A high-level discussion to enhance bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in the fields of fisheries and aquatic resources was held at the Parliamentary Complex between Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Netherlands’ Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka Iwan Rutjens. Ministry Secretary Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa was also in attendance.

Deputy Ambassador Rutjens underscored the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations, highlighting the Dutch legacy in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. He stressed the importance of safeguarding Dutch-built heritage sites, while also opening avenues for new development projects in the region. Dutch experts have already visited Jaffna, and Rutjens expressed his government’s keen interest in supporting heritage preservation efforts.

The Dutch footprint in Jaffna remains prominent, with landmarks such as the Jaffna Fort—originally built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch into its unique pentagon shape—standing as symbols of this shared history. Post-war, the Netherlands funded major restoration work on the Fort. Similarly, the ruins of the Dutch Kachcheri, and the Dutch-influenced islands of Delft and Kayts, continue to reflect this deep-rooted heritage.

While acknowledging these historic ties, Minister Chandrasekar sought Dutch technical expertise to advance Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector. Among his key proposals was the rehabilitation of the Oluvil Fisheries Harbour, currently unusable due to sand accumulation. He requested a sustainable technical solution, to which Rutjens assured consultations with Dutch companies, adding that concessional soft loan support may be considered if viable solutions are identified.

The Minister also proposed introducing environmentally friendly floating jetties in the Valaichchenai Lagoon in place of traditional concrete structures. He requested Dutch assistance in feasibility studies and environmental assessments, given Sri Lanka’s lack of prior experience in this field.

Additionally, Sri Lanka sought Dutch collaboration in aquatic plant tissue culture, particularly the micro-propagation of aquatic ferns. The Ministry expressed interest in partnerships between Dutch experts and local institutions, including NARA, NAQDA, and private sector stakeholders. In response, Rutjens welcomed the proposal, assuring that the Embassy would facilitate connections with Dutch universities and specialists to establish a structured knowledge-sharing programme.

Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, told Parliament that conducting vehicle emission tests remains essential, despite concerns over malpractice by certain institutions carrying out the process.

Responding to a question raised by MP Lal Premanath, the Minister admitted that some organisations had engaged in fraudulent practices to pass vehicles during testing. However, he assured that by the end of 2026, existing agreements with emission testing companies will expire, and new agreements will be signed under stricter regulations to prevent future irregularities.

Rathnayake highlighted that air quality levels have significantly declined in several cities, including Colombo and Kandy, largely due to vehicle emissions. He stressed that the failure to modernise public transport has worsened the problem, but argued that funding and initiatives for emission testing cannot be considered wrong.

The Minister added that the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) would substantially reduce vehicular emissions and help improve air quality in major cities. He also noted that the Government has already begun conducting random emission tests while continuously monitoring air quality levels.

Addressing another concern, Rathnayake explained that emissions are particularly high at traffic signal lights due to the absence of countdown timers, which cause motorists to accelerate unnecessarily while waiting. He said that timers have now been installed at several traffic lights in Colombo using government funds to help mitigate this problem.

Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, told Parliament yesterday that inefficiency within Sri Lanka Railways has been a major factor contributing to the country’s decline.

Responding to a question raised by MP Hector Appuhamy, the Minister admitted that Sri Lanka had collapsed politically, economically, culturally, and administratively, and that the breakdown of the Railway Department played a role in this downfall.

“I have repeatedly said that the Railways Department suffers from severe inefficiency and an inability to provide a proper public service. While some officials work with great dedication, there is also a large number of staff who are unwilling to work, alongside politically appointed and inefficient employees brought in by former transport ministers,” Rathnayake said.

He pointed out that years of neglect in essential recruitment, especially for technical officers, had worsened the crisis. His first Cabinet paper as Transport Minister, submitted in December 2024, sought approval to fill technical vacancies in the department. However, he noted that senior officials delayed the recruitment process for nearly a year despite Cabinet approval.

The Minister said a new General Manager has now been appointed and that ministry officials, engineers, and trade unions are working together more constructively.

“There is no magic wand to immediately eliminate inefficiencies inherited from previous administrations. But we are systematically addressing them, and within one year, we expect the Railway Department to improve by about 50 percent from its current state,” Rathnayake assured.

The Presidential Special Investigation Committee, appointed to investigate past fraud, corruption, and malpractices at Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited and SriLankan Airlines, has called for complaints, views, and proposals from the public.

This Committee was established in line with Cabinet Decision No. 25/1145/801/018 of July 1, 2025, following a Cabinet Memorandum submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on June 30, 2025. Its mandate is to inquire into historical irregularities and misconduct within the two state-owned institutions.

The Committee has invited submissions from employees, staff members, and the public on matters relating to both organisations. Complaints, views, and proposals may be forwarded on or before September 5, 2025, via email to [email protected] or through WhatsApp at 070-3307700.

Following submissions, appointments will be arranged for in-person discussions with the Committee.

By: Staff Writer

August 21, Colombo (LNW): The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) has unveiled an ambitious plan to create the country’s first-ever investment zone exclusively for Japanese investors—an initiative aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties and leveraging unique Japanese industrial practices.

BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath first floated the idea during the Sri Lanka–Japan Investors’ Meeting and Conference at the World Trade Center in Colombo, inviting small, medium, and large Japanese firms to participate in a dedicated industrial park.

He noted that Japanese industrial culture and methods differ significantly from those of other nations, justifying the need for a tailored zone that can best accommodate Japan’s operational strengths.

Herath emphasized Sri Lanka’s long-standing appreciation for Japanese investments and highlighted the government’s efforts to create a highly conducive investment environment. Japanese attendees reportedly responded favorably, expressing interest across sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and services.

Importantly, this would mark the first such single-nation–focused investment zone in Sri Lanka—a significant milestone that positions Japan as a uniquely valued investment partner.

This new development complements Sri Lanka’s existing network of Special Investment Zones (including Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks) administered by the BOI. Currently, there are 15 such zones spread across the country, including Katunayake, Biyagama, Koggala, Mirigama, Horana, Kandy and Seethawaka among others.

For example, the Katunayake EPZ, established in 1978 near the international airport, is the country’s largest, covering 332 acres and serving over 31,000 workers. It recently received acclaim from fDi Intelligence, earning a special honorable mention in the 2022 Free Zones Awards for its reinvestment strategy—where four large tenant firms pledged an additional US$ 26.5 million in investment and nearly 1,000 new jobs.

Overall, the BOI recorded a 38 % year-on-year increase in FDI receivable, rising from US$ 780 million in 2021 to US$ 1,076 million in 2022. Export figures (merchandise plus services) also rose by 7 % to US$ 9.385 billion, and employment under BOI zones grew by 3 %, adding 14,332 positions. Manufacturing, telecommunications, and port development led sectoral FDI growth, with port development surging an impressive 329 %.

Building on this performance, the government and BOI are moving forward on plans to establish five new investment zones across the North, East, Northwest, and Southern provinces—targeting areas like Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Trincomalee, Kankesanthurai, and Bingiriya Phase 2.

In summary, Sri Lanka’s BOI is championing a multifaceted strategy: boosting FDI with compelling results, expanding geographic reach through new zones, and now pioneering the country’s first nationality-specific industrial park for Japanese investors. This layered approach signals a bold new chapter in attracting targeted, high-quality foreign investments.