April 30, Colombo (LNW): The deployment of drone cameras during this year’s May Day (May 01) rallies without prior permission is strictly prohibited, emphasised Police Spokesman Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa,
Thalduwa issued this statement regarding the usage of drone cameras at May Day rally sites, as multiple political parties plan to hold separate May Day rallies across the country.
This directive aims to ensure the safety and security of May Day events and participants while also preventing any potential disruptions or unauthorised surveillance activities.
The use of drone cameras without proper authorisation could pose risks to public safety and infringe upon individual privacy rights.
By enforcing this regulation, law enforcement authorities seek to maintain order and uphold the integrity of May Day rallies, which serve as platforms for peaceful assembly and expression of various socio-political views.
Meanwhile, Thalduwa further announced that six thousand police officers will be ‘strategically’ deployed during the holding of May Day rallies in the Colombo city.
An additional contingent of four thousand officers will be placed in other regions for security measures, he added.
The Police Spokesman further emphasised the possibility of deployment of military support, if required.
April 30, Colombo (LNW): MP Rishad Bathiudeen, leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), convened a constructive discussion with the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jah, in Colombo last Thursday.
During the meeting, MP Bathiudeen expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Indian High Commissioner for the invaluable support extended to Sri Lanka during its recent economic challenges.
He particularly commended India’s significant contribution of 50,000 houses for individuals affected by the conflict in the Northern and Eastern regions.
Additionally, MP Bathiudeen emphasised the pressing need to address the plight of fishermen impacted by coastal erosion in Eastern provinces, specifically in areas like Oluvil, Nindhavur, Karaithivu, Maaligaikaadu, Pandiyiruppu, Maruthamunai, and Kalmunai.
He sought the Indian High Commissioner’s assistance during his forthcoming visit to the Eastern Province to secure funding from the Indian Government to support affected fishermen and safeguard their livelihoods.
The ACMC Leader underscored the significance of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the war-affected population in the North, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts with India towards this objective.
The discussion also encompassed plans to rejuvenate the ferry service connecting Thalaimannar and Rameshwaram, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.
Several other critical issues related to the development of Northern and Eastern regions were deliberated upon, with a focus on leveraging Indian assistance for regional progress.
Bathiudeen reaffirmed his dedication to advancing the enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between Sri Lanka and India, aiming to promote greater cooperation for the prosperity and welfare of both nations.
Former State Minister and Chairman of ACMC, M.S.S. Ameer Ali, also participated in the meeting, engaging in discussions on various developments concerning the Batticaloa District.
April 30, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing the role of agriculture in Sri Lanka’s economic development.
Speaking at the “Dilmah Cinnamon” launch event in Colombo on April 28th, he underscored the importance of agricultural modernisation initiatives, particularly focusing on popularising cinnamon cultivation, a historically significant export crop for the country.
The event marked the entry of the renowned “Dilmah” brand into the Sri Lankan cinnamon industry, expanding its domestic exports to introduce high-quality cinnamon products to the global market.
President Wickremesinghe, alongside distinguished guests including Master Chef Thomas Gugler, symbolically unveiled the Dilmah Cinnamon products.
Highlighting the historical significance of cinnamon in Sri Lanka’s past, the President emphasised its pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic landscape.
He recounted historical narratives demonstrating cinnamon’s influence on ancient kingdoms and trade dynamics, expressing gratitude to Dilmah for reviving the legacy of “Ceylon Cinnamon” akin to its success with “Ceylon Tea.”
Wickremesinghe emphasised the government’s commitment to leveraging agriculture for economic transformation, recognising agriculture as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s heritage and economy from ancient times until independence in 1948.
He underscored the need for a beneficiary-centric approach, emphasising collaboration between the government and the private sector in modernising the agricultural sector.
Acknowledging Dilmah’s initiative in resurrecting the “Ceylon Cinnamon” brand, President Wickremesinghe assured the government’s support for furthering the sector’s growth and development.
He extended well wishes to Dilmah and reiterated readiness to provide necessary assistance for their endeavours.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, Minister of Health and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, and high commissioners and ambassadors. Chairman of the Dilmah Group Mr. Dilhan Fernando and distinguished guests graced the occasion, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s cinnamon industry.
April 30, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-western and Uva provinces after 1.00 p.m., with showers or thundershowers being expected to occur at a few places elsewhere in the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (30).
Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces, the statement added.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the morning.
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 at several places in the sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be south-easterly or variable in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (15-25) 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.
Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and North-Western provinces and in Gampaha, Colombo, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Dept said.
The public, therefore, is urged to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-coloured clothing.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to bolster Sri Lanka’s dairy industry, Alexis Taylor, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), conferred with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently.
During the meeting, Taylor apprised President Wickremesinghe of the ongoing dairy modernization initiative backed by the United States. President Wickremesinghe warmly welcomed the programme, noting its alignment with Sri Lanka’s expansive efforts in dairy production across the nation.
The President took the opportunity to detail the Sri Lankan government’s endeavors in modernizing agriculture, underscoring the imperative of fostering greater participation of the youth in the sector. In response, the U.S. delegation affirmed their support for these endeavours, vowing to extend the necessary aid
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through Food for Progress (FFPr), funds the MarketOriented Dairy (MOD) project in Sri Lanka.
The project has two main objectives: increase the quantity and value of milk produced and improve the trade in safe and high quality milk.
MOD has six activities to accomplish these objectives: increase capacity of extension services, increase the supply of inputs to dairy farmers, increase the access to finance, improve the market linkages between buyers and sellers, improve the quality and safety of milk produced, and create andstrengthen the dairy association to better serve the interests of all stakeholders.
The project is at its mid-point of its 5-year project life, and the USDA requires an evaluation to assess if the project is on track to meet its targets and whether any mid-course corrective actions are needed in the time remaining.
The evaluation team engaged MOD stakeholders using Participatory Action Research (PAR) to understand the activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts of MOD’s interventions.
The team worked closely with MOD staff to ensure that data collected was useful to them. There were 59 key informant interviews (KIIs) and one focus group discussion (FGD) conducted with stakeholders, and the data analyzed using Atlas.ti software.
Enumerators interviewed 211 dairy producers, of which 186 were MOD dairy farmers and 31 were dairy producers but not currently participating in MOD’s intervention). The 31 N-MOD producers were registered to enter as MOD participants in the future, and they served as a counterfactual group.
The annual increases in milk production by MOD farmers is falling below the projection made at the baseline. The estimate for the end of project target of 87,820 MT was too high, in part because processors were solely responsible for nominating producers achieving 39.6 l/d for a 180 day lactation at the baseline.
Processor interviews and government data at the baseline indicated there were sufficient numbers of producers plus large scale dairies (LSDs).
Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retailer, Fashion Bug (Pvt.) Ltd, unveiled a fully revamped Kurunegala outlet recently, just in time for the festive season. The grand opening ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Ajith Karunaratne, alongside Fashion Bug’s management team, staff, and distinguished guests.
The relaunch signifies Fashion Bug’s commitment to providing customers with a modern and spacious shopping environment. The upgraded outlet boasts an attractive design and the latest fashion collections. To celebrate the occasion, the Fashion Bug presented exclusive deals to customers present at the opening.
“We’re thrilled to offer our valued Kurunegala customers a modernized shopping experience,” said Fashion Bug Director Shabier Subain. “This revamped outlet reflects our strategy to provide a wider selection of trendy clothing alongside a spacious and enjoyable shopping environment. Customers can also take advantage of unparalleled discounts during the festive season.”
The new Kurunegala branch prioritizes customer convenience with its larger space, modern design, and up-to-date fashion selections.
Fashion Bug’s success hinges on its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The company prioritizes offering high-quality products at affordable prices while ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
Fashion Bug (Pvt.) Ltd is a leading Sri Lankan fashion retailer with 14 stores island-wide and a workforce exceeding 1,000 employees. The company strives to be the nation’s most preferred fashion retailer, living up to its slogan, “Changing Lifestyles,” through continuous growth and a commitment to exceptional customer service.
The revamped Fashion Bug Kurunegala outlet Seen here the grand re-opening of the Fashion Bug Kurunegala outlet by Chief Guest – Ajith Karunaratne, Commissioner, Kurunegala Municipal Council – Ajantha Gunewardene, Chairman of Fashion Bug – Rizal Subian & Celebrity Guest – Shihan Mihiranga
April 29, Colombo (LNW): The development of the Hingurakgoda Airport into an international civil airport has commenced, with the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) being tasked with extending its existing runway, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation.
Sri Lankan aviation stands at a pivotal moment as it considers the transformation of Hingurakgoda Airport, also known as Minneriya Airport, from a primarily Air Force facility to a fully-fledged international civilian airport.
During the 2024 Budget speech, President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance announced that Rs. 2 billion would be allocated for the project.
This initiative, underlined by a substantial budget of Rs.2 billion (about US $ 6.5 million), has enthused a national debate. It’s not merely a matter of financial allocation but also financial economics with extensive consequences that could reshape Sri Lanka’s aviation landscape and its position in regional connectivity.
Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva revealed that the development of the Hingurakgoda Airport into an international civil airport had begun and that the SLAF had already commenced the preliminary work.
“The preliminary work will be done by the Air Force, which has been assigned to construct the extension of the current runway,” he said.
However, he refused to provide a timeline for the transformation of the airport into an international civil airport, claiming that it was too premature to specify a timeline.
The Minister further revealed that the feasibility study – carried out by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) – had been completed but said he was unaware of the contents of the report.
In announcing the Government’s decision last year to upgrade the Hingurakgoda Airport as an international civil airport, de Silva pointed out it would facilitate convenient visits to Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Dambulla.
A field study will be conducted pertaining to improving and developing the airport for the landing and takeoff of A330 aircraft.
Extending the current 2,287 m runway up to 2,800 m, construction of an access way to the airport runway, setting up an air navigation system, and construction of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and a passenger terminal at the airport were decided as essential measures,” he added, when announcing the decision.
The government’s plan for Hingurakgoda Airport is marked by ambitious upgrades, including runway extensions, advanced air navigation systems, a new passenger terminal and a state-of-the-art air traffic control (ATC) tower, which will require a massive budget beyond the proposed allocation.
These developments aim to elevate the airport from its current military utilisation towards serving a growing international civil aviation demand. However, this move raises crucial questions about its necessity and practicality, especially in a nation with five international airports.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): ProClime Services Pvt Ltd, a start-up focused on the climate sector, aims to invest about $150 million in carbon projects across sectors in India and Sri Lanka over the next 12-18 months.
The Chennai-headquartered company intends to unveil at least three carbon projects monthly until September in both countries. ProClime has identified 18 sectors for the development of carbon projects in India and Sri Lanka.
“We have secured a $150 million fund from various investors worldwide. We will start deploying the funds towards carbon projects this month, announcing three projects per month.
These projects span nature conservation, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity, among others. We are also actively pursuing government projects. Post-September, our focus will shift to project execution,” Kavin Kumar Kandasamy, CEO of ProClime, told businessline on the sidelines of a conference in Chennai.
The company is set to commission a microgrid project in Jangaon District, Telangana, on Thursday. The project aims to provide energy to approximately 250 families, schools, etc.
ProClime has three major business segments. Firstly, carbon projects, where the company designs, develops, implements and invests in carbon projects. These projects normally take six months to a year to develop and there are 200 types of carbon projects.
The second area is carbon trading, where ProClime helps non-climate companies offset their emissions by buying carbon credits from climate firms.
“In these projects, not owned or commissioned by us, where people lack carbon portfolio management expertise, we act as portfolio managers, offering complete solutions and making investments if needed to ensure a market for carbon credits until they are liquidated,” he explained.
The third area is climate investments, where the company funds projects that cut carbon emissions, like renewable energy initiatives and energy-efficient building upgrades. It also provides advisory services, which encompass all three areas.
ProClime company, which employs about 40 people, has been providing necessary inputs to the Climate Change Mission of the Tamil Nadu government, while it is also working with several other state governments in the country.
The company has already committed ₹450 crore investment in Tamil Nadu to develop carbon projects in Tamil Nadu.
Kandasamy said Tamil Nau is ahead of other states in executing carbon projects with clear policies and associated initiatives. Some of the major initiatives of the states include the Green Tamil Nadu mission to increase the green cover, wetland mission, and coastal restoration mission and it has an overarching project – Climate Change Mission.
Setting up of Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund, which is a listed fund, and Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company, a catalyst company are unique initiatives of the State.
Tamil Nadu is also the first state in the country to have district-level committees that are in charge of climate monitoring. It is the first state to have a full greenhouse gas inventory. No other state has it,” he added.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract and leverage international investment into exploration and commercialisation two blocks adding to over 5,000 square kilometres with potential oil and gas resources in the Mannar Basin have once again been gridlocked by legal challenges in the Court of Appeal.
According to the latest developments in the CA (Writ) Application No: 392/2023, the court found that a prima facie case has been established by the Petitioner, Serendive Energy.
Accordingly, the court issued orders restraining the 1st to 36th Respondents and/or its servants or agents from granting to any 3rd party other than the Petitioner the rights to offshore exploration of blocks M1 and C1, until a final determination is reached in the case.
Serendive Energy, which has a strategic alliance partnership with a large Indian conglomerate commenced pursuit of legal remedies following a recent effort in 2023 to reverse exploration block award that had previously been made to the company.
Serendive Energy first participated in an open international tender (SL 2019-02) in 2019, and was awarded the blocks, Mannar Basin M1 and Cauvery Basin C1 in May 2021. This decision took place following evaluations conducted by the Petroleum Development Authority and headed at the time by former Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya and current Chairman Surath Ovitigama, who have long served among the nation’s leading domain experts on oil and gas.
As stated in the 2021 Ministry of Power and Energy Annual Report, “International competitive bids were called for in the year 2019 for the exploration and production of oil and gas of Mannar Block M1 and Cauvery Block C1 and the bid evaluation process had been concluded in May 2021.”
“Negotiations had been held by the Government of Sri Lanka throughout the year 2021 with Serendive Energy Ltd. for separate petroleum resources agreements in respect of M1 and C1 blocks, and about 90% of the negotiations have been concluded. The final petroleum resources agreement is expected to be entered into during the first half of the year 2022.”
While the awarding of blocks to Serendive Energy was hailed at the time as critical forward after many previous false starts, all activity on exploration grinded to a halt during the country’s economic crisis and the ‘Aragalaya’, following which attempts were subsequently made to reverse the award. The Petitioners submitted that such measures amount to a direct contravention of the 2003 Petroleum Act.
The effort to attract international players to invest in Sri Lanka’s Oil and Gas exploration industry which ground to a halt in 1984 with the civil war recommenced in 2003 with the opening up of tenders for exploration to international local and global investors via the Petroleum Resources Act, No.26 of 2003.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka will be completely reversing the ban on oil palm cultivation and its importation in an effort to ensure the flourishing of grassroots economies via the expanding cultivation for the benefit of plantation companies and smallholders alike, informed official sources confirmed.
The government has been delaying the recommendations of an expert committee report on how to permit oil palm cultivation in identified Mahaweli areas and other areas, without deciding for nearly five months.
According to the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry, the ministry forwarded the report to the secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers on January 12.
In November 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to appoint an expert committee to explore the possibility of permitting oil palm cultivation in identified Mahaweli areas and specified other areas, which include the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs).
The committee was headed by an additional secretary to the ministry and was made up of experts from of the Plantation Industries Ministry, Mahaweli Authority, Irrigation Department and Coconut Research Institute.
The extensive report provides instructions and directions, if the government decides to lift the ban on oil palm in these specified areas. A ministry official noted that it’s up to the Cabinet of Ministers, chaired by the president, to make a decision
Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said that the government will remove palm oil prohibition in 2024 correcting the previous policy decision taken by the previous Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime in April 2021.
Mr. Rajapaksa who was the then President ordered the ban on the importation of Palm Oil into Sri Lanka and its cultivation directing to up root the existing oil palm cultivations locally in 2021.
Mr. Karunanayake noted that he would talk to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and make sure that the ban is lifted while permitting palm oil cultivation in the country once again following consultations with experts in the industry.
The association of palm oil growers has informed the former finance minister that palm oil cultivation could generate more foreign exchange revenue than the entire income from tea and rubber.
According to them, an acre of palm oil cultivation can generate an average of Rs.100,000 a month. At present, Sri Lanka consumes 220,000 metric tons of palm oil of which only 12 percent is produced locally.
Palm oil provides livelihood opportunities for a large number of farmers and also for the Sri Lankan farmers and workers in remote rural areas where work is hard to find.
Palm oil is used by Sri Lankans in almost every aspect of life; from toothpaste to shampoo to soap to lipstick to confectionery – palm oil is an integral component. It is in 50 percent of all consumer products and vital for industrial applications several industrialists pointed out.
