1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that while others only talk about corruption, he has introduced numerous legislations to prevent it. Addressing a meeting with the heads of media organisations today, he said that the Proceeds of Crime Act will also be presented to the Cabinet next week. Wickremasinghe further emphasised that he has never protected anyone accused of corruption, according to the President’s Media Division.
2. A group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members led by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara has signed an agreement with SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa to support him in the upcoming Presidential Election. SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa signed the relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
3. The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by former minister Rishad Bathiudeen has decided to announce the candidate it will support in the upcoming presidential election on August 14. The leader of the ACMC, MP Rishad Bathiudeen, stated that this decision was taken during the party’s Supreme Council meeting last night.
4. A Gazette notification has been issued bringing the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms under the purview of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This move comes following the recent resignation of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from his ministerial portfolios to contest the upcoming Presidential election.
5. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that vehicle imports will be gradually allowed from next year. The decision, according to the President, aims to bolster government revenue through customs duties.
6. The recent resolutions passed at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Matara District Committee, including support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming election, have been conveyed to the SLPP. Taking to ‘X’, Minister and SLPP MP Kanchana Wijesekera said the SLPP Matara District Committee’s decisions have been communicated to the Party Leaders.
7. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by Minister of Sports Harin Fernando on the establishment of futsal indoor stadiums on a commercial scale. As the first move, approval has been granted to construct 02 artificial tracks at Torrington and Sugathadasa sports complex in Colombo under a grant provided by the Government of Pakistan.
8. Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said in Parliament that the country cannot move forward if the agreement reached with the IMF is changed even by a letter or a cent. The Minister said this during the adjournment debate in the Parliament yesterday on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report – 2024.
9. The Anunayake of the Malwatte Chapter Ven.Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera said that 18 including people who are not known to anyone in the country, have made the ballot paper unnecessarily long by depositing money for the Presidential Election.
10. Sri Lanka recorded a 110-run win in the final ODI of the three-match series against India on Wednesday (Aug 7) and won the series 2-0. This is Sri Lanka’s first ODI series win against India in over two decades. They had last won an ODI series against India in back in 1997 – an year after winning their maiden ODI World Cup.

August 08, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Uva and Northern provinces.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

August 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will restart a subsidy scheme for senior citizens to keep fixed deposit returns at 10 percent a year, closely studying the financial implications as the requires 40 billion rupees a year to bring the interest rate offered to senior citizens for their savings. Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Market rates are now starting to fall and the government will top up the rate to keep interest yield at 10 percent, he said.

The subsidies are being promised ahead of elections in September.The subsidy would apply to deposits of up to one million rupees for two years, according to a statement.

The budget impact was not known but if the fixed deposit rate fell to 8.5-pct the balance would be topped up by the subsidy, he said.

Sri Lanka started interest subsidies to keep rates at 15 percent but terminated them after rates cuts triggered currency trouble and stabilization required very high rates.

Pension anomalies of 83,000 retirees would also be solved, he said. The cost to the tax payers is not known, an official said.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told parliament recently that the 15 percent interest rate offered to senior citizens has now gone down to 8 or 7 percent or even lower in some places.

.“The government must definitely allocate money it. To make it 15 percent, we have to allocate at least 40 billion rupees a year. We now have to pay for previous years too,” he said.

He revealed that the Sri Lankan Treasury owes Rs. 108 billion to the banking sector for the higher interest rates offered on senior citizen deposits, a scheme that was terminated amidst the economic crisis. 

The scheme, which provided elevated interest rates for deposits taken before 2022, has left the Treasury with a substantial liability.

He explained that reinstating the scheme would require significant annual expenditure, estimating at least Rs. 80 billion, to cover the 15% interest rate promised to senior citizens above the age of 60.

. Additionally, efforts to recover the amount withheld from senior citizens earning less than Rs. 100,000 in interest annually through withholding tax have proven impractical, prompting the government to actively seek alternative solutions for providing these withheld amounts to affected individuals.

August 07, Colombo (LNW): In a significant decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the payments for rooftop solar power plants will remain unchanged. 

According to a circular issued by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager Dr. Narendra Silva, the price of Rs. 37 per unit of solar electricity, established in 2022, will continue to be applicable. 

The circular, dated July 29, adjusts the effective date for Rooftop Solar PV (RTSPV) schemes to October 25, 2022, while keeping the rest of the content intact.

This decision follows concerns raised by the Renewable Energy Protectors’ Association (REPA) about the Government’s decision to reduce tariff rates for new rooftop solar and renewable energy projects starting from July 1, 2024.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced the new tariffs, which are based on a 2022 formula considering the USD rate, interest rates, and other economic factors.

 In a post on X, Minister Wijesekera stated: “The revised rates aim to promote the development of rooftop solar projects and other renewable energy initiatives under 10 MW. This decision follows extensive stakeholder consultations and a detailed report from the tariff committee.”

The revised tariff rates for rooftop solar and other renewable energy feed-in tariffs are as follows:

Revised Rooftop Tariff (20-year flat rate):

Up to 500 kW: Rs. 27.06 per kWh

Over 500 kW: Rs. 23.18 per kWh

Revised Feed-in Tariff (20-year flat rate):

Solar: Rs. 25.48 per kWh

Mini Hydro: Rs. 30.53 per kWh

Wind: Rs. 29.86 per kWh

Biomass: Rs. 52.77 per kWh

Despite these revisions, the fixed tariffs for rooftop solar power plants will remain at Rs. 37 per unit for up to 500 kW, Rs. 34.50 for over 500 kW, and Rs. 34.50 for solar aggregation schemes, as per the CEB. Once the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) is signed, these rates will be fixed for the next 20 years.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the stability in rooftop solar tariffs, believing this consistency will support the energy sector’s revival, bolster investor confidence, and encourage the growth of sustainable energy initiatives. They stress the importance of government support for renewable energy projects to ensure a reliable long-term energy supply necessary for economic development.

August 07, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), in collaboration with the Consultancy Procurement Committee (CPCM) of the Power and Energy Ministry, has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from eligible consultants experienced in providing consultancy services. to boost dam safety, emergency preparedness 

These services aim to implement a comprehensive standard procedure on dam breach analysis, preparation of inundation maps, evacuation plan and early warning systems for CEB reservoirs.

“The initiative aims to strengthen the CEB’s capacity in ensuring the safety and resilience of its critical infrastructure, aligning with best practices in dam safety and emergency management,” a top official said..

He also said the consultancy services will include a wide array of tasks including obtaining detailed geological reports, conducting thorough dam breach analysis, performing risk assessments, developing accurate inundation maps, formulating emergency response plans including evacuation strategies and recommending advanced technological solutions for early warning systems. 

Additionally, he said the consultants will be required to provide detailed cost estimations and Bills of Quantities (BOQs) related to these activities.

Interested consultancy firms are invited to submit their EoIs along with their general experience profiles, details of successfully executed consultancy assignments over the last decade, audited financial statements for the past five years and other relevant supporting documents. 

Further details and updates regarding this call for consultancy services can be accessed through the CEB’s official website at www.ceb.lk under the Tender Section. 

According to him, the application period for obtaining the registration documents is from 1 to 21 August, with a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 10,000.

Prior warning systems too need tightening to ensure that signs of dam failure are quickly communicated to those at risk and evacuation centers identified. 

As the boy scout motto says, we must ‘be prepared.’ Dam Safety cannot be a standalone program. It must be a part of the regional development strategy in all localities.

Apart from the dam managing organizations, other government agencies using the reservoirs for functions such as inland fishing, domestic water supply, tourism etc too have a role to play in dam safety.

Decision making during emergencies must take into account the risks to the public as well as economic, environmental, social, and cultural impacts.

 The technical analysis of risks associated with a dam cannot be the sole decision-making factor. All stakeholders should participate in finalizing emergency preparedness plans. 

Inputs on all aspects are necessary when a warning is issued. Prevention of disaster and mitigation of impact can be achieved only through such collective action.

August 07, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today officially announced its National Organiser, MP Namal Rajapaksa, as the party’s Presidential Candidate. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam made the announcement moments ago at the party’s headquarters in Nelum Mawatha.

August 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Dhammika Perera has informed the party that he will not contest the 2024 Presidential Election as the SLPP candidate due to personal reasons, according to sources. Consequently, the party leadership has decided to name an alternate candidate.

SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa is tipped to be named as the party’s presidential candidate, SLPP sources reveal. The official announcement of the SLPP Presidential Candidate is scheduled for tomorrow morning (07). If Namal Rajapaksa contests, he will be the youngest candidate in this presidential poll.

 The demand for software engineering has surged significantly, doubling over the past three years, while the need for QA automation and DevOps professionals is also on the rise, according to the latest Employability Skills in the IT Industry Survey conducted by SLASSCOM and Deloitte.

Software engineering remains a leading profession; however, software quality assurance (SQA) has notably ascended from fifth to second place, and system/network engineering has fallen out of the top five. 

The survey reveals that the demand for software engineering has grown from 14% in 2021 to 30% in 2024. Conversely, there has been a decline in demand for project management and quality assurance roles, with QA automation no longer ranking among the top professions.

SLASSCOM emphasizes the critical importance of employability skills in the rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly within the IT/software sector. 

Their recent survey aimed to assess the current skills landscape and evaluate the readiness of candidates from Sri Lankan universities and higher educational institutes for the IT industry. 

Conducted in partnership with Deloitte, the survey aimed to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry, fostering collaboration between the industry and the education sector.

The survey included over 37 IT companies and more than 80,000 IT professionals with over 15 years of industry experience. 

This year, the survey exclusively targeted IT/IS companies, with IT product company representation reduced to 19%. Additionally, all surveyed companies in 2024 had over 50 employees, marking a shift from start-up participation.

The Employability Skills Survey had several objectives: to gather detailed data on the current state of employability skills within Sri Lanka’s IT market, to identify key industry trends and challenges, to understand specific skill demands of employers, and to capture IT professionals’ perspectives on their skills and job prospects. 

Key findings from the survey indicate that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are top priorities for organizations, reflecting a high demand for skills in these areas. 

There is growing demand for technologies such as process automation, big data platforms, and machine learning, with frameworks and libraries like Automation Anywhere, React, .NET (5+), and Spring Framework gaining importance.

In terms of skill supply and graduate hiring, the 2024 survey shows an increase in graduate hires, though companies face challenges in filling these positions due to a limited talent pool and mismatched salary expectations. 

There is a clear preference for practical and applied skills over theoretical knowledge, with teamwork becoming essential to meet industry demands. Additionally, 41% of companies are investing between Rs. 100,000 and 250,000 per graduate hire, reflecting a strong commitment to developing new talent. 

The survey also highlights trends in tools and technologies, such as the prominence of cloud platforms, frameworks, and AI development tools, while noting that software engineering, AI, data science, and machine learning remain distinct tracks.

The survey underscores the increasing importance of soft skills, such as communication, public speaking, and collaboration, especially given the decline in these skills due to the reliance on online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Based on the survey’s findings, SLASSCOM aims to improve IT education, develop talent, address skills gaps, and enhance the industry’s growth and competitiveness in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry commended the decision to suspend the e-Visa portal run by VFS Global, but urged the reinstatement of the old online system at the earliest to minimise inconvenience for tourists.

“We are pleased about the re-establishment of the “simple and user-friendly” Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA),” they said, while stressing the need for authorities to treat the system transition as top priority. 

Industry stakeholders acknowledged that tourists may face some issues in getting their visas sorted during this period. However, they assure that all possible measures are being rolled out to make the visa process as easy as possible.

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said that they have told overseas tour operator partners and potential visitors that, in the absence of a functioning online visa platform, visas on arrival are available at the airport.

“If you have not obtained an online visa for your travel in the next few days, you can still travel and avail yourself of a ‘Visa on Arrival’ at the same eVisa fee of US$ 50 at the Immigration counters in the arrivals hall,” the associations told tour operators in a joint communique.

The electronic visa system has undergone intense scrutiny due to allegations of procedural violations, corruption, and breaches of public trust during the contracting process. The Supreme Court’s suspension of the Cabinet’s decision aims to address these concerns and restore transparency.

The suspension of the e-Visa system will remain in place until the court rules on the petition.The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka also ordered the reinstatement of the previously used ETA portal, which was operated by Mobitel, a Sri Lankan telecommunications company.

In a circular, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) announced that the ETA system is expected to be operational “within the course of next week” and is “pleased about the reestablishment of the simple and userfriendly ETA system and will keep it’s members posted on any further updates on the progress of the reestablishment of the ETA system”.

Viyani Gunathilaka, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, confirmed today that discussions are ongoing with officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration to swiftly resolve this situation.

As many Sri Lankan diplomatic missions around the world are now making clear, including Sri Lankan embassies in the UK, Germany and Japan, tourists who do not have an approved e-Visa can apply for a visa on arrival in the country.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria cannot obtain a visa upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Applicants from these countries must submit their applications to the headquarters of the Department of Immigration through a representative.

The eVisa portal https://www.srilankgevisa.lk was suspended on Friday at 17:00 Sri Lanka time. All eVisa applications made after this time will receive a refund, and applicants need to share their application number and details to [email protected].

Currently, there is no platform for issuing eVisas online for tourists coming to Sri Lanka. All tourists without a visa will need to apply for a visa on arrival until the former ETA system is reestablished. 

There is no specific date for the ETA system’s return, but it is expected to be operational within the week.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) -funded project has been launched to support Sri Lanka in monitoring and tracking progress of climate commitments

This initiative sets the stage, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s dedication to transparency and accountability while providing an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen climate targets, as Sri Lanka moves towards climate-resilient, net zero development pathways in the country. 

2024 marks a critical year for climate transparency as Parties to the Paris Agreement are required to submit their first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR 1) by 31 December 2024 under the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement

Enhancing Transparency and Reporting on Climate Commitments in Line with the Paris Agreement2024 is a pivotal year for climate transparency.

As signatories of the Paris Agreement must submit their first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR 1) by December 31, 2024, under the Enhanced Transparency Framework. Sri Lanka, as a signatory, is required to submit its BTR to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is funding the project titled ‘Development of the First Biennial Transparency Report, the Second Biennial Transparency Report, and the Fourth National Communication of Sri Lanka to UNFCCC.’ 

This project, to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, aims to assist the government in preparing these reports.

To inaugurate the project, a signing ceremony for the Project Document took place today. Attendees included Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, and Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, along with other representatives from the Ministry and UNDP.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi emphasized, “Submitting the BTRs and national communications is crucial not only to demonstrate our commitment to the Paris Agreement targets but also to highlight our progress and strengthen our climate change efforts. This reflects our dedication to enhanced transparency, accountability, and global cooperation to address this urgent challenge.”

Ms. Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, highlighted UNDP’s role by stating, “Having supported Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) previously, we are pleased to assist the government in translating their climate actions towards achieving net zero and SDG13.

 As Sri Lanka prepares to update its third iteration of NDCs, this process will be key in identifying gaps and increasing the country’s climate ambition.”

This project underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to transparency and accountability, providing an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen climate targets as the country moves towards climate-resilient, net-zero development pathways.