August 24, Colombo (LNW): The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, inaugurated a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Plant at the Sinhapada area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The facility has been officially handed over to the Central Cultural Fund, which operates under the Cultural Affairs Department and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.
The Indian government has also committed to covering the maintenance costs of the RO Water Plant for the next five years. This facility is expected to provide clean drinking water to the thousands of visitors who come to Sigiriya from around the world, further enhancing the site’s amenities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, the Deputy Chief Secretary of the Central Province, and representatives from the Trade, Commerce, and Tourism Department of the Central Province, among other government officials. This initiative underscores India’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s development across various sectors.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): A leading South Korean entrepreneur, Tong-Jo Mun, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Thursday (22) to discuss potential investments in Sri Lanka’s energy and agriculture sectors. During the meeting, Yong-Jo Mun, who serves as the President of the International Interchange Development Association, expressed his interest in investing in several solar energy projects and the cultivation of fruits for export to Korea and other countries.
Prime Minister Gunawardena welcomed the proposed investments, emphasizing the government’s plans to increase the use of alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on crude oil. The discussions also explored potential investments in the fisheries, health, and construction sectors, with a focus on introducing new technology to enhance production.
The Korean delegation, led by Yong-Jo Mun, included Mun Sujong, Lakpriya Athukorala, and Sudharma Kulatunga. They were accompanied by Ven. Wedande Jinarathana Thera. The meeting was also attended by MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Additional Secretary Mahinda Gunaratne, and Advisor Sugeeswara Senadhira.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary Ranjith Rubasinghe has clarified that recent reports suggesting the cancellation of un-updated driving licences are entirely false. He assured the public that no such decision has been made. Speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre yesterday (23), Rubasinghe also announced the introduction of a new system to update the information of nearly two million driving licence holders who have not yet updated their details.
Rubasinghe explained that since the issuance of the first driving licence in Sri Lanka in the 1960s, approximately 12.3 million licences have been distributed. Many of these older licences do not have an expiry date and have remained valid indefinitely, resulting in outdated information for about two million holders.
To address this, the Ministry is implementing a new method to update licence information, aiming to complete the process by the end of this year. Importantly, this update will not require new medical records or visits to the Motor Traffic Department, and no existing licences will be cancelled.
In addition to this, the Ministry is moving forward with the digitization of transport sector services. Starting January 1, 2025, fines and on-the-spot penalties will be managed through a new digital system, necessitating updated information for all driving licences. The Ministry also plans to introduce the e-Driving Licence within the first six months of 2025.
Rubasinghe also addressed issues related to the temporary driving licences issued due to a shortage of cards. Out of approximately 800,000 temporary licences issued, only 91,000 have received their permanent cards so far. The remaining cards are expected to be issued within the next two months, with normal card issuance resuming next year.
Additionally, Rubasinghe highlighted the successful launch of an online system for purchasing train tickets, which began on August 22. This system, available through the website www.pravesha.lk, allows passengers to purchase digital train tickets, eliminating the need to wait in queues. The Ministry plans to expand this system to include season tickets and other services within the next three months.
Motor Traffic Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasinghe also attended the event, providing further insights into the ongoing developments in the transport sector.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a public warning about an increase in fraudulent activities involving individuals posing as tax officials. These scams have been reported in several regions, including Colombo, Panadura, Negombo, Wennappuwa, and Minuwangoda.
In a statement, the IRD emphasized that genuine Inland Revenue Officers will never collect cash or cheques in person. Instead, they will only advise taxpayers to make payments directly into designated bank accounts at the Bank of Ceylon or People’s Bank, under the name of the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.
The department urged the public to be vigilant and not to comply with any requests for cash or cheques from individuals claiming to be tax officials. Instead, any such incidents should be reported immediately to the nearest police station. The IRD highlighted that public cooperation is essential in apprehending these fraudsters and preventing further scams.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): United Petroleum, a fully Australian-owned independent fuel and convenience company, has entered Sri Lanka’s retail petroleum market.
The company’s official launch took place on Thursday, 22nd August. According to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekara, United Petroleum will begin its retail fuel operations in September 2024 with 150 dealer-owned and operated fuel stations.
This entry marks United Petroleum as the fourth retail operator in the Sri Lankan fuel market, joining Lanka IOC, Sinopec, and RM Parks-Shell.
United Petroleum of Australia had earlier signed an agreement on 22nd February with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Power and Energy to supply petroleum products locally.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary to the Ministry, representing the Sri Lankan government, and Eddie Hirsch, representing United Petroleum as the company’s owner.
As part of this agreement, United Petroleum was allocated 150 fuel stations across Sri Lanka and granted permission to establish 50 additional stations.
To facilitate its operations, United Petroleum established a subsidiary in Sri Lanka named ‘United Petroleum Lanka Pvt. Ltd.’ Dr. Prabath Samarasinghe, a former Board Member of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO), was appointed as the Director and CEO of the company.
United Petroleum Lanka signed an agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) for a $27.5 million investment, which will support the import, storage, and sale of petroleum products in Sri Lanka.
In total, United Petroleum will operate 200 fuel stations across Sri Lanka over a 20-year period. These include 150 existing privately-owned outlets currently operated by CEYPETCO, alongside the development of 50 new stations under United Petroleum’s management.
United Petroleum’s entry into Sri Lanka marks the company’s first expansion of its retail gasoline operations beyond Australia. In Australia, United Petroleum operates around 500 sites, offering premium-quality fuel at competitive prices.
The company is owned by Australian entrepreneurs Avi Silver and Eddie Hirsch. United Petroleum is recognized as a billion-dollar firm with a strong commitment to quality, safety, and environmental standards.
The company’s owners are optimistic about setting high benchmarks in Sri Lanka’s retail petroleum sector, aiming to enhance the quality of products and services provided to customers.
United Petroleum Lanka Ltd. is focused on elevating the standards of Sri Lanka’s retail petroleum industry by offering high-quality products and services. With Dr. Prabath Samarasinghe at the helm, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the Sri Lankan market.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to implement recommendations from a commission led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Depp on digitizing Sri Lanka’s election system.
Speaking at an IT professionals’ meeting themed “Coding the Nation’s Future,” held at Waters Edge Hotel, the President suggested that the new digital election system might be tested in the upcoming local government elections.
He emphasized the necessity of digitizing the electoral process and confirmed the government’s intention to follow the committee’s recommendations.
Highlighting a forward-looking approach, Wickremesinghe spoke about using the local elections as a pilot project before introducing the digital election system on a national scale. The event also featured advanced technology, including a robot named “Pepper,” developed with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The meeting included contributions from various industry leaders, including Mr. Siddhartha Raja from the World Bank, who delivered the keynote address, and representatives from Sri Lanka’s IT sector. The discussions underscored the government’s commitment to modernizing governance through technology.
In his address, President Wickremesinghe outlined a broader vision to transform Sri Lanka into an export-oriented economy driven by technology.
He emphasized the critical role of technology in modernizing key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. The government’s strategy includes fostering a digital and green economy, supported by infrastructure development, legal reforms, and human resource cultivation.
The President acknowledged the need to reorganize vocational education, establish new technology universities, and support both state and non-government universities.
Plans include the creation of four new universities, including a campus of the Chennai IIT in Galaha, with support from India.
By leveraging regional advantages and adopting successful methods from India, Sri Lanka aims to develop a $15 billion digital economy as part of a broader $85 billion economy, with aspirations to reach $350 billion by mid-century.
Additionally, the Digital Transformation Agency and the Centre for AI will play key roles in driving technological advancement.
However, the government’s primary responsibility is to provide infrastructure, enact laws, and cultivate human resources. We must focus on producing skilled talent, knowing that some will go abroad, but as salaries improve, more will stay he said .
The government also needs to modernize schools to prepare them for the 2030s and 2040s, a process that will take time
. Vocational education is being radically reorganized, with vocational training centers and institutes being consolidated under the Vocational Skills Agency of Sri Lanka.
University Colleges of Technology and Management will be set up to offer associate degrees, expand existing state universities, and promote nongovernment universities in technology.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters, in collaboration with MRCC Chennai, coordinated the successful rescue of four (4) fishermen from a distressed local fishing trawler.
The fishermen, stranded approximately 447 nautical miles (827 km) off Point Pedro on Sri Lanka’s east coast, were rescued by an Indian fishing trawler directed by MRCC Chennai. The rescue operation was reported to MRCC Colombo on 21st August 2024.
India and Sri Lanka launched a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in January this year reflecting the deepening maritime security cooperation between the two sides, as external affairs minister S Jaishankar met the top leadership in Colombo to bolster ties in a range of areas.
The local fishing trawler (Reg No. 1DAY-A-0184 KMN) was reported to have left the Point Pedro Fisheries Harbour with 4 fishermen on 7th July 2024 for a fishing voyage.
Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) alerted MRCC Colombo established at the Navy Headquarters to assist the crew members onboard as their fishing trawler was in distress.
In response, MRCC Colombo sought assistance from MRCC Chennai to rescue the stranded fishing trawler.
MRCC Chennai then directed the Indian fishing trawler Thomas Mery (Reg No. TN 02 MM 1976) to rescue the Sri Lankan fishermen.
After the successful rescue, the fishermen were handed over to an Indian Coast Guard ship. On 21st August, MRCC Chennai informed its Colombo counterpart that the rescued fishermen were being transported to Chennai by the Indian Coast Guard.
The Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with MRCC Colombo continues to exemplify its dedication and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue jurisdiction and beyond, serving as a beacon of hope and security for seafarers and the fishing community.
The commissioning of the MRCC, which comprises a main centre at the Sri Lanka Navy headquarters in Colombo and a sub-centre in Hambantota, was described in a readout from the Sri Lankan president’s office as the highlight of the meeting between Jaishankar and Wickremesinghe.
“This initiative underscores the deepening maritime security cooperation between India and Sri Lanka,”
Built with a grant of $6 million from India, the MRCC includes seven unmanned installations at strategic locations across Sri Lanka’s coastline – Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro and Mollikulam.
The MRCC, established by state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), will serve as the nerve centre for search and rescue operations at the sea.
A memorandum of understanding for the centre was signed in March 2022, and Sri Lankan Navy teams have been trained by BEL in Bengaluru and Colombo to operate the MRCC.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is on the brink of a new era in aviation with the forthcoming launch of Air Ceilao, the nation’s latest international airline.
Poised to make a significant impact on the industry, Air Ceilao aims to capitalize on Sri Lanka’s strategic location as a regional aviation hub and transform global perceptions of air travel.
More than just another airline, Air Ceilao aspires to become a trailblazer in the industry by merging the sophistication of full-service carriers with the cost-effectiveness of budget airlines.
This innovative approach is designed to appeal to both the luxury traveler and the budget-conscious flyer, offering an experience that balances comfort with value, catering to the diverse needs of its customers.
With preparations well underway and active collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Air Ceilao is set to take to the skies soon.
Initially, the airline will operate a fleet of narrow- and wide-bodied aircraft, connecting passengers to major destinations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
In its second phase of expansion, the airline plans to extend its reach to long-haul destinations across Europe and Australia.
Air Ceilao’s foundation is built on the principles of innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and a steadfast commitment to delivering an unparalleled customer experience.
According to Chairman Janith Kashan, the airline’s mission is to “redefine air travel,” with a digital-first approach that ensures smooth and memorable journeys for all passengers.
The timing of Air Ceilao’s launch aligns with a period of significant growth in Sri Lanka, as the nation’s tourism industry flourishes and infrastructure development accelerates.
The airline is expected to play a key role in this growth, generating new opportunities and creating jobs that will empower local talent and stimulate the economy.
Chairman Kashan highlights that the airline has assembled a top-tier team with extensive experience in aviation and launched a nationwide recruitment drive to ensure that the airline is staffed by the best, with a strong emphasis on local talent.
As Sri Lanka’s second privately owned international airline, Air Ceilao seeks to disrupt the current market by offering a customer-centric travel experience that balances low-cost options with luxury services.
This unique approach has the potential to reshape market dynamics, providing travelers with more choices and setting new standards in the industry.
Air Ceilao aims to leverage Sri Lanka’s advantageous geographic position to establish itself as a key player in the region, while simultaneously acting as a catalyst for the country’s tourism sector and broader economic growth.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his intention to implement recommendations from the commission report led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Depp on digitizing Sri Lanka’s election system. President Wickremesinghe’s comments highlight a forward-looking approach to enhancing Sri Lanka’s electoral process through digital technology, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing key systems and improving efficiency in governance.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has undertaken a humanitarian mission to liberate the entire nation from this misery, stated Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. He mentioned that while the current government has considered state employees a burden on the country until now, they have suddenly deemed them important due to opportunism, attempting to deceive state employees with political gimmicks to retain power.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera saya SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP Leader Anura Dissanayake are making many promises to voters to win the Presidential Election. But most of their promises are against IMF agreements. Even President Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot break those agreements. If he breaks those agreements, the IMF will stop supporting our country. Even the President is not capable of rebuilding it.
The Parliament has informed the Election Commission that a vacancy has been created in the House following the resignation of Thalatha Athukorala as a Member of Parliament. This has been informed in terms of the Section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, the Parliamentary Communications Department said.
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a warning to the public regarding a surge in fraudulent activities involving individuals impersonating tax officials. These scams have been reported in various regions, including Colombo, Panadura, Negombo, Wennappuwa, and Minuwangoda, it said in a statement.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government has introduced an online platform (www.pravesha.lk) for railway passengers to purchase tickets. This new system now allows passengers traveling even short distances to buy train tickets using their mobile phones.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe, clarified that reports claiming a decision has been made to cancel all un-updated driving licenses are entirely false and that no such decision has been taken.
Australia’s United Petroleum, the latest foreign firm to enter the fuel retail market, was officially launched in Sri Lanka. Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said that accordingly, they will commence retail fuel operations in September 2024 with 150 dealer-owned and operated fuel stations.
Mahinda Deshapriya, Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee for Local Government institutions, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the postponement of 2023 Local Government Elections as a victory for the people.
Sri Lanka will host New Zealand for a two-match Test series during next month’s presidential election, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today. The first Test will begin on September 18 at Galle, but there will be a rest day on September 21 when the voting is set to take place, the board said.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Nguyen Van Phuc, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. Saj Mendis, signed a renewed Education Cooperation Agreement for the period of 2024 to 2026. This agreement, initially established in 1999, continues to serve as a key framework for fostering collaboration in education and training, particularly benefiting Sri Lankan students, researchers, and academics. The signing took place at the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi, Vietnam.
During the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc highlighted the crucial role of education in the socio-economic development of any nation, regardless of its economic status. He pointed out that Vietnam’s strong educational foundation has played a vital role in the country’s economic success, including attracting over US$ 30 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and achieving exports exceeding US$ 360 billion annually.
Ambassador Mendis emphasized the impressive economic growth Vietnam has experienced, noting that its GDP per capita has surged from just US$ 90 in 1990 to approximately US$ 4,500 today—a 50-fold increase.
The Sri Lankan delegation at the signing included Minister Counselor Kethma Rajapaksa Yapa and officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Hanoi. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Director General Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh and senior officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
