By: Staff Writer

March 28, Colombo (LNW): the revolutionary Starlink satellite broadband services will be available in the country from next month Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa  announced yesterday.

Responding to journalists at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he explained that the Government has taken steps to regulate and oversee the service to ensure national security and service quality.

 “The Government intervened to streamline the process and ensure that all necessary security measures and regulatory standards are met,” he said, adding that these considerations should have been prioritised from the outset of the discussions.

Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation that operates in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet. The service is designed to support streaming, online gaming, video calls, and more, making it a potential game-changer for internet access in Sri Lanka.

In January, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) approved the tariff plans for Elon Musk’s ‘Starlink’ satellite broadband services to be implemented through ‘Starlink’ Lanka Ltd in Janauary this year. .

The five ‘Starlink’ monthly packages inclusive of tax approved include Residential (Fixed – Rs. 15,000) with unlimited residential data offering download speed of 50-200 Mbps and upload speed of 20-40 Mbps and Residential Lite Fixed (Rs. 9,200) with unlimited deprioritised data offering download speed of 30-100 Mbps and 5-25 Mbps of upload speed.

Priority – Fixed package options include Rs. 20,994 per month inclusive of 40 GB of priority data; Rs. 62,859.24 per month inclusive of 1 TB; Rs. 125,965.46 for 2 TB and customer subscribes to a 1 TB, 2 TB or 6 TB monthly data plan with an additional charge of Rs. 125.57 per GB for priority data above the subscribed levels.

The Roam (Mobility) package is Rs. 27,000 per month regional service and Rs. 145,000 per month global service.

The mobility priority is Rs. 92,374.67 per month upto 50 GB of priority mobile data and Rs. 370,486.66 per month upto 1 TB of priority mobile data; Rs. 1.85 million per month for up to 5 TB of priority mobile data and Rs. 738.71 per GB of priority data above these levels.

By: Staff Writer

March 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is optimistic about achieving its ambitious goal of 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, following a strong start to the year. The country welcomed over 700,000 foreign visitors in the first quarter, with more than 200,000 arriving in the first 27 days of March alone. This represents a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

As of the latest figures, year-to-date (YTD) arrivals have surpassed 690,000, with March alone contributing 198,982 tourists in its first 26 days. This marks a 14% year-on-year (YoY) increase.

Despite the overall growth, weekly arrivals have shown a declining trend, with numbers decreasing from 53,113 in the first week to 34,771 in the last five days of the month. However, analysts predict that March will end with over 235,000 arrivals, pushing cumulative visitor numbers beyond 720,000.

The peak winter tourism season is nearing its end, but concerns have been raised over the government’s delay in launching its much-anticipated global promotional campaign and free-visa scheme for 39 countries. Industry experts believe these measures are crucial to boosting summer bookings and sustaining momentum in the sector.

To meet its target of 302,803 arrivals for March, Sri Lanka needs an additional 103,821 visitors in the final days of the month, averaging 20,764 tourists per day. Last year, March saw a total of 209,181 arrivals, a significant increase from 125,495 recorded in 2023.

The daily average number of arrivals has risen from 6,756 in March 2024 to 7,384 in March 2025, although a month-on-month comparison shows an 18% decline.

India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing 111,982 visitors YTD, followed by Russia with 90,225 and the United Kingdom with 64,711. In March alone, India accounted for 32,879 arrivals, Russia 25,864, and the UK 17,453.

With the tourism sector rebounding strongly, stakeholders are confident in reaching the 3 million visitor target and surpassing $5 billion in earnings for 2025. Key factors driving this growth include strategic marketing efforts, improved infrastructure, increased airline connectivity, and enhanced safety measures.

In 2024, Sri Lanka recorded 2.05 million visitors, generating over $3.2 billion in revenue—a 52.38% YoY increase. Industry leaders are hopeful that continued investment and strategic initiatives will further solidify Sri Lanka’s position as a top global tourist destination.

By: Staff Writer

March 28, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is prioritizing policy consistency and transparency to create a conducive environment for long-term investments while actively combating corruption, according to Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma.

Speaking at an investment forum organized by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Suriyapperuma emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining stable regulations, policies, and tax structures.

He highlighted that businesses plan their financial strategies over the medium to long term, and sudden changes in government policies or tax regimes could disrupt investment feasibility.

“The reason behind our consistent policy approach in the budget is to ensure investors can plan without uncertainty,” he stated. 

The new administration has also continued the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program with necessary adjustments to support economic stability.

At the forum, which was attended by over 100 foreign investors, fund managers, representatives from listed companies, and capital market stakeholders, the government reinforced its message that now is the opportune time to invest in Sri Lanka. 

Following the restoration of economic stability, the country is focusing on sustainable growth, free from corruption.

Deputy Minister Suriyapperuma underlined the economic revival and the government’s vision to expand production and facilitate business growth. 

He pointed to the 2025 Budget and the ongoing negotiations with the IMF to support vulnerable communities and businesses as key indicators of progress.

Highlighting a shift in governance, he said, “The people have chosen a new path under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) government.

 We are committed to zero tolerance for corruption. Investors no longer need to navigate political bureaucracy or offer bribes. They can directly engage with designated authorities and initiate their ventures transparently.”

The Deputy Minister further elaborated on the positive trajectory of Sri Lanka’s economic landscape, including the recovery of the stock market and tourism sector. 

He encouraged foreign investors to leverage this momentum and explore opportunities beyond Colombo by engaging with rural communities to understand untapped potential.

Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando reaffirmed the government’s focus on fostering capital formation and value generation, with exports and investments being top priorities. 

He reiterated that a corruption-free environment would facilitate business growth and reduce the gap between savings and investments.

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe reassured investors that Sri Lanka is now more stable and predictable compared to the past two years. 

Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Head of Strategy, Risk, and Transactions, Ruvini Fernando, presented insights on high-potential investment sectors in Sri Lanka, further reinforcing the country’s appeal as an attractive investment destination.

 With a clear economic vision, policy stability, and a commitment to eliminating corruption, Sri Lanka is actively positioning itself as a premier destination for foreign investments.

By: Staff Writer

March 28, Colombo (LNW): In a significant milestone in the partnership between Japan and Sri Lanka will be implementing a self-sustained Culture-based Inland Fisheries project to ensure Food and Nutritional Security and Livelihood Improvements in Rural Communities in Sri Lanka.

 In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Japanese Government has allocated a grant of US$3 million to strengthen inland fisheries and improve rural livelihoods in Sri Lanka last year .

This initiative underscores Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, extending beyond maritime fisheries to bolster inland fisheries development.

With FAO’s commitment to successful implementation, the project is poised to create lasting positive impacts on food security, livelihoods, and resilience in Sri Lanka’s rural communities. Japan reaffirms its dedication to supporting Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, striving for a future where rural communities prosper, and the fisheries industry thrives

This initiative underscores Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, extending beyond maritime fisheries to bolster inland fisheries development.

A 3 million dollar project, funded by Japan and implemented by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to strengthen inland fisheries and promote sustainable aquaculture in Sri Lanka.

In the initial phase, an upgraded hatchery and three live fingerling bowsers were launched at the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka (NAQDA) Aquaculture Development Center in Inginiyagala, Ampara. Recently under this project

The upgraded hatchery and the bowsers will enhance the breeding, rearing, and distribution of quality fish fingerlings to inland water bodies, boosting inland fisheries production and ensuring a stable source of nutrition and income for local fisher communities, a joint statement read.

In addition to upgrading the Inginiyagala center, the project is strengthening three other NAQDA Aquaculture Development Centers and an existing community-operated mini fish breeding center, and establishing three new community-operated mini hatcheries in Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, and Monaragala.

“Japan prioritizes human capacity development. Rather than simply providing fish to meet immediate needs, we focus on transferring knowledge and skills in fish farming and sustainable management,” Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata said.

“Through this approach, we hope to empower Sri Lanka to achieve self-sustained growth and build a stable and sustainable future.”

The initiative will benefit about 3,000 inland fishers, hatchery operators, and fish feed producers, and contribute to broader food security and rural economic development. The broader project includes introduction of improved broodstock development, digital integration in inland fisheries, and capacity-building programs for fishers and aquaculture officers.

“Through this initiative, we are not only improving aquaculture infrastructure but also equipping communities with the necessary resources and knowledge to sustain inland fisheries in the long run,” FAO Representative for Sri Lanka Vimlendra Sharan said.