Colombo (LNW): The proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill will be tabled in Parliament this week, said Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
The move comes in amid severe backlash from a number of parties calling the the proposed bill a direct blow in the head against democracy of Sri Lanka.
The Minister revealed that he expects to present the bill to Parliament for the first reading on Wednesday, April 26, adding that the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill be submitted to Parliament in the subsequent month.
Colombo (LNW): In a bid to strengthen food security in Sri Lanka, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the European Union (EU), yesterday (22 April) officially launched a new programme of boosting the productivity and sustainability of the paddy cultivation sector.
The four million Euro (approximately Rs. 1.5 billion) initiative funded by the EU was initiated at an event held at the Bataatha Agro Technology park in Hambanthota under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi and FAO Representative in Sri Lanka Vimlendra Sharan.
Implemented by FAO with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Mahaweli Authority, the programme targets 71,000 smallholder paddy farmers and 1,200 paddy seed farmers across seven districts including Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Ampara, Matale, Puttalam, Kurunegala and Hambantota districts who were severely impacted by the recent economic crisis.
Speaking at the event, which saw the official start of the farmer field schools EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Denis Chaibi said, “With this new action, EU wants to help farmers not only to grow more, but most importantly to grow better so that they can increase their production and incomes, but also protect the environment around them.”
He expressed the hope that together with FAO and the Government FAO with funding from Eu can gradually promote a transition towards greener and climate-smart agriculture.
The recipient farmers will receive material and technical support to transition from traditional cultivation methods into climate-smart, modern farming techniques.
Accordingly, the eligible paddy farmers cultivating up to 0.5 hectares of land will receive 50 kilograms of urea fertilizer and the necessary tools to enhance efficiency of fertilizer use.
A total of 3,820 tonnes of urea fertilizer procured by the programme were already handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture to be distributed among selected smallholder paddy farmers and paddy seed farmers.
Paddy seed farmers supported through the programme will also receive locally produced, high quality paddy seeds alongside material support such as parachute trays to improve efficiency and profitability of cultivation methods.
Furthermore, all recipients will be enrolled in farmer-field schools to improve knowledge sharing on modern techniques such as the Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) strategy to boost efficiency and reduce dependency on the use of chemical fertilizer.
Minister Amaraweera said Sri Lanka paddy farmers underwent significant challenges over the past few years. This support we received from FAO and the EU is a testament to their perseverance during the tough times
These inputs and knowledge sharing will no doubt elevate the quality of rice production and the livelihoods of Sri Lankan paddy farmers”, he said.
“This programme marks an important milestone in FAO’s work in Sri Lanka over the past year – the shift back into development from the emergency response. FAO Representative in Sri Lanka, Vimlendra Sharan said.
The EU and FAO have assured their continued support to work closely with the government of Sri Lanka and key partners to support the recovery of the agriculture sector, while also building resilience and sustainability into the sector to increase yield and profit for smallholder farmers as the sector recovers.
Colombo (LNW): The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said its Customs Declarations (CUSDECS) system is a major breakthrough to simplify and streamline the procedures for investors, according to BOI sources.
The sole objective of this system is to provide a speedy service to BOI’s valued enterprises through processes that have been simplified and streamlined to improve business conditions in the country.
The system is launched already, where the final sector of construction approval is also intact, making the total six sections of CUSDEC online now. The system is open to both local and foreign enterprises who aspire to embark on an investment journey with the BOI.
The BOI is of the view that the new system has the potential to increase the effectiveness of doing business while identifying new investors and providing value through digital service delivery and signalling to the world that BOI is ready to digitally enable investors with the highest standard in the world.
As the apex organisation for investment promotion, BOI remains the advisor, guide, and facilitator to every investor looking to make a home in Sri Lanka.
The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday said its Customs Declarations (CUSDECS) system is a major breakthrough to simplify and streamline the procedures for investors.
The sole objective of this system is to provide a speedy service to BOI’s valued enterprises through processes that have been simplified and streamlined to improve business conditions in the country.
The system is launched already, where the final sector of construction approval is also intact, making the total six sections of CUSDEC online now. The system is open to both local and foreign enterprises who aspire to embark on an investment journey with the BOI.
The BOI is of the view that the new system has the potential to increase the effectiveness of doing business while identifying new investors and providing value through digital service delivery and signalling to the world that BOI is ready to digitally enable investors with the highest standard in the world.
As the apex organisation for investment promotion, BOI remains the advisor, guide, and facilitator to every investor looking to make a home in Sri Lanka.
“BOI is the first point of contact for global and local companies whom we handhold from the day they start exploring Sri Lanka as an investment destination. Therefore, it makes every move in the interest of efficiency so that those who interact with the BOI can do business with ease,” a statement issued by the BOI noted.
It added that the BOI embarked on its digital transformation amidst the pandemic and the solution for less human contact aims at a paperless documentation platform, where any enterprise registered under the BOI can submit relevant documents electronically without visiting the BOI office physically.
Colombo (LNW): Ruling Party MPs are set to meet at the President’s Office tomorrow (24), according to reports.
The meeting will be held under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and is expected to discuss several matters including the parliamentary debate on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the subsequent voting.
Quoting News1st, the meeting will also pay attention to the delay in the evaluation of the G.C.E. Advanced Level answer scripts.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Government’s cash spinning initiative of promoting and development of Cruise Tourism Marketing Plan with private sector involvement is bearing fruits at present showing signs of attracting ships carrying more than 100,000 visitors in total each year.
The aim of the Tourism Development project is to turn the cruise segment into a top-five source of tourist revenues for the country, Minister Harin Fernando said.
Seventeen cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka this year with Queen Mary 2, one of the largest and most popular ships, a senior official of the ministry said, adding that the island nation is looking for alternative avenues to boost its faltered tourism sector.
The Tourism Ministry also explores the possibility of partnering top blue-chip companies to enter the lucrative 40 billion dollar cruise line business that is estimated to carry 22.3 million passengers, with the market growing at 3.2% in volume.
The Cruise tourism rise is expected to bring thousands of high end tourists with higher spending capacity after two years.
Fourteen cruise ships are scheduled to call from January-May this year and another three are scheduled to arrive in Colombo in November, when the peak tourism season begins.
4,000 cruise tourists have arrived on the island in two Cruise ships to Sri Lanka on the eve of Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2023.
The luxurious cruise ships, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica, docked into the port of Colombo with the atmosphere filled with excitement and celebrations. It was arranged by Aitken Spence Travels.
The shore excursion teams from Aitken Spence Travels were on site, ready to delight these visitors with an array of experiences that showcased the very best of Sri Lanka during the holiday season.
From exploring the vibrant local culture through traditional dance shows to enjoying the wonderful Tuk-Tuk rides to experiencing the city life and visiting a variety of attractions to enjoy an unforgettable trip to Sri Lanka were on offer to the visitors.
Sri Lanka was recently ranked in the Forbes list as one of the 23 best places to visit in 2023 and it’s crucial that we maintain our position and become one of the most popular destinations not just in South Asia but in Asia.
Aitken Spence Travels (Destination Management segment of Aitken Spence) has played an instrumental role in growing the cruise tourism operation which has evidently had a positive impact on other key industries such as hospitality, shipping, ports businesses to support the economy.Another luxury cruise ship, Azamara Quest arrived at the Colombo Port in November last year carrying more than 600 passengers, mainly from the US, the third luxury cruise within 16 days from the arrival of the first such cruise liner signaling the revival of the country’s hospitality industry.
Colombo (LNW): The Chief Prelates of all three Chapters of Buddhism in Sri Lanka urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to remove ‘unsuitable clauses’ in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, a joint statement dated 21.04.2023.
These clauses restrict people’s right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and therefore, should be removed through a panel of experts after a broad dialogue with society focusing on the existing problems and public needs of the country, the Chief Prelates emphasised.
They warned that the adopting of such a bill at a time when there is hope in the minds of the people for a regime with proper political accountability may lead to serious doubts about the democracy of the island nation, in the eyes of both national and international audiences.
PMD: “Wasath Siriya – 2023”, state’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival was held in a grand manner yesterday (22) at the Shangri-La Green premises in Colombo with the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a large number of local and foreign people.
According to the instructions of President Ranil Wickramasinghe, the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Mr. Sagala Ratnayake and President’s Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake organized the New Year celebration with the involvement of ministries and government institutions.
Many competitions were held under the 03 sections of public sector, open sector and guest sector, and a large number of staff members of ministries and government institutions, their families and friends as well as people from different provinces of the island participated in it.
Diplomats and their family members representing the countries of the US, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Netherlands, China, Japan, Palestine, Bangladesh, Cuba, Myanmar, Thailand, Kuwait, South Korea, Vietnam and the staff of embassies were also present.
It was special that many competitions have been organized that can be enjoyed by foreign tourists visiting this country.
A model of an environment with a village house was also recreated here, demonstrating the beautiful link between the village and the village house in the rural society in the past.
The celebrations included many showy elements including sweets, costumes, Sinhala New Year rituals and village games while a Ferris wheel, fireworks, bazaar and a medicine house on the ground attracted the people.
Adults and children participate in the competitions with great enthusiasm and gifts were given to the winners.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe visited the site of the New Year’s Festival this afternoon and had a friendly meeting with the people present.
Also, the president, who visited the village house and the medicine house, had a friendly conversation with the foreigners who were there to enjoy the festivities.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe also awarded prizes to the tourists and young people who won the competitions and watched several competitions including the tug-of-war.
Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, President’s Secretary and the heads and representatives of the sponsoring institutions joined the prize giving to the winners of the competitions.
Meanwhile, First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe also joined to watch the New Year festival this morning and government officials including Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other political representatives and Ministry Secretaries visited the New Year festival site from time to time and joined the activities.
The competition for selecting the Wasath Syria – 2023 New Year Prince and Princess was started today at around 6.00 pm.
The Wasath Siriya 2023 musical was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM at the venue and many popular singers will sing along with the popular band Mead Land.
The state’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival “Wasath Siriya – 2023” held in a grand manner at the Shangri-La Green premises in Colombo, with the participation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a large number of local and foreign people: Event organised by President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake and President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake.
The European Union and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation launch a four million euro (approx. Rs. 1.5 billion) initiative to improve the efficiency and sustainability of paddy farming in Sri Lanka.
Sr. Prof. Ven. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thero appointed as the new Chairman of the SLPP: Ex SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris calls the appointment ‘unlawful’: Party Chief ex President Mahinda Rajapaksa calls Peiris ‘a mad man.’
The Chief Prelates of all three Buddhist Chapters urge the President to remove the ‘unsuitable clauses’ in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill through “a panel of experts after a broad dialogue with society focusing on the existing problems and public needs of the country”; stress the ATA restricts the people’s right to independent expression and peaceful protest.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says a lawsuit will be filed in a foreign country against the damage caused by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster occurred on May 19, 2021; adds two foreign law firms will be contacted in this regard.
4,000 cruise tourists arrive in Sri Lanka in two Cruise ships during the New Year season, as part of the GOSL’s initiative of promoting and development of Cruise Tourism Marketing Plan: Tourism Minister Harin Fernando says the aim of the Tourism Development project is “to turn the cruise segment into a top-five source of tourist revenues for the country”: Ministry sources add seventeen cruise ships set to arrive in the island this year.
Ruling Party MPs to meet on Monday at the President’s Office under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s chairmanship: The parliamentary debate on the IMF’s EFF and the vote expected to be discussed at the meeting: A senior minister tells media that attention will also be paid to the delay in the evaluation of GCE AL answer scripts.
BOI announces its Customs Declarations (CUSDECS) system is a major breakthrough to “simplify and streamline the procedures for investors”: The sole objective of this system is to provide a speedy service to BOI’s valued enterprises through processes that have been simplified and streamlined to improve business conditions in Sri Lanka.
SLPP MP Attorney-at-Law Wasantha Yapa Bandara says the proposed ATA paves the way for the Police to legally operate torture chambers similar to that of Batalanda; asserts anyone criticising the government can be labelled as a ‘terrorist’ under the provisions of the bill.
The government is mulling changing the name of the “Colombo Lotus Tower” to “Colombo Tower” by dropping “Lotus” from the name, in what sources believe as a move to rid the tower of being constantly described as yet another Rajapaksa white elephant.
Colombo (LNW): The heat index continues to alert ‘caution’ level advisory for some places in Western, North-Western, Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces and Moneragala, Ratnapura and Hambantota districts, effective from April 22 to April 23, 2023, the Department of Meteorology said in a statement.
Meanwhile, today’s (23) weather forecast says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Eastern, Uva, Northern, North-central, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the afternoon or night, and fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in elsewhere during the afternoon or night, the statement added.
Showers may occur in the Western province and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning too.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly over sea areas around the island and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
In a general party meeting held this morning (22 April), Ven. Prof. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thera was appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), replacing former Chairman Prof. G. L. Pieris.
During the meeting, the SLPP members unanimously agreed to appoint Ven. Prof. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thera as the new Chairman, citing his leadership qualities, wisdom, and vision for the party’s future.
In his first statement as the new Chairman, Ven. Prof. Uthurawala Dhammarathana Thera expressed his gratitude to the party members for entrusting him with the leadership of the SLPP. He pledged to work tirelessly to strengthen the party and lead it to victory in future elections.
