Sri Lanka has revised tourist arrival expectations for 2022 and also lowered revenue targets for the year, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said.
Total tourist arrivals for the year so far till end September is roughly 526,000 and generated only around 829 million US dollars in revenue.
Tourism authorities had anticipated one million arrivals generating a revenue of 1.8 billion dollars.
“As per the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Board (SLTDB) president, we are expecting another 300,000 tourists for the next three months,” Minister Fernando said speaking to reporters on Thursday October 06 at a press briefing on a tourism promotion programme in India.
“September is a low tourist arrival month for Sri Lanka. It usually picks up in mid-October and goes till January next year.
“In terms of arrivals, we are eager to get up to one million, but the target expectation is around 800-850,000 with a revenue target of around 1.7 billion US dollars,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which was affected by a series of events since 2019 starting with the Easter Sunday bombings, was further disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The sector’s woes have extended to late 2022 due to travel restrictions imposed by various countries after a period of unrest and a prevailing currency crisis, significantly impacting inbound and outbound tourism.
Official data showed that tourist numbers which exceeded more than 100,000 in March has come down to around 29,000 due to the unstable situation in the country.
“The target is a bit high, but if you aim at a higher amount you will at least end up closer to it,” said Fernando.
The minister claimed that “negative” news coverage by foreign media has impacted the image of the island, resulting in many potential inbound tourists from changing their travel plans.
Meanwhile, Suren Ediriweera, the President of the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association said travel agents in Europe have told Sri Lanka to expect an increase in bookings in the coming months with the start of the winter season.
“For example, in Switzerland, it is starting to get cold. So our agents have told us to be ready for a boom in tourist bookings,” said Ediriweera.
“November to April is a welcome time for European travelers in Sri Lanka. Germany and Switzerland in particular have asked us to be vigilant in that regard,” he said.
Sri Lanka revises 2022 tourism target down to 800,000
Court granted Leave to Proceed in SCFR 195/2022 and 212/2022
In SCFR 212/2022, leave was granted against former president Gotabhaya Rajapakse, former Finance Ministers Mahinda Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse, former Governors of the Central Bank, Professor W.D Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka and Former Secretary to the treasury S.R Attygala.
In SCFR 195/2022
Leave was granted against former president Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Former Finance Ministers Mahinda Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka, Former Governors of the Central Bank, Professor W.D Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Former Secretary to the treasury S.R Attygala, Former Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundere, Former Finance Minister Ali Sabry P.C., present members of the Monetary Board S.S.W. Kumarasinghe. Court also directed that present members of the Monetary Board who served on the Monetary Board during the matters in question, namely Sanjeeva Jayawardena, P.C., and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha be added as Respondents in this Application.
Court also made the following orders:
- The Auditor General to conduct an audit and submit a report by the 30th of November, in respect of:
a. The decision made by the Monetary Board to set the value of the Sri Lankan rupee at Rs. 203 against the US Dollar and all matters connected thereto.
b. The delay in seeking assistance from the IMF and all matters connected thereto.
c. All matters relating to the settlement of the sovereign bond of US Dollars 500 million on 18th January 2022, using foreign reserves
d. An audit on the loss caused to the Central Bank by such payments.
- The Court also directed that Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, governor of the Central Bank produce copies of all communications and recommendations given to the former president Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Former Finance Ministers Mahinda Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka, Former Governors of the Central Bank, Professor W.D Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Former Secretary to the treasury S.R Attygala, by the Central Bank on or before the 30th of November 2022.
- The court also directed the Monetary Board to produce copies of all reports given to Former Ministers Mahinda Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse, as per Section 64 and 68 of the Monetary Law Act, on or before 30th of November 2022.
Matters to be mentioned on 9th of January 2023.
Sri Lanka listed among Top 10 most friendliest countries in the world
Sri Lanka has been listed as the 9th most friendliest country in the world, based on the outcome of the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Sri Lanka has been placed 9th among 10 countries.
- French Polynesia
- Colombia
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- Costa Rica
- Botswana
- Peru
- Belize
- Sri Lanka
- Philippines
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/friendliest-countries-world
110 types of essential medicines are not available for treatment!
The Ministry of Health says that 110 types of essential medicines in the country are not available for treatment in hospitals.
Dr. Anwar Hamdani, Coordinator of Medicine Grants at the Ministry of Health, says that several new programs are being implemented to prevent drug shortages.
Hamdani also mentions that until the shortage of essential medicines disappears, patient care services will be continued by managing the existing medicines.
The Supreme Court allows the trial against former President Gotabhaya
The Supreme Court has today (07) granted permission to hear two fundamental rights petitions filed against former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
That was when the petitions were considered before a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
These two petitions have been filed by former president of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce Chandra Jayaratne, swimming champion Julian Bowling and University Dr. Mahim Mendis, requesting the government to order an investigation against the people responsible for the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
The relevant petitions are scheduled to be recalled on 09 January 2023.
Central Bank and Finance Ministry on a Joy Ride to the USA?
The country is reeling from the worst forex and debt crisis and the economy has contracted by 8% ( negative growth) . But the top few Central Bank Staff including Governor Weerasinghe and Secretary Siriwardana are going on a Joy ride to Washington. A feel good trip to network with the IMF , World Bank Friends . These are just Annual Meetings; featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system. This year’s events will take place in Washington, D.C.,October 10-16, 2022. If the Finance Minister wishes to go at a political level he can go , why so many officials. Why can’t they participate virtually in some of the discussions.
The Central Banks says no forex for SMEs for their raw material imports, but he can use the exchange earned by the Middle East workers to go on jaunt rides. Weerasinghe probably is now becoming the most qualified ‘joker’ in a pack of cards. The President is responsible for both these institutions. He should put a stop to this nonsense. The Governor’s last visit to United States cost the government of Sri Lanka 6.2 million.
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa is calling the CBSL Governor the Economic Hitman. He pointed out that the Central Bank’s high Interest policy has virtually halted business and killed the livelihoods of the people of the country.
He went on to accuse the Governor of setting the country up for another revolution. The market talk now is the Chinese are offended with the Governor of CBSL for his callous attitude towards them and will not participate in the debt restructuring talks as long as he is the Chairman of the Debt restructuring team.
Sapugaskanda oil refinery shutdown again!
Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that it was decided to close the Sapugaskanda oil refinery again.
He mentioned that the relevant policy decision had to be taken due to the lack of crude oil.
The Minister stated that the Sapugaskanda Refinery has been operating for the past two months using crude oil imported from two ships and the third crude oil ship had arrived at the Sri Lankan waters in the last 10 days, but the situation is aggravated due to the lack of foreign exchange to pay for its release.
However, since the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has sufficient fuel stocks, the minister said that the fuel supply can be carried out as it has been maintained so far, adding that there should be no undue fear of a fuel shortage.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said this while addressing Parliament today (07).
Relevant legal procedures should be followed when holding protests – Tiran(VIDEO)
Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas says that relevant legal procedures should be followed when holding protests or demonstrations.
Accordingly, he said that the police will not interfere with the demonstrations, demonstrations or protests that are held legally after obtaining such permission.
Minister Tiran Alas said this while replying to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balavegaya Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage yesterday (06).
Also, regarding the fight against the underworld and the fight against drug trafficking, the minister said that necessary steps have been taken to prevent crimes in the country and if necessary, he can submit a report to the parliament about the crimes that have occurred in the past three months and the measures taken in relation to them.
SRI LANKA ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SUMMARY: 07/10
- Resolution said to be promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka adopted at the 51st session of the UNHRC: Votes for 20, against 7: absentations 20.
- Real economy contracts by 4.8% in the 1H2022: expected to contract in the 2H2022 as well: interest rates have already resulted in additional expenditure of a staggering Rs.540 bn to the government from 1st April to 30th September.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe makes special statement in Parliament: says Sri Lanka expects to come into an agreement with creditor nations India, China & Japan as soon as possible in order to facilitate debt restructuring.
- Japanese Government official in Tokyo says Japan has not yet reached an agreement to co-chair a debt summit with Sri Lanka’s creditors.
- CB Deputy Governor Yvette Fernando says Sri Lanka’s banks will be re-capitalized if ongoing study shows need: banks face multiple shocks from Covid crisis, rate spikes, bond losses, and bad loans from slowing economy.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says USD 2 to 3 bn is expected from restructuring State Owned Enterprises and compensation for the Express Pearl ship disaster; also says 14% of GDP was earned through taxes in 2019, and intends to increase taxes once again to the same level.
- IMF Mission Chief Peter Breuer says IMF is waiting for Sri Lanka to comply with all the applicable IMF policies before taking further steps: confirms IMF reached a staff-level agreement on a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility of about USD 2.9 bn.
- SLPP MP Professor Ranjith Bandara elected as Chairman of COPE: receives 15 votes while SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne receives 7.
- Colombo Stock Market reverts to negative territory despite reassurances from the President and Central Bank Governor on the recovery of the economy: ASPI down 1.5%: CSE loses over Rs.300 bn in value in the first 2 market days of October.
- Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles says he has no influence when it comes to appointments of Police officers: asserts all appointments and transfers follow proper procedure.
Price of a cup of milk-tea and plain-tea reduced
The All Ceylon Restaurant Owners Association said that it was decided to reduce the price of a cup of milk tea and plain tea.
Accordingly, the price of a cup of milk tea has been reduced to 100 rupees and the price of a cup of plain tea has been reduced to 30 rupees, said the president of the association Asela Sampath.
He also said that this step was taken to provide the people with relief from the reduction in gas prices.