By: Staff Writer

October 07, Colombo (LNW): The UN Global Compact’s regional flagship event, ‘Forward Faster Now | Asia & Oceania,’ held in Kuala Lumpur on August 5-6, was a milestone in advancing sustainable business practices across Asia and Oceania.

The event brought together top executives, government leaders, and sustainability experts to drive meaningful progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It emphasized collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the commitment of businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations.

Sri Lanka’s business community played a prominent role in shaping the narrative at this landmark event.

Organized by the United Nations Global Compact, in collaboration with 16 Global Compact Country Networks and Country Offices, the event aimed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable business practices and highlight impactful stories from across the region.

It provided a platform for Sri Lankan corporate leaders to showcase their influence beyond national boundaries, demonstrating their dedication to sustainable development and positioning themselves as champions of change.

Prominent Sri Lankan speakers delivered strong messages, reinforcing the country’s leadership in sustainability. They participated in dynamic sessions alongside their regional counterparts, discussing critical issues such as sustainable finance, food security, gender equality, and corporate governance.

The insights shared by Sri Lankan leaders not only highlighted their expertise but also contributed to advancing sustainable development throughout Asia and Oceania.

Sharhan Muhseen, Chairman of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, served as a speaker at the session titled ‘investing for SDG Impact: Financial Decisions Driving Sustainability Transformation.’

He underscored the significance of sustainable finance in promoting economic growth and a more equitable society, sharing Commercial Bank’s approach to sustainable investing through green bonds and ESG initiatives.

CBL Group Managing Director Sheamalee Wickramasingha participated in the session ‘Food Systems Sustainability: Business Strategies to Future-Proof Food Security,’ emphasizing sustainable practices in the food industry to combat climate change’s effects on food security. Her insights highlighted the private sector’s crucial role in safeguarding food systems.

Jetwing Travels Ltd. Chairman Shiromal Cooray contributed to the session on gender equality, sharing strategies on achieving gender balance in leadership roles within the organization. UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s Executive Director, Rathika de Silva, reinforced the need for regional cooperation and sustainable practices in his closing remarks.

Additionally, Dr. Ravi A. Fernando, Chairman of Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Ltd., represented Sri Lanka in discussions on SDG engagement within the wider business community. He emphasized aligning business strategies with global climate goals, urging regional businesses to embrace sustainable development as part of their core mission.

MAS Holdings’ Head of Social Sustainability, Amanthi Perera, shared valuable insights during the discussion on the SDG Stocktake Report, stressing the need for leadership education on the urgency of the SDGs and fostering a stronger commitment to these goals.

Sri Lanka’s active participation at ‘Forward Faster Now | Asia & Oceania’ showcased its leadership in sustainable development and highlighted its growing influence in shaping regional sustainability practices. Through their engagement, Sri Lankan business leaders demonstrated their commitment to advancing sustainability and contributing to a diverse dialogue on global challenges.

By: Staff Writer

October 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is steadily recovering from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis of 2020-2021, and the impact of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.

The sector’s resurgence has been driven by the concerted efforts of the former leadership in the Ministry of Tourism, led by experienced professionals, including the former head of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Priyantha Fernando, who has over 50 years of experience in the field.

The focus on revitalizing tourism highlights its crucial role in supporting Sri Lanka’s economy, especially in generating the much-needed foreign exchange.

In a recent shift in leadership, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed new chairpersons to the four major tourism bodies in the country.

Buddhika Hewawasam now leads both the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), while Dheera Hettiarachchi has been appointed as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB).

These new leaders bring valuable experience from the travel and tourism sectors, aiming to introduce innovative strategies to further develop Sri Lanka’s tourism infrastructure and enhance its global reputation as a tourist destination.

Despite the challenges, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has made significant progress in the past nine months. The country earned $181 million from tourism in September 2024, which is a noticeable increase from the previous year’s earnings.

However, this figure was lower than August’s earnings, reflecting a dip in visitor arrivals. From January to September 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed nearly 1.5 million tourists, a substantial increase from the 1.02 million arrivals during the same period in 2023.

The country’s tourism sector aims to attract over 2 million visitors in 2024, with an expected revenue of $3 to $3.5 billion. Achieving these goals would significantly contribute to the country’s economic recovery, especially as tourism is a major foreign exchange earner with minimal outflows compared to other sectors.

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings have already reached $2.34 billion in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 61.2% increase from the previous year.

One of the key challenges that affected tourism growth recently was the implementation of a new visa system, which made it more costly and complicated for visitors to travel to Sri Lanka. This issue led to a decline in arrivals and a subsequent drop in earnings.

 However, with the government’s decision to restore the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, there is renewed optimism among tourism stakeholders.

The industry is also reflecting on its performance relative to the benchmark year of 2018, where earnings from tourism were significantly higher.

Although current revenues show a 28% decline from the 2018 levels, the progress made in 2024 indicates a steady recovery trajectory. Tourism remains a vital sector for Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing around 10% to the GDP and possessing the potential to expand significantly in the coming years.

Sri Lanka Tourism has set ambitious targets for 2024, aiming to attract 2.3 million visitors and generate over $4 billion in revenue. With just a few months left in the year, the industry will need to intensify its efforts to achieve these goals.

 Industry leaders, including The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), have urged the new administration to prioritize global promotional campaigns to boost awareness ahead of the upcoming winter tourist season.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 07, Colombo (LNW): Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the election monitor People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), has called on political parties and candidates to uphold peace and integrity during the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking as the nomination process nears its conclusion, Hettiarachchi stressed the significance of continuing the peaceful environment observed during the recent presidential election.

“The nomination period for parliamentary elections is currently ongoing and will wrap up by the end of this week. We firmly believe it is possible to conduct these elections in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Hettiarachchi highlighted that the last presidential election was one of the most tranquil in the nation’s electoral history, setting a precedent that should be emulated during this next phase.

He further urged all political parties, independent candidates, and their supporters to act responsibly and avoid any form of violence or unrest, ensuring the parliamentary election reflects the same calm and civility as the presidential race.

He pointed out that the peaceful nature of the last election is a testament to what can be achieved when political figures and their supporters commit to respecting democratic processes.

Beyond this appeal for peaceful conduct, PAFFREL also emphasised the importance of maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the election process.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 07, Colombo (LNW): Former Chief of State Intelligence Nilantha Jayawardena issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court this (07) afternoon for his delay in paying the compensation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

His apology came during a personal appearance before the court, following the failure to meet the originally stipulated deadline.

Jayawardena’s legal counsel, President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara, confirmed to the court that his client has now fully settled the outstanding Rs. 65 million.

This final payment concludes the total compensation of Rs. 75 million, which was ordered by the court due to Jayawardena’s failure to act on prior intelligence warnings regarding the attacks.

An initial payment of Rs. 10 million had already been made earlier, leaving the Rs. 65 million now cleared.

The court’s ruling stems from multiple fundamental rights petitions filed by victims and families affected by the Easter Sunday bombings, which occurred on April 21, 2019 and claimed over 270 lives.

These petitions sought accountability for the failure to act on intelligence that could have potentially prevented the attacks.

The case was heard before a distinguished seven-member bench, including Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justices Murdu Fernando, S. Thurairaja, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, Shiran Gunaratne, and Achala Wengappuli.

Jayawardena’s failure to respond to critical intelligence prior to the attacks was highlighted as a key lapse, with the court mandating this substantial compensation as a form of redress for the victims.

With this final payment, Jayawardena’s legal obligations in relation to this case are now fulfilled.

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By: Isuru Parakrama

October 07, Colombo (LNW): Kanishka Wijeratne, the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has agreed to resign from his position, following a Supreme Court hearing today (07).

This decision comes after the court granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights (FR) applications challenging his appointment to the role.

The applications, filed by various parties, raised concerns regarding the legality and appropriateness of Wijeratne’s appointment.

As a result, the Supreme Court deemed it necessary to consider these challenges, permitting the cases to move forward.

During the proceedings, Wijeratne offered an undertaking to step down from his post, thereby addressing one of the key demands raised in the petitions.

By: Isuru Parakrama

October 07, Colombo (LNW): The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is preparing to file indictments against two former ministers from the previous administration for their inability to account for the acquisition of substantial assets, sources disclosed.

This development forms part of a broader investigation into allegations of corruption among high-ranking officials and political figures.

According to reports, the Commission’s investigation extends beyond the former ministers to include individuals within their inner circles.

Notably, a former minister’s personal driver is under scrutiny after reportedly purchasing a luxury house and land in Cinnamon Gardens, a prime and highly coveted area.

The Bribery Commission is closely examining the legitimacy of such an acquisition, as the financial means of the driver seem inconsistent with the value of the property.

In addition to these investigations, the Commission is set to launch legal proceedings to freeze assets belonging to seven individuals.

This group includes politicians, public officials, and military officers, all of whom are suspected of amassing significant properties under suspicious circumstances.

The inquiry has focused on whether these assets could have been obtained through legitimate earnings, and initial findings suggest that the individuals in question could not have accumulated such wealth based on their standard salaries.

Investigators have discovered that explanations provided by some of the accused — often claiming that properties were gifted by family members or relatives — have proven to be unfounded.

These claims have raised further suspicion regarding the origins of the assets. Moreover, the investigation has been hindered by the reluctance of several politicians to fully cooperate with authorities, with some reportedly avoiding providing official statements to assist in the ongoing probes.

The Bribery Commission’s efforts to tackle corruption are expected to escalate as it moves towards freezing the properties in question.

The measure to crackdown aims to prevent the dissipation of assets whilst investigations continue, ensuring that any ill-gotten gains remain within reach of law enforcement agencies.