delhi’s efforts to claw back influence in the island located just a few miles off its southern tip along busy waterways linking Asia to Europe.
In late June, a fortnight before tens of thousands of angry Sri Lankans took to the streets and forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country, India’s top diplomat flew into the island nation’s main city of Colombo for meetings.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, who was accompanied by officials from India’s finance ministry, met Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, among others.
In their conversations with the Sri Lankan leadership, Kwatra and other Indian officials flagged China’s position as a key geopolitical concern, according to a Sri Lankan government source with direct knowledge of the discussions.
The source, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said China’s huge role in the island’s economy, which had mushroomed under previous Rajapaksa administrations, was troubling India more than anything else.
Details of the June meeting have not previously been reported.
Kwatra and the Indian and Sri Lankan foreign ministries did not respond to questions from Reuters on the June meetings.
In a statement released immediately after Kwatra’s visit, the Indian foreign ministry said that talks had mainly focused on economic issues, including deepening investments. It made no mention of China.
New Delhi has long been concerned about China’s clout in its neighbourhood, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Sensitivities have been heightened, and diplomatic relations frayed, since Indian and Chinese troops clashed along a remote Himalayan border in 2020, leaving dozens of soldiers dead.
“We understand that it is their prerogative to look after their security,” Sabry said, referring to India. “And as far as Sri Lanka is concerned, we don’t want to contribute to any escalation of tension between any countries.”
China, meanwhile, has engaged with the Sri Lankan government on debt restructuring that is required for the IMF deal to go through, besides sending shipments of medicine, fuel and rice.
The World Bank estimates Beijing’s lending stands at around $7 billion, or 12% of Sri Lanka’s $63 billion external debt.
“We are willing to work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to continue to play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka,” China’s foreign ministry said in response to written questions from Reuters.
The ministry said it did not have details of India’s assistance and investment in Sri Lanka and that its own support of Sri Lanka was “not targeted at third parties”.
PERFECT STORM
Sri Lanka sank into a financial crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated tourism and remittances from citizens working abroad fell. The war in Ukraine pushed prices for imports, particularly fuel, sharply higher.
Rajapaksa’s administration also resisted help from the IMF, meaning foreign exchange reserves dwindled, worsening fuel and medicine shortages.
Violent protests broke out as tens of thousands of people took to the streets and stormed government buildings.
The president fled the country in July, and resigned. By then, Sri Lanka finally engaged with the IMF and the two sides have since struck a preliminary $2.9 billion loan deal.
But it was Indian assistance that helped Sri Lanka buy time.
“Without India, Sri Lanka would have unravelled as Lebanon did,” said Uditha Devapriya, chief international relations analyst at Factum, a Colombo-based foreign policy think-tank.
“Sri Lanka has clearly benefited from being the closest neighbour to the most powerful country in the region. It is also in India’s interest to ensure stability in its backyard.”
In October, Wickremesinghe – who took over as president in July after Rajapaksa quit – unveiled a blueprint for Trincomalee, which has a natural deep-water harbour, including a proposal to work with India to develop a strategic port there besides setting-up a new industrial zone and an energy hub, according to details released by his office.
India and Sri Lanka are also in preliminary discussions on an undersea cable to connect the power grids of both countries and a fuel pipeline from southern India’s mainland to northern Sri Lanka – projects that could together cost at least $4 billion, according to officials on both sides.
In the energy sector, India’s state-run NTPC is working on a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Sampur in Trincomalee district after the two countries signed an agreement in March.
In the northwest of Sri Lanka, India’s Adani Group is awaiting regulatory approvals for two wind power projects worth $500m in Mannar region, Sri Lanka’s Power Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said in August.
Off the northwestern coast, ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), the overseas arm of Delhi’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has set its sights on exploration licences, and has had multiple discussions with Sri Lankan authorities who are finalising regulations ahead of inviting bids from global companies, two Sri Lanka energy ministry officials said.
Both asked not to be named because discussions were ongoing.
Adani, NTPC and OVL did not respond to questions from Reuters on their projects in Sri Lanka.
The push for oil and gas exploration was part of the discussions in June, the source with knowledge of the talks said.
YUAN WANG 5
Foreign Minister Sabry said the Sri Lankan government was keen on capitalising on India’s growing economic prowess, particularly through renewable energy and infrastructure projects, while maintaining key relationships with other major allies, including China and Japan.
Despite India’s recent goodwill in Sri Lanka, New Delhi remains wary of China’s presence.
In July and August, the regional rivals became embroiled in a diplomatic spat over a Chinese military survey ship, Yuan Wang 5, that stopped at southern Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port.
At that time, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that although India had given “unprecedented” support to Sri Lanka during the economic crisis, New Delhi would not back down from its security needs.
Despite India’s crucial help during the financial crisis this year, Sri Lanka still needs China – one of its biggest creditors – to agree to a debt restructuring plan, along with India and Japan, to clinch the IMF loan deal, Sri Lankan officials said.
“Chinese investment is very important, Chinese relationship is very important,” Sabry said.
“So I don’t think even India or anybody expects Sri Lanka not to work with China. To be fair by them, none of them have asked us.”
President makes two new appointments for two positions
President Ranil Wickramasinghe has made new appointments for two positions.
Accordingly, Mahinda Sanath Weerasuriya has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Sabaragamuwa Province and Pradeep Yasaratne has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Western Province.
The appointments are effective from January 01.
Dialog to shut down 3G network to free up spectrum and expand 4G broadband
Dialog Axiata PLC has announced plans to shut down its 3G data network in 2023 to free up spectrum and increase the capacity of its 4G Broadband network.
“This decision comes as part of Dialog Axiata’s ongoing efforts to provide the best possible mobile experience for its customers and is part of its continued efforts to introduce best-in-class, next-gen technologies to Sri Lankan consumers,” the company said in a statement.
It said usage of the 3G network accounts for less than 1% of Dialog’s data traffic and re-farming/allocation the 3G spectrum to support 4G broadband will provide a much higher bandwidth and thereby a better experience to Dialog 4G mobile broadband customers.
This announcement follows the company’s decision in June 2022, to suspended issuance of new 3G connections as part of the 3G network shutdown initiative.
Dialog requested its 3G network users to switch to the 4G network as well as enable 4G data services on existing 4G devices to access mobile broadband services.
To support the current 3G network users with the transition to 4G, Dialog offers a wide range of best-in-value 4G smartphones, “Dialog Lesi Pay” instalment plans and free-of-charge 4G SIM upgrades which can be availed through its service network.
Dialog will continue to maintain its 2G GSM network that would support the growing demand for voice services in addition to voice over LTE offered through the 4G network.
Dialog Axiata, having invested over $ 3 billion to date, is committed to investing in the latest technology and infrastructure to ensure that its customers have access to the best possible mobile experience.
“We apologize for any inconvenience that may be caused due to the shutdown of our 3G network, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we re-farm 3G spectrum to further improve our 4G mobile broadband network,” Dialog Axiata said in its statement.
Maternal and child health services are at risk of collapse
According to the Association of Government Family Health Service Officers, there is a risk of collapse of maternal and child health services from next January.
Devika Kodithuvakku, the president of the association, said that the situation has arisen due to the retirement of officers who have reached the age of 60 at a time when there is an acute shortage of family health service officers.
Kodituvakku mentions that due to the increase in the number of female officers retiring from service on the 31st of this month compared to other years, they will have to face various issues in the future in providing child, infant and maternity services.
In addition to the family health workers who will turn 60 this year, the family health service officers who have completed the age of 61, 62, 63, 64 are also scheduled to retire on December 31.
Accordingly, Kodituvakku states that the retirement this year may have a negative effect on the work of the people who retire in one year in other years.
She says that there is a risk of collapse of the maternal and child health service due to that situation.
She further says that the government has not made any program to make new recruitments to replace the retiring family health officers and the Ministry of Health has no plan to prevent service breakdown if there is one
DP Coding School – Benefits of learning computer programming languages
Following our introduction to ‘DP Coding School,’ which is an innovative platform unravelling future career opportunities by learning computer languages, today’s write up elaborates the benefits of learning computer programming.
Those who learn coding and acquire basic knowledge will be eligible for applying for careers with a higher pay rate in a number of positions, including Web Developer, Full-stack Web Developer, Software Application Developer, Computer Programmer and Data Scientist.
Parents often find it problematic as to what would be the benefits of learning coding for their children, apart from being able to apply for a job. To provide a sound answer, below are some of the most key benefits of learning coding for school students;
- Develops students’ logical thinking.
- Improves students’ creativity.
- Improves persistence.
- Develops resilience and flexibility.
- Improves communication skills.
- Improves students’ structural thinking.
- Improves students’ problem solving skills.
- Helps students develop their mathematical ability.
- Helps students to feel satisfied.
- Develops students’ self-learning ability.
That being said, learning to code will positively impact your child’s day-to-day schooling activities, whilst making it the foundation to receiving a high-paying, dollar-earning job in the future.
Refer your child to dpcode.lk website today to follow a free and international level coding course in Sinhala language.
Power cut schedule from 27th – 30th December
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes this week.
The PUCSL said the power cuts will be enforced from Wednesday, 27th December to Friday, 30th December.
The power cuts will be implemented for groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W during this period.
SRI LANKA ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SUMMARY: 27/12
- Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says national diesel and petrol consumption has dropped 50% in latter part of 2022, compared to the first few months of the year: daily fuel consumption averaged 5,500 MT from Dec’21 to Feb’22.
- Crime statistics released by Police indicate 497 Sri Lankans killed in violence during the first 11 months of 2022: 223 deaths by shooting and assault: 3,596 instances of kidnappings with ransom intention.
- Retired Rear Admiral and SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekera says Foreign Minister Ali Sabry owes an explanation as regards his claim that the IMF had demanded the enactment of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution as a prerequisite for the finalisation of the USD 2.9 bn loan.
- SL Embassy in Moscow says a national carrier of the Russian Federation “Red Wings” will start charter flight operations to Sri Lanka’s Mattala International Airport twice per week with effect from December 28: it will be the 3rd Russian airline serving direct flights to Sri Lanka.
- Colombo Crimes Division arrest 4 suspects for allegedly assaulting social media “Aragalaya” activist Dilan Senanayake with sharp weapons on 14th Dec: the suspects too identified as those who had been frequenting the “Aragalaya” site.
- CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe predicts economy will stabilise in Q1 of 2023: claims the “IMF-based ongoing economic adjustment programme” will keep inflation under control and increase reserves: during Weerasinghe’s tenure of 9 months so far, inflation up from 18% to 69%: reserves down by USD 100mn: growth down from +3.4% to -11.4%: “money printing” up by 64%: T-Bill interest rates nearly triple: forex debt defaulted.
- Over 60 top & mid-level officials of the Central Bank including Superintendent of Public Debt Dr A Z M Aazim and Deputy Governor Dhammika Nanayakkara, quit this year: officials claim there are multiple resignations each day: CB Trade Unions collectively express displeasure over Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe’s actions.
- Australian Government appoints Sri Lankan-born Minoli Perera as Australia’s next Ambassador to Zimbabwe: the first time a Sri Lankan born person has been appointed to such a position.
- Kandy Mayor Kesara Senanayaka says that the main reason for flooding of Kandy City is illegal constructions: also says steps will be taken to immediately remove all buildings that are blocking canals and other drainage systems.
- Elections Commission Chairman Nimal G Punchihewa says District Returning Officers will issue Gazette notifications calling nominations for Local Government polls on 2nd, 3rd or 4th Jan’23: expresses regret over delay.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 27 DECEMBER 2022
Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur in few places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces during the afternoon or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
PM Gunawardena urges Ambassadors and HCs to uplift SL’s image
The world finds priority in economic diplomacy rather than traditional diplomacy, said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, speaking at a meeting held between him and the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners to other states at Temple Trees today (26).
The Prime Ministers instructed the Ambassadors and High Commissioners to uplift the image of Sri Lanka, which is a friendly, unbound and neutral state, by resorting to attracting investment opportunities and promoting exports and the tourism industry, and urged them to extend their maximum support to the committees appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for investment and export promotion.
Commenting on the economic crisis befallen the island nation and the move of restructuring debts, Gunawardena emphasised that all Ambassadors and High Commissioners should work towards investments, joint ventures and bilateral partnerships to enable production, export and rapid development rather than relying on aid and credit.
The expatriates and their associations should be closely cooperated with for receiving more investments, career opportunities and development aid, he went on, stressing that friendly states can work together with Sri Lanka towards its efforts to develop the fields of Agriculture, Industries, Information Technology and Tourism for making the Island Nation self-sufficient with food.
The event was attended by 16 newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassadors and High Commissioners, including Chithrangani Wageeswara (Australia), Admiral Prof. Jayanath Kolambage (Indonesia), Maneesha Gunasekara (France), H.M.G.R.R.K. Mendi (Bahrein), Dr. A.S.U. Mendis (Viet Nam), Waruni Muthukumarana (Germany), Kapila Jayaweera (Lebanon), M.H.M.N. Bandara (Israel), K.K. Theshantha Kumarasiri (Ethiopia), Dr. Chanaka H. Thalpahewa (Philippines), Priyangika Wijegunasekara (Jordan), B. Kandeepan (Kuwait), Himali Arunathilaka (Geneva), Udaya Indraratna (United Arab Emirates) and Sandy Emirates Samarasinghe (Consular General – Melbourne).