October 23, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Governors to prepare and submit a new proposal aimed at rationalizing the Provincial Council (PC) mechanism. He emphasized the need for the Provincial Councils to deliver improved public services, particularly during the government’s transitional period.

During a meeting with the Governors at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (22), President Dissanayake stressed the importance of engaging in economic and social initiatives to uplift the living standards of the people. He also called for the establishment of a new political culture, urging the Governors to uphold public trust through effective action.

The President reminded the Governors to avoid the misuse of state assets and ensure a commitment to providing quality public services. He also addressed the vacancies in the health and education sectors within the Provincial Councils and discussed possible solutions.

Key discussions during the meeting included land issues in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, financial matters, and the allocation of land to farmers in Kantale. Governors in attendance included Nagalingam Vedanayagam (Northern Province), Champa Janaki Rajaratne (Sabaragamuwa Province), Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera (Eastern Province), Kapila Jayasekera (Uva Province), Bandula Harischandra (Southern Province), Prof. Sarath Abeykoon (Central Province), and Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri (North Central Province).

October 23, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the declaration of the Colombo Port’s Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) as a “special project.” This decision follows a proposal put forth by Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Vijitha Herath.

At the February 1, 2021 cabinet meeting, approval had already been given to develop the ECT under the full ownership of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) as part of the Colombo South Development Project, in stages.

Minister Herath announced that the contract for civil works has been awarded, and construction is currently underway. He also noted that the procurement process for cranes has been completed and contracts awarded.

Additionally, the minister emphasized that tax concessions have been provided to private terminal operators and service providers under the Strategic Development Act and the Board of Investment Law. These updates were shared during a cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday.

October 23, Colombo (LNW): IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva expressed optimism yesterday over Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to reforms aimed at safeguarding the hard-won progress made under the IMF-supported program.

Speaking after a meeting with Sri Lankan officials in Washington, Georgieva highlighted the importance of maintaining the momentum for reform.

“I had a comprehensive discussion with Sri Lanka’s delegation. I’m encouraged by the authorities’ commitment to continue their reform efforts to safeguard the hard-won gains under the IMF-supported program,” she said.

Georgieva emphasized that the IMF remains dedicated to supporting Sri Lanka in building a brighter future for its citizens.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has imposed travel restrictions on its personnel in Arugam Bay, located in Eastern Sri Lanka, following a credible threat of an attack targeting tourist areas.

In light of this, U.S. citizens have been strongly advised to avoid traveling to the region until further notice.

The Embassy has urged individuals to take precautionary safety measures, including reporting any suspicious activities to local authorities by dialing 119, maintaining heightened vigilance, and trusting their instincts.

Citizens are also advised to keep communication devices easily accessible and stay updated by monitoring local news.

Sri Lankan law enforcement has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the threat.

October 23, Colombo (LNW): The South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum, part of the Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF), is gearing up to explore the theme “Knowledge & Innovation Hub – Gateway to South Asia.” 

This year, the forum will spotlight the region’s potential to become a global leader in apparel through innovation-driven solutions. The discussions will emphasize ways to strengthen South Asia’s textile value chain, focusing on regional synergy, design thinking, and cutting-edge technology to ensure sustainability and speed, especially in a post-pandemic world.

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry, known for its resilience, will be presented as a model for adaptive practices, demonstrating how the country integrates sustainability, regional collaboration, and advanced technologies. The overarching vision of the forum is clear: to fuel South Asia’s growth and position Sri Lanka as a key knowledge and innovation hub, offering strategic pathways for global partnerships.

Industry Experts Lead the Charge

The forum will feature a series of deep dives into the global apparel landscape, led by prominent industry figures. Malik Ahamadeen, Chief Growth Officer at MAS Holdings, will chair the event, leveraging his extensive experience in creating new opportunities in the fashion sector. Ahamadeen will guide the forum’s dynamic discussions, ensuring a forward-thinking approach.

Regular contributors, Martin Raymond and Chris Sanderson, co-founders of The Future Laboratory, will present A World in Flux. They will explore how Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political (STEEP) factors are shifting consumer mindsets and reshaping the apparel industry. Their insights will help companies stay ahead of global trends and position themselves for success.

Ben Cavender, Managing Director of China Market Research Group, will provide insights into China’s apparel industry transformation post-pandemic in his presentation Reshaping the Apparel Landscape Post-Pandemic – The China Perspective. Cavender will highlight how Chinese brands have harnessed innovation and local creativity, offering valuable lessons for global brands.

Hasitha Premaratne, Managing Director of Brandix Lanka Ltd., will present Sri Lanka Apparel – Story of Resilience and Grit. 

Premaratne will showcase how Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has navigated numerous challenges to remain a leader in sustainability and ethics. 

His presentation will inspire participants to embrace innovation and resilience in the face of adversity.

Design Thinking and Innovation

The forum will also feature an interactive panel discussion on embedding innovation and design thinking into apparel businesses. 

The panel will include design experts such as V. Sunil, co-founder of Motherland Joint Ventures, Aimee Kyffin, a UK-based user experience designer, Sarah Tranum from OCAD University in Canada, and Noud Sleumer, an artist and designer from the Netherlands. 

These experts will share practical insights into fostering a design-led culture that transforms organizations and boosts competitiveness.

Participants will learn how to integrate innovative practices and design thinking to create sustainable solutions that address current challenges in the apparel industry. The session promises to be a dynamic exchange of ideas, equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving market.

Future Prospects for South Asia’s Apparel Industry

The forum will conclude with a panel discussion focused on unlocking regional synergies to solidify South Asia’s position as a global apparel powerhouse.

 Industry leaders such as Omega Line Managing Director Felix Fernando and Brandix Apparel Ltd. Executive Director Rajiv Malalasekara will discuss how Sri Lanka’s ethical production capabilities can align with India’s retail market strengths. 

These discussions will further emphasize Sri Lanka’s potential as a knowledge and innovation hub, setting the stage for South Asia to emerge as a leader in the global apparel and fashion industries.

October 23, Colombo (LNW): The Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has ordered the suspension of development projects supervised by the District Coordination Committees, which are managed under the oversight of Provincial Governors, citing a violation of election laws. 

The Commission’s decision comes as the Provincial Governors are political appointees, and their involvement in these projects during the election period could influence voters, thereby breaching election protocols.

The controversy began after the President’s Secretary N.S. Kumanayake issued a directive to the Public Administration Ministry, asking it to instruct District Secretaries to resume activities of the District Coordination Committees. 

These Committees had become inactive following the dissolution of Parliament. The Secretary’s letter emphasised the need to complete the stalled development projects, many of which were funded through the decentralised budget allocated to MPs under the 2024 budget.

The District Coordination Committees are responsible for overseeing development projects at the district level, monitoring their progress, and ensuring timely completion. However, due to the political nature of the Provincial Governors’ appointments, the ECSL has now deemed their involvement in these projects inappropriate during the election period. 

As a result, plans to hold District Coordination Committee meetings next week in the five Northern Province districts – Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Vavuniya – have been suspended following the Commission’s intervention. The ECSL communicated its objections to District Secretaries verbally, advising that these projects could only resume after the completion of the Parliamentary elections.

ECSL Chairperson R.M.A.L. Ratnayake has confirmed that the matter will be further discussed during a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 23 October, where the Commission will assess the broader implications of the President’s Secretary’s move.

South Asian Apparel Leadership Forum at SLDF presents Gateway to Growth: Shaping of a Knowledge and Innovation Hub

October 23, Colombo (LNW): The Home Lands Group of Companies is set to make a historic milestone by becoming the first Sri Lankan real estate developer to host a Property Investment Forum in Australia.

 This event aims to capture the interest of both Sri Lankan expatriates and local Australian investors by showcasing a range of residential investment options in Sri Lanka. 

The forum is scheduled to take place at Springvale City Hall in Melbourne on October 25, targeting high-end investors.

The forum will be an invite-only event, expecting over 450 prominent investors. The Home Lands Group plans to highlight a variety of real estate investment opportunities, not only appealing to the Sri Lankan community in Australia but also to Australian investors unfamiliar with Sri Lankan properties. 

This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between the two regions and promote Sri Lanka’s growing real estate market on an international platform.

The investment portfolio presented will cater to both short-term and long-term investors, offering a broad spectrum of real estate options. These include beachfront resort properties, which are aligned with Sri Lanka’s rising tourism industry, and urban real estate investments in key city centers (CBD). 

The portfolio also highlights retirement villa options that offer cost-effective yet luxurious lifestyles, time-sharing opportunities, and premium golf compounds for leisure and sporting enthusiasts.

Nalin Herath, Chairman of the Home Lands Group, expressed his pride in being the first Sri Lankan company to venture globally in the real estate sector on such a scale. He emphasized that this forum is a response to the high demand for the company’s investment portfolio, which has seen significant growth in the past year. 

Herath added, “We are excited to showcase Sri Lanka’s real estate investment potential to the world and proud to be recognized as the country’s first multinational real estate company.”

In addition to showcasing investment opportunities, the event promises a vibrant social component. The evening will kick off with cocktails and networking sessions, featuring entertainment by the popular Sri Lankan band Marians and a comedy act by Blok and Dino. 

The night will culminate in a gala dinner, with SriLankan Airlines serving as the airline partner and ANZ Bank providing financial backing.

Earlier this year, the Home Lands Group took a significant step by expanding into the Australian market, establishing Home Lands (Melbourne). With a permanent office in Blackburn, Melbourne, the company offers a full range of real estate services. Specializing in both land and apartment sales, the Melbourne branch is dedicated to meeting the diverse real estate needs of customers across Australia.

Through this event and its recent expansion, the Home Lands Group is set to attract a new wave of international interest in Sri Lankan real estate. The combination of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, growing tourism, and the innovative real estate offerings from Home Lands Group positions it as an appealing choice for global investors looking for diverse and profitable opportunities.

October 23, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has reported a significant rise in postal voting applications for the upcoming General Election compared to the previous Presidential Election. According to the Commission’s Chairman, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, an additional 25,731 postal voting applications have been received for this election.

The total number of applications submitted stands at 738,050. However, 21,160 of these applications have been rejected.

The Commission announced that the printed postal ballot papers are set to be handed over to district returning officers today, as preparations for the election continue.