September 26, Colombo (LNW): Tilak Siyambalapitiya has been appointed as the new Chairman of the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), effective immediately.
This leadership change comes at a time when the CEB faces critical challenges, including financial instability, operational inefficiencies, and the pressing need to modernise the country’s power infrastructure.
Siyambalapitiya, a respected figure in the energy industry, brings with him decades of experience in electrical engineering and energy management.
His appointment is seen as a strategic move to stabilise the CEB and address the ongoing concerns related to power generation, distribution, and the board’s long-term sustainability.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities in Sri Lanka have raised alarms over the growing number of breast cancer deaths, particularly when compared to other nations.
Dr. Hasareli Fernando, a community health specialist at the National Cancer Control Programme, emphasised that the mortality rate associated with breast cancer has seen a notable increase, sparking concern among medical professionals and public health officials.
During a media briefing held at the Health Promotions Bureau, Dr. Fernando revealed that approximately 5,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the country each year.
The issue has become a major public health concern, given the rising incidence of the disease. Whilst breast cancer is typically viewed as a condition primarily affecting women, Dr. Fernando underscored the particular dangers it poses to men, who often face more dire outcomes due to the disease’s late diagnosis.
Sri Lanka sees around 125 male breast cancer cases annually, and due to a lack of awareness, men are more likely to succumb to the disease.
Dr. Fernando explained that early detection and timely intervention could dramatically reduce fatalities, but many Sri Lankans still fail to recognise the early warning signs of breast cancer.
As a result, the disease is often discovered in its later stages, when treatment options are more limited and less effective. She stressed the need for enhanced public awareness campaigns, targeted specifically at encouraging both women and men to regularly self-examine and seek medical advice if they detect any abnormalities.
The rising number of breast cancer deaths has prompted renewed efforts from the National Cancer Control Programme to improve early detection strategies. They aim to increase access to mammograms and other diagnostic services, especially in rural areas where healthcare resources are often limited.
Additionally, Dr. Fernando highlighted the importance of training healthcare workers to identify symptoms in men, given that breast cancer in males is less commonly discussed and understood.
Health authorities are now calling for a more coordinated approach to tackle this pressing concern, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and better access to treatment for both women and men.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage on September 25 ordered all Police stations island-wide to accept complaints pertaining to victims of the ONMAX DT pyramid scheme scam.
No formal complaints involving this financial scam have been processed to date, and all police stations, therefore, have been ordered to formulate a model to lodge complaints of those deprived of their money due to their subjugation to ONMAX.
Accordingly, Chief Magistrate Gamage has ordered the Senior Deputy Inspector General (Administration) to issue a directive for the formulation of a model accepting such complaints.
The Court further ordered Sampath Sandaruwan, the Director of ONMAX DT and the third suspect to the case, to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on November 04, 2024 and to produce information he has knowledge of, and other suspects to produce plans of lands and houses required for the obtainment of estimation records of five properties owned by the suspects.
Attorney-at-Law Namal Rajapaksa appearing for the aggrieved party told Court that the depositors of ONMAX DT scheme suffer from severe frustration due to the scam, thereby expecting an immediate relief.
State Counsel Oswald Perera appearing for the Attorney General’s Department told Court that associations formed by the aggrieved parties consist of more than 2,000 members.
About 100 complaints pertaining to the aforementioned pyramid scheme have received so far, and orders could have been issued for the the Attorney General’s Office, the Sri Lanka Police, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Judiciary to take necessary steps for the reimbursement of money, had any formal complaints been lodged, the State Counsel added.
Anuja Premaratne PC appearing for the suspects told Court that their clients have produced information pertaining to more than 65,000 depositors of the scheme, adding that the so called associations of the aggrieved should have produced accurate information.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) indicates further appreciation against the US Dollar today (26) in comparison to yesterday, as per the official exchange rates released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Accordingly, the buying price of the US Dollar has decreased to Rs. 295.80, and the selling price to Rs. 304.91.
The LKR also indicates appreciation against several other foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): In light of escalating tensions in Israel and Lebanon, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that its diplomatic missions in Beirut and Tel Aviv are on high alert, closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in these volatile regions.
The Ministry has reassured that, as of now, no Sri Lankans have been reported as affected by the ongoing unrest. However, proactive measures have been put in place to address any potential risks.
Sri Lankan embassies are working to keep communication lines open with their citizens in both countries, offering assistance and guidance where necessary.
The missions are particularly focused on the safety of migrant workers and expatriates, with contingency plans being developed to facilitate swift action in case the situation deteriorates further.
Local authorities in Israel and Lebanon have also been contacted to ensure that the necessary precautions are in place to protect foreign nationals, including Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka, which maintains a significant migrant workforce in both countries, especially in Israel, has urged its citizens to remain cautious and follow local safety advisories.
The Ministry has also advised Sri Lankans to register with their nearest embassy if they have not already done so, to ensure that they can be contacted swiftly in case of an emergency.
As regional hostilities continue to intensify, the Foreign Ministry in Colombo is keeping a close watch on developments, emphasising that the protection of Sri Lankan nationals remains a priority.
Should the situation demand, evacuation plans may be activated to ensure the safe return of citizens from high-risk areas.
The Ministry has assured the public that they are working in coordination with international agencies and regional governments to monitor the situation, while remaining ready to assist Sri Lankans in affected areas.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Former State Minister Dilum Amunugama has officially aligned himself with the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP), a political entity led by prominent Sri Lankan entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera.
The move marks a departure from Amunugama’s previous association with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), where he had held a key role in the government.
Amunugama, who previously served as the State Minister of Investment Promotion under the administration of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has now taken on the position of national organiser within the MJP.
His decision to join the party comes as the MJP seeks to expand its influence in the evolving political landscape of Sri Lanka.
As reports have indicated, Amunugama’s shift away from the SLPP follows his growing alignment with the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe, for whom he voiced support in the most recent presidential election.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Former Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Shani Abeysekara, has made startling claims regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and the subsequent inquiry.
Speaking at the launch of a book by senior journalist Sunanda Deshapriya, Abeysekara provided alarming insights into how military intelligence allegedly obstructed and misled the CID during critical stages of the investigation, and suggested potential financial links between intelligence agencies and the attackers.
In his speech, Abeysekara asserted that the Easter attacks, which resulted in the deaths of over 270 people on 21 April 2019, were part of a deliberate conspiracy rather than an isolated event.
He cited two instances where military intelligence had allegedly provided false leads, severely hampering the investigation.
The first case involved a bomber who died in a suicide attack in Dehiwela. Abeysekara suggested that this individual had ties to military intelligence, which were later deliberately concealed to protect those involved.
The second example related to the 2018 murders in Vavunathivu. Military intelligence falsely attributed the murders to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), even going so far as to plant evidence, including a military jacket, to support this narrative, According to Abeysekara.
It was only after the CID apprehended a suspect on 25 April 2019, in possession of weapons linked to the murders, that the connection to Zaharan Hashim’s group – responsible for the Easter attacks – was uncovered.
Abeysekara went on to reveal that a senior military intelligence officer had testified before the Presidential Commission investigating the attacks, admitting that a Sri Lankan intelligence agency had financially supported the group behind the bombings prior to the events of Easter Sunday.
He stressed the importance of investigating these financial ties, which remain a significant concern.
He further accused the head of military intelligence of insisting, on multiple occasions, that the Vavunathivu murders were the work of the LTTE, raising serious questions about the motivation behind these misleading claims.
Abeysekara also questioned why both the CID and former President Maithripala Sirisena were kept in the dark about key aspects of the investigation.
Criticism was also levelled at the Rajapaksa administration. Abeysekara claimed that soon after Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed the presidency, he was removed from the investigation, even before the appointment of a Prime Minister.
He suggested that this was part of a broader effort to obstruct the inquiry.
Expressing his hopes for the future, Abeysekara voiced confidence that the newly elected government, led by the National People’s Power (NPP), would prioritise a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the Easter attacks.
“That is why I supported the NPP,” he said, emphasising his commitment to transparency and accountability, despite having no previous involvement in politics.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector experienced a notable surge in employment in 2023, with overall employment, including indirect jobs, rising by 11.24% compared to the previous year.
Provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) revealed that the total number of employees in the sector reached 429,641, a reflection of the ongoing recovery and growth within the industry.
Direct employment in the tourism sector also saw significant growth, increasing by 7.3% year-on-year to an all-time high of 204,591 employees. Hotels and restaurants played a crucial role in this expansion, accounting for 80.9% of direct employment, underscoring the vital role of hospitality services in the country’s tourism sector.
Travel agents and tour operators contributed 7.4% to employment figures, while the airline industry made up 4.2%. Tourist guides represented 3.6%, and the public sector employed 1.1% of the workforce in tourism-related activities.
These statistics are based on a comprehensive survey conducted by the SLTDA, covering 6,569 tourism establishments across the country.
The findings highlight the dominance of the hospitality sector in job creation, while other vital segments such as travel agencies, airlines, and tour guides represent smaller portions of the workforce.
The reliance on hospitality reflects the industry’s broader structure, where hotels and restaurants serve as the primary employment hubs.
The report also noted that the annual room occupancy rate in graded accommodation facilities rose to 39% in 2023, an improvement from the 30.4% recorded in 2022.
However, this figure remains below pre-pandemic levels, where room occupancy rates averaged in the mid-70s. At the same time, the number of graded rooms increased slightly to 26,422, compared to 25,597 the previous year, indicating a modest growth in accommodation capacity.
Despite the positive employment figures, there were challenges within the tourism sector. The average length of stay for tourists declined slightly, from nine nights in 2022 to 8.4 nights in 2023.
Additionally, the average daily receipt per tourist remained stagnant at US$164.4, still below the pre-pandemic average of US$181.2 recorded in 2019.
Indirect employment within the tourism sector, driven by ancillary industries such as handicrafts, gems, and jewellery, witnessed a 14.98% increase, reaching 225,050 in 2023. This marks a near recovery to pre-pandemic levels, as indirect employment had reached 229,015 in 2019.
These figures demonstrate the broader economic impact of tourism on related industries and highlight the sector’s ability to drive job creation beyond traditional hospitality services.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): The Eagles’ Golf Links and Courses are set to host the highly anticipated third edition of the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament 2024.
Scheduled to take place from 28 to 29 September 2024, the tournament will be held amidst the picturesque surroundings of China Bay, in close proximity to the historic harbour city of Trincomalee.
Over 60 golfers from across the country will compete for the coveted Eagles’ Monsoon Cup, with participants also vying for the Eagles’ Monsoon Defence Challenge Trophy, which will be awarded to the most outstanding serving player from the Tri-Forces.
The tournament will culminate with the awards ceremony on 29 September 2024, where the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, will graced the event as the Chief Guest. This year’s tournament is proudly sponsored by Huawei.
September 26, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath called upon Saudi Arabia to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s development by investing in critical sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure.
Addressing his first gathering on Tuesday (24) after being appointed as the Foreign Affairs Minister, to commemorate Saudi Arabia’s National Day, Herath emphasised the importance of strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
Herath outlined several strategic investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, particularly highlighting the Dedicated Pharmaceutical Zone in Hambantota, the Fabric Park in Batticaloa, and IT Parks.
He also encouraged Saudi investment in the tourism sector and major infrastructure projects, including the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port.
These areas, according to Herath, represent significant potential for bilateral cooperation and economic growth.
Expressing gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support, particularly at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the minister highlighted the crucial role Saudi Arabia has played in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts.
“Saudi Arabia has consistently extended its hand to Sri Lanka, especially during challenging times,” Herath remarked.
He further acknowledged the significant contributions of the Saudi Fund for Development, which has funded numerous projects in Sri Lanka since 1981, including key developments in water, energy, health, and education sectors.
Notably, Herath praised the Saudi-funded Peradeniya-Badulla-Chenkaladi Road Project, the Wayamba University Township Development Project, and the Left Bank Development Project in Kalu Ganga, among others.
These initiatives, he said, have had a meaningful impact on improving the quality of life for many Sri Lankans, underscoring the depth of cooperation between the two nations.
The minister also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s role in providing employment opportunities to a significant number of Sri Lankan workers.
Presently, around 200,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers are employed in Saudi Arabia, contributing to both economies.
Recently, the two countries signed an Agreement on Skill Verification, aimed at facilitating greater opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers from Sri Lanka to find employment in the Kingdom.
As part of efforts to further boost tourism, Herath announced that Sri Lanka would be offering visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, starting from 1 October 2024.
The visa-free stay will be valid for six months for tourism purposes, providing an additional incentive for Saudi nationals to explore Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
“I warmly invite our Saudi friends to visit Sri Lanka and experience the unique charm of our country, from its ancient history to its stunning landscapes,” Herath concluded, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Saudi Arabia.
