By: Staff Writer

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Consequent to the restructure of Sri Lanka’s state-run Ceylon Electricity Board by unbundling it to several separate private sector entities, the state owned electricity provider is losing qualified engineers at an alarming rate, union officials said.

The exodus of CEB engineers has been increased after a currency collapse and new progressive taxes slapped on the debased salary, and they are not coming back, they disclosed.

Ceylon Electricity Board has a cadre of around 1,000 engineers but 159 of them left the country for greener pastures since January 2022 up to now after obtaining levae or resigning from service

105 engineers have resigned from the CEB and 54 other engineers have obtained leave from service. 13 of them have submitted their resignation letters during the first few days of this month.

The total number of engineers leaving the country for foreign countries is expected to increase up to 200 in the coming months leading to serious gaps in some branches with engineering staff down to about 750, Dhanushka Parakramasinghe, President of the CEB Engineers Union revealed.

“Engineers are not coming back,” Parakramasinghe said. “Some are coming back to resign. Some who left on leave having got PR, have sent resignation letters from abroad.”

Engineers are leaving for Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, to work in utilities and also the mining sector.

Sri Lanka’s coal power complex needs 96 staff and they are now down to 70, he said. CEBruns in shifts, round the clock.

Coal plant staff can easily get jobs in the mining sector in many countries including South Africa, where heavy machinery is in operation, he said.

“But our people usually like to go to Australia or Western European countries,” Parakramasinghe said.

Those who are leaving are offered jobs from 4,000 to 8,000 dollars based on experience and type of jobs, he added.

Engineers working in operations and maintenance (O & M) in transmission and generators are also in high demand abroad, he said.

An entry level engineer gets around 150,000 to 170,000 rupees, at the CEB. It works out to around 5 dollars a day. At the central bank, which debases money, office assistants were paid 186,000 according to disclosures made in parliament.

Sri Lanka’s progressive taxes under an International Monetary Fund program, apply from around 3 dollars a day (100,000 rupees) through pay-as-you-earn taxes.

On one side senior staff are retiring and the CEB is seeing a drain of middle level staff who have about 10 years of experience, who are next in line, the Union said.

CEB will have problems maintaining service if the staff go abroad at this level, Buddhika Wijayawardhana, joint secretary of the CEBEU said

April 20, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence has clarified that the general amnesty period announced from April 20 to May 20 for members of the tri-forces marked as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) does not extend to Commissioned Officers.

In a press release issued on the 19th, the ministry specified that the amnesty applies solely to Other Ranks personnel who have not reported for duty without leave on or before December 31, 2023. Those who voluntarily report during this period will be legally discharged from their respective services.

However, certain categories have been excluded from the amnesty due to expenses incurred for their specialized training and the challenges in maintaining operations in their sectors. The excluded categories vary across the Army, Navy, and Air Force and include healthcare professionals, technicians, and specialized personnel.

The ministry also outlined criteria for absentees currently abroad to obtain discharge without returning to their regiments, provided they meet specific conditions and have no pending disciplinary actions besides being AWOL.

Additionally, Other Rank personnel abroad seeking discharge during the amnesty period can appoint a representative with a Power of Attorney, duly attested, to facilitate the process either at the Embassy of Sri Lanka or through a qualified legal professional in the respective foreign country.

The clarification aims to ensure a smooth implementation of the general amnesty while addressing the unique circumstances of AWOL personnel and streamlining the discharge process for those seeking to return to civilian life.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Coca-Cola has appointed Kaushali Kusumapala as the new Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, marking a significant milestone as the first woman from Sri Lanka to assume this role.

Effective April 1st, 2024, Kusumapala succeeds Pankaj Sinha, who previously led the region in 2019.

In her new capacity, Kusumapala aims to cultivate close partnerships with various stakeholders across Sri Lanka and Maldives, including bottling partners, customers, industry peers, consumers, and external collaborators.

With a career spanning back to 2009, Kusumapala brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having amassed diverse expertise through her tenure with esteemed organizations such as Leo Burnett, Fonterra Dairy, and Domino’s Pizza.

Expressing her excitement for the appointment, Kusumapala underscores her commitment to collaborating with Coca-Cola’s bottling partners, Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka, and Male’ Aerated Water Company, along with other key stakeholders.

Kusumapala holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne, reflecting her strong academic background.

Coca-Cola boasts a longstanding presence in Sri Lanka, dating back to 1961. The company directly employs over 400 individuals and maintains an extensive network comprising over 80,000 shops in the region.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Highly anticipated super-luxury ITC Ratnadipa Colombo hotel is poised to open its doors on next Thursday (25 April) under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.The landmark hotel is their first project outside India for ITC.

The ITC Ratnadeepa Hotel project is a noteworthy venture as it signifies the maiden development in Sri Lanka by WelcomHotels Lanka Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the prestigious ITC Ltd. 

The introduction of this super-luxury hotel promises a new level of opulence and service excellence in Colombo, catering to discerning travellers seeking an indulgent and world-class experience.

 ITC Hotels was first launched in 1975, and has since grown to become one of India’s premier luxury hospitality chains with more than 115 properties in over 80 locations across the country. 

The company is also championing the cause of sustainable luxury in the industry, and according to ITC Ratnadipa general manager Sujeet Kumar, this makes ITC the greenest and largest luxury hospitality chain in the world.

ITC Ratnadipa is the first ITC hotel to be established outside of India. Located in the heart of the business district of Colombo, Sri Lanka, with an unobstructed view of the Indian Ocean beyond the Galle Face Green promenade, Ratnadipa dominates the city’s skyline.

 Kumar explained that this property will bring about transformational change and a more sustainable future for hospitality. In addition to creating many job opportunities in the country, the establishment of ITC Ratnadipa is envisioned to strengthen the positive ties between the two countries as well. The property will be under the Marriott Luxury Collection portfolio.

The hotel comprises 352 rooms with large private balconies in all of them. According to Kumar, this property will have the largest room size amongst Colombo’s city hotels. Ahasa – Ratnadipa’s key architecture differentiator, is the bridge suspended between Sapphire Residences and the hotel tower, 100 meters (330 ft) above the ground and 15 meters (50 ft) in length, with two sky pools above, and the bar below. 

This will be a novelty in Colombo. The banqueting venue – Sangam, is a 15,000 sq.ft. Pillarless ballroom with floor to ceiling windows, allowing in loads of natural light and spectacular views of the surroundings.

ITC Hotels is one of the most popular brands in India. Given that India is one of the leading source markets for Sri Lanka, the management is confident of hosting destination weddings and several MICE conventions, through which ITC Ratnadipa can be established as the leading hotel for both MICE and exclusive weddings in addition to serving high-end luxury business travelers.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): Port City Colombo officials expressed concern over delays in opening Sri Lanka’s first-ever downtown duty-free shopping complex’s  set to be opened in April this year  due to some legal issues..

Originally scheduled to commence operations in April, the facility now faces an uncertain timeline for opening to the public, primarily due to unexpected legislative hurdles.

While concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of the duty-free mall on local businesses and Sri Lanka’s taxation framework, CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulchi Aluwihare has asserted that the facility will not have the negative effects perceived by some in the political and business communities.

“The aim is not to cannibalise but to expand the market and promote economic growth. The broader objective of Port City is to increase footfall and benefit the entire Colombo ecosystem,” Aluwihare said .

 He stressed that adequate measures are in place, serving as effective guardrails to protect against cannibalisation of the local market and ensure there is no leakage of goods into the local market.

“The goal is to attract tourists and create a shopping destination in Sri Lanka, capitalising on the average tourist’s stay of seven to 10 days, with an average spending day in Colombo being just one day,” added Aluwihare.

Pointing out that the delays are sending a negative message to investors, existing and potential, he stressed it is imperative for authorities to understand the importance of having investor-friendly processes.

“As a country facing a balance of payment crisis, we are actively seeking foreign direct investment and capital. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the experience for investors in Sri Lanka is positive and encourages further investment,” added Aluwihare

The partnership was underscored with the formalisation of two critical agreements: an Authorised Person Agreement between ODF and the Commission and a lease agreement between ODF and CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd (CPCC).

However the Department of Fiscal Policy (DoFP) has to evaluate and guide the design of all tax incentives, including those based on the Strategic Development Project Act and the Port City Act, finance ministry sources said. 

Preparing the necessary structures, including data sharing protocols and legal documents that assign authority to the DoFP will take time, it claimed. .

There was to be a 5,000 US dollar allowance for returning Sri Lankans and any amount for foreigners, according to concessions gazetted on May 29 2023. .

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No 11 of 2021 was given the authority to grant tax incentives within the Chinese-built Colombo Port City.

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April 20, Colombo (LNW): The Russian Embassy in Colombo issued a statement refuting claims of Sri Lankan nationals participating in the Ukrainian conflict on the Russian side, dismissing any knowledge of their involvement or the numbers potentially involved.

Responding to a lead story published in the Daily News on Friday (19) regarding the alleged recruitment of Sri Lankan mercenaries for the Russian Army, the Embassy clarified that they lack information on such participation. They emphasized that the safeguarding of Sri Lankan citizens’ interests and rights in Russia falls under the jurisdiction of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow.

The statement reiterated that visas are issued to Sri Lankans based on valid travel documents, unrelated to military activities. The Embassy emphasized their lack of knowledge regarding Sri Lankan involvement in the Ukrainian conflict or any local recruitment agencies facilitating such actions.

Additionally, the Embassy denied any association with the return of a corporal purportedly fleeing from the combat zone, as mentioned in the Daily News article titled “Popular tele actresses found recruiting mercenaries” by Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe.

While emphasizing that the Russian Embassy in Colombo oversees the protection of Russian citizens in Sri Lanka, they noted that matters concerning foreigners in Russia are the responsibility of relevant diplomatic representations in Moscow.

However, the Embassy underscored their efforts to prevent individuals with military intentions from entering Russia, conducting additional interviews to assess travelers’ intentions. They acknowledged the possibility of travelers altering their plans once in Russia but reiterated their commitment to upholding visa regulations.

In conclusion, the Embassy reiterated its focus on protecting Russian citizens in Sri Lanka while emphasizing the distinct responsibilities of diplomatic representations in Moscow regarding foreign nationals in Russia.

April 20, Colombo (LNW): The distribution of fortified rice, part of a school meal initiative spearheaded by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, kicked off at the Veyangoda warehouse complex under the auspices of the World Food Programme (WFP).

To combat iron deficiency among school children, fortified rice is being provided as a nutritious component of school meals. Oversight for this distribution falls under the purview of M.H.A.M. Riflan, Director General of the Partnership Secretariat for World Food Programme Co-operation (PSWFPC), operating within the Presidential Secretariat.

In its initial phase, 735 metric tons of rice are earmarked for distribution to provincial-level schools, beginning on the 19th and continuing on the 20th. This process is being closely monitored by officials from Provincial Departments of Education and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).

Director General Riflan disclosed plans for further distributions, including 378.835 metric tons of dhal, 412.08 metric tons of sunflower cooking oil, and 300 metric tons of dates, to commence with the start of the new school term on May 19.

The Education Ministry has devised a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students in grades 1-5 receive a nutritious main meal at school. Students are provided breakfast between 7.30 and 8.30 a.m. daily, following recommendations from nutritionists.

Under the banner of ‘Healthy Active Generation,’ the 2024 school meal programme aims to address nutritional concerns, enhance school attendance, promote healthy eating habits, elevate educational achievements, and celebrate local food culture.

This year, the school feeding programme benefits 1.6 million students, encompassing primary students from 9,134 government schools, as well as smaller schools with fewer than 100 students. The government has allocated Rs.16.6 billion to provincial councils for this purpose, supplemented by support from entities such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).