By: Staff Writer

June 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s northern coast is once again grappling with an environmental crisis as nurdles—tiny plastic pellets used in manufacturing—wash ashore, sparking memories of the devastating X-Press Pearl maritime disaster in 2021.

The latest contamination has been traced to the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3, which sank off the coast of Kerala, India, on May 25. According to the Indian Coast Guard, the vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous chemicals, along with 85 metric tonnes of diesel and 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil. All 24 crew members were safely rescued.

Though an initial oil spill was contained by Indian authorities, the environmental aftermath has worsened with the dispersal of nurdles. Strong southwest monsoon winds have carried the plastic pellets from Indian shores to Sri Lanka’s northern regions.

First reports of the nurdles came from Mannar, where seabird observer Lahiru Walpita found unusual white pebbles on the beach. He later discovered over 20 bags, each weighing 25 kg, scattered across a 2-km stretch—most still sealed, indicating recent origins rather than remnants from the 2021 X-Press Pearl spill.

“These plastic pellets are now spreading along the northern coast,” said Padma Abeykoon, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment. “We’ve initiated cleaning operations and are closely monitoring the situation with Indian authorities.”

Wildlife experts fear ecological consequences. Nurdles are often mistaken for food by seabirds such as little terns and bridled terns—species currently in breeding season near Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park. Ingestion could lead to death or reproductive failure, according to Walpita.

Sri Lanka’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has activated the National Oil and Hazardous Noxious Substances Spill Contingency Plan. MEPA General Manager Jagath Gunasekara confirmed that, despite the wreck being over 300 nautical miles from Sri Lanka, the risk of toxic chemical contamination remains low for now. “We’re continuously testing water quality as a precaution,” he said.

Indian authorities have temporarily banned fishing within 20 nautical miles of the wreck to mitigate risks, especially from calcium carbide—a reactive substance on board that can release explosive acetylene gas on contact with water.

In a troubling development, another ship—the MV Wan Hai 503—caught fire on June 7 near the same region. Carrying over 2,100 metric tonnes of fuel and hazardous cargo, it is being treated as a higher environmental threat, though Indian officials say the situation is under control.

The recurrence of nurdle pollution highlights the urgent need for stronger maritime safety standards and regional cooperation. Sri Lanka is still pursuing compensation for the X-Press Pearl disaster, with legal proceedings ongoing in international courts.

By: Staff Writer

June 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is set to receive a significant boost with the official launch of the Land Bank Management Information System (LBMIS)—a centralized, automated platform offering over 3,000 acres of state and private land for tourism development.

The initiative, led by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), was unveiled last week at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs in Colombo.

The LBMIS, now live at landbank.sltda.gov.lk, allows potential investors to browse, evaluate, and apply for strategically located land parcels suited for various tourism-related projects.

It also enables private landowners to list their lands for partnership, lease, or sale. Officials say this new system marks a transformative shift from previous opaque procedures to a more streamlined and investor-friendly model.

“This is a step towards creating a sustainable and competitive tourism sector,” said Deputy Tourism Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe. “All lands will be granted under a 33-year lease agreement, and we are implementing strict timelines. If projects remain stagnant, land will be reclaimed and reallocated to more serious developers.”

The land bank features over 20 identified plots across major tourism zones, with a mix of beach, eco, cultural, and agri-tourism potential. Among the flagship properties listed are:Dedduwa Lake Resort Zone in the south, offering 1,713 acres for integrated luxury developments.

Kalpitiya Islands, including Uchchamunai (1,095 acres) and Baththalangunduwa (291 acres) for marine and coastal resort ventures.Kuchchaveli Beach Zone with 74 acres earmarked for premium beachfront hotels.

Trincomalee, featuring 40 acres at Rasool Thottam for agri-tourism and 4 acres in Allas Garden for boutique projects.Pasikudah Beachfront, with 6.5 acres ideal for high-end resorts.Pidurangala area, with 19 acres available for nature and heritage-based tourism near the Sigiriya rock fortress.

Bentota National Holiday Resort, offering 24 acres with options for cultural centers and retail.According to SLTDA statistics, the land portfolio covers a diverse range of geographical zones, ensuring equitable regional development.

These sites were selected based on proximity to key attractions, existing infrastructure, and environmental viability. The platform also prioritizes environmental sustainability and community integration in project evaluations.

Tourism officials emphasize that this initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader vision to attract high-value, low-impact tourism, targeting over 2.5 million arrivals by 2026. The country earned USD 2.07 billion in 2023 from tourism and hopes to significantly increase earnings by facilitating large-scale foreign direct investments (FDIs) through this initiative.

The SLTDA is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from both domestic and international investors with proven track records in tourism development. The authority also invites private landowners to contribute to the platform, helping to expand the tourism footprint while ensuring transparency and faster decision-making.

By: Staff Writer

June 22, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is intensifying efforts to finalize the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for the period 2025–2029, aimed at revitalizing the country’s export sector and steering it towards sustainable, inclusive growth.

The initiative comes at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking to enhance foreign exchange earnings, attract investment, and rebuild its economy following years of economic and political challenges.

The second round of discussions on the NEDP took place on 2 June 2025 at the EDB headquarters in Colombo, following the inaugural session held in April. The new plan is being developed through a diagnostic-based, data-driven approach and builds on the experience and lessons learned from the National Export Strategy (NES) 2018–2022, a comprehensive policy framework introduced by a previous government.

The NES 2018–2022, which identified priority sectors including ICT/BPM, wellness tourism, processed food, and apparel, laid the foundation for export diversification and competitiveness. However, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 economic crisis, and global market volatility prevented the full implementation of the strategy, underscoring the urgent need for a renewed, adaptive, and forward-looking framework.

EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe expressed appreciation for the continued support from the ADB and emphasized Sri Lanka’s ambitious target of reaching US$36 billion in export earnings by 2030. “This plan will allow us to focus on emerging markets, build resilience in our export systems, and integrate effectively into global value chains,” he said.

According to the EDB, Sri Lanka earned approximately US$14.9 billion from merchandise and services exports in 2023, with the apparel sector remaining the largest contributor. However, challenges such as overdependence on a few markets, limited product diversification, global economic uncertainty, and rising competition from regional peers have highlighted the vulnerabilities in the country’s export structure.

The NEDP 2025–2029, supported under the ADB’s Policy-Based Lending (PBL) program and implemented through the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, is expected to address these issues head-on. The plan’s methodology includes stakeholder consultations, trade diagnostics, market research, value chain integration, and alignment with the government’s development vision: “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

ADB officials stressed the importance of private sector involvement, policy coordination, and measurable implementation frameworks. The plan also aims to promote export participation by SMEs, encourage sustainable production, and foster gender inclusivity.

As global trade dynamics evolve, Sri Lanka’s renewed export strategy will be critical in enhancing its economic resilience, securing foreign exchange, and generating employment. The EDB plans further consultations with industry stakeholders to ensure the NEDP becomes a cohesive, actionable, and transformative blueprint for the next five years.

By: Staff Writer

June 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is poised to significantly ease administrative hurdles for drone operations by directing the Police to issue “No Objection” letters for valid requests, marking a crucial step towards liberalizing the country’s drone regulatory framework.

The decision was made during a high-level stakeholder dialogue on drone operations convened at the Ministry of Defence, under the patronage of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyakontha (Retd). The session brought together officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the tri-forces, Sri Lanka Police, and members of the civil drone industry.

In his opening address, the Defence Secretary stressed the importance of striking a balance between regulatory oversight and technological advancement. He emphasized that while drones offer significant potential in commercial, environmental, and public safety applications—including agriculture, surveillance, logistics, and disaster response—their operations must be controlled through a coherent framework to ensure national security.

The meeting focused on resolving procedural delays that have hindered the growth of the drone sector. Civil drone operators voiced concerns over prolonged waiting times and inconsistent practices among authorities when securing operational clearance. In response, the Defence Secretary underscored the need for improved inter-agency collaboration and timely submission of applications by operators.

In a major policy shift, he instructed all police stations to be officially informed of the legitimate civilian use of drones. He further authorized the issuance of “No Objection” letters by the police, provided that requests meet established criteria and are subject to proper oversight. This move is expected to standardize procedures across the island, especially benefiting industries such as media, infrastructure inspection, land surveying, and tourism.

Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, led by Director General Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd), also presented updates on the current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and outlined steps to enhance regulatory coherence. The CAA, which oversees drone registration, airspace classification, and operator licensing, will work closely with the Defence Ministry to align civilian drone use with national policy goals.

With drone usage in Sri Lanka increasing rapidly, this initiative marks a turning point in enabling responsible and lawful integration of drone technology into the broader economy. The move is expected to bolster innovation while upholding public safety, operational transparency, and security interests.

The Defence Ministry’s commitment to a collaborative and transparent approach is likely to strengthen Sri Lanka’s drone ecosystem and foster a more agile regulatory environment.

In Sri Lanka, while only around 50 drones are officially registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, many more are believed to be in operation across various sectors. Several firms are involved, including those providing drone services for agriculture, construction, and entertainment (e.g., drone shows). The market is projected to grow, with a predicted annual growth rate of 6.33%.

Although the Civil Aviation Authority has only registered around 50 drones, the actual number in operation is likely much higher.

Drones are also used in law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, disaster management, and more. The Sri Lankan drones market is projected to experience significant growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.33%.

The increasing use of drones in various industries, coupled with advancements in drone technology, is expected to drive further growth in the market.