The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal put forth by the Urban Development and Housing Minister to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to obtain a satellite technology-based oil spill monitoring service. Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana made this announcement during the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department.

With the shipping industry and port development experiencing growth, there has been an increase in the number of ships navigating Sri Lankan waters. Consequently, it has become imperative to establish a system that can swiftly gather information about oil spills caused by ships. Such a system would enable prompt measures to prevent marine pollution, identify the responsible vessels, and take appropriate legal actions. As a pilot project, the Economics and Finance Ministry of France has agreed to provide a grant of 601,810 Euros through Collected Localization Satellites (CLS) to support this endeavor.

The draft Memorandum of Understanding prepared for this purpose has received clearance from the Attorney General’s office. Subsequently, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Urban Development and Housing Minister to proceed with signing the MoU, solidifying Sri Lanka’s commitment to effective oil spill monitoring with the aid of satellite technology.

A friendly meeting between Rohitha Bogollagama, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Governor, and Ananda Sangari, the leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), took place at Bogollagama’s house in London Place, Colombo 07.

Furthermore, Rohitha Bogollagama is scheduled to start his duties as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Great Britain on 01.08.2023.

A measles outbreak has been identified at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, with four confirmed cases, according to Dr. Deepal Perera, a Consultant Paediatrician at the hospital. Speaking to the media, Dr. Perera disclosed that as of Monday (10), 12 children have displayed symptoms of measles, with four cases officially diagnosed.

Measles symptoms encompass high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash known as the Measles rash, as explained by Dr. Perera. He further revealed that among the children exhibiting symptoms, some had not received the MMR vaccine for measles.

The MMR vaccine, which is administered free of charge at 9 months and 3 years of age, is strongly recommended by Dr. Perera to ensure the health and safety of children. He emphasized the importance of parents ensuring their children receive these vaccines to prevent the spread of measles and safeguard against potential complications.

Dr. Deepal Perera issued a warning regarding the significant increase in measles cases observed in recent days. He urged parents to remain vigilant and stressed the potential severity of health complications that could arise for children affected by the disease.

In light of the outbreak, he reiterated the necessity for parents to promptly seek the MMR vaccine for their children, underscoring its role in preventing adverse health consequences associated with measles.

The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced a depreciation against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (July 12) compared to the previous day.

At Peoples Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar rose from Rs. 304.61 to Rs. 305.58, while the selling rate also increased from Rs. 319.59 to Rs. 320.61.

According to Commercial Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar increased from Rs. 304.61 to Rs. 305.83 and from Rs. 317 to Rs. 319, respectively.

At Sampath Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar increased from Rs. 302 to Rs. 305, while the selling rate rose from Rs. 317 to Rs. 320.

The Cabinet of Sri Lanka has granted approval to sign a joint statement of intent between the governments of India and Sri Lanka for cooperation in the field of animal husbandry and dairying. This announcement was made by Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana during a weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department.

The proposed joint declaration of intent aims to foster collaboration between the two countries in order to enhance the quality of dairy products in Sri Lanka, achieve self-sufficiency in milk production, and increase the income of small-scale dairy farmers.

The Attorney General’s office has given clearance for the drafted Joint Declaration of Intent. Consequently, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the combined proposal presented by the President and the Agriculture Minister to proceed with signing the joint declaration of intent.

1. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra expressed optimism about the forthcoming visit of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi, describing it as a potential catalyst for positive changes in the relations between the two countries. Kwatra’s statement followed bilateral talks held with Sri Lankan counterparts, including Aruni Wijewardane, the Foreign Minister, and Ali Sabry, the Foreign Minister.
2. The government has taken a significant step towards state-owned enterprise reform with the appointment of transaction advisors for the divestiture of 7 identified entities. The decision is in line with the policy directive set by the government and aims to ensure effective and transparent divestiture of key entities.
3. Colombo port city highlighted its untapped potential for tourism investors as the island nation is rapidly recovering the tourism industry and Sri Lanka Tourism’s ambitious targets for the upcoming year.
4. Five suspects have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle out gold from Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lanka Customs, the suspects were arrested at the departure terminal of the BIA with 8.65kg of gold.
5. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided not to renew the money changing permits for well-known communication agency Salaka and 14 others, for the year 2023. Issuing a statement, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said that it has decided not to renew the money changing permits of 15 money changers for the year 2023.
6. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has been appointed for the divestiture of three state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (10 July) approved the appointment of IFC for the divestiture of Sri Lankan Airlines Limited, Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.
7. The government expects to attract many visitors from Asia, including India, East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia, because it is easier for them to travel. It will open up the Eastern Province, and there will be apartments available for purchase where you can directly stay near the beaches of the Eastern Province. The laws will be changed to accommodate tourism development plans.
8. The removal of the indigenous tree “Crudia Zeylanica” located in the Daraluwa area in Gampaha, which caused a controversy in 2021, was carried out based on Cabinet approval, Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the media.
9. The G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination 2023 will be held from November 27 to December 21: Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha announced.
10. Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has topped off an excellent month to claim the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for June 2023. Hasaranga beat out strong opposition from Australia batter Travis Head and Zimbabwe opener Sean Williams for the coveted award on the back of his superb performances for the island nation at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra expressed optimism on Tuesday (July 11) about the forthcoming visit of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi, describing it as a potential catalyst for positive changes in the relations between the two countries. Kwatra’s statement followed bilateral talks held with Sri Lankan counterparts, including Aruni Wijewardane, the Foreign Minister, and Ali Sabry, the Foreign Minister.

During his two-day official visit to Colombo, Kwatra aimed to lay the groundwork for President Wickremesinghe’s upcoming trip to New Delhi on July 21. This visit marks the president’s first official visit to India since assuming office last year.

Addressing the media, Kwatra emphasized that his discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership, as well as the Foreign Ministry, centered on ensuring that the president’s visit would serve as a pivotal moment for positive transformation in bilateral relations. The two sides also explored various areas of partnership between India and Sri Lanka that could be advanced prior to the visit.

The Indian foreign secretary highlighted the strength of the ties between the two nations, encompassing diverse elements of cooperation and the comprehensive framework of economic partnership enjoyed by India and Sri Lanka. Kwatra praised President Wickremesinghe as a staunch supporter of India’s relations with Sri Lanka and emphasized the successful collaboration between the two countries during the challenging period of the past 14-16 months. He assured a warm welcome to the president in India, expressing India’s eager anticipation of a successful visit.

The visit of the Sri Lankan president to New Delhi holds substantial significance in fostering positive transformation in the bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka, and India remains committed to ensuring its success.

Several spells of light showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the evening or night.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW): Colombo port city highlighted its untapped potential for tourism investors as the island nation is rapidly recovering the tourism industry and Sri Lanka Tourism’s ambitious targets for the upcoming year.

Thus was emphasized at the South East Asia Hotel Investors Summit (SEAHIS) 2023, a prestigious gathering of leading investors, industry leaders and experts recently took place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Among the distinguished speakers at the event was Thulci Aluwihare, the Deputy Managing Director of Port City Colombo, who delivered an informative keynote presentation.

During his address, Thulci Aluwihare also highlighted the exciting opportunities presented by Port City Colombo (PCC) and the PCC Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

He emphasized the significant investment prospects available to hotel owners and operators within and around the development, which is positioned to be Sri Lanka’s new frontier of hospitality.

As one of the most ambitious and transformative urban development projects in the region, PCC is set to play a pivotal role in elevating Sri Lanka’s tourism sector to new heights.

The soon-to-be-opened Downtown Duty-Free, for example, is a key precursor to what is still to come, and will be the first such downtown duty-free mall in South Asia.

Thulci Aluwihare expressed his optimism about the future of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry saying, “With the rapid growth and recovery of our tourism industry, we believe that Port City Colombo will be a catalyst in attracting both local and international investors seeking unparalleled opportunities.

Port City’s unique blend of modern infrastructure, strategic location and diverse investment options will create a vibrant ecosystem that supports Sri Lanka’s tourism goals, particularly as it will act as a global venue for entertainment, leisure, finance, business, retail and more.”

Port City Colombo is a visionary project that aims to redefine Sri Lanka’s economic and social landscape.

PCC will offer a cosmopolitan lifestyle, world-class infrastructure and sustainable living. As a Special Economic Zone, it also provides a range of incentives and benefits for businesses, making it an ideal destination for hotel owners and operators to establish their presence in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the numerous investment opportunities, Port City Colombo will further bolster Sri Lanka’s tourism ambitions by providing state-of-the-art amenities, cutting-edge technology, and a host of entertainment, leisure and retail offerings, including a cutting-edge Downtown Duty-Free.

The development is designed to create a vibrant hub that seamlessly integrates business, leisure and residential components, offering an unmatched experience for visitors and residents alike.

As Sri Lanka aims to position itself as a top tourist destination, Port City Colombo will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. With its commitment to sustainability, innovation and world-class hospitality, PCC is poised to become a game-changer in the region, attracting discerning travellers and investors alike.