By: Staff Writer

June 06, Colombo (LNW): United Petroleum, an independent, 100% Australian-owned fuel and Convenience Company, has made arrangements to Begin operations by July or August this year after successfully completing  the application to acquire a license to venture into Sri Lanka’s retail petroleum products market.

United Petroleum is the final foreign entity among three to fulfill the government’s formalities for market entry.

This follows the Sri Lankan government’s decision to diversify its retail petroleum sector by granting licenses to international firms including China’s Sinopec, United Petroleum, and U.S.-based RM Parks in partnership with Shell PLC.

United Petroleum Australia, , will start their operations by the end of July or beginning of August this year, taking over 150 existing fuel stations and building over 50 new stations, Director of United Petroleum Lanka Private Limited in Sri Lanka Dr. Prabhat Samarasinghe said.

He said that United Petroleum Lanka Pvt Ltd made a deal with Sri Lanka’s Board of Investments (BoI). This deal is part of an agreement with the Power and Energy Ministry to supply petroleum products in Sri Lanka.

United Petroleum Australia has created a company in Sri Lanka called United Petroleum Lanka Private Limited.

This company will take over 150 existing gas stations and has permission to build 50 new ones under United’s name.

The total investment for this project will be around 300 million USD. To start, they will invest 12 million USD, with plans to invest the rest within a year.

While operating in Sri Lanka, the company does not plan to engage in a price war but will offer various benefits to consumers.

The quality of the petroleum products will match that in Australia, with a strong focus on maintaining high standards.

United Petroleum Australia Pvt Ltd is a top petroleum trading company in Australia, with over 500 gas stations across the country.

United Group also has other businesses in Australia and Singapore, and this is their first time expanding their retail petroleum business outside Australia.

United Petroleum  Lanka Pvt Ltd has entered into a contract on June 4th 2024 with Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) with an Investment of U$ 27.5 Million, as part of the agreement signed between Ministry of Power & Energy to supply Petroleum products in Sri Lankan Market. This event came into live after selecting the company based on RFP issued by Sri Lankan government to further liberalizing the country’s retail petroleum sector early last year.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment is poised to allocate a portion of foreign job opportunities to retired military personnel and families of war heroes.

The decision, aimed at providing avenues for employment to these esteemed individuals, reflects a concerted effort to honour their service and sacrifice.

The revelation emerged during a high-level meeting convened to enlighten tri-forces personnel on the programme facilitating foreign employment for retired tri-forces personnel and members of war hero families.

Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon presided over the gathering, which saw the participation of senior tri-forces officers and representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment.

The initiative materialised following deliberations between State Minister Tennakoon and Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, signifying a collaborative approach between defence and labour authorities to address the employment needs of retired military personnel and their families.

Initially, opportunities in the construction sector in Israel will be made available to eligible candidates.

To support expatriates in their endeavours, the Ministry has outlined plans to facilitate access to loan facilities at concessional rates through state banks.

Notably, 67 personnel from the Army have been earmarked for deployment in these roles, with further invitations extended to Navy and Air Force personnel to nominate suitable candidates.

Furthermore, retired armed forces members under the age of 44 will undergo rigorous training and examination conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment to equip them with the necessary skills and qualifications for overseas employment opportunities.

This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment of both ministries to ensuring the smooth transition of military personnel into civilian roles abroad while upholding standards of excellence and professionalism.

By: Staff Writer

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Air India resumed operation in Sri Lanka with Hayleys as new General Sales Agent following Sky Aviation Ltd’s failure in multiple attempts to legally restrain it from transferring local agentship of Indu Sky.

Indu Sky made an application in the District Court of Colombo, seeking an enjoining order against Air India days prior to the expiration of the GSA Contract, to prevent the latter from appointing a new GSA and this enjoining order was refused recently.

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has selected Hayleys, Sri Lanka’s leading blue-chip multinational conglomerate, as its General Sales Agent for passenger sales in Sri Lanka.

The keen interest of Air India to carry out frequent flights to Sri Lanka is evident by the continued operations as well as the increase in the number of flights operated to the country.

Leveraging the expertise, scale, and reliability of the Hayleys Group, the partnership will further enhance Air India’s presence in Sri Lanka to support the airline’s ongoing transformation and global expansion.

“Hayleys is honoured to represent Air India in Sri Lanka. Together, we share a commitment to corporate responsibility and uphold similar values, allowing us to offer unparalleled credibility, strength, stability, and value to our customers Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC said.

The improved connectivity resulting from this collaboration will add greater momentum to Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism industry, creating value for our nation and supporting the growth aspirations of Air India,”

Air India operates 17 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka, contributing to the growing trade and tourism between the two countries. With its vast global network spread across five continents,

Air India offers convenient connections via Delhi or Chennai to passengers travelling between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, particularly North America, Europe, and Australia.

India’s rising economic strength is leading to exponential growth in travel. More than 23 million inbound tourists and 10 million outbound tourists were recorded in 2023, making it one of the single most dynamic emerging hubs for aviation in Asia, with over 300,000 annual arrivals from India.

The strategic partnership supports Air India’s ongoing transformation and modernisation programme that is poised to offer Sri Lankan passengers a world-class flying experience with Indian hospitality at the core of it.

With its orders for 470 new aircraft, the airline is expanding and modernising its fleet, leading to the arrival of one new aircraft every six days through this year and into the next. Coupled with the other transformational changes designed to elevate the travel experience for customers.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has taken a significant step forward in the realm of connectivity by granting preliminary approval to ‘Starlink’ for the provision of satellite-based internet services in Sri Lanka.

This announcement was made by the State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath.

Herath asserted that while the preliminary approval has been granted, the final endorsement will be contingent upon the completion of a formal public consultation process.

This process is crucial for gathering input from stakeholders and the general public to ensure transparency and inclusivity in decision-making regarding telecommunications services.

In response to the development, the President’s Media Division (PMD) has indicated that comprehensive details regarding the upcoming public consultation will be released imminently.

The initiative is an indication that the government is committed to fostering an open and participatory environment wherein the concerns and perspectives of all stakeholders, including citizens and industry experts, are duly considered.

The introduction of satellite-based internet services by Starlink holds immense promise for enhancing connectivity across Sri Lanka, particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional infrastructure may be lacking.

By leveraging advanced satellite technology, Starlink aims to provide high-speed and reliable internet access to users nationwide.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): U.S. President Joseph Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with over 50 world leaders, have congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on their electoral success.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi has extended an invitation to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend his upcoming swearing-in ceremony, an invitation that President Wickremesinghe has accepted.

Traditionally, Prime Minister Modi has invited leaders from neighbouring countries to his swearing-in ceremonies. Sri Lanka, being a member of both SAARC and BIMSTEC, received invitations in previous years.

The government is now considering extending invitations to leaders from other regional countries, including those from the Gulf and Central Asia, pending their availability to travel to India at short notice.

Several international leaders, including those from Israel, Singapore, the UK, France, and China, have conveyed their congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on his victory.

Notably, President Biden praised the strong relationship between India and the United States, highlighting its “unlimited potential.”

The congratulatory messages also extend to journalists, civil society workers, and others who contributed to India’s democratic processes.

The U.S. State Department commended Indian voters and stakeholders for their commitment to democracy.

President Putin was among the first international leaders to congratulate Prime Minister Modi on his electoral success.

Similarly, leaders from the UAE and China expressed their interest in strengthening bilateral relations with India.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to participate in the G-7 outreach in Italy and the SCO summit in Kazakhstan, where he will engage with world leaders, including President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Additionally, South Asian leaders, including those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and possibly Sri Lanka, are anticipated to visit India in the coming weeks.

As the international community recognises India’s growing role in global affairs, leaders like Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have called for India’s participation in international peace summits.

Whilst Modi has not confirmed attendance at such conferences, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional peace and prosperity.

The congratulatory messages pour in as India prepares for Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive term, signifying the importance of India’s leadership on the global stage.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Today (06), the Sri Lankan Parliament is set to debate the government’s proposed Electricity Bill for its second reading, amidst strong opposition from various quarters, including MPs, trade unions, and civil society groups.

The government argues that the bill aims to establish independent and accountable corporate entities, promote competition, ensure consumer protection, and foster renewable energy growth.

However, critics have raised several concerns regarding its implications.

One major issue is the bill’s constitutional inconsistencies. The Supreme Court recently declared it inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution, suggesting amendments for its passage.

Opposition MPs have criticised the rushed approach in passing the legislation, advocating for more time for thorough analysis and debate to address concerns.

Despite these objections, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera affirmed the bill’s scheduled presentation for debate.

The bill’s significance lies in its potential to reform the electricity sector, including unbundling Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) services and facilitating private sector participation, meeting the requirements of the bailout programme executed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Critics, however, argue that the bill neglects consumer protection and could politicise the electricity sector.

Trade unions have threatened to defeat the bill, alleging it offers no benefits to workers or consumers, they pointed out.

Furthermore, concerns about national security have surfaced, with some politicians alleging attempts to integrate Sri Lanka’s energy system with India’s, threatening sovereignty.

Industry experts have also voiced apprehensions, criticising the bill’s approach and its potential for political interference.

The proposed National Electricity Advisory Council composition, they argue, lacks adequate expertise in the electricity sector.

Moreover, the bill’s impact on the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has raised concerns, with fears of weakening its regulatory authority.

Whilst the bill aims to modernise the electricity sector, its current form faces significant opposition and scrutiny, highlighting the need for comprehensive review and amendments to address the concerns raised.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): There are plans underway to implement new visa measures, including exemptions for certain countries, such as Sri Lanka, in the near future, the Embassy of Thailand in Sri Lanka disclosed.

Currently, applicants can still lodge visa applications at the Embassy, with the standard processing time being two working days (applications submitted on Monday typically yield results by Wednesday), according to the Embassy.

In a recent announcement, the Embassy outlined that Thailand is in the process of finalising the legal procedures for the new visa measures, with the effective date yet to be confirmed.

Under the upcoming regulations, the Thailand Embassy will introduce three types of visas: the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Visa Exemption (60 days), and Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Among these measures, Sri Lanka is included in the list of countries granted visa exemptions for visits to Thailand, particularly for tourism and short-term business purposes, for a duration not exceeding 60 days.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Department has rolled out fresh passport seals for arrivals and departures at international airports across the nation.

Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, confirmed the deployment of these new seals at Katunayake Airport on June 1st, 2024.

Ilukpitiya highlighted that the implementation of these novel seals has commenced at various other international airports in Sri Lanka.

The new system features a blue seal for arrivals and a green one for departures.

Furthermore, Ilukpitiya disclosed that analogous seals have been introduced for ports and passenger cruise ships, with three distinct seals being designated for each sector.

Shedding light on the rationale behind this initiative, he noted that the previous seal, in use since 1948, had been susceptible to misuse, prompting the need for a more secure alternative.

Despite encountering delays in the past, attributed to several complaints regarding the fraudulent exploitation of the old seal, Ilukpitiya affirmed the department’s resolve to swiftly introduce the new seals.

Importantly, he assured that the newly introduced seals have been crafted with anti-counterfeiting features, mitigating the risk of duplication.