By: Isuru Parakrama

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in North-central, Central and North-western provinces and in Mannar districts during the afternoon or night, the statement added.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts 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:

The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced varied fluctuations against the US Dollar in trading at different commercial banks today, April 17, showing a mix of slight depreciation and appreciation compared to Tuesday’s rates.

Seylan Bank reported a minor drop in both buying and selling rates, with the buying rate slightly decreasing from Rs. 293 to Rs. 292.85, and the selling rate adjusting from Rs. 302.50 to Rs. 302.35.

Conversely, NDB Bank showed an increase in its rates, with the buying rate moving up from Rs. 292.15 to Rs. 294, and the selling rate from Rs. 303.15 to Rs. 305. Similarly, Peoples Bank recorded an increase in the buying rate from Rs. 293.46 to Rs. 294.93 and in the selling rate from Rs. 303.39 to Rs. 304.91.

Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank also reported rises in both buying and selling rates. Commercial Bank’s buying rate climbed from Rs. 292.98 to Rs. 294.21, with the selling rate moving from Rs. 302.25 to Rs. 303.50. Sampath Bank saw its buying rate increase from Rs. 294.25 to Rs. 295.50 and its selling rate from Rs. 303.25 to Rs. 304.50.

April 17, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka is set to enhance its tourism appeal by offering free visas to visitors from more than 50 countries. This initiative, aimed at stimulating the travel sector, is being prepared as a proposal for submission to the Cabinet of Ministers next week.

The draft Cabinet paper is being coordinated by the Tourism Minister in collaboration with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s commitment to reinvigorating the tourism industry, which is a significant source of revenue and employment in the country.

By removing the visa fees for these countries, Sri Lanka aims to attract more tourists, potentially increasing foreign exchange earnings and bolstering economic recovery efforts in the post-pandemic era.

April 17, Colombo (LNW): A 31-year-old Excise Officer from Wariyapola has been arrested by the North Western Province Unit of the Computer Crime Investigation Division. The arrest followed a complaint to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) alleging that the officer distorted the popular New Year song ‘Soorya Mangalya’ by Rohana Beddage and shared it on social media.

The song, which holds cultural significance and is traditionally played during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations, was reportedly altered by the suspect who resides in Thalathuoya. The investigation was swiftly initiated leading to the suspect’s arrest at the Wariyapola offices of the North Western Province Unit on April 16.

The suspect is scheduled to be presented before the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court today, April 17. This case highlights the legal implications of misusing digital platforms to alter culturally significant content.

April 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced that all preparations are in place for the introduction of a new visa and online application methodology, set to take effect from April 17, 2024. Detailed information about the new visa system, including applicable fees, requirements, and permitted duration of stay, has been made public in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24, dated November 27, 2023, which can be accessed via www.documents.gov.lk.

The new system, developed in collaboration with GBS Technology Service and IVS Global Institute, will replace the current Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and aims to make the visa application process faster and more efficient. The new E-Visa system can be accessed at www.srilankaevisa.lk.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration is actively encouraging all press outlets to disseminate this information widely to ensure the public is well-informed about the upcoming changes.

April 17, Colombo (LNW): Karuppaiyapilla Rajanayagam, the owner of a disputed property in the Mangeni area of Wakare, Batticaloa, has publicly denied allegations circulating in some media outlets about the involvement of the Eastern Province Governor and other government officials in the ownership issues of his land. Speaking to LNW, Rajanayagam vehemently rejected these claims, labeling them as completely false.

Rajanayagam’s clarification comes in response to several reports suggesting that the land had been unlawfully acquired by others, with demands for a ransom of 50 lakh rupees for its return. These reports also hinted at the involvement of individuals connected to the Eastern Governor, adding a layer of political intrigue to the matter.

Further addressing the issue, Rajanayagam criticized certain local political figures, accusing them of manipulating the media by disseminating misleading information for personal gain. He termed these individuals as “political magicians” who engage in “deal politics,” driven by financial incentives to stir controversies.

April 17, Colombo (LNW): During his observational tour at Illinois University in Chicago, USA, Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha explored several advanced facilities, including state-of-the-art medical and robotic surgery laboratories at one of the world’s largest medical schools. The visit, hosted by the university’s Health and Science Department, also included a stop at the historic Chicago College of Pharmacy, one of the oldest of its kind globally, where the Minister inspected its modern testing laboratories.

Highlighting the significance of global educational collaborations, Dr. Premajayantha expressed his hope that Illinois University could share its advanced technical methods with students in Sri Lanka, enhancing the educational experiences back home.

During discussions with university officials, Dr. Premajayantha took the opportunity to remind them of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Illinois University and Peradeniya University in Sri Lanka. This MoU facilitates an exchange program aimed at enriching education and research opportunities for Sri Lankan students, allowing them to access innovative learning environments.

Accompanying the Minister was Emeritus Professor Siva Sivanathan, who added his expertise to the tour, emphasizing the tour’s focus on fostering educational partnerships and learning from global practices in higher education.

April 17, Colombo (LNW):The first-ever Sri Lanka-Kyrgyz Republic Foreign Office consultations were held successfully in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on Monday, April 15, marking a significant step towards strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Avazbek Atakhanov co-chaired the event.

Initiated as part of Sri Lanka’s broader strategy to forge stronger relations with Central Asian countries, the consultations led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Cooperation, further solidifying the diplomatic bond established since 1996.

The talks focused on expanding economic collaboration across various sectors, including apparel, gems and jewellery, tea, food and beverages, wellness and ayurvedic products, education services, and information and communications technology (ICT). Both nations also explored ways to boost tourism and enhance people-to-people connections, which are pivotal for cultural and social integration.

Additionally, discussions covered cooperation in multilateral and regional forums, developments in each region, and pressing global issues, reflecting a comprehensive agenda aimed at mutual benefit.

In a parallel meeting, Foreign Secretary Wijewardane engaged with the Vice President and members of the Kyrgyz Chambers of Commerce, agreeing to hold a virtual inaugural meeting between the commerce bodies of both countries to foster trade and investment links.

April 17, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is advancing in its discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as both parties focus on finalizing the second review of the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), a key step in their ongoing economic collaboration. This development was reported following a critical meeting between State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe and Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramaniam, the IMF Executive Director for Sri Lanka and India, which took place in Washington, D.C.

The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the 2024 Mid-Year Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, an event that Minister Semasinghe attended. During their discussions, Semasinghe highlighted the positive trajectory of the negotiations and emphasized the significant role of the IMF, the World Bank, and other international partners in aiding Sri Lanka during its severe economic crisis in 2022. He credited this international support as a pivotal factor in the country’s current stability and economic progress.