May 14, Colombo (LNW): In response to growing concerns over criminal activities, particularly drug trafficking, linked to temporary residences, law enforcement authorities conducted a nationwide operation spanning two days, gathering data on over 178,600 temporary residents.
Initiated under the directive of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, the operation took place over the weekend of May 11 and 12, targeting individuals residing in rented accommodations outside their permanent police jurisdictions.
Operating in accordance with Section 76 of the Police Ordinance Act, the police aimed to gather and verify information on temporary residents within each Grama Niladhari division.
The operation yielded data on 112,963 individuals from 37,183 families residing in rented houses and on lease, alongside information on 34,133 individuals from 10,755 families residing in rented rooms.
Among the recorded individuals were 31,517 temporary residents, including house watchmen, housemaids, and caregivers.
Each individual’s information will undergo thorough scrutiny, cross-referencing with databases such as the Arrested Monitoring Information System (AMIS), the Automated Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS), and the Police Narcotics Bureau database to ascertain any potential involvement in criminal activities.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) underscored the significance of businesses comprehending the current exchange rate system to facilitate more precise expectations, thereby mitigating the risk of losses stemming from currency exchange fluctuations.
Amidst the recent sharp appreciation of the rupee, Sri Lanka’s businesses, particularly exporters, have advocated for a stable and competitive exchange rate.
Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanism determining the exchange rate.
Businesses, accustomed to long periods of fixed exchange rates, often face losses due to disparities between anticipated and actual exchange rates, he emphasised.
Weerasinghe stressed that businesses can make more accurate judgments by grasping the current exchange rate regime, which aims to moderate volatilities.
He explained that due to underlying macroeconomic issues, fixing the exchange rate as desired by many is not feasible without addressing fiscal and external imbalances, which could lead to a boom-and-bust cycle.
Emphasising the CB’s core objective of maintaining price stability, Dr. Weerasinghe cautioned against relying solely on exchange rate fixing to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association and CEO of Standard Chartered Sri Lanka, anticipated a stronger rupee post the completion of Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring, anticipating inflows.
However, he foresaw a subsequent depreciation of the rupee.
Thewarathanthri acknowledged exporters’ concerns regarding the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s exports in the global market, attributing them to a strengthening rupee and increased input costs.
He expressed optimism for achieving stability but emphasised the need for careful monitoring of developments in this space.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): Farmers cultivating lime in the Anuradhapura District find themselves in a challenging situation due to the lack of a lucrative market for their produce, while urban areas witness a surge in lime prices attributed to the activities of middlemen.
Asela Sampath, representing the National Consumers’ Organisation, addressed the media following an event at the Thalawa Divisional Secretariat, highlighting the exploitation faced by farmers who are compelled to sell their produce at significantly low prices to middlemen.
The wholesale purchase price of lime in the Anuradhapura area stands at Rs. 50.00 per kilo, yet the current market rate has escalated to Rs. 2,000.
This disparity has led farmers to refrain from harvesting their yield to avoid substantial losses, resulting in surplus produce left unattended under trees, according to Sampath.
He added that similar challenges plague other agricultural products.
He advocated for the establishment of mechanisms to preserve lime and other surplus agricultural goods abundant during the harvesting season for sale during off-peak periods.
“Yesterday at the Thambuttegama Economic Centre, mangoes were being wholesaled at Rs. 150 per kilo, yet middlemen acquire them to sell in towns after chemical treatment, fetching prices ranging between Rs. 500 and Rs. 600 per kilo. During the harvesting season, farmers arrive with cartloads of mangoes only to receive Rs. 150 per kilo from middlemen.”
“Watermelon faces a similar fate, with substantial quantities in the Rajarata area discarded in jungles and left for animals to consume. Urgent government intervention is needed to procure these surplus goods for distribution to hospitals, army camps, and schools, thereby supplementing the midday meals of schoolchildren,” he emphasised.
Sampath expressed concern over authorities’ apparent indifference towards the plight of farmers in the face of the ongoing exploitation by middlemen and the absence of a lucrative market for their produce.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (13) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
The meeting revolved around extensive discussions concerning Sri Lanka’s economic recovery strategies, according to a statement.
The President’s Media Division highlighted the appreciation for President Wickremesinghe’s steadfast dedication and commitment to implementing the economic reform programme.
President Wickremesinghe was accompanied by Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake, and US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman assured that the government is prepared to address any legal challenges should estate companies contest the government’s decision to raise wages for estate workers.
Previously, plantation companies asserted an inability to raise workers’ basic salary by even a single rupee.
However, following the government’s announcement of a daily wage of Rs. 1700, Minister Thondaman revealed that companies proposed a Rs. 200 increase in the basic salary for estate workers.
He underscored the companies’ capability to enhance wages for estate workers.
Speaking at a press briefing at the President Media Centre (PMC) on Monday (13), themed ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’, the minister highlighted the acute shortage of drinking water in the Jaffna peninsula, necessitating urgent measures.
Presently, only 11 per cent of the peninsula has access to clean drinking water.
However, with the ongoing construction of a desalination plant, approximately 40 per cent of the Jaffna peninsula will soon have access to drinking water, marking a significant development in addressing water scarcity, he noted.
Amidst a severe economic crisis impacting the nation, estate workers are among the hardest hit.
Enduring prolonged hardships amidst economic turmoil, their main struggle centres on wage issues, Thondaman emphasised.
In response, the government has taken decisive action by officially mandating a daily wage of Rs. 1700 for estate workers under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership, through a gazette notification.
It is now imperative for estate companies to comply with this official directive.
Moreover, the government stands ready to confront any legal challenges from estate companies disputing the wage increase for plantation workers, he asserted.
Previously, plantation companies claimed an inability to raise their workers’ basic salary by even a rupee. However, upon the issuance of a government gazette notification setting the daily wage for plantation workers at Rs. 1700, the same companies promptly increased the basic salary by Rs. 200.
This underscores their capacity to uplift the wages of estate workers, he contended.
“Simultaneously, the government is actively improving the estate community’s quality of life by addressing housing shortages among plantation workers, expanding educational and employment opportunities, and now, by increasing salaries. This concerted effort undeniably benefits our estate community, providing tangible advantages to our people.”
“However, as the election season approaches, certain parties often make numerous promises to our people. Among these commitments, some pledge to transform estate workers into small estate owners. However, they frequently fail to elaborate on the mechanisms behind such proposals,” he remarked.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe conveyed his best wishes to the Sri Lankan Cricket Team as they prepare to participate in the upcoming Twenty-20 World Cup Cricket Tournament, slated to be held in the U.S. and the West Indies from June 1st to June 29th.
During a meeting convened at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (13) afternoon, the President engaged in an affable exchange with the team, led by Wanidu Hasaranga.
He offered words of encouragement and extended congratulations to the players for representing the nation with distinction, reported the Presidential Media Division (PMD).
The Sri Lankan cricket squad, comprising 15 players, is scheduled to depart the island on the morning of the 14th.
Wickremesinghe commended the team for their dedication to achieving success on the international stage.
In addition to the cricket team, President Wickremesinghe had the opportunity to meet with the Sri Lankan Rugby team, who emerged victorious in the Asian Rugby Championship held in Sri Lanka, competing in the first division.
Expressing profound pride in this significant rugby triumph, President Wickremesinghe lauded the team’s exceptional skills and congratulated them on their remarkable achievement.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, Minister of State, Arundika Fernando, and the President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka.
May 14, Colombo (LNW): Due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, showery condition is expected to be continue further, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (14).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most provinces of the island after 1.00 p.m., with heavy showers about 100mm being likely to occur at some places in Southern, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces.
Showers may occur at Western and Southern provinces during the morning as well.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur atseveral places in the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly or variable and wind speed will be (20-30)kmph
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
May 13, Colombo (LNW): The much awaited and long overdue bill to amend the Telecommunications Regulatory Act after 28 years was presented to the Parliament State Minister for Technology, Kanaka Herath said.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the publication of the draft bill for the amended Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory in the Government gazette and present the same in the Parliament for approval.
“The move follows the receipt of Attorney General clearance for the draft bill, which has been carefully prepared in all three languages by the Legal Draftsman,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing.
The decision to amend the Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Act No. 25 of 1991 was initially approved by the Cabinet in their meeting held on 1 January 2024.
He also assured that this piece of legislation has no connection to the previously approved Online Safety Act.
The Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill, containing clauses aimed at penalising persons who spread false information via telephone leading to public disturbance, was introduced to Parliament on Friday.
As per the bill presented to Parliament, by Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha, persons persistently making telephone calls or transmitting messages to cause annoyance or inconvenience without reasonable excuse may face fines up to Rs. 100,000 and disconnection of their telephone connections.
Moreover, those deliberately making calls or sending messages to incite public commotion or disrupt public tranquillity may incur fines up to Rs. 1 million or imprisonment, with continuous offenders facing fines of Rs. 1,500 per day of offence.
Furthermore, persons providing misleading or false information to telecommunication officers may face fines up to Rs. 100,000, with telecommunication apparatus used for false information being forfeited to the State upon magistrate order.
The bill also empowers the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission to oversee submarine cables in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, with assistance from the Sri Lanka Navy, Department of Coast Guard, and Sri Lanka Police.
Additionally, provisions in the bill enable radio service providers to engage in interconnection agreements.
However, concerns have been raised by industry experts on the legislation which is to be amended after 28 years as the Government has not called for any public consultations on the matter.
May 13, Colombo (LNW): Currently, Sri Lanka is the 5th fastest-growing tourism destination in the world and is all set to achieve even greater and more sustained success in 2024 with tourist arrivals expected to reach dizzying heights.
As per data released via www.travelofpath.com, Sri Lanka ranks behind Tunisia, Mexico, Morocco and the Dominican Republic as the 5th fastest growing tourism destination and on the back of such a milestone, more can be expected from the tiny island nation which has had its fair share of ups and downs in recent times.
Crucially, stakeholders within Sri Lanka’s tourism industry are of the opinion that as many as 4 million tourists will visit the country which will have a significant impact on the local economy.
Furthermore, a huge chunk of the credit must be given to the Ministry of Tourism and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for their combined efforts taken to enhance the appeal of Sri Lanka towards the latter half of 2023..
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has demonstrated a remarkable resurgence, raking in over $ 1.25 billion in revenue during the first four months of 2024, marking a staggering 92% surge compared to the same period last year.
This robust performance not only signals a strong recovery but also highlights the industry’s potential for growth and resilience in the face of adversity.
The acceleration in revenue generation during the first four months is particularly noteworthy, considering that achieving such a milestone took the country seven months in the previous year.
April earnings amounted to $ 225.7 million, reflecting 52.3% increase year-on-year (YoY).
Although, on a month-on-month basis, April earnings experienced a 33% decline, indicative of the industry’s seasonal fluctuations, it remains the highest monthly earnings recorded since 2020.
Despite grappling with challenges stemming from the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has not only weathered many storms but emerged stronger. The resilience has instilled fresh confidence in the sector’s ability to bounce back and thrive.
Buoyed by ongoing promotional efforts and a renewed focus on safety and visitor satisfaction, Sri Lanka is poised to reclaim its position as a top tourist destination globally. The surge in arrivals, totalling an impressive 784,651 in the first four months of 2024, underscores this optimistic outlook, representing a significant increase from the previous year.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka Tourism aims to attract 2.3 million visitors and generate over $ 4 billion in income for 2024. As tourism remains a crucial source of foreign exchange earnings for the country, efforts are underway to attract high-end tourists, with plans to increase the average spending per visitor to $ 4,000.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is targeting 2.5 million visitors to spend over $ 500 per day, with a focus on attracting high-spending travelers, who currently constitute a significant portion of tourists visiting the country.
May 13, Colombo (LNW): The US nominee to Sri Lanka Elizabeth K. Horst says she is committed to do more to counter Chinese investments in the country.
Responding to a question posed to her by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Horst said that the US has an alternative and better model to offer Sri Lanka.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee questioned Horst on the possibility of urging Sri Lanka to maintain a moratorium on Chinese research vessels entering Sri Lankan waters.
Horst said that if confirmed she will discuss the moratorium issue but also ensure fair and equal access to ships from the US.
The nominee to be the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that if confirmed she will support members of marginalized populations in Sri Lanka, accountability, truth and reconciliation, and transparency and justice.
“Sri Lanka is a vital partner to the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and it has been for over 76 years. If confirmed, I would focus on three main pillars of the U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship: broadening our economic cooperation, bolstering our security interests, and deepening our ties with Sri Lanka’s diverse and vibrant population,” she said in her opening statement.
Horst said that Sri Lanka’s economy has great potential and strengthening trade relations, encouraging private sector-led growth, and promoting inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship are key aspects of her vision for enhancing economic ties between both countries.
She also said that while healing from the civil war that ended in 2009 and from the political and economic crises of 2022, Sri Lanka continues to make steady progress in the face of remarkable internal and external challenges.
The nominee said that today, as Sri Lanka regains its economic footing and confidence, the US will continue to be a strong partner to support the Sri Lankanpeople.
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee also appreciated the role played by current US Ambassador Julie Chung. Horst said that if confirmed she will look to continue the work of Ambassador Julie Chung.
