Colombo, Jul 9 (PTI): A leading travel-related association of India has resolved to help Sri Lanka in reviving its tourism sector by promoting the flow of tourists to the island nation that is making comprehensive efforts to recover from the devastating economic crisis last year.

The three-day Indian Travel Congress, which was held in Colombo as part of the 67th convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), concluded on Saturday with a dazzling display of fireworks, gala dinner and music and dance performances with many famous Bollywood numbers sang in Sinhala language by performers.

“We are both alike, India and Sri Lanka, our food, language, culture and dresses, and tourism builds bridges between two communities and two countries, and we at TAAI support Sri Lanka in its efforts to revive tourism, above and beyond this convention,” Jyoti Mayal, the President of the 72-year-old TAAI, said in her address.

After her address on Saturday night, she asked TAAI delegates to take a pledge that each Indian in an individual or institutional capacity will help in bringing tourists to Sri Lanka.

Over 500 delegates, including tourism and hospitality industry experts, tour operators and other key stakeholders from India and Sri Lanka participated in the grand convention that kicked off on July 6.

The theme of the TAAI convention was ‘Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives’.

Mayal in her address at the closing day dinner reception hosted at a beach hotel just out of Colombo city, called the convention a “resounding success”.

She thanked the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), for their support in organising the convention.

The 66th convention of TAAI was to be held in Colombo in 2022, but due to economic and political turmoil, it was eventually hosted in Singapore on board a cruise.

SLTPB chairman Chalaka Gajabahu in his address thanked TAAI for choosing Sri Lanka as the host country for its convention and said the partnership between the two sides should grow further from here, “as we make efforts to recover and revive our tourism sector” that is showing signs of improvement.

In 2022, there was a significant increase in international tourist arrivals to the country, with 719,978 visitors recorded for the year, a 270.2 per cent increase compared to the 194,495 tourists who visited in 2021, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Sri Lanka government officials said “comprehensive efforts” are being made in the tourism sector as the cash-strapped nation endeavours to rebuild the economy.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the formal opening ceremony of the convention that took place at the historic BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) in the Sri Lankan capital.

In his address, he suggested making the BIMSTEC area a “borderless tourism” region to tap the huge potential offered by the countries in the seven-member grouping.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional grouping that comprises India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

Wickremesinghe also spoke about several projects, including seven golf courses and more resorts, planned by his government to help speed up Sri Lanka’s recovery from the 2022 crisis.

In April 2022, Sri Lanka declared its first-ever debt default, the worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948, triggered by forex shortages that sparked public protests.

Months-long street protests led to the ouster of the then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in mid-July last year.

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagley attended the inaugural ceremony and address delegates on the second day of the Indian Travel Congress as well.

He described India and Sri Lanka as “civilisational twins” in his address at the inaugural ceremony.

On the second day of the Indian Travel Congress 2023,

Sri Lanka Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena graced the occasion as a chief guest at a dinner reception in Colombo.

Expressing his gratitude to trustworthy friend India for saving Sri Lanka and preventing a bloodbath during its unprecedented economic crisis last year, Abeywardena said that not a single nation has extended that kind of assistance to Colombo as done by New Delhi.

Source: PTI

Colombo, Jul 8 (PTI): Expressing his gratitude to “trustworthy friend” India for saving Sri Lanka and preventing a “bloodbath” during its unprecedented economic crisis last year, Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has said that not a single nation has extended that kind of assistance to Colombo as done by New Delhi.

Sri Lanka was hit by a catastrophic financial crisis in 2022, the worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, due to a severe paucity of foreign exchange reserves.

As the country struggled, locked in the throes of the crisis, India extended multi-pronged assistance of about USD 4 billion to it last year, through multiple credit lines and currency support, in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

In his address at the gala dinner reception hosted for delegates of the Indian Travel Congress here on Friday, Abeywardena said India “saved us” during the financial crisis, otherwise, there would have been “another bloodbath for all of us”.

At the evening reception, he thanked India for the help extended to the cash-strapped nation and recalled the civilisational ties and similarities between the two countries and their cultures.

“Sri Lanka and India are very, very closely interconnected countries, culturally, nationally, and policy-wise, and above all, India has been a very close associate and trustworthy friend of Sri Lanka,” Abeywardena said, adding that when “we were in trouble”, India always helped out.

“And, even this time, today, I heard that India is willing to extend our restructuring of loans for 12 years. Never expected, and never in history, not a single country has extended that kind of assistance,” he said.

He recalled the helping hand lent by India during the period of trouble last year that devastated the Sri Lankan economy, pushing it into a debt crisis.

“I must tell you, during the trouble that we had last year, you (India) saved us, India saved us otherwise, there would have been another bloodbath for all of us. So, that is how India came to help us,” Abeywardena said.

He made the remarks in the presence of the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, Sri Lanka’s Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando, and other senior officials of the Sri Lankan government.
“Your ambassador here, (is a) very close friend of ours. We love and respect him,” the Speaker said, referring to Baglay.

Later, in an interaction with PTI on the sidelines of the reception, Abeywardena said, “India has always come to aid of Sri Lanka” in times of crises, and laid emphasis on the financial assistance given by New Delhi last year when the island nation was mired in the economic turmoil.

“That helped us survive for six months in the midst of the crisis,” he said “We thank India for the kind gesture, and I also say, thank you, honourable Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi),” he told PTI.

Noting the similarity between the Indian surname Singh and the Sri Lankan surname Singhe, Abeywardena said, “It shows we are genetically connected to India”.

“That way, India is not a new country to us. It’s part of the ethos of our country, part of our life, part of our heart,” he said, adding, “We are here to receive you, respect you, join with you.” “Together, we (Sri Lanka) can join with you (India), without any difficulty or hesitation, with great trust,” the Speaker said.

In his address, Tourism and Lands Minister Fernando pitched Sri Lanka — Pearl of the Indian Ocean — as a unique destination for India and the rest of the world, saying, “One island nation offers so many different tourist experiences, without travelling far from one location to another.” Meanwhile, several sessions were held on Saturday as part of the three-day 67th Convention of the TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) which began here on July 6.

The four-day convention of the TAAI which was established in 1951, is being held with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).

Source: PTI

Sri Lanka showcased its world-renowned Ceylon tea brand at the International Tea Day celebration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Thursday 29 June 2023. The International Tea Day was organized by the UNESCO Community Association and the Franco-Chinese Cultural and Artistic Exchange Centre for the second consecutive year, bringing together tea enthusiasts, experts, and member countries of UNESCO, showcasing the cultural ties, health benefits and the economic potential of tea across the globe.

The Sri Lanka stand featured the country’s rich heritage in tea and culture with an exquisite collection of teas and tea products, with the sampling of Ceylon tea on offer.  The stand attracted a diverse range of international visitors including diplomats, tea enthusiasts and media. The visitors had the unique opportunity to sample the many flavours of Ceylon tea and savour their aroma.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Sri Lanka to UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera welcomed the opportunity to showcase the renowned Ceylon tea brand at an international event displaying teas from across Asia, Africa and the globe. She highlighted the cultural synergies binding peoples of diverse countries and regions together through the art and aesthetic of tea drinking which is in effect a lifestyle.  She also referred to new trends in the sustainable production of teas in Sri Lanka.

A videos presentation at the Sri Lanka stand took the visitors on a captivating journey across picturesque tea estates and tea trails. The presentations showcased the process of tea cultivation, and the artful techniques involved in the preparation of tea. Media coverage of Ceylon tea was undertaken by Chinese as well as Central Asian television channels present at the event, as their audiences were ardent consumers of Ceylon tea.

The event served as a meeting point for tea lovers, fostering dialogue and cooperation among countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and several others.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Paris

07 July2023

PMD: Former Director General of the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission Mr. Sarath Jayamanna PC, announced during his appearance on the ‘101 Katha’ program produced by the Presidential Media Division, that the new anti-corruption act would establish a truly independent commission. He emphasized that any attempts to suppress this commission would be met with strong resistance from the people.

Mr. Sarath Jayamanna further urged the public to encourage government leaders and officials to embrace this change and move away from empty slogans such as “thieves were not caught, if we came to power we would catch thieves.” He highlighted that bribery and corruption are not just issues faced by Sri Lanka but affect economies worldwide. He said leaders who genuinely care about their country’s development and its people are actively working to combat corruption.

“In 2004, the global community united to develop a charter against bribery and corruption, acknowledging the detrimental impact of corruption on a nation’s economy. While Sri Lanka signed this charter, it has not been effectively implemented. Consequently, the perception persists that our government and private sectors are rife with bribery and corruption.

To address this, we must study the experiences of countries that successfully tackled corruption. Asian nations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, as well as Scandinavian countries, have made significant progress in eradicating bribery and corruption. These societies inherently reject such practices. As we lack this ingrained mind-set, we must adopt and nurture these values, beginning with a complete overhaul of the education sector.

These are pivotal times in our country’s history, and the introduction of a new bill brings us pride. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that eliminating bribery and corruption overnight is unrealistic. Nevertheless, the existence of an anti-corruption act is a crucial step forward.

The Bribery Act of 1954 was amended in 1994, leading to the establishment of the Bribery Corruption Commission. Unfortunately, for nearly 30 years, no substantial progress has been made. Despite our affiliation with the United Nations for two decades, an anti-corruption act has only now been proposed to combat bribery and corruption effectively.

The commission has historically comprised police officers who have passed the General Certificate of Education. However, investigating complex crimes like bribery and corruption requires expertise beyond policing. Individuals knowledgeable in mathematics, engineering science, forensic auditing, and forensic accounting should be recruited to work in this field.

Countries like Hong Kong and Bhutan do not rely on police officers for these investigations. Instead, they employ officials recruited in a manner similar to civil administrators. The new act grants the commission the authority to hire expert investigators. Their contracts may not be extended if their performance is unsatisfactory. Consequently, this act enables the hiring of skilled investigators without the need to navigate the Ministry of Finance or the Treasury for funding.

Funding for the commission will be provided directly from the treasury through the Parliament, empowering it to address conflicts of interest, prevent bribery and corruption, and fulfil its obligations to the private sector. For the first time in history, the assets and liabilities of government executive officers will be electronically submitted to the Bribery Commission. Moreover, provisions have been established to investigate and penalize past offenses, ensuring a smooth transition from the old laws.

It is generally challenging to apply laws retroactively. Therefore, the commissioners are selected by the Constituent Assembly. The President’s discretionary appointment of the Director General is also subject to consultation with the Commission.

In summary, the new anti-corruption act will establish an independent commission in the truest sense of the word. Any attempts to undermine its authority will face strong resistance from the people. It is the duty of the citizens to motivate government leaders and officials to embrace this change and move away from the previous empty slogans.”

01. The Dutch government said it is returning 478 objects looted during colonial times to Indonesia and Sri Lanka: Following multiple claims from Indonesia, SL and Nigeria, Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu asserted the decision to repatriate objects including the “Lombok treasure,” consisting of 335 objects from Lombok, Indonesia, the Pita Maha collection, a key collection of modern art from Bali and the 18th-century Cannon of Kandy, a ceremonial weapon from Sri Lanka made of bronze, silver and gold and inlaid with rubies.

02. “Aragalaya” People’s Protest, the biggest people’s movement in the recent history of Sri Lanka since the Hartal Movement in 1953 and the first one ever to actually oust a Sri Lankan Head of State, marks its first anniversary today: On July 09, 2022, hundreds of thousands of citizens from all over the country marched towards Colombo and demanded the stepping down of ex President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his Regime: The protesters then raided the Presidential Secretariat, Temple Trees and the President’s House.

03. Govt sources say a special meeting will be held between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles today on appointing the new IGP: President meanwhile tasked Minister Alles with deciding whether ex IGP C.D. Wickramaratne should be given another tenure extension or an Acting IGP should be appointed.

04. Time period given to ex President Maithripala Sirisena and other accused by the Supreme Court to pay compensation to the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday Massacre to expire on July 12: Bench ordered Sirisena to pay Rs. 100 mn, ex IGP Pujith Jayasundara and head of SIS Nilantha Jayawardena to pay Rs. 75 mn each, ex Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando Rs. 50 mn, and head of NIS Sisira Mendis Rs. 10 mn in compensation to the aggrieved from their personal money.

05. Eight suspects arrested in connection with the assault on a Buddhist monk and two women in Bomiriya area, an event which came to attention upon a viral video on Social Media: Suspects remanded till July 12 as ordered by the Kaduwela Magistrate Court: Suspects will also be produced for an ID parade on the same date.   

06. Tourism State Minister Diana Gamage requests Police’s Cyber Crimes Investigation Division to take necessary actions to remove an audio clip of her allegedly abusing a man over the phone: The audio clip supposedly revealing a telephone conversation between the Minister and civil activist Shan Ganegoda allegedly reveals that Gamage loses her temper and scolds the activist in foul language.

07. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena expresses his gratitude to “trustworthy friend” India for saving Sri Lanka and preventing a “bloodbath” during its unprecedented economic crisis last year; adds not a single nation has extended that kind of assistance to Colombo as done by New Delhi.

08. Chairman of the State Engineering Corporation Rathnasiri Kalupahana says 1,100 employees of the Corporation have volunteered to retire; adds however, an amount of Rs. 2.6 billion is required to compensate them; laments there is a problematic situation with regard to acquiring the necessary funds for compensating employees who wish to retire voluntarily.

09. The SLBFE General Manager Gamini Senarath Yapa says the Bureau expects that nearly 300,000 people would register this year for overseas employment; asserts more than 150,000 persons have registered with the Bureau and left Sri Lanka within the 1H23; adds Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE would be the four countries that they wish to migrate to most; reveals there is a very high tendency for more Sri Lankans to leave the island.

10. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says there will be more rate cuts to come, despite the CB lowering its policy rate for a second consecutive month to 11% from 12%: adds Sri Lanka should need “further reduction in interest rates on the basis of forward-looking inflation, forward looking output gap.”

By: Isuru Parakrama

Colombo (LNW): Eight persons apprehended over the assault on a Buddhist monk and two women in Bomiriya area have been remanded till July 12, as the suspects were produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate Court yesterday (08).

The Court has also ordered that the suspects be produced for an ID parade on the same date.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles issued a directive to the Police, ordering them to apprehend those responsible for the assault, following the surfacing a video allegedly featuring the event hit headlines on Social Media.

Previous reports:

By: Staff Writer

Colombo (LNW):The Dutch government is returning 478 objects looted during colonial times to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Following multiple claims from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria, the Dutch Secretary of State for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu announced the decision Thursday to repatriate objects including the “Lombok treasure,” consisting of 335 objects from Lombok, Indonesia, the Pita Maha collection, a key collection of modern art from Bali and the 18th-century Cannon of Kandy, a ceremonial weapon from Sri Lanka made of bronze, silver and gold and inlaid with rubies.

“This is a historic moment,” Uslu said in a press statement. “It’s the first time we’re following recommendations… to give back objects that should never have been brought to the Netherlands. But more than anything, it’s a moment to look to the future. We’re not only returning objects; we’re also embarking on a period of closer cooperation with Indonesia and Sri Lanka in areas like collection research, presentation and exchanges between museums.”

In 2020, a Dutch Council for Culture report produced by a committee chaired by human rights lawyer Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You recommended that the country should “unconditionally” return objects it was reasonably sure were lost involuntarily by countries under its colonial authority.

Many of the objects to be returned are in the National Museum of World Cultures. Six other colonial artifacts claimed by Sri Lanka are currently in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands’ national museum of arts and history; this is the first repatriation of such artifacts from the museum following provenance research that began in 2017. The Cannon of Kandy, for instance, was looted by troops from the Dutch East India Company during the 1765 siege and plunder of Kandy, and it was later gifted to William V, Prince of Orange.

Valika Smeulders, head of the Rijksmuseum’s department of history, told The Art Newspaper there has been a clear shift in perspective.

“I think the way that the museum world used to look at this debate in the 20th century was very much about the concern to preserve objects for generations to come, and obviously museums in Europe have the facilities to do that,” she said. “But what changed is our viewpoint: these objects are to tell the stories of our countries, of our shared history of peoples. So what we see now as our mission is to have the objects in the places where they are best able to tell the stories that are important.”

She dismissed concerns that the new policy would mean European museums losing collection highlights — which until recently played a role in considering restitution claims on Nazi-looted art in the Netherlands.

“I don’t really think that is going to happen, because I expect countries of provenance and museums here in Europe will have a discussion about which objects will go back, and not all of them will be,” Smeulders said. “But what we will gain, all of us, is more knowledge about these objects, how they came into our possession, their background, what stories are we able to tell. So in the end we’ll have an enrichment of what we do instead of empty galleries.”

The collection of objects repatriated to Indonesia will not include human remains of the “Java man,” which are displayed at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden as some of the earliest specimens of the extinct early human, Homo erectus.

A spokesperson for the Dutch government told The Guardian Thursday that no decision regarding the “Java man” remains had been reached.

“Nothing has been declined, but some things take longer than others,” the spokesperson said.

Gert-Jan van den Bergh, a specialist in art law at the law firm Bergh Stoop & Sanders, told The Art Newspaper that the repatriation effort was “an important first step, but just a first step.”

“Don’t forget, we have 300,000 colonial objects that are the property of the central state in the Netherlands alone,” Van den Bergh said, adding that there should be more scrutiny of privately-owned colonial objects as well, including at major auction houses.

A ceremonial handover of objects to the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta will take place at the Museum Volkenkunde Leiden on July 10.