Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando who was in London recently met the UK travel industry on 16 June 2022 at the High Commission of Sri Lanka.  The promotional event which was organised by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau, was timely in the backdrop of the removal on 11 June of the advice against non-essential travel to Sri Lanka by the UK Government. Over 60 UK travel industry leaders including tour operators, travel associations, travel media, and representatives of airlines and hospitality sector attended the event. The UK has been the 2^nd largest origin of inbound tourists to Sri Lanka.

Delivering the welcome address, High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena stated that Sri Lanka has been a resilient country which has overcome difficult situations. Sri Lanka relies on its allies’ support to promote Sri Lanka as ‘The next holiday destination’. What Sri Lanka offers is something unique that taps into the sixth sense of the traveller. Once in Sri Lanka, a traveller experiences a little bit of Sri Lankanness that they take away with them.

Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission Dr.Lakmini Mendis introduced the three special speakers of the event, , Head of Commercial at the Association of Independent Tour Operators in the UK (AITO) Bharat Gadhoke,  Founder Editor of the Wanderlust Magazine Lynn Hughes, and Vice President Experience of Lonely Planet Tom Hall.

Bharat Gadhoke stated that specialist travellers consider unique countries like Sri Lanka to visit, as there is an extensive list of activities a traveller can engage in. He assured that the AITO stands ready to promote Sri Lanka among the UK travellers as done in the past. Lynn Hughes explained that Wanderlust Magazine has been considering Sri Lanka as one of the most popular destinations among their readership since the start of the magazine and it was proven by last year’s Wanderlust Awards where Sri Lanka was selected as one of the top 10 destinations of travellers’ choice. She highlighted that the search for ‘Sri Lanka’ on their website has been increased by 100% after the lifting of the UK travel advisory on non-essential travel to Sri Lanka. Tom Hall said he could confirm that Sri Lanka has been the best Island that a traveller couldvisit, from his travel experience as a part of the career at Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet had published 13 travel guides on Sri Lanka since the start of the magazine in 1973 and Sri Lanka received accolade as No.01 destination to travel in 2019.

Minister Harin Fernando explained the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the current situation in the country.  The Minister also highlighted the investment opportunities in Sri Lankan hospitality and tourism sector. He said that Sri Lanka would be ready to welcome tourists during the winter holiday season this year as groundwork is being undertaken as per the contingency plan prepared by the Tourism Ministry.

High Commission of Sri Lanka

London

28 June, 2022

The main road leading to the President’s House near the Cargills Building near the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was suddenly closed by the Police today (28), as former MP Hirunika Premachandra arrived in the Dept in support of journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara, who was summoned to the Dept for questioning.

A tense situation arose when the Police blocked the road barring the former MP from entering the premises.

MIAP

A country that was subjugated to devastation for two years cannot be saved overnight and Ranil Wickremesinghe the Prime Minister, therefore, will be needing a sufficient time to work on it, said Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ruwan Wijewardene.

Addressing a discussion with a group of scholars and professionals in Colombo today (28), the former MP questioned why the factions of the Opposition who boast about their so called capacity of saving the country within six months do not allow the Prime Minister to do the same within a same period of time.

The Opposition shall not be dragging the Prime Minister back but supporting him to save the country from the crisis befallen it, Wijewardene went on, adding that the Opposition, however, has not exhibited such a support from their end to date. He alleged that the Opposition is attempting to gain the political advantage of the crisis.

MIAP

In the shortage of fuel and disruption of passenger transport, the majority of health workers are unable to report for duty, revealed trade unions. In the backdrop, the trade unions have concluded not to report for duty tomorrow and the day after.

The strike action is being endorsed by 08 units responding to the health sector including public health inspectors, midwives, laboratory technicians ad entomologists representing the Supplementary Medical Services United Front, said Union Chief Upul Rohana.

The government yesterday (27) declared that fuel will be issued only to essential services from midnight and as the health sector being declared as an essential service, fuel should also be issued to health workers. However, the trade unions disclosed that the distribution of fuel for health workers is not being carried out properly.

Most of the passenger buses are out of service and only the buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) are in operation. In the backdrop, it has not been possible to report for duty using public transport, Rohana noted.

MIAP

The Cabinet has granted its approval to amend the laws pertaining to Contempt of Court. A Cabinet paper in this regard was tabled by Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa.

Given the poor definitions interpreting contempt of court in the Sri Lankan law, certain trials cannot be proceeded methodically, Rajapaksa pointed out in his Cabinet paper, denoting that the limits of interference in the judicial process and the limits of freedom of expression should be clarified.

The Justice Minister emphasised that a preliminary draft has already been prepared by the Legal Commission in view of the shortcomings in the consideration of contempt of court-related cases in the recent past, adding that new laws should be adopted based on the draft.

MIAP

Following the government’s decision to stop the issuance of fuel to private vehicles from today (28), many roads in Colombo and nearby crowded ares are seen to be empty.

Roads in Dematagoda and Nugegoda areas which were heavily congested on regular weekdays are seen as follows this morning.

MIAP

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a statement said that the government does not need to apologise via Twitter for failing to fulfill the wishes of the people but shall be stepping down, whereas the country will be taken over by capable parliamentarians of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), paving the way for Sri Lanka to be restored to its former status within the next five years, in acceptance of the democratic views of millions of people.

The Opposition Leader pointed out such restoration will not allow fraud and corruption.

All the false drama played by the government to bring in a ‘super’ Prime Minister and build the country has now been exposed and despite such a situation, government ministers who lied to the people for their own survival are now leaving for foreign tours in a fake play asking for gas, fuel and milk powder, Premadasa alleged.

He further pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE) to divulge those who had pressured the Committee to conceal information.

The Opposition Leader also urged the government to stop playing the fake game of building the country in five-to-ten months and listen to the views of the people to restore Sri Lanka’s lost dignity.

In view of finding solutions to the worse economic, political and social crisis befallen Sri Lanka, a National Programme for Reforms has been established by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to achieve consensus on the social transformation demanded by the people to create a modern Sri Lanka and an affiliated Secretariat operating from the Opposition Leader’s Office. The Secretariat was opened yesterday (27) under the patronage of Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, followed by public representatives and civil society representatives.

MP Buddhika Pathirana serves as the Chief Secretary of the newly-built Unit.

MIAP

The decision taken by the government to stop the issuance of fuel to private vehicles leading to the situation from midnight yesterday (27) shall not be misunderstood as a ‘lockdown,’ said Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, speaking to the special briefing held in the Department of Government Information yesterday.

“As a country we are a team that has made a lot of sacrifices at this moment. As a country, we believe that the public and private sectors will support us. This is especially due to the complicated situation that has arisen in the country over the recent shortage of fuel stocks we have ordered. Therefore, we are mainly thinking of collecting and managing in the next few days all the fuel needed to run this country in normalcy after July 10 and distribute them as required. Speaking of essential services, they include the distribution of food and beverages, intermittent transport, the health sector, as well as the services related to aircraft and travelers, which require fuel supply. Also, please do not misunderstand this situation as a lockdown. This is but work from home until July 10. So what we need is to stay in that area. During your stay, your grocery store, pharmacy and every other service operate as usual.”

MIAP

The duties and institutes embodied to Minister of Investment Promotion Dhammika Perera have been declared via an extraordinary gazette.

Accordingly, seven institutes including the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port Economic Commission and the Department of Immigration and Emigration will be under his ministry.

MIAP