The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has set an ambitious target of facilitating 340,000 overseas job opportunities for Sri Lankans in 2025.
Speaking at an awareness program for newly licensed foreign employment agents held at the Bureau of Foreign Employment, SLFEB Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe noted that 311,000 individuals secured foreign employment in 2024, and the bureau aims to increase this figure by 12% this year.
Highlighting the need for a regulated process, Wickramasinghe stressed the importance of ensuring that overseas employment placements are carried out transparently and ethically. He also addressed concerns regarding reports of fraudulent activities involving certain licensed agencies and assured that strict legal measures would be taken against those found guilty, regardless of their influence or status.
The SLFEB continues to play a vital role in expanding international employment opportunities while prioritizing the welfare and rights of Sri Lankan workers abroad.
In a historic achievement, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) soared past the 17,000-point milestone for the first time today during trading.
The ASPI closed at 17,025.99 points, reflecting a remarkable performance that underscores growing investor confidence in the market. By the end of the trading session, a transaction turnover of Rs. 9.7 billion was reported, highlighting the robust activity in the exchange.
This milestone marks a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s financial market history and indicates strong momentum as the CSE continues to attract both domestic and international investors.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding the rights of Sri Lanka’s indigenous community, emphasizing that they should enjoy the same rights as all other citizens.
The Prime Minister expressed these views during a discussion organized by the Environment Ministry at the Parliament Complex on Wednesday (22), focusing on the progress of the Parliamentary Bill aimed at ensuring the rights of the indigenous community and addressing existing legal issues regarding their fundamental rights.
Dr. Amarasuriya called for swift action, instructing officials to resolve the legal and technical challenges faced by the indigenous community within the next three months. She emphasized the need to minimize the difficulties experienced by the community and ensure their rights are protected.
Commitment from Ministries Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi assured that the Environment Ministry would take the necessary steps to enact laws and regulations to safeguard the rights of the indigenous community. Cultural Affairs Minister Sunil Senevi emphasized that the Vedda community is a vital part of Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural heritage, underscoring the need for their protection and empowerment.
Voices from the Vedda Community Vedda Community Leader Uruwarige Vanniyalaththo highlighted the historical significance of the community and drew attention to their current challenges. He pointed out that despite previous efforts by successive governments, their daily issues remain inadequately addressed. He also referenced the Indigenous Rights Act, which aligns with the United Nations Charter, and stressed the urgent need for effective measures to address these concerns.
Participants and Future Steps The discussion involved a range of stakeholders, including Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody, MP Sugath Balagalla, Wildlife Director General Suriyabandara, officials from the Environment Ministry, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, and members of the indigenous community.
The Environment Ministry and the Wildlife Department provided updates on the current status and outlined future actions to address the issues faced by the Vedda community.
This initiative marks a significant step towards securing the rights and preserving the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka’s indigenous population.
The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has reported 3,649 dengue cases across Sri Lanka in the first three weeks of this year, with two dengue-related deaths confirmed during this period.
The Western Province has been the most affected, accounting for 1,576 infections:
Colombo District: 491 cases
Gampaha District: 558 cases
Kalutara District: 95 cases
The NDCU has identified 22 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions nationwide as high-risk areas for dengue.
Health authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of dengue.
President’s Secretary Dr. N.S. Kumanayake has provided Ministry Secretaries with detailed instructions regarding the appointment process for consultants and staff in each Ministry.
The guidelines specify that a Minister can have a personal staff of up to 15 members, while a Deputy Minister can appoint a maximum of 12 staff members. For a Minister, the allocations include:
Two personal assistants
Two coordinating secretaries
One press secretary
One public relations officer
Five management assistants
Two office assistants
Two drivers
For a Deputy Minister, the allocations are:
Two coordinating secretaries
Three management assistants
One each for other roles
Additionally, the directive prohibits appointing family members or close relatives to these positions.
The guidelines also limit the number of official vehicles to two for both Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Phone expense limits are capped at Rs. 20,000 for office and residential use and Rs. 10,000 for mobile phones. The document clarifies that telephones and related equipment for support staff cannot be provided at the government’s expense.
These measures aim to ensure transparency, cost-efficiency, and accountability in ministerial appointments and expenditures.
Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced in Parliament yesterday plans to provide 700,000 students with gift vouchers to purchase school shoes.
The initiative also includes plans to directly supply shoes to students attending schools with fewer than 250 students, Dr. Amarasuriya revealed in response to a question posed by Badulla District MP Ravindra Bandara.
The Cabinet of Ministers recently approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to issue gift vouchers worth Rs. 3,000 to selected schoolchildren, including student monks, lay students of pirivenas, and seela mathas, to purchase shoes.
This measure reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting students and addressing educational needs across the country.
Several spells of showers will occur in Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara, Batticaloa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts. A few showers may occur in Northern and North-Central provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kurunegala district in the evening or night and fairly heavy showers about 50 mm can be expected at some places.
Fairly strong winds of (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slope of the central hills and Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Matale district.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces and in Badulla district during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
January 23, Colombo (LNW): Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company has informed the board of Colombo Dockyard of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in Sri Lanka’s international shipbuilding and repair company.
The move comes as the company is marking its fiftieth anniversary while facing deepening financial challenges and competition in the international market.
Sri Lanka highlights the location of the shipyard and its expanded capabilities as strategic advantages.
In addition to being a large employer, the yard draws in critical export revenues for the country which has been plagued by a financial crisis.
In 2023, Colombo Dockyard which supplies ships and undertakes projects for India, Norway, and France, earned approximately $110 million in export revenues, up 36 percent over 2022.
The current company was started in the 1970s by the government of Sri Lanka and began operations in 1974 focusing on harbor craft and smaller vessels.
Today, it has the ability to handle vessels up to 125,000 dwt and provides both newbuilding and repair work.
Colombo Dockyard highlights its expanded repair work as well as involvement in building a cable layer, hybrid bulkers, and work on VLGCs, dredgers, and offshore vessels.
It has been undertaking projects for Europeans but faces regional competition as India looks to expand its shipbuilding industry.
The shipyard company has been under severe financial pressures with revenues so far in 2024 down by a third. Last year was the worst financial performance in the company’s history.
It recorded a loss of nearly $38 million and has a total retained loss on its books currently of nearly $26 million.
The company says it has informed its key creditors of Onomichi’s intent to divest its shares.
Onomichi, which has been involved in shipbuilding since the 1940s, acquired its 51 percent stake in the company in 1993 from the government of Sri Lanka.
It was part of a privatization drive by the then prime minister and the deal also gave management control to Onomichi.
As part of the decision to divest its shares, Onomichi’s board representation announced its resignation.
The board of Colombo Dockyard advises shareholders that it is in preliminary discussions for a new strategic partner.
It reports unidentified parties have expressed an initial interest in investing in the company but that no terms have been set for the future.
They look to continue the operation and have received assurances from Onomichi of its willingness to work with a new strategic buyer.
January 23, Colombo (LNW): The consultancy services for the Colombo Port Expansion Project have been awarded to Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd. at a cost of $4.2 million. This decision, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, marks a significant step in the development of Container Platform II under Phase II of the project.
The approval follows a rigorous evaluation process conducted in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is providing both technical and financial support for the initiative.
The selection process adhered to ADB’s competitive criteria. Of 20 initial applicants, seven met the eligibility requirements, with five submitting detailed proposals.
Following financial evaluations of three shortlisted candidates, the Cabinet-appointed Consultation Procurement Committee recommended Dohwa Engineering Co. Ltd. for the consultancy role, as announced by Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
A major component of the project is the extension of the western water break of Container Platform II. This upgrade is designed to increase the port’s capacity to handle growing maritime traffic, solidifying Colombo Port’s status as a regional shipping hub.
The proposal, submitted by Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake, was unanimously approved by the Cabinet.
The Colombo Port expansion, spearheaded by the Adani Group, is progressing as planned. According to Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Sirimevan Ranasinghe, who also holds a minority stake in the project, the Colombo West International Terminal is on track for its Phase I completion by early 2025.
The terminal, part of a $1 billion foreign direct investment from Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), represents the largest investment in Sri Lanka’s port sector.
The West Container Terminal is being constructed in phases, with the first stage featuring an 800-meter berth expected to be operational by December 2024 or early 2025. A second phase will extend the quay by an additional 600 meters, enabling the terminal to handle up to 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually.
In parallel, Sri Lanka is preparing for the development of the Colombo North Port to further expand its transshipment capacity. The nation, recognized as a key global transit hub, sees half of all container ships passing through its waters. Colombo Port, the busiest transshipment port in the Indian Ocean, has been operating at over 90% capacity since 2021.
The ongoing developments underscore Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining its strategic position in global shipping, ensuring its infrastructure meets the demands of rising maritime trade.
ICBS Campus has made a groundbreaking entry into Sri Lanka’s online education sector, introducing a range of affordable, high-quality diploma programs designed to prepare students for the demands of the future job market. With a mission to redefine how Sri Lankans access learning, the institution aims to bridge gaps in traditional education while offering a pathway to global opportunities.
Affordable Excellence for All By adopting an online-first model, ICBS Campus eliminates the overhead costs associated with physical campuses, ensuring cost savings are passed directly to students. This unique approach provides affordable education without compromising academic rigor, emphasizing the institution’s core value of delivering “Affordable Excellence.”
Competency-Based Learning (CBL): A First for Sri Lanka A key feature of ICBS Campus is the introduction of Competency-Based Learning (CBL), an innovative teaching methodology widely used by leading global institutions. Unlike traditional systems focused on rote learning, CBL emphasizes practical skills, real-world applications, and career readiness. Students graduate with competencies that set them apart in the competitive job market.
Programs Designed for the Future ICBS Campus has launched two inaugural programs: the Advanced Certificate and Diploma in IT and Business Management. These comprehensive, year-long courses provide in-depth coverage, preparing students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Future offerings include diploma programs in Marketing Management, IT Languages, and Social Sciences, with applications for these courses opening soon.
World-Class Faculty and Global Connections The institution boasts a faculty comprising experienced educators and industry professionals, ensuring programs are up-to-date and relevant to current market needs. An esteemed advisory panel of local and international experts plays a key role in shaping the curriculum. ICBS Campus is also in discussions with reputed foreign universities to establish affiliations, paving the way for undergraduate and master’s degree programs.
Revolutionizing Online Learning ICBS Campus is tackling common criticisms of online education in Sri Lanka by introducing an engaging, interactive approach. Moving away from passive, lecture-heavy formats, the institution focuses on active participation, project-based assignments, and collaborative learning. This hands-on methodology fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork—essential skills for today’s fast-evolving job market.
Shaping Sri Lanka’s Educational Landscape By offering affordable, relevant, and globally benchmarked education, ICBS Campus is setting a new standard for online learning in Sri Lanka. For those seeking a transformative educational experience that prepares them for long-term success, ICBS Campus offers the perfect destination.
Applications for the current programs are now open, with new courses launching soon. Visit their website to learn more and join Sri Lanka’s online education revolution.
