Sri Lanka has been ranked 10 as the country with the cheapest manufacturing costs, as per a list compiled by US News and World Report by global survey respondents.

According to the report, India has become the leader when it comes to cheap manufacturing costs.

The list published by the US News and World Report is as follows: 1. India, 2. China, 3. Vietnam, 4. Thailand, 5. Philippines, 6. Bangladesh, 7. Indonesia, 8. Cambodia, 9. Malaysia, 10. Sri Lanka.

The rankings report is based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics—impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel, and investment, and directly affect national economies. The report covers perceptions in 85 nations.

Attributes were grouped into 10 sub-rankings that rolled into the Best Countries rankings: adventure, agility, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, Movers, Open for Business, Power, Social Purpose and Quality of Life.

These thematic sub-rankings were formed by grouping countries attribute that had similar global trends in survey responses. Sub-ranking scores for each country were determined by averaging the scores that country received in each of the attributes comprising that sub-ranking.

Manufacturing activities in Sri Lanka contracted significantly in October 2022, the Central Bank’s report released recently showed.

New Orders and Production declined significantly, particularly in the manufacture of food & beverages and textiles & wearing apparel sectors, mainly due to demand-side impediments.

Many respondents representing the food & beverages sector mentioned they experienced a notable decline in demand amidst the deteriorating purchasing power of the consumers.

Further, export-oriented manufacturers, especially in the apparel sector catering to the North American and European markets, highlighted that the decline in demand observed was mainly attributable to the fear of an economic slowdown in respective destinations.

Moreover, manufacturers are still struggling to acquire the required raw materials amidst high input costs.

Furthermore, Employment recorded a decrease in October 2022 while Stock of Purchases also decreased in line with the decline in New Orders and Production.

Meanwhile, Suppliers’ Delivery Time was shortened in October 2022 compared to the previous month.

Expectations for manufacturing activities for the next three months remained in the negative territory anticipating demand side impediments to continue in the period ahead.

The General Secretary of the United National Party Palitha Range Bandara says that the interviews for the appointment of seat organizers of the United National Party will start from tomorrow (01).

Accordingly, these interviews will be held at the Sirikota party headquarters from tomorrow.

These interviews will be held for the appointment of seat organizers for the year 2023 and a panel headed by UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena and General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara will select the deserving candidates.

The General Secretary also mentioned that thousands of applications have been received for the posts of seat organizers.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has sent a letter regarding the Executive Council meeting of the United People’s Freedom Alliance called today (30) by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

In that letter, Amaraweera has pointed out that he is still working as the Secretary General of the Association and accordingly, Maithripala Sirisena has no authority to call the Executive Council meeting.

Accordingly, Amaraweera has informed the former president in his letter that he should immediately cancel the executive council meeting and if he does not do so, he will take legal action.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam has been appointed as a member of the Constitutional Council.

As the representative of the majority party in the government, he has been appointed to that assembly.

It is said that Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has informed the ruling party MPs about this in Parliament yesterday (29).

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Manila participated at the International Bazaar 2022 held on 20 November 2022 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Philippines.

Together with the local distributors of renowned Ceylon tea brands Dilmah, Basilur, and George Steuarts, the Embassy organized a “Sri Lanka Pavilion” designed to showcase the country’s best features: Ceylon tea, spices, coffee, and its renowned attractions as a tourism destination.

The pavilion was formally launched with the lighting of the oil lamp by the event’s Chief Guest, Senator Loren Legarda, and Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, Spouse of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Chairperson of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF).

Distinguished guests including Secretary Manalo and members of the diplomatic community as well as visitors were treated with freshly-brewed Ceylon tea and introduced to varieties of coffee and spices that Sri Lanka produces. Tourism brochures were also distributed and promotional videos were displayed at the pavilion’s tourism corner.

The International Bazaar, with this year’s theme “Where the World Comes to Shop” is an annual event organized by the IBF in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic and Consular Corps of the Philippines and the Spouses of the Heads of Mission. It is also a fund-raising event to support the livelihood and scholarship projects of the foundation for its beneficiaries all over the Philippines.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Manila

29 November, 2022

         India’s ‘Constitution Day’ was observed through a series of events organized by High Commission of India, Colombo on 26 November 2022. The special day marked the adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 November 1949.

2.      More than 200 school children from different parts of Sri Lanka enthusiastically participated in the Children’s Art Competition organized on 26 November 2022. Themes of the Competition such as ‘Incredible India’ and ‘Fundamental Duties’ were closely linked to India and her Constitution which help the young and creative students from Sri Lanka develop a closer understanding of their civilizational partner, India. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, who was the Chief Guest at the Competition, complimented families and teachers of the children for nurturing the talents of the next generation by encouraging them to participate in such competitions.

3.       In order to instill a sense of environmental responsibility and care for future generations in the children, a unique workshop which gave training on creating beautiful environment-friendly art works from waste materials was also organized on the occasion. A tailor-made exhibition – ‘Making of Indian Constitution’ – gave the pictorial history and background of events and milestones that made the world’s largest written Constitution a reality. 

4.     High Commissioner and officials of the High Commission paid floral tributes to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, main architect of the Indian Constitution on Constitution Day, 2022. Earlier, preamble of the Constitution which professes guiding principles of India was read out by the High Commissioner and Indian officials in Sri Lanka.

5.   Following the adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 November 1949, it came into effect on 26 January 1950. Indians across the world celebrate ‘Republic Day’ every year with great fervor to mark this momentous occasion. The Indian Constitution, which has drawn from best practices and procedures of various countries, has been the main anchor and basis for decision making for policy makers of India.

***

Colombo

28 November 2022

Sri Lanka’s short- and long-term plans to revive the troubled tourism sector have begun to bear fruit with the support of resilient and agile tourism stakeholders.

Tourism Minster Harin Fernando affirmed Sri Lanka’s tourism industry bounced back over the past three months, despite the multiple challenges.

“Things are turning out to be good. Over the last three months, tourism has picked up in Sri Lanka. The industry is strong, and the hoteliers and travel agents have a long history and vast experience. Tourism is one industry Sri Lanka needs to put our hands up and perform,” he said.

 Minister Fernando expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s product offering, adding that the industry has a short and long-term plan to revive the billion-dollar tourism industry.

The monthly tourist arrivals to the country crossed the 50,000 mark for the first time since the political and economic crisis erupted, indicating that the country’s tourism industry is moving towards some form of revival.

For the November 01-27 period, the island nation welcomed 51,865 international visitors.After April 2022, when the arrivals dropped to 62,980, from 106,500 in March, the highest-ever arrival for the year thus far, November shows improved interest towards Sri Lanka among tourists from across the world.

With the arrival numbers for the November 01-27 period, the tourist arrival total for the year is 620,120, the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.

The daily arrival average for November so far is 1,920, a significant improvement when compared with the daily arrival average witnessed in recent months.

The analysis of the weekly arrival numbers also shows a steady increase in the arrival numbers, where the momentum achieved from the fourth week of October is maintained.

For the first week (November 01-07), 12,431 visitors entered Sri Lanka. In the second week (November 08 -14), the arrival increased to 13,051. In the third week, the number further expanded to 14,298. For the fourth week (November 22-27), a dip is seen, where the tourist arrivals fell to 12,085.

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for November are led by the Russian Federation, which accounted for 24 percent of the total arrivals.

India ranks as the second largest tourist traffic generator, bringing in 18 percent of the total tourists to Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom ranks as the third largest source market, accounting for 8 percent of the total tourist arrivals.

 The month of November saw tourists entering the country not only by air but also by sea. Last week, luxury cruise liner Viking Mars docked at the Colombo Port, bringing in 900 tourists.

Mein Schiff 5, owned by TUI Cruises, is expected to arrive at the East Container Terminal today, bringing in 2030 passengers and 945 crew members, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando announced recently.

Major General Channa Weerasuriya has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army today (29).

Born on July 15, 1968, Channa is the child of Benson Patrick Weerasuriya and Weerakonda Arachchi Viola and studied in Mahanama College, Colombo.

He joined the Sri Lanka Army on October 27, 1986 in his strongwill of serving his motherland as a young and energetic leader.

Maj. Gen. Weerasuriya completed his postgraduate on Public Administration at the Postgraduate Institute of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and completed a number of degrees and diplomas at overseas universities.

His contribution to ending the 30-year war is greatly appreciated on and off the military and Weerasuriya is considered as a genuine and humble officer and a human being among many.

MIAP