May 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a notable decline in press freedom, plummeting fifteen spots to 150th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, an annual report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Last year, the country held the 135th position out of 180 nations, indicating a concerning trend.

Comparatively, Pakistan ranks 152nd while India stands at 159th this year, underlining a broader challenge faced across the region.

The index evaluates countries based on the ability of journalists to operate freely and independently, shedding light on the state of media freedom worldwide.

Reporters Without Borders’ assessment of Sri Lanka highlights lingering issues stemming from the civil war that plagued the nation until 2009, coupled with unresolved cases of violence against journalists during the conflict. The report notes a media landscape lacking diversity and heavily influenced by prominent political factions, perpetuating risks for journalists in the country.

Despite legal provisions ostensibly safeguarding freedom of expression, the report underscores the absence of concrete protections for journalists. Furthermore, recent legislation granting the president the authority to appoint members to the Online Safety Commission has raised concerns. The commission, operating under the pretext of national security, possesses the power to censor dissenting voices on social media and breach source confidentiality.

Safety remains a paramount concern, with numerous journalists having fallen victim to violence or disappearance in past decades. While no journalist has been killed since 2015, past atrocities remain unresolved, perpetuating a climate of impunity.

The report highlights a troubling surge in attacks on journalists, particularly those based in regions with historical Tamil presence, where surveillance and harassment by authorities persist. Independent media outlets are often marginalized, exacerbating challenges faced by journalists operating in these areas.

Globally, the Asia-Pacific region emerges as one of the most perilous for journalists, with Myanmar, China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan among the top ten most dangerous countries for media personnel.

In contrast, Europe showcases relatively robust press freedom, with countries within the European Union leading the pack. Notably, Ireland’s drop in the rankings underscores challenges facing media freedom within the EU, while Germany ascends to the top ten countries.

The overall decline in political indicators has impacted the top performers, with Norway maintaining its position at the summit despite a dip in its political score. Conversely, Ireland’s descent in the EU rankings underscores mounting pressures faced by media outlets.

The report serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of upholding press freedom globally, urging concerted efforts to safeguard the fundamental right to freedom of expression and the vital role of journalists in fostering democratic societies.

May 04, Colombo (LNW):  The Four A’s Advertising Festival, powered by Unilever Sri Lanka and globally connected by SriLankan Airlines, is gearing up to be a transformative event for the advertising and creative industry this May.

With Unilever Sri Lanka as its driving force and the global mileage facilitated by SriLankan Airlines, the festival promises to be a remarkable milestone for Sri Lanka, making this event highly anticipated and significant for the local advertising and creative community, as it has been a while since an international-scale learning festival of this magnitude was held in the country.

The Four A’s Advertising Festival happening at Taj Samudra Colombo on 30 to 31 May, along with its accompanying awards, adds to the anticipation and importance of this event, given that the recognition of creative excellence within the Sri Lankan advertising community has come about after some time.

The two-day learning festival is designed to serve as a source of new ideas, innovation, and inspiration. 

Through engaging learning sessions, workshops and panel discussions, participants will have the opportunity to interact with top-tier professionals spanning the entire spectrum of creativity. 

This exposure to diverse perspectives and expertise is bound to ignite new ideas and approaches within the local industry.

These top-tier creative talents bring their experience and expertise to the festival, which would inspire and elevate the standards of advertising creativity in Sri Lanka.

“This is a big moment for Sri Lanka. The objective of this festival is to raise the bar for creative learning and recognition while establishing the country as a hub for creative excellence in the Asia-Pacific region,” The Four A’s President Alann Lopez said.

Central to the festival’s mission are The Four A’s Awards, which underscore the commitment to recognising creative excellence within the Sri Lankan advertising community after many years. With a focus on recognising excellence in creativity, The Four A’s Awards aim to inspire and motivate practitioners, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative innovation.

“With the advertising industry experiencing rapid changes globally with Gen AI and facing serious economic challenges locally, giving local staff international-quality training opportunities is almost impossible.

 The Four A’s Advertising Festival seeks to help solve this problem by bringing world-class training to Sri Lankan advertising and marketing professionals,” The Four A’s Board Director and Co-Festival Director Dilshara Jayamanna said.

The impact of this event extends far beyond its immediate scope, with lasting benefits expected to resonate throughout the Sri Lankan advertising landscape.

Through enhanced learning opportunities, networking avenues, and prestigious accolades, The Four A’s Advertising Festival is poised to propel the industry towards greater heights of recognition and success on both national and international stages.

May 04, Colombo (LNW): Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday revealed that the minimum room rates (MRR) imposed on hotels will be scrapped by the end of this month and allow competition to return to the industry. 

“There is good news, we are taking out the minimum room rate from the 31 of this month,” he told journalists.

He stated his belief in the operation of market forces, noting that the reintroduction of the MRR by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) was prompted by the unfair practices of destination management companies (DMCs). 

The Minister pointed out issues with DMCs charging higher rates to customers without passing on the benefits to hoteliers, resulting in significantly higher margins than usual.

“We had already planned to review and terminate the MRR by March. However, prior to that, the industry stakeholders initiated two lawsuits against the SLTDA and Tourism Ministry concerning the MRR,” Fernando said.

Looking ahead, he asserted it is crucial for hotels to actively pursue their marketing strategies.“Even if we impose the MRR, Shangri-La and all sell for much higher rates – they go $ 180-200. 

With ITC opening they have lifted the benchmark further. It is now up to the hotels to work on their own marketing strategies,” the Minister stressed. 

SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando stated that they had successfully met their goal of increasing the revenues of city hotels. 

“We achieved our objective. The city hotel’s occupancy went up from 46% to 71% over the past six months. There has been a 33% increase in income within the city of Colombo. 

Therefore, in terms of dollar earnings, our objectives have been accomplished. It is now the responsibility of hoteliers to sustain the demand for this policy,” Fernando added.

On 1 October 2023, the SLTDA reintroduced the MRR regime as a way to give a lifeline to the struggling city hotels. The move sparked disagreement within the industry, where 

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) has endorsed the MRR, whilst the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) contended that it favoured only a cartel of hoteliers.

The city hoteliers attributed the sharp rise partly to the introduction of MRR since October last year by the Government. From a low of $ 137 million in October, earnings have soared to $ 346 million by February.

For 2024 Sri Lanka Tourism has set a target of $ 4 billion in earnings in 2024 on a base of 2.3 million tourists.

 Industry analysts noted that to reach the $ 4 billion target for 2024 would require continuity of the momentum seen thus far. City hoteliers opined that continuity of the MRR will be critical in this trajectory.The MRR excluding breakfast is $ 100 for 5-star hotels, $ 75 for 4-stars, $ 60 for 3-stars and $ 50 for others. In recent months, the Bread and Breakfast (B&B) rate in hotels and resorts in tourist areas outside Colombo was averaging $ 200 or more per night

May 04, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of China’s assurance to assist Sri Lanka in transforming the Port of Colombo, which is currently operating as a global container port, into a green port, container handling at the port has risen near 50 per cent, Sri Lanka Ports Authority announced.   

The Port of Tianjin in China has expressed its willingness to assist in transforming the Port of Colombo, which is currently operating as a global container port, into a green port.

On 29 April, a special delegation led by the Chairman of the Tianjin Port visited the Minister at the Ministry’s office.

The Port of Tianjin, now ranked ninth in the global container port rankings, has joined other major container ports across the world in launching efforts to become green ports to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), scientific consensus affirms that increasing industrialisation and the associated rise in global warming caused by CO2 emissions are significant causes of natural catastrophes caused by climate and weather changes across the world.

As a result, there is a suggestion to prioritise the use of green ammonia to reduce dependency on different fossil fuels.

During the discussion, the Minister reportedly thanked the team for assisting the Port of Colombo in its transition to a green port. He praised the Port of Tianjin for exporting the ‘Green Port Concept’ to other ports across the world, utilising China’s expertise as a leader in industrialisation and port operations.

The conversation also included the delegation’s interest in supporting future improvements at the Port of Galle, as well as their complete support for the Colombo North Port’s future development plans.

In March, the Port of Colombo witnessed an increase in transshipments by 29.1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in February, marking the third consecutive month of growth.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has reported a record 48 per cent year-on-year (YoY) rise in container volumes in the first quarter (Q1 2024).

The total grew from 441,032 to 652,766 TEU. SLPA ascribed this spike to a number of issues, including the Red Sea crisis and its broader ramifications.

SLPA’s transshipment throughput in the first three months of this year totalled 582,403 TEU, a 49.81 per cent increase over the same period last year.

This growth contributed to the Port of Colombo’s (POC) overall transshipment volume, which reached 1.72 million TEU in the first three months of this year, a 24.20 per cent increase over the same period in 2023.

Keith Bernard, Chairman of the SLPA, emphasised that the port is ready to become a vital transshipment hub for the Middle East, as many shipping lines reroute boats to avoid current concerns in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

May 04, Colombo (LNW): Consequent to Sri Lanka and its external bond holders efforts to reach a consensus on the US$ 12 billion sovereign debt by mid-May or early June the USA and ADB have assured their fullest support in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe stated 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s discussions with international bondholders and will provide a formal assessment after the parties reach a tentative agreement-in-principle, an IMF spokesperson said

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe met with Robert Kaproth, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury at the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“The progress achieved in debt restructuring process was discussed at length. Mr. Robert Kaproth once again assured fullest support of USA to Sri Lanka and pointed out the importance of continuation with the reforms that will enable a stable economy and avoid any future crisis.

Semasinghe also met with Yingming Yang, Vice-President (South, Central, and West Asia) of ADB. “We discussed on the new Country Partnership Strategy 2024–2028 and the ADB’s support to the country’s efforts to restore macroeconomic stability.”

Progress of the economy and debt restructuring process were discussed, and Yang “reaffirmed the strong commitment of ADB to support Sri Lanka.” Semasinghe said on X

However the “Steering Committee” of the Bondholders and Sri Lankan authoritative team of officials will continue discussions with the international sovereign bondholders’ following the inconclusive talks recently in London, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury M P Rathnayake announced.  

These discussions will be continued with a view to reaching common ground ahead of the IMF board consideration of the second review of Sri Lanka’’s US$ 2.9 billion  EFF program  ,he said.

If an agreement on external debt restructure is not reached by June, Sri Lanka’s elections may complicate the negotiations or, delay the debt restructure deal till 2025. 

During the Meetings, it was agreed that the primary basis for the discussions would be the Group’s March Proposal. 

Sri Lanka expressed the main reservations it had in relation to the Group’s proposed Macro-Linked Bond (“MLB”) – while members of the Steering Committee put forward the reasons why they believed the terms of their MLB proposal were fair and reasonable.

They have suggested to include contingency clauses to increase payments to them if/when the country reaches positive economic results. These contingency clauses ensure more benefits for the private creditors if the country does well, but they do not include reduced payments if there is a negative shock, he added. 

May 04, Colombo (LNW): Lanka Mineral Sands Limited a fully state owned enterprise established  in 1992 has still been unable to export minerals in value added form due to its long term practice of  mining , processing and exporting heavy mineral beach sands.

This was highlighted in Auditor Generals latest report observing that lack of proper market research and a market plan, following an effective methodology for finding new buyers were the reason for the company’s failure to export value added mineral sands. 

The report that minerals with a high market value cannot be separated from sand as a result of using outdated machinery.

As per the cabinet decision dated 12 February 2020 the company should have paid attention on exporting value added products overseas without sending mineral sand in the  form of raw materials. 

But, necessary steps have not been taken till May 31 2023 on the date of government audit inspection and mineral sand was exporting in the form of raw material, the report added. 

According to government audit findings, the company had been involved for several years to construct a new mineral sand plant at Kokilai in the Mullaitivu district.

A land of 17.69 hectares was purchased on February 13 2013 for Rs 2.25 million, and before planning the plant operations a spiral machine was purchased for Rs.39 million and kept it idle at Pulmoddai plant. 

The operation of the plant has not been started until year 2022 and machinery is now in a dilapidated condition.

Sri Lanka’s economically viable mineral sands consist of quartz, graphite, and dimension stone. 

However, the country has no infrastructure to convert these raw minerals into finished products, a high official of the ministry of industries disclosed.  

Sri Lanka’s mineral industry is still depending on archaic technologies and practices, he said adding that this inaction has stalled the country from fully exploiting on its plentiful mineral fortune.

He emphasised the urgent need of  acquiring modern technology and machinery for the processing  of mineral sands to produce value added minerals of high quality by minimising waste.

May 04, Colombo (LNW): Adani Green Energy’s US$442 million wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn is   undergoing a technical review of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) following   Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) public consultation process

Several public complaints had been received relating to the impact on the Central Asian Flyway and migratory birds and marine life along with hiccups in the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) report. 

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA,) has undertaken a technical review after receiving the SLSEA technical response on public comments on the EIA report, a high official of the SLSEA said. 

Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment cleared the company’s two wind energy projects to add 250 MW in Mannar and 234 MW in Pooneryn to the national grid.

Eminent environmental lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardana said that the Adani Company has failed   stick to the basic EIA requirements of an EIA without indicating alternatives to the project in a meaningful manner as required under Section 33 of the National Environment Act.

Environmentalists and residents of Mannar alarm that the wind energy project could be danger to the biodiversity of the area and impact people’s livelihoods that are to the coastal environment.

The proposed wind farm will comprise 52 wind turbines of 5.2 MW capacity each will be spread across most parts of Mannar which will become a “death trap” for migratory birds, they added. 

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including Birds and Bats Studies was carried out by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), under the leadership of, Senior Prof. Devaka Weerakoon Professor, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo.

The report was based after year-long on-ground studies and data sets of The Ceylon Bird Club (CBC), The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) and Ramsar data sheet were also considered. The EIA guides several steps for the developer to reduce the environmental impact.

Adani Group will deploy modern technology to not just minimize the project’s potential environment impact but also deliver it on time and budget, a spokesman of the company. Jamien Boulton said in an email. Message   

For the first time in the island nation, 5.2 MW Wind Turbine Generator (WTG), one of the most powerful onshore wind turbines in the world, will be used, providing higher generation at a lower overall footprint, he disclosed. . 

The project will implement AI-based radar systems to detect incoming flocks and automatically shut down turbines during high-risk periods, he said.

Acoustic and visual deterrents such painting the tip of the blades will be installed  to deter birds from flying into them, and also use taller turbines with slower blade rotation speeds, reducing collision risks, he reiterated

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee to look into the preparation of the national visa policy. Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando says that he suspects that the on-arrival visa issuance delay at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Thursday (May 02) could be an act of sabotage.
2. Former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has refuted reports claiming that he has joined forces with the Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), as he had participated in the party’s May Day rally this week.
3. Sri Lanka has dropped fifteen places and ranks 150th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Sri Lanka’s ranking was 135 out of 180 countries last year. Pakistan is ranked 152 while India is 159th this year.
4. Litro Gas Lanka reduced prices for domestic LP Gas cylinders, with the 12.5 kg cylinder now priced at Rs. 3,940, a reduction of Rs. 175. Laugfs’ 12.5 kg cylinder price also dropped by Rs. 275 to Rs. 3,840.
5. The Colombo High Court today announced that it will deliver its decision on May 31 concerning the plea filed by four defendants, including former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, seeking the dismissal of the case filed against them by the Bribery Commission and the release of the defendants. The defendants stand accused of allegedly causing a staggering loss of over Rs. 1.8 billion to the government of Sri Lanka through investments in Greek bonds in 2012.
6. The All-Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association has decided to reduce the prices of multiple food items including Kottu, Fried Rice and short eats. Accordingly the price of a packet of Kottu will go down by Rs. 20, while the prices of short eats have been reduced by Rs. 10.
7. Sports Ministry will award Rs. 1 million each to the families of the victims of the Fox Hill Supercross tragedy in Diyatalawa that happened last month and claimed the lives of seven and injured several more.
8. Police used water cannons in order to disperse the protesting medical students near the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo 07. The protest march was organised by the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee against the establishment of private medical colleges in the country and the decision to establish a Faculty of Medicine at the National School of Business Management (NSBM).
9. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha disclosed plans for the commencement of a ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankasenturai, set to launch in just two weeks pending successful preparations.
10. Sri Lanka is ranked 7th in both the Men’s Test and One Day International formats with 83 and 93 rating points, respectively. According to the ICC, Sri Lanka is ranked 08th in the Twenty-20 format with 232 rating points.

May 04, Colombo (LNW): In a diplomatic encounter held in Colombo, North West Province Governor Nazeer Ahmed engaged in discussions with Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Al-Qahtani. The meeting, which took place yesterday, saw the Ambassador extending his congratulations to Governor Ahmed on assuming his role.

Amidst congenial exchanges, the two dignitaries delved into various topics of mutual interest, reflecting the shared concerns and aspirations between their respective nations.