National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency says it is awaiting Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval to conduct research with the Chinese vessel “Shi Yan 6”, which has docked at the Colombo Port.
Korean Destroyer vessel “ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great” docks at the Colombo Port: the docking followed by a high-level reception graced by Korean Ambassador Miyon Lee, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and other top level dignitaries and invitees.
Joint Development Officers’ Assn Secretary says Govt workers are demanding a Rs.20,000 increase in salaries from Budget 2024 amid increased living expenses consequent to an electricity tariff hike and other factors, against a backdrop of the state salary bill dipping by 4% in early 2023.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana participates at an “opening ceremony” of the replaced dilapidated bridge at the Bambalapitiya railway station: says there are 30 dilapidated bridges around the country and more than Rs.2,000mn is needed for their repairs: laments however that due to the several crises, none of these bridges can be repaired, no matter how badly they are damaged.
Police use water cannons & tear gas to disperse a protest staged by the students of the Medical Faculty near the Nelum Pokuna theatre: 5 persons arrested.
Police say that Danish Ali (who forcefully entered the Rupavahini Corporation premises during the violent agitations of last year) has been arrested over his violent and unruly conduct at the Fort railway station.
A fire breaks out at a shop in the Main Street, Pettah: 15 people admitted to hospital with burn injuries following the fire.
Governor of the Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman says land distribution in the Eastern Province is conducted in accordance with legal procedures and is free from any ethnic or religious bias: stresses that any attempts to disrupt the land distribution activities in the Province will result in legal action being taken by the Police.
Minister of Industries & Health Dr Ramesh Pathirana says 1% of the nation’s total land area is to be allocated for industrial use.
More SL athletes win Medals at the Asian Para Games 2023 in China: Anil Prasanna (Silver) at the Men’s 100m event with a timing of 12.98 seconds: Nuwan Indika (Silver) at the Men’s Long Jump event: Galina Basnayake (Silver) at the Women’s 400m freestyle swimming event: Naveed Raheem (Bronze) at the Men’s 400m Freestyle swimming event.
Atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of afternoon thundershowers.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most provinces of the island after 02.00 p.m.
Heavy showers about 100mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): MP Buddhika Pathirana, who is currently sitting for the Second Year of Sri Lanka Law College, has been accused of copying during an examination, sources said.
The Opposition MP was caught copying during one of the law exams for his Second Year at the College by one of the examiners.
The examiner has reportedly complained Pathirana’s conduct to the officer in charge of the exam hall, the sources further claimed.
Several ready-made answer scripts were recovered from his possession.
The said examination is held by the Department of Examinations, and the Opposition MP has allegedly committed the aforementioned offence in the backdrop of strict policies being imposed in this regard.
However, sources further told LNW that the incident is being covered up by the intervention of some of the top figures of the Opposition, whilst the examiner associated with the scene is being pressured to behave to the contrary, urging her to deny any knowledge of such incident.
P.S. Anything MP Buddhika Pathirana has to say about this story will also be published under Right-to-Reply.
In 2023, Sri Lanka has witnessed the unfortunate death of at least 400 elephants, as reported by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC). Chandana Sooriyabandara, the Director General of the Department, revealed that approximately 200 of these majestic creatures have perished due to a variety of factors, including human-elephant conflicts, shootings, and motor accidents.
Sooriyabandara further noted that several wild elephants have succumbed to various diseases this year. He underscored that the Sri Lankan elephant population currently hovers around 6,000, emphasizing the critical importance of wildlife conservation efforts to safeguard these magnificent animals.
The United Kingdom and Sri Lanka are actively engaged in negotiations to establish an agreement that will facilitate the exchange of driving licenses between the two nations, as revealed in a statement to the UK Parliament.
This prospective agreement aims to streamline the process for individuals seeking to exchange their driving licenses, ensuring a smooth transition between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Richard Holden, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, informed the UK Parliament through a written response that the UK currently maintains agreements to exchange and recognize licenses from all European Economic Area (EEA) countries. These arrangements encompass the recognition and exchange of the majority of GB (Great Britain) licenses.
Beyond the EEA, the UK has existing mutual driving license exchange agreements with 22 countries. Holden further noted that ongoing efforts are in progress to establish similar arrangements with seven additional countries, which includes Sri Lanka.
Colombo (LNW): With the ever increasing illegal immigration attempts by sea to Australia from Sri Lanka, the Australian government has further strengthened cross border surveillance to crack down on Sri Lankans taking the risky sea journey.
A new office to combat smuggling, human trafficking and maritime crimes centered around maritime areas in the Mannar district was opened on Thursday (26).
The Australian Police has granted Rs150 million to set up the new office to control human smuggling and trafficking centered on the seas off the Mannar district. , informed official sources said.
The event to declare open the office was held with Senior Officer of the Australian Federal Police Colombo Post Detective Superintendent Robert Wilson as the Chief Guest.
The main aim is to prevent people getting on boats to travel to Australia, as there is zero chance of getting there.
Working with the Sri Lankan Police and other agencies within Sri Lanka means that we try to prevent people losing their money to people smugglers through scams and other frauds and cheats, Detective Superintendent Robert Wilson disclosed.
“Or if they do get on a boat, risking their lives. The boats they get on are not sea worthy and there’s little chance of getting to Australia. If they do get the chance of getting near Australia, they’ll be turned back and returned to Sri Lanka,”he elaborated.
Senior law enforcement officials said that some organizers of people smuggling were now selling the European Union (EU) and the UK ‘dream’ to vulnerable youth and families of those who had relatives in Europe, stating that the EU and the UK did not have the ‘Zero Chance’ stance that Australia had enforced on illegal migration
In 2022, approximately 1189 Sri Lankans were detained by Sri Lanka Navy while attempting an illegal maritime journey to Australia.
“We cannot be complacent. There is still plenty to be done in educating vulnerable Sri Lankans about the dangers and repercussions of these illegal journeys,” officials added.
Key to this education is the Zero Chance anti-people smuggling communication campaign, which informs, educates and deters vulnerable Sri Lankans from undertaking a dangerous and futile maritime journey to Australia.
Official sources have also revealed that they are investigating the brother of a Sri Lankan government MP over allegations of people smuggling to Australia.
The revelations paint a picture of the ineffective measures put forward by the Australian government to fix the issue, according to experts.
June 2022 saw the highest number of illegal boat interceptions by the Australian Border Force since 2013. All were from Sri Lanka.
The stark increase is in large part due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, which has cut off basic services to millions of people.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankans have been given a rare opportunity to visit Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 now being anchored at Colombo Port with the permission of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).
The Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 which is docked, is now open for public viewing on Friday and Saturday, official sources announced.
The NARA said permission was granted to conduct research with the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6, which is docked at the Port of Colombo.
NARA Director General Dr. Kamal Tennakoon said permission was granted on Thursday (26) afternoon Research teams will be dispatched for this purpose over the next few days, he disclosed.
Dr. Tennakoon said the research will study the impact of the ocean system on the regional climate including in Sri Lanka.
The Chinese crew said Sri Lankans have the opportunity to visit the Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 at the Colombo Port on Friday (27) as well.
The Chinese research vessel Shi Yan 6 made regional headlines after India expressed concern over the movements of the vessel on its journey to Sri Lanka.
However, the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi Yan 6 docked at the Port of Colombo on 25th October, as planned.
The Shi Yan 6 is berthed at the South Asia Gateway Terminals of the Port of Colombo.
The Shi Yan 6 is equipped with the latest and modern technology that can monitor the ocean bed, and it also comprises laboratories to test the samples obtained from the ocean floor.
Weighing 260 tonnes, the Shi Yan 6 can accommodate 60 people. The Shi Yan 6 departed from Ghuangzhou in China on the 11th of September, and entered the Indian Ocean region on the 19th of September.
Its voyage included navigating the Ninety East Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge on the Indian Ocean floor named for its near-parallel strike along the 90th meridian at the center of the Eastern Hemisphere, in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India in the Indian Ocean, and other locations as well.
Maritime Data also revealed that the vessel moved within the Sea of Sri Lanka at times.
Earlier, it was mentioned that the Shi Yan 6 would be allowed to enter Sri Lanka on the 25th of October, and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York said that permission was not granted for the ship.
However, as planned, the Shi Yan 6 reached the Port of Colombo, while the Foreign Ministry said that the vessel would only be in Sri Lanka for replenishment purposes.
Sri Lanka is gearing up for the 12th round of negotiations on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India, as announced by the President’s Media Division (PMD). The two countries have already engaged in 11 rounds of bilateral talks from 2016 to 2019, aiming to expand and deepen the existing India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA).
The ETCA is set to have a broader scope than the current ISFTA, emphasizing the deepening economic ties between the two nations. The Sri Lankan government is focusing on two pivotal components: enhancing supply capacity and broadening market access as part of its multifaceted growth strategy designed to drive economic recovery.
In its pursuit of economic recovery, Sri Lanka is not only strengthening ties with its major traditional export destinations like the USA and the EU/UK but also actively integrating with regions in South Asia, South East Asia, and East Asia.
This multifaceted approach includes negotiations and execution of bilateral trade agreements. Currently, Sri Lanka has bilateral trade agreements with key South Asian partners, such as India and Pakistan, primarily focused on trade in goods. Sri Lanka also benefits from access to South Asian markets through regional trading agreements like the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).
Sri Lanka is actively involved in Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations with Bangladesh, concentrating on trade in goods. These negotiations, initiated in June 2021, have already seen three rounds of discussions, with both countries preparing their initial offer lists for subsequent rounds.
Sri Lanka’s engagement with ASEAN countries is expanding through Free Trade Agreements. The country has a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with Singapore, with ongoing negotiations with other ASEAN countries like Thailand and Indonesia.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka is in discussions with China to resume negotiations for a proposed FTA. Six rounds of negotiations have already taken place, focusing on gaining market access for selected Sri Lankan products in China and establishing links to global value chains.
Sri Lanka is also making strides in establishing an economic integration program with ASEAN, Oceania, and East Asia by joining the world’s largest Free Trade Agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, underscoring its commitment to global economic integration.
All of these trade negotiations fall under the purview of the Cabinet-appointed National Trade Negotiation Committee (NTNC), led by the Chief Negotiator of the Office of International Trade under the Presidential Secretariat. The NTNC is supported by eleven subcommittees representing various ministries and departments, facilitating negotiations and stakeholder engagements.
Colombo (LNW): SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, is delighted to announce its position as the Main Sponsor for the eagerly awaited IESL Techno Exhibition 2023, taking place from 20th to 22nd October 2023, at the BMICH, Colombo.
This exhibition, the annual premier event organised by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), acts as a stage to present the country’s most recent technological breakthroughs and innovations across various sectors.
By being the main sponsor, SLT-MOBITEL is underscoring its dedication to furthering technological advancement and stimulating innovation within Sri Lanka.
This collaboration with IESL Techno Exhibition 2023 cements the company’s role as a pivotal figure in the telecommunications and technology sectors and accentuates its commitment to supporting events that encourage knowledge exchange and industry growth.
The IESL Techno Exhibition 2023 is an essential congregation of industry experts, engineers, and innovators who unite to delve into state-of-the-art technologies, share thoughts, and propel advancement in their specific fields.
Over the three days, the event will showcase the newest innovations, products, and talents from across the globe, all the while upholding rigorous standards.
Suppliers, representatives, national policymakers, engineers, and consumers can attend the three-day exhibition, getting a first-hand look at the latest technology all under one roof.
With the backing of SLT-MOBITEL, the exhibition is set to be a vibrant and influential platform, spotlighting the latest progress in telecommunications and related industries.
The exhibition’s theme, ‘Engineering for Economic Revival’, resonates deeply with SLT-MOBITEL’s mission to accompany the nation on its path to economic rejuvenation and affluence.
Recognising the pivotal role engineering has in infrastructure growth, technological progression, and industrial output – all crucial for reinvigorating and fortifying the country’s economy – SLT-MOBITEL remains steadfast in delivering state-of-the-art solutions and services that bolster engineering ventures and creative engineering solutions.
As the main sponsor, SLT-MOBITEL seeks to offer a distinct value proposition to Techno 2023 and its participants. Attendees can count on consistent and uninterrupted connectivity during the event, facilitating smooth cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Additionally, by offering resources and networking chances, SLT-MOBITEL will cultivate an environment that champions and boosts innovative concepts and solutions among Techno 2023 attendees.
In the lead-up to the primary event, the unveiling of Techno Sri Lanka 2023 occurred recently. Janaka Abeysinghe, CEO of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, spoke to the attendees, stressing the significance of technology, innovation, invention, and engineering for the nation’s flourishing.
Colombo (LNW): Although Sri Lanka is endowed with favourable climatic conditions and resources for breeding and rearing ornamental fish for export, a considerable number of ornamental fish producers as well as exporters have given up the industry within a relatively short period of time.
Most (75%) of those were identified as small scale farmers. A majority (56%) of them used only cement tanks for their culture activities.
Only 47% of farmers had proper technical knowledge or training on fish culture while 42% directly supplied their fish products to the expoters.
In a recent meeting with the Export Development Board (EDB) Ornamental fish Advisory Committee, stakeholders highlighted the pressing need for comprehensive reforms across various aspects of ornamental fish exports to reach the industry’s full potential.
The industry stakeholders voiced their concerns about competitive freight rates offered by other countries, potentially impacting Sri Lanka’s exports of ornamental fish to European and US markets.
The ornamental fish exporters also stressed the urgent need for reforms in importation conditions, import bans, regulations on tissue-cultured plants and the Department of Forest’s restrictions on exporting exotic species.
One of the major issues raised was the delay in obtaining fresh animal quarantine reports within a 48-hour timeframe. They pointed out that this delay not only hinders timely customer updates but also affects operations, especially during extended weekends.
During the first nine months this year , Sri Lanka exported US $ 19.44 million worth of ornamental fish recording a year-on-year growth of 25% compared to the same period last year.
The EDB is actively engaged in conducting webinars and awareness sessions with the support of foreign missions, to establish connections with clients in overseas markets and drive growth in the industry.
The Advisory Committee noted that efforts are underway to work collaboratively with stakeholders, regulatory bodies and industry champions to navigate these challenges and pave the way for a thriving ornamental fish export sector in Sri Lanka.
The facilitation of the growth of Sri Lanka’s export sector remains the overarching objective of the EDB Advisory Committees.
