October 25, Colombo (LNW): Marie-Noelle Duris, Charge d’Affaires of the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday (23). During the meeting, Duris highlighted France’s long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka and reaffirmed France’s ongoing support for the country.
The discussion centered around the upcoming 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France, exploring potential areas of cooperation to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
October 25, Colombo (LNW): Dengue cases have surged by 10.5% during the week of October 14 to 20, according to the National Dengue Control Programme, with 627 cases reported from various parts of the country. The increase is attributed to the ongoing rainy conditions.
Since the start of the year, a total of 41,591 dengue cases and 20 deaths have been recorded nationwide. The Western Province has been the most affected, accounting for 42.5% of the total cases, or 17,686 cases. The highest numbers have been reported from:
Colombo District: 10,460 cases
Gampaha District: 4,927 cases
Kalutara District: 2,299 cases
Jaffna District: 4,133 cases
Kandy District: 3,585 cases
Ratnapura District: 2,591 cases
Kurunegala District: 1,665 cases
Galle District: 1,872 cases
The Health Ministry has identified seven high-risk zones, including the Colombo Municipal Council area, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kelaniya, Ragama, Yatinuwara, and Wennappuwa. The ministry advises the public to seek medical attention from a doctor if fever persists for more than two days, suspecting dengue as a possibility. They also urge the public to maintain cleanliness and eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds to help curb the spread of dengue.
The highly anticipated Fortune Fiesta Prize Giveaway, hosted by Lucky1, concluded on 26th September, delivering a thrilling experience for participants from across Sri Lanka. Beginning on 26th August, this month-long promotion attracted thousands of lottery enthusiasts eager for their chance to win fabulous prizes. The lucky winners were announced on 17th October, marking the culmination of the event with exciting rewards for those who participated.
A Grand Giveaway with Incredible Prizes
The Fortune Fiesta Giveaway offered participants the chance to win big, with prizes ranging from luxury hotel stays to cutting-edge tech gadgets and shopping vouchers. Here are the prizes and the lucky winners:
● 1st Prize: A full-board night stay for two at the prestigious Citrus Hotel in Waskaduwa Winner: Mr. K. D. S. A. Abeygunawardana From Colombo
● 2nd Prize: A brand new Sony WH-CH 720N Headphone Winner: Mr. Thisara Thilakarathna From Kandy
● 3rd Prize: A sleek and smart Samsung Galaxy Fit3 Smartwatch Winner: Mr. Asanka Senarathna From Colombo
● Rs. 5000 Keells Vouchers Winners: Mr. L. A. Dissanayaka Mr. Murali Sendikumar Mr. R. S. Manage Mr. Prasad Mapa Mr. Sri Prabaharan Thambithurai
● Rs. 2500 Keells Vouchers Winners: Mr. Gamini Mrs. Maureen Kankanamge Mr. Palaniwel Thirukumaran Mr. Shanuka Sudesh
These winners have walked away with not only fantastic prizes but also memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a luxurious getaway, state-of-the-art technology, or valuable shopping vouchers, each prize represents the excitement and opportunity that Lucky1 offers to all its customers.
About Lucky1 – Leading the Way in Sri Lanka’s Digital Lottery
Lucky1 has established itself as the leading platform for lottery enthusiasts in Sri Lanka. As an authorized online lottery agent for the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Lucky1 has been at the forefront of the e-lottery revolution in the country.
Since the launch of the SMS lottery in 2016, Lucky1 has continued to innovate, making lottery tickets more accessible to everyone. In 2019, Lucky1 took a significant leap by launching its flagship website, Lucky1.lk, offering a user-friendly platform where customers can search for numbers and buy tickets online with ease.
Today, Lucky1’s active customer base exceeds 150,000 users, making it a trusted name in the digital lottery landscape. The platform’s accessibility has expanded through partnerships with all mobile operators, as well as popular platforms like Darazand Frimi, allowing for seamless digital ticket purchases.
With its commitment to delivering thrilling lottery experiences, exciting prize giveaways, and innovative technology solutions, Lucky1 continues to lead the way in providing customers with more opportunities to win and achieve their dreams.
Congratulations to All the Winners!
Lucky1 would like to congratulate all the winners of the Fortune Fiesta Prize Giveaway and express appreciation to every participant who joined the event. The promotion may have come to an end, but the excitement at Lucky1 never stops. Stay tuned for more thrilling opportunities and big wins in the near future!
As Sri Lanka approaches its 2024 presidential election, the importance of a robust digital advertising strategy cannot be overstated. While social media platforms have become a popular choice for political campaigns, it is essential to recognize the significant role that open web platforms play in creating a strong share of voice. The open web offers unique advantages, particularly in reaching diverse audiences and ensuring a broad and impactful presence in the digital sphere.
Web Audience Perception and Share of Voice
According to social listening stats (source: Locobuzz) derived from web audience data and show the performance of SJB with 146.6k total mentions and 6.7k average mentions per day, NPP with 180k total social mentions and 8.2k average mentions per day and current president Ranil Wickramasinghe with total social mentions 114.1k and average 5.2k mentions per day who are the main candidates in the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka 2024.
Beyond Walled Gardens: The Open Web Advantage
Social media platforms, often referred to as “walled gardens,” provide a controlled environment for advertising where content is primarily viewed by users within the platform. While these platforms offer targeted advertising, they also come with limitations, including restricted access to broader audiences and data. In contrast, the open web encompasses a vast network of websites, news portals, and blogs, offering a more comprehensive reach. Advertising on open web platforms allows campaigns to engage with a diverse and extensive audience, ensuring that their message is not confined to the echo chambers often found on social media.
Aggregated Local Audiences and Language Support
One of the significant benefits of using a local open web platform for digital advertising in Sri Lanka’s 2024 presidential election is the ability to aggregate local audiences on a common platform. By leveraging local websites and news portals, campaigns can ensure that their message reaches a broad spectrum of the electorate, including those who may not be active on social media. This is particularly important in a country like Sri Lanka, where internet usage patterns vary across regions and demographics.
In addition, a local open web platform offers robust support for local language advertising, a crucial factor in a multilingual nation. By delivering ads in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, campaigns can effectively communicate with voters in their preferred language, enhancing the impact of their message. This level of localization is often more challenging to achieve on social media platforms, where language options and audience segmentation can be limited.
The Strategic Importance of Open Web Advertising
As political campaigns strategize for the 2024 presidential election, it is essential to prioritize a strong presence on open web platforms. By doing so, they can achieve a balanced digital advertising strategy that goes beyond the confines of social media and taps into the full potential of the internet.
Therefore, the advertising arms of the candidates in presidential election battle in Sri Lanka should embrace the cutting edge features of local open platforms which offer a powerful means of reaching a wide and diverse audience, fostering trust through credible placements, and ensuring that the campaign message resonates across different languages and regions.
The Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is swiftly emerging as a major business center in South Asia, offering a legal framework and investor-friendly environment that attracts international businesses and promotes economic growth in Sri Lanka. Its competitive advantages and strategic incentives are positioning Colombo as a key regional player, rivaling established financial centers like Dubai and Singapore.
Colombo Port City aims to attract international businesses that have historically favored locations like Dubai and Singapore due to benefits such as paying employees in USD, tax incentives, and political stability.
Recognizing this, Colombo Port City has developed regulations that provide similar conditions, making it an appealing alternative for global businesses seeking to expand in South Asia. Sri Lankan businesses also benefit, using the SEZ to grow regionally or globally.
A recent development in the Port City’s regulatory framework includes banking regulations that safeguard capital flows, ensuring a secure environment for investors. These regulations are designed to attract foreign direct investments (FDI), contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic growth and creating new business opportunities.
The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) maintains a public registry of Authorized Persons (APs), featuring primary and secondary investors from countries like India, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. This highlights the SEZ’s global appeal. With over 100 companies already considering operations in the zone, the Port City is gaining traction as a regional hub for services.
A key distinction of the Colombo Port City SEZ is its policy design, which directly links incentives to foreign earnings and new business ventures. This differs from other zones in Sri Lanka, ensuring that only companies committed to new investments can access SEZ benefits. The zone’s tax advantages and regulatory framework are aimed at attracting high-value investments, promoting innovation, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
To ensure alignment with Sri Lanka’s broader economic goals, the CPCEC has established stringent criteria for secondary investors. These include generating global revenue of at least USD 50 million, employing at least 100 people within five years, or achieving a start-up valuation of USD 500,000. Additionally, companies must demonstrate contributions to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development through innovation, research, and the creation of an international financial hub.
Companies seeking SEZ incentives must submit comprehensive business plans, with annual compliance reviews conducted by the CPCEC. If companies fail to meet the standards, their licenses may not be renewed. This structured approach ensures that the Colombo Port City continues to align with national development goals, creating a dynamic and thriving business environment.
With its focus on facilitating investments, offering competitive incentives, and fostering a secure and modern environment, Colombo Port City is positioned to become South Asia’s premier business and financial hub. The SEZ offers significant growth opportunities for both local and international investors looking to expand their global footprint.
Sri Lanka’s renowned gem and jewellery sector is set to shine once more as the 31st edition of FACETS Sri Lanka, South Asia’s premier gem and jewellery exhibition, prepares to take place in early 2025.
Known for its rich history in gemstone mining and expert craftsmanship, Sri Lanka’s jewellery market continues to attract international buyers. In 2024, the country’s jewellery market revenue hit US$199.30 million, and the market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.96% (CAGR 2024-2029).
Interestingly, 86% of the sales in this market are projected to come from non-luxury segments by 2024.
Scheduled from January 4-6, 2025, at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, FACETS Sri Lanka promises a dazzling showcase of the best the global gem and jewellery industry has to offer. Traders, wholesalers, manufacturers, lapidarists, retailers, and collectors will come together for this highly anticipated event.
Sri Lanka, celebrated for its rich legacy as one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sources of coloured gemstones, continues to be a global leader in the trade.
The island is famous for its stunning selection of precious stones, from the brilliant blue sapphires to vibrant rubies. The country’s rich tradition of jewellery making is enhanced by its remarkable craftsmanship, which blends contemporary designs with cultural heritage to create timeless pieces.
The 2025 edition of FACETS Sri Lanka will include several key events, such as Sapphire Night, a networking and exhibition event focused on Sri Lanka’s signature sapphires, and a Story Corner to explore the historical and cultural significance of the gem and jewellery industry.
Additional highlights include a Power Breakfast designed to inspire women in the field, a Mine Tour that will offer visitors a firsthand look at the gem mining process, and a visit to Port City, Colombo’s emerging investment hub. A VIP golf tournament is also planned for high-profile guests.
Chairman of FACETS Sri Lanka 2025, Armil Sammoon, revealed that all exhibitor booths for the event have already sold out. He emphasized the event’s importance by stating, “It’s an order-taking show. This is where supply chains are built.
The SME pavilion, which started many years ago, has allowed smaller companies to become large exporters. This event has been a stepping stone for many.”
Since its inception in 1991, FACETS Sri Lanka has been a beacon for the global gem and jewellery industry, showcasing the island’s extraordinary treasures and artistry to the world.
With each edition, it further cements Sri Lanka’s status as a leading destination for fine gemstones and jewellery, making this event a must-attend for industry professionals.
The Sri Lankan economy has displayed clear signs of recovery in 2024, with notable growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the first half of the year, higher tax revenues, lower inflation, and increased foreign currency reserves.
The Sri Lankan rupee strengthened, recording an overall appreciation of 8.2percent up to the end September 2024, finance ministry sources said .
The reforms implemented under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement of the International Monetary Fund (IMFEFF) supported the economic recovery benefiting the living conditions ofthe people.
Maintaining macro stability and restoring debt sustainability has been a cornerstone for improving fiscal operations in 2025 and beyond to reach medium term primary balance target of 2.3 percent of GDP by end 2025
Government revenue, including grants, rose by 40.5% (or Rs. 739.3 billion) in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, driven largely by a 41.4% increase in tax revenue.
Tax revenue from goods and services, which constitute 60.5% of the total tax revenue, surged by 59.8% (Rs. 531.9 billion), totaling Rs. 1,421.3 billion by August 2024, up from Rs. 889.5 billion in the previous year.
The increase is partly attributable to Sri Lanka’s commitment under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which aims to raise tax revenue to 15.1% of GDP by 2025.
Despite these gains, the country still faces challenges due to its persistent tax gap, which is the difference between potential and actual tax collections, finance ministry claimed .
This gap is caused by outdated tax policies, weak enforcement, and a lack of data necessary for evaluating tax performance accurately.
To address these issues, the Ministry of Finance acknowledges the importance of conducting a comprehensive tax gap analysis to refine tax policies and enforcement, focusing on personal income tax, corporate income tax, and value-added tax (VAT).
Revenue from income taxes grew by 16.3% to Rs. 624.7 billion during the first eight months of 2024, largely driven by changes in tax policies and improved administration.
Personal and corporate income taxes also saw a 16.3% rise compared to the same period in 2023, with revenue from the Advance Personal Income Tax (APIT) increasing by 32.6% to Rs. 31.7 billion.
These improvements reflect a combination of better enforcement measures, including mandatory electronic tax filing and enhanced information-sharing between financial institutions and the Inland Revenue Department.
October 25, Colombo (LNW): The Australian Government has donated a Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft King Air 350 surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on a gratis basis. This aircraft will bolster SLAF’s maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to ensure a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean region.
The SLAF noted that this donation highlights the strong partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka, reinforcing their shared commitment to combating human smuggling and enhancing regional stability.
October 25, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition, which seeks to prevent the release of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results and cut-off marks, for November 18. The petitioners, who are parents of students who took the exam on September 15, 2024, allege that certain questions from Paper 01 were leaked and have requested the court to invalidate the paper and order a re-examination.
The case was taken up before Supreme Court Justice Arjuna Obeysekera yesterday (24). The court has instructed the respondents to submit their objections by November 5, with any additional objections to be filed by November 12. The court will review the facts of the case during the next hearing on November 18.
The petition aims to address concerns over the integrity of the exam process following the alleged leak.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stated that the government has taken all necessary measures in response to recent intelligence reports and assures the security of all citizens. The President made these remarks while addressing a public meeting held in Puttalam
Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath says that the travel advisories issued by several foreign countries for Sri Lanka could be lifted within the next two to three days.Minister Herath stated this during a special press conference held in Colombo, to brief on the steps taken following information received on possible attacks targeting foreign tourists in Sri Lanka.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said it submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to reduce electricity tariffs. According to the CEB, the proposal has been formulated based on the current pricing formula. The PUCSL will review the proposal and, upon approval, will announce the percentage reductions in electricity tariffs.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the current government’s inability to control the rising cost of living. He emphasized that the government’s mismanagement of economic policies has led to shortages of food and other essential items, making it difficult for the public to afford basic necessities.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya engaged in a discussion with the heads of Sri Lanka’s defence forces at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo today. Chief of Defense Staff, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera participated in the meeting.
The Supreme Court has ordered for the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed seeking an order preventing the release of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results and the cut-off marks, to be taken up for consideration on November 18. The petitioners have requested the Supreme Court through their FR petition that an order be issued invalidating question paper 01 of the 2024 Grade 05 Scholarship Examination of which certain questions are alleged to have been leaked, and that the exam be held again.
The National Election Commission has announced the finger-marking process of voters at the upcoming 2024 General Election. Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said that the Index finger on the left hand will be marked for the Parliamentary Election.
High Court Judge Sujeewa Nishshanka is set to issue a ruling on the 29th of November on whether or not to release two defendants without calling for evidence from the plaintiff, namely Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Former Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation Mohammad Tasim Mohammad Rumi.
The Australian Government provided a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft, Beechcraft King Air 350, to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on a gratis basis. The aircraft will expand SLAF’s aerial maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and contribute to Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts in maintaining a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean region.
Reshan Algama, who made a stunning comeback to claim victory by four strokes at the PRIMA Sunrise Bread Hambantota Regional Junior Golf Championship, propelled him to the top of Sri Lanka’s amateur golf rankings. The 16-year-old climbed an impressive 75 places in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) to become Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked golfer, now positioned at 535th in the world. Reshan Algama has had an outstanding year in junior golf, displaying his talent in multiple tournaments.
