May 25, Colombo (LNW): A special gazette has been issued mandating that all banks, financial institutions, and various government institutions must regularly inform the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of their transactions starting from July 1.
According to Extraordinary Gazette Notice 2376/25 dated March 21, 2024, the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policy has directed that regular information be provided to the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue (CGIR).
The gazette notification specifies that the Registrar General’s Department, the Department of the Registrar of Companies, the Motor Traffic Department, and officials from any government agency responsible for awarding contracts for goods, services, or consultancy and non-consultancy services must provide information to the IRD.
In the future, this information should be submitted to the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue through a web-based platform or another electronic platform approved by the CGIR. Further details regarding the submission process will be announced later. The gazette also requires banks and non-bank financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, any financial institution, and the chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange to comply with this reporting requirement.
For more information, contact the Inland Revenue Department’s call center at 1944.
May 25, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that Jaffna Hospital will soon be upgraded to a national hospital, enhancing healthcare standards in the Northern Province. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the upgrade of Karapitiya Hospital to national status.
These announcements were made during the inauguration of the Clinical Training and Research Block at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, on May 24th.
University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga highlighted the need to modernize technology in all science-based faculties in Sri Lanka, including engineering, medical, science, and agriculture faculties. He stressed that outdated technology hampers progress, noting that Sri Lankan students abroad excel due to their knowledge, not the technology they use.
In response, President Wickremesinghe instructed the Science and Technology Ministry and the Education Ministry to draft a proposal for modernizing technology in these faculties.
Significant investments have been made in the region, including Rs. 942 million for the new Clinical Training and Research Department building at Jaffna University. This facility, the first of its kind in 46 years, will accommodate 1,200 students and foster international research collaborations. It includes multiple lecture halls, clinical skills laboratories, an auditorium, and essential medical facilities like operating theatres and recovery rooms.
The new building also houses patient waiting rooms, consultation rooms, and specialized units for endoscopy, vascular surgery, and mammography, along with research laboratories and a forensic investigation unit.
President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of a strong healthcare system in Jaffna, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country. He also highlighted the broader developmental needs of the region, including renewable energy, agriculture, and industrial zoning initiatives.
Efforts are underway to establish the first investment zone in Kankasanthurai, followed by industrial parks in Paranthan and Mankulam, with collaborative efforts with India to develop Trincomalee. Tourism prospects in the North are also being explored.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to reconciliation efforts, addressing concerns about missing persons, and establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). He emphasized the importance of judicial authority in the TRC, with relevant ministers tasked with drafting legislation for parliamentary review.
The inauguration ceremony featured captivating dance performances by students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Jaffna. Various dignitaries, including Minister Douglas Devananda, MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan, and Northern Province Governor P.S.M. Charles, praised the President’s commitment to the development of the Northern Province.
May 25, Colombo (LNW):Due to the South West Monsoon condition, the prevailing showery and windy conditions are expected to continue.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, and Southern provinces.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Nuwara-Eliya district. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Galle, and Matara districts.
Several spells of showers will occur in Northern and North-central provinces.
Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Western, Southern, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee district. Fairly strong winds about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island.
Some people in the committees assigned high responsibilities related to sports want to maintain the power delegated by the minister, engaging in omnipotent behavior as representatives to ensure the entire sports administration operates according to their orders. We have seen the results of this in recent days. It was during the period of minister Roshan.
The advisory force that went to make the minister all-powerful and was behind it made Roshan Ranasinghe a minister and the banning of three of Sri Lanka’s most important sports due to political influence became the final result.
From a more practical perspective, Harin Fernando, who has been appointed as a minister, carefully hides his ministerial appearance and is prepared to protect the independence of the sports administrations and deal with them with more restraint and discipline when any problems arise. At a time when it is trying to focus on collective investigations instead of individual decision-making power, to put its power under the Director General of Sports, and to make the administration of sports associations more independent, the National Olympic Committee is revising the procedures that have been carried out until now and making them legal. Dr.Maiya Gunasekara, Chairman of the National Sports Council, has sent a letter to the National Olympic Committee saying that it is not.
It is trying to emphasize that the minister is the competent authority in sports, and therefore, as a representative of the minister, he should have the final decision regarding the selections. Dr.Maiya Gunasekara was a person who held more than one responsibility under Roshan Ranasinghe, who was serious about this. His expectation is to implement that pattern now under Harin Fernando.
At one point, when Minister Roshan Ranasinghe brought the Stabilization Committee of Dr.Maiya, who is close to rugby, to lose the representation of the Asian Games to the Sri Lankan rugby team, he failed to get the Asian President who was together with the Minister of Sports to agree to it. As a rugby fan, Dr.Maiya was also interested in rugby and tried to pave the way for the Asian representation, but it should be remembered that the schedule of matches was even set without Sri Lanka at the request of the Asia President. But in the end, Dr.Maiya must have remembered how he dealt with the request of the Sri Lanka Olympic Committee, saying that the authority of the Asian Games is the Asian Olympic Committee.
At present Olympic President Suresh Subramaniam has written a letter to Maiya Gunasekar asking him not to create non- existent issues. He points out that Dr.Maiya Gunasekara is trying to violate the Olympic Charter. Also, taking an example of the organization of boxing events in the Paris Olympics, it has been stated that it has been decided to be managed by the International Olympic Committee instead of being assigned to the International Boxing Association.
The most important thing is that both Dr.Maiya Gunasekara and Suresh Subramaniam are working together in the high committees appointed by the Minister related to sports. In such a situation, before writing letters to the National Olympic Committee, it is possible to discuss certain situations at one table. But addressing the National Olympic Committee using its letterhead as the chairman of the National Sports Council is a demonstration of the need to show that he has some authority. We are reminded again and again that three sports were banned in the country rather than Roshan Ranasinghe, who went to show the power of the Minister of Sports Act and worked as a consultant to Dr.Maiya Gunasekara, losing his position as the Minister of Sports. If it is understood that within that system, the identity of a country’s sports association with the shape of the international organization of that sport cannot be changed by the sports law, Dr.Maiya Gunasekara will have the ability to face this moment as an intelligent scholar.
Reversing should also be used to accurately track the movement of vehicles. If not, you may have to go ahead and face the dangers. Therefore, if there is a mistake, it is a weakness to create conflicts without correcting it. Dr. Mahia Gunasekara is an expert in surgery. As a surgeon, it is no secret that he performs separations and additions through surgery. Now the sport needs a plan to preserve the independence of those associations. So not important removals in the game. Transplantation. Dr.Maiya Gunasekara has been in the control of a sport related to sports administration for a long time with the appointment of a minister. Because of the way Dr.Maiya Gunasekerata was often involved in sports administration in the form of some kind of position in an interim committee or as a responsibility for the appointment of a minister as he is at the moment, in the midst of many problems, even when the minister is giving up the power of the Sports Act, does the doctor feel that someone should not be in the sport more than the minister who appointed him? Does he think that as appointed representatives, he should be omnipotent and act on behalf of the minister, putting the minister first rather than the international statutes related to sports administration? Avoid wrong operations in the game. We strongly request Dr.Maiya Gunasekara.
We insist that the most important thing at the moment is not to work as two officials working together to entangle the international and Sri Lankan politics and pave the way for international censorship so that Sri Lanka cannot even carry the national flag. Earlier we also predicted the fate of cricket, rugby and football. But even the minister who was there at that time, people like Dr.Maiya, who helped the sports administration with his appointments, ignored it.
This is a similar moment. At a time when there is an opportunity to sit in the same meeting, if Dr.Maiya Gunasekara brings his language to the fore without creating the necessary background to make the International Olympic Committee flexible and sensitized, maybe the lion of the city of Paris would not have risen to the top. Dr.Maiya, as a top-level professional, cannot be expected to behave with an idea like “it doesn’t matter here, we have to do what the minister says” regarding the statutes of the International Olympic Committee, which has a strong system to censor the burning country like Russia in the same way.
May 24, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia facilitated the repatriation of 1,608 Sri Lankan illegal migrants from March to April 2024. This operation, coordinated with the Malaysian Government’s Migrant Repatriation Programme, occurred over a two-month period from March 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024.
Prior to this programme, the High Commission assisted in repatriating 124 illegal migrants stranded in Malaysia from January 1 to February 28, 2024. This brings the total number of repatriated individuals to 1,732 for the year.
The Malaysian Government’s Migrant Repatriation Programme aims to help illegal immigrants voluntarily return to their home countries by offering legal exemptions and financial relief. During the repatriation period, the High Commission processed applications, provided necessary travel documents, and coordinated with Malaysian authorities to ensure a smooth return for all participants. Special attention was given to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, individuals needing medical assistance, and children under twelve.
May 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Tourism made headlines at the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which was held from 6th May to 9th May 2024 in Dubai, UAE.
The travel fair was held at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) in line with the theme of empowering innovation – transforming travel through entrepreneurship.
This was the largest tourism event in the Middle East which provided global exposure, business & travel opportunities for the tourism sector.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has been participating at this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and this year SLTPB has a vibrant and elegant stand with more than 60 participants from the travel and tourism industry.
A press conference was organized by SLTPB on the 2nd day of the Travel show which was 7th May 2024 with the presence of large number of international journalists and TV channels.
Speaking at the press conference, the Minister of Tourism,. Harin Fernando, highlighted country’s vision on the idea of the new logo and the unforgettable experience which travelers could get from Sri Lanka.
Chairman SLTPB, Chalaka Gajabahu highlighted the importance UAE tourists to boost the total tourist arrivals to the country and invited all participants to experience the country offering the best holiday choices for an interested traveler.
SLTPB & Emirates renewed its commitment in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that includes of indicatives designed to promote and play a major role in reviving the tourism and trade sectors in the country.
Chalaka Gajabahu-Chairman of SLTPB signed the MOU from Sri Lanka Tourism while Ahmed Khoory Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia & Indian Ocean, signed from Emirates.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs- Harin Fernando
ATM concluded successfully creating excellent platform to Sri Lanka Tourism to showcase its tourism offering and created new partnership with travel professionals and business stakeholders in the Middle East region
May 24, Colombo (LNW): Immigration and Emigration Department is facing a shortage of Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) officers, worsening the timely issuance of passports. Informed sources said. .
10-12 more SLAS officers are needed to expedite the processing of passport applications at the department as there was a significant backlog to issue passports, with thousands of applicants yet to receive their passports
Passport applicants who have used the online application process and submitted their fingerprints at the relevant local district offices had to wait for long periods about delays in the delivery of their passports. There are also reports of delays in handing in and processing ‘one-day service’ applications for passports.
Thousands of Sri Lankans are compelled to wait for long periods to receive new passports as the Immigration and Emigration Department works through a backlog of applications amid high demand for international travel.
The online passport application processing system operates in snail pace as a result of data entry delay in the system and the lack of top level SLAS officers at the department to handle authoritative functions, official sources said. .
This fully computerised system launched last year has now become cumbersome for applicants as they had to visit relevant Assistant Government agents offices located far away from their homes to place their finger prints, several applicants complained.
Even after submitting fingerprints to the department’s head office, it will take one to 3 months or more to issue passports, they said.
Some of them noted that they are still to receive passports after downloading all documents to the department’s online system and making payments three months ago.
A disgruntled applicant who applied for an urgent service said that she received the date of submitting fingerprints one month after paying Rs. 15000 for this service. She said that she had to pay additional Rs.400 as expedient fee.
Another applicant who applied for a normal service is yet to receive the new passport after more than three months following his payment of Rs. 5000 for normal service
These applicants expressed their concern on the operation of an online system which was introduced for the benefit of the people with a view of providing speedy and efficient service.
It has become an always break down service compelling the people to visit Immigration and Emigration Department in Battaramulla to hand over documents for manual service, they said.
One applicant who applied for an urgent passport service received the passport via courier after 14 days from the day of submitting fingerprints even though he paid Rs. 15,000 for the urgent service.
May 24, Colombo (LNW):In response to the delays in several high-profile urban development projects like Colombo Hyatt Hotel, State Minister for Urban Development and Housing, Arundika Fernando said If an appropriate investor does not emerge, the government is prepared to proceed with completion with the assistance of the armed forces, with financing from the treasury.
He noted that valuable government land had been allocated for ventures such as the Colombo Hyatt Hotel, Krrish, and Destiny projects; however, investors have abandoned these projects, leaving them incomplete.
“The Colombo Hyatt Hotel project has particularly strained public resources, with USD 60 million in public funds already invested and an outstanding debt of USD 35 million. This project occupies a significant plot of land in Colombo,” he pointed out.
As such, Minister Fernando emphasized that if new investors do not step forward, the government is ready to take over the completion of these projects.
Sri Lanka is ready to be flexible on the construction cost of the Grand Hyatt building if an investor is ready to complete the building, start operations, and repay a $35 million loan, State Minister for Urban Development and Housing Arundhika Fernando said.
Hyatt building was constructed by then president Mahinda Rajapaksa government with $60 million public money funded by state owned Sri Lanka Insurance, Employees Provident Fund, and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd.
Later it also borrowed $35 million for the construction, Fernando said, amid the construction cost alone doubled in the face of sharp depreciation of the currency and the building with the government failing to find an investor to complete the 48-floor building and start business.
“We are flexible on the $60 million,” Fernando said referring to the public money spent on the project.
“We are ready to give this to an investor who is ready to complete the construction, start the marketing and operations, and repay the $35 million loan.”“Thera are some issues and we are addressing the issues and trying to find an investor.”
Grand Hyatt is located near the new United States Embassy and in front of Cinnamon Grand, a high-end five-star hotel in the heart of Colombo.
The construction process was suspended when former president Maithripala Sirisena was elected as the country’s leader in 2015 with an investigation into financial misappropriation.
However, the building is yet to be completed and Fernando last year estimated the project needed further $90 million for the completion and start operation.
However, no investor has come forward so far amid the island nation facing an unprecedented economic crisis
May 24, Colombo (LNW):The divestiture of national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines has turned to a triangular competition following the extension of prequalification deadline for four times under the present difficult circumstance of attracting a broader range of potential investors, Aviation Ministry announced.
Sherisha/Supreme Global Consortium, Air Asia Consulting and Hayleys PLC are poised to battle it out for the acquisition of Sri Lankan Airlines and its subsidiaries catering and ground handling services.
Accordingly at the request for qualification stage those three potential acquirers have been shortlisted from the initial six bidders.
The selection of prequalified bidders and opening of the data room had been completed, with the issuance of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Proposed Transaction and draft conclusive agreements scheduled shortly, Finance Ministry sources revealed.
Sherisha/Supreme Global Consortium is a powerful alliance between Supreme Global Holdings and Sherisha Technologies Private limited, with substantial backing from MBS Investments, the investment arm of the Private Office of Sheikh Nayef Bin Eid Al Thani of Qatar
It has recently entered into a partnership with MMAG Holdings Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary MMAG Aviation Consortium Sdn Bhd (MAC), to collaborate on the aviation sector in Sri Lanka.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, MMAG said the collaboration would see its aviation arm, a specialist in the air cargo segment, supporting Supreme Global in the acquisition of SriLankan Airlines.
Supreme Global Holdings, led by R.M. Manivannan, is known for its substantial contributions to Sri Lanka’s economic stability, including extending of credit during the recent energy crisis.
The consortium’s strategic and financial potential is aimed at redefining the future trajectory of Sri Lankan Airlines, enhancing its international competitiveness
The agreement between MMAG and Supreme notes that MMAG Aviation will “provide freighter aircraft and operational support to establish a cargo feeder network for Sri Lankan Airlines following its acquisition by Supreme Global and its partner
Air Asia Consulting us in the fray with a well-established name in aviation consulting, known for its expertise in airline operations, strategic planning, and turnaround strategies.
Their involvement suggests a focus on operational efficiencies and expansion into new markets, promising a fresh perspective on the management and growth of Sri Lankan Airlines.
Hayleys PLC is one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates, with interests spanning from agriculture to transportation and logistics. Their inclusion in the shortlist brings a deep understanding of the local business landscape potentially enhancing the operational logistics and domestic connectivity of the airline.
The engagement with these shortlisted entities will be aimed at accelerating the privatization process, ensuring that the future of SriLankan Airlines aligns with strategic, financial, and operational enhancements. This initiative is part of a broader effort to stabilize and grow one of Sri Lanka’s most vital economic assets.
May 24, Colombo (LNW): The South West Monsoon continues to bring prevailing showery and windy conditions across Sri Lanka. The forecast indicates that these conditions will persist.
Showers or Thundershowers:
At times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, Southern, and Northern provinces.
Very heavy showers of about 150 mm are expected in some areas of the Sabaragamuwa province and Nuwara-Eliya district.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely in parts of the Western and North-Western provinces and in Kandy, Mannar, Galle, and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers are anticipated at several locations elsewhere on the island.
Wind Conditions:
Strong winds of about 50-60 km/h are expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-Central, Western, Southern, and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Trincomalee district.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 km/h can be expected at times in other parts of the island.
Residents in affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impacts of heavy rainfall and strong winds, including the risk of floods and landslides.
