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NSF inaugurates Global Digital Platform (GDP) in Colombo  

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NSF inaugurates Global Digital Platform (GDP) in Colombo  

The global digital platform (GDP) prepared by the National Science Foundation for Sri Lankan expatriates and emigrants in the world was launched on Monday (21) at the BMICH in Colombo. .

The National Science Foundation (NSF) embarked upon constructing an instrument with technical support from the SLASSCOM to harness this potential, and a state-of-the-art global digital platform with the requisite capabilities and features to mobilise the expatriates for national development has now been developed.

More than 950 Sri Lankans around the world are currently connected to this network.
The GDP of the NSF will facilitate effective harnessing, mobilising, and channeling intellectual assets at home and abroad ― the most precious and treasured resource in a knowledge economy –– for development.

This will enable Sri Lanka to address and resolve high-priority national needs and concerns while making the most of the opportunities and natural resources available in order to transform Sri Lanka into a developed nation.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) for a broader purpose, including enhancing higher education and its capacity building, enhancing educational collaboration and research collaboration.

Maithri visits Vijayakala(PHOTOS)

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Maithri visits Vijayakala(PHOTOS)

Former President and Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena has visited former UNP MP Vijayakala Maheswaran during his visit to the North.

They also attended a banquet held at the residence of Vijayakala Maheswaran.

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara and Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake were also present on the occasion.

Vijakala Maheswaran was the State Minister for Children’s Affairs during the Yahapalanaya government and contested the last general election from the United National Party but did not win a seat.

A special cabinet meeting convened today to discuss the power crisis

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A special cabinet meeting convened today to discuss the power crisis

It is reported that a special cabinet meeting has been convened today (22).

It has been decided to convene a special cabinet meeting today to discuss the power crisis and the fuel crisis in the country.

Currently, there are daily power cuts and long queues at petrol stations.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has requested the government on several occasions to allow the increase in fuel prices and this special cabinet meeting is being held in a situation where the government has not yet taken a decision in this regard.

President instructs to implement Dhammika Perera’s ‘Golden Paradise Program’ within a week!

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President instructs to implement Dhammika Perera’s ‘Golden Paradise Program’ within a week!

It is reported that President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has approved the ‘Golden Paradise Program’ presented by businessman Dhammika Perera to the government to help Sri Lanka overcome the current foreign exchange crisis.

Accordingly, the President has instructed the Secretary to the President to make the necessary arrangements to implement this resolution within a week.

Dhammika Perera has suggested in his program that if a foreigner who wishes to obtain residency through this program, he/she must first open a bank account in Sri Lanka and deposit US $ 100,000 in it. After one year, the person can withdraw up to US $ 50,000 from that amount. And from the second year onwards he/she must maintain a balance of at least US $ 50,000 in the account for the entire duration of their stay in the country.

If 50,000 foreigners can be brought to Sri Lanka through the ‘Golden Paradise Program’, it will be possible to bring $ 5 billion through deposits of $ 100,000 per person which is a huge amount. Bringing in 50,000 foreigners for residency is not a difficult goal either.

He also proposes to issue 10-year visas to foreigners over a monthly income of more than US $ 2,000 and over 60 years of age.

Related News

http://128.199.126.103/archives/4305/dhammika-pereras-next-solution-for-the-dollar-the-golden-paradise-programme/

No corruption has taken place during highway constructions – Johnston

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No corruption has taken place during highway constructions – Johnston

The Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando has stated that the Former JVP Parliamentarian Wasantha Samarasinghe’s statement that the US $ 820 million was embezzled during the awarding of the tender for the construction of the Rambukkana section of the Central Expressway is completely untrue and that the company called MCC has not participated for the relevant tender either.

“Representing the Voice Against Corruption Former Member of Parliament Wasantha Samarasinghe has made some allegations that corruption has taken place. Procurement is still in progress. No tender has been issued yet. He said about a company called MCC. The company that built the Katunayake Expressway called MCC has never submitted a tender. That company had contracted 6 lanes for Rs. 66 billion on the roundabout, they reduced 2 of those 6 lanes and built 4 lanes for Rs. 66 billion.”

Minister Johnston Fernando stated this addressing a media briefing held yesterday (21).

The total number of covid deaths in the country exceeds 16,000!

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The total number of covid deaths in the country exceeds 16,000!

The total number of covid deaths confirmed so far in the country has risen to 16024.

That comes with the 30 covid deaths announced yesterday (21).

By the beginning of 2022, the daily covid death toll was close to 10 and has now risen to the 30s.

The health department urges the public to follow regular health advice and take booster dosage to prevent the spread of covid.

President to handle  key functions of Colombo Port City

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President to handle  key functions of Colombo Port City

Major functions including financial transactions of the Colombo Port City will be taken over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in accordance with the powers vested in him.

 Cabinet Memorandum was to seek  the approval of the ministers to directly bring Colombo Port City and three major functions of the project under the purview of the President to streamline its services in a sustainable manner, Cabinet MOU revealed.

All financial provisions and transactions of the Project management unit of Port City will be coming under the initiative with the approval of the cabinet, Finance Ministry sources said. 

Urban development of the Port City area, disposal of waste (Garbage)  and community cleaning in the relevant area will also be handled on the directions of the President.

President Gotabaya Rajapksa signed the documents relating preliminary activities of this initiative on February 15, sources said. 

Port City Colombo has opened its promenade to the public. People can take a whiff of the Indian Ocean breeze from the Port City side, by walking across Galle Face Green towards the newly constructed bridge and taking a stroll on the two km stretch of beach belonging to the newly reclaimed land.

It also marks new beginnings this year with the commencement of vertical constructions in the first quarter. 

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Browns Investments PLC said their joint venture – the Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC) in 2020 and the development work will commence within the next few months. 

The CIFC Mixed Development Project will be the first of many landmark development projects planned for Port City Colombo. Port City Colombo can be termed as one of the pet projects for the Government to boost its much-needed foreign reserves.

 A top official of the project said that the new city would promote services such as IT, maritime services, financial services, professional/ knowledge services, corporate headquarters and so on and ease of doing business to create a destination appeal for trade and commerce.

He added that industrial or manufacturing will not be permitted within the Port City although it will complement activities in the rest of the country including BOI Zones and Hambantota Industrial Zone. This is due to the negative implications on the wider real estate of Colombo and also the negative aesthetic appeal.

“Strengthening the institutional framework, in this case the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, and removing or minimising political interference is crucial for the success and longevity of this Special Economic Zone.

Ideally, Port City should be an exemplary city from an administrative and governance perspective and such policies, once tested and proven, should be selectively rolled-out in the rest of Sri Lanka,” he added.

Apart from investment, Port City Colombo also aims to attract city tourism, a concept which had not been tried out to the full extent. Although city tourism is offered in other countries, Colombo does not cater to this due to the lack of resources and initiative. 

Sri Lanka joins international partners for Justice Reform Program

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Sri Lanka joins international partners for Justice Reform Program

Sri Lanka’s Justice Reform (JURE) Programme is to be launched by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with funding from the European Union, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF.

This new flagship initiative, funded by the EU for EUR 18 million (approx. Rs 4 billion) and the UN for EUR 1 million (approx. Rs 225 million), will be implemented during four and a half years in close partnership with all relevant actors from the justice sector.

The Programme contains a holistic package of support to strengthen inclusive access to justice,improve transparency and accountability in the sector as well as enhance quality and efficientservices delivery, Lustice Ministry sources revealed. 

It will build on the ambitious justice reform agenda of the Ministry of Justice. Close attention will be paid in particular to foster access to justice for women and children, to support alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to deal with commercial matters and to maximize the potential of digital technologies to improve efficiency.

The Justice Reform (JURE) Programme will contribute to building a modern, efficient and inclusivejustice sector in Sri Lanka through innovative reforms, digital transformation and strengthened institutions, paving the way towards enhanced social cohesion and a more peaceful and just Sri Lankan society.

Speaking at the Justice Reform (JURE) Programme launch held this morning, Minister of Justice, M.U.M. Ali Sabry P.C. stated: “An efficient, inclusive and independent justice system is a core requirement for the Sri Lankan republic to move forward.

Sri Lanka needs to strengthen the administration of justice to uphold the rule of law whilst ensuring an independent judiciary. 

This task would be difficult to achieve without a modern mechanism and support from development partners. This programme will certainly pave the way, he said adding that  he is happy that European Union, UNDP and UNICEF are partnering with the ministry  in achieving this goal”.

Commenting on the EU engagement in the sector, Ambassador to the European Union in Sri Lanka, Denis Chaibi stated: “A modern, efficient and inclusive justice sector is critical for social cohesion and to strengthen trust between the State and its citizens. 

The European Union’s funding is significant and shows how crucial it considers its partnership with Sri Lanka, UNDP and UNICEF to support home-grown reforms and institutions. To enhance access to justice for all will increase the quality and efficiency of justice service delivery”.

Speaking on UNDP’s longstanding support to the justice sector in Sri Lanka as a trusted partner,Resident Representative for UNDP in Sri Lanka, Robert Juhkam stated, “The JURE Programme isdesigned to be catalytic to improving access to justice, putting people with needs and capabilities at the centre of policies, institutions and programmes. 

Crucially, UNDP will ensure that JURE provides a platform for bringing together stakeholders across the board, including sectoral state institutions, independent commissions, professional bodies, academic institutions, and civil society into supporting a national effort, without which reform progress would be fragmented.

The platform will facilitate consultation, consensus and innovation in judicial reform which is consonant with international standards and best practice, thus strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts in achieving the SDG-16 targets on peace, justice and strong institutions.”

UNICEF will play a leading role in the implementation of reform to improve the legal framework for the child justice sector in the country.

“This partnership offers a real opportunity to make positive changes for every child in contact with the law in Sri Lanka, whether as a victim, witness or offender. 

Children will have access to legal support and a more timely and appropriate response to their case and, most importantly, be given opportunities for rehabilitation and a fair chance in life” said Christian Skoog, Representative, UNICEF Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Handloom and ready made garments promote in overseas 

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<strong>Sri Lanka’s Handloom and ready made garments promote in overseas </strong>

Sri Lanka’s Handloom and Local ready made garments are to be promoted in foreign countries with assistance lankan foreign missions overseas.

 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued a directive to discontinue the importation of handlooms and Batik textiles to the country while promoting such apparel  overseas. .

The decision was taken with the expectation of boosting the local production and attracting new producers to the industry.

This was stated during a discussion into the issues encountered by those who are engaged in the garment industry and textile industry at the Presidential Secretariat. 

Finding additional market opportunity for locally produced readymade garments over apparels manufactured using imported materials was discussed in length. 

The promotion of locally manufactured garments will reduce the amount of foreign exchange that goes out of the country.

President further stressed the importance of providing accessibility to those who are willing to enter the garment industry which at present is limited to a few.

In addition, the establishment of a broader market for readymade garment manufacturers and local traders through decisions taken in unison and the requirement of a base center conveniently accessible for the international market to purchase locally manufactured garments in bulk were highlighted during the discussion.

The Foreign Ministry and the State Ministry of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products held a joint session today (Friday) at the Foreign Ministry to promote Sri Lankan batik, handloom and local apparel products through Sri Lankan Missions worldwide.

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who chaired the event reiterated the importance of economic diplomacy initiatives and emphasized that Sri Lankan indigenous products are the outcome of creativity of the people and their promotion abroad will directly uplift the economy at grassroot level.

State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products, Dayasiri Jayasekara requested Sri Lankan diplomats to vigorously promote Sri Lankan batik and handloom products in their respective countries of accreditation and presented samples to display at Missions and events. 

He also explained the various initiatives being taken to promote them in foreign countries.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage praised the beauty of the work of art from the cottage industry of Sri Lanka and suggested observing a weekly batik day to reenergize the sector.

Hela Apparel Holdings Formally Begins Operations in Egypt

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Hela Apparel Holdings Formally Begins Operations in Egypt

Following the conclusion of its successful listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange, Hela Apparel Holdings has expanded its global footprint by formally commencing operations at its latest factory in Egypt recently. 

The much-awaited expansion will enable the company to provide an attractive nearshore manufacturing offering, strengthening the organization’s focus on providing the world’s leading apparel brands with innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions, company officials said. 

The 275,000 square foot manufacturing facility is situated in the Alexandria Governorate, an area with a well-established skill base in apparel manufacturing that also hosts one of Egypt’s largest ports. 

The facility is equipped to accommodate up to 2,500 workers during a single shift, with the potential for significant further expansion. With this new addition, Hela has increased its global footprint to 12 directly-operated manufacturing facilities, reaffirming its position as one of the leading apparel manufacturers in Africa.

Commenting on the expansion, Sanath Amaratunga, CEO of Hela Kidswear said, “they have had an extremely positive response from both existing and a range of new customers on expansion into Egypt. 

It offers an immediate solution to the growing demand for speed in apparel sourcing. The well-established skill base and integrated supply chain in Egypt allow the sri Lankan company  to offer a range of product types at competitive rates. 

Egypt offers a range of advantages for apparel manufacturing – most notably its geographic proximity to major markets, with shipping times as little as 3 days to Europe and 12 days to North America. 

This addresses the increasing demand for speed and nearshoring solutions from global apparel brands, which has become more pressing as a result of the logistics disruptions caused by the pandemic. 

Egypt also has a well-established textile supply chain, which drastically reduces the need to ship raw materials from Asia, bringing down lead times further, as well the overall environmental impact of production, which is another key benefit for apparel brands. 

In addition, Hela’s foray into Egypt will allow indefinite duty-free access to both the EU and UK market, through Egypt’s bilateral free trade agreements – as well as to the US via the Qualifying Industrial Zone initiative.

Hela Apparel Holdings is a social capital-focused company built on a culture of inclusivity, equality, and sustainability with a strong focus on strategic partnerships with long-standing customers, providing responsive and dynamic end-to-end supply chain solutions to global apparel brands. 

The company is a leader in ethical and sustainable apparel manufacturing, having received numerous global accolades in this regard and recently becoming a signatory to the UN Global Compact. 

Through its global expansion initiatives, the company has also emerged as a leader in Africa’s apparel manufacturing revolution. 

The Group provides manufacturing solutions to some of the world’s top luxury apparel brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and VF Corp, through its 12 manufacturing facilities located in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

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