July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) launched its official website on 18th July 2024 at the Chamber Hall, Presidential Secretariat, with Secretary to the President, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, as the guest of honour.
The ISTRM was established to address post-conflict grievances and promote reconciliation, reparation, and sustainable peace in Sri Lanka.
The initiative aims to prevent future conflicts among the nation’s diverse communities.
The Commission will implement recommendations from past commissions, including the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and the 2006 Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms.
The ISTRM is building the necessary legal and policy frameworks to support truth, reconciliation, and national unity.
Public and stakeholder engagement is a key focus, with consultations held nationwide to address community concerns.
The website launch is a pivotal step in fostering transparent communication and active public involvement in the reconciliation process.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): From January to April 2024, Sri Lanka’s export income from tea, rubber, coconut, cinnamon, and pepper surged to $1,118.06 million, up from $884.6 million in the same period in 2023, marking a $234 million increase.
At a meeting on 29th July, chaired by Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, it was decided to double the fertiliser subsidy for tea plantations from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000.
Additionally, a programme for reconstructing roads in tea plantations will commence to prevent damage to tea quality during transport.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board has allocated Rs. 2,000 million for these initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharmakeerthi, and chairmen of the Sri Lanka Tea Small Holdings Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Niraj de Mel.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): The National Agency for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is set to collaborate with international organisations to create and manage PPP programmes, according to Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
Speaking at a Cabinet media briefing, he emphasised the need for legal validation to enhance the agency’s effectiveness and the importance of establishing a legal framework for partnership agreements.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the President, acting as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies, to instruct the legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to facilitate these initiatives.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Railways Department has announced the resumption of the online train seat reservations system starting on 1st September.
Reservations will now open at 10 a.m., reverting to the previous schedule. Previously, reservations commenced at 7 p.m., but the time has been changed back to 10 a.m.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office between the Ministry of Transport and Highways, the Urban Development Authority, and the Central Cultural Fund for a tourism management project near the Ella Nine-Arch Bridge.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena presided over the event.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, an ambulance service will be introduced adjacent to a national heritage site.
The second phase of the project includes a tourism initiative at Demodara railway station.
Prime Minister Gunawardena praised the development of tourism hubs, highlighting the engineering marvel of the Nine-Arch Bridge and stressing the need to protect the natural environment and preserve heritage for future generations.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena noted that the Ella Odyssey, Dunhinda Odyssey, and Calypso trains are crucial for promoting tourism.
He mentioned that a proposal to modernise and develop the railway service has been submitted to the President.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Gamini Ranasinghe, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, and Mr. S.S. Mudalige, General Manager of Sri Lanka Railway Department.
Other attendees included Minister of Buddha Sasana Vidura Wickramanayake, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Ranjith Rubasinghe, and Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana H.M.P.B. Herath, along with ministry officials.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence, under the leadership of Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), has introduced extensive measures to ensure justice and lifelong care for soldiers injured in the war.
These measures include allowances, medical rehabilitation, and lifelong support.
Over the past two years, the Ministry has significantly contributed to the country’s economic and political stability, providing a secure environment for the populace.
General Gunaratne highlighted these efforts during a news conference titled ‘Two Years of Progress and Way Forward’.
He outlined the Ministry’s pivotal role in preventing human trafficking and drug trafficking, with the armed forces making substantial seizures of narcotics in 2023 and 2024.
The rehabilitation of war-injured soldiers has been prioritised, with centres established in multiple locations to provide necessary care.
Additionally, dependents of deceased military personnel are assured of financial support equivalent to their previous earnings.
Employment opportunities have been facilitated for retired soldiers through Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd, and there are plans to deploy 550 Sea Marshals given the current situation in the Red Sea.
The Sir John Kotelawala Defence University has also seen enhancements in educational facilities and increased enrolment, including foreign students, reflecting its high standards.
The Ministry is also actively involved in disaster management, with the National Building Research Organisation identifying landslide-prone areas and implementing mitigation projects.
The armed forces continue to assist in religious shrine and school renovations, disaster response, and construction projects for health facilities.
The Ministry’s efforts extend to international cooperation, with peacekeeping missions resumed and steps taken to address human trafficking issues in Myanmar and the Ukraine-Russia conflict involving former military personnel.
Senior officials, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Major General C.A. Wickramasinghe, and Defence Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary A.M.C.W.P. Abeykoon, were present at the event, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to these initiatives.
July 31, Colombo (LNW): Ninety-two MPs, including Ministers and State Ministers, have reportedly pledged their support for President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the forthcoming presidential election.
The President’s Media Division announced this commitment during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo yesterday evening (30).
Despite the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politburo’s decision to field their own candidate, a faction of SLPP MPs and Ministers have declared their support for Wickremesinghe.
On July 29, a group of Ministers who opposed the SLPP politburo’s proposal met with the President and decided to back him in the election.
This meeting, held at the political office of UNP MP Vajira Abeywardena, included Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, State Ministers Dilum Amunugama, Anupa Pasqual, Geeta Kumarasinghe, and MPs Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.B. Dissanayake, Premnath C. Dolawatte, among others.
On social media platform ‘X’, State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon reaffirmed his support for Wickremesinghe, citing the President’s role in stabilising the country.
Similarly, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe highlighted the progress made under Wickremesinghe’s leadership and urged continued support to avoid reverting to past crises.
July 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka expects a significant increase in both local and foreign tourists visiting this year at eco-friendly destinations managed by the Department of Forest Conservation, according to Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Wildlife, Forest Resources Conservation, and Irrigation. The first half of 2024 saw 364,521 tourists, with 40% being foreigners.
At a press briefing titled “Two Years of Progress and Way Forward” held at the Presidential Media Centre, Minister Wanniarachchi highlighted the rising trend: 289,405 tourists visited these attractions in 2022, increasing to 444,053 in 2023. The current year is already showing promising numbers.
Foreign tourists comprised 19.8% of visitors in 2022, which grew to 27.8% in 2023 and reached 40% in the first half of 2024. The government has taken steps to boost eco-tourism by implementing regulations and legal amendments approved by Parliament.
Several new attractions were introduced to enhance tourism. In 2023, the 2,500-hectare Gal Oya National Park was opened, and an information center was set up at the Kudava Dorana Ela entrance in Sinharaja Forest.
In 2024, the Manigala Forest Lodge in Knuckles Forest Reserve and a bicycle path in Udawattakele, Kandy, were added. Additionally, the Bandarawela Falls Lodge and Galwila Ecological Park in Puttalam district were inaugurated.
To improve the experience for foreign tourists, dedicated sanitary facilities have been established at popular destinations like Sinharaja, Kanneliya, Hurulu, Knuckles, and Udawattakele. An online ticket reservation system, “Day Visitor E-Permits,” is available for several national parks, including Yala, Udawalawe, Horton Plains, Kaudulla, Minneriya, and Wilpattu.
Efforts to increase forest cover from 29% to 32% by 2030 include acquiring around 144,000 hectares of new forest land. The Cabinet has approved legislation encouraging tree planting outside forests, and a draft has been completed.
Modern technology, such as drones, is being used to protect forests, and joint efforts are underway to safeguard non-reserved forests in the North Eastern and North Central Provinces. Forest boundaries are being identified and protected with boundary canals.
Mangrove restoration has been a priority, earning international recognition. Over the past two years, 326 hectares of mangroves have been planted, and Sri Lanka received the United Nations Flagship Award for its contributions during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The Department of National Zoological Gardens, despite the economic crisis, earned Rs.1,089.97 million in 2023. By June 2024, revenue increased by 66% compared to the previous year. The State Timber Corporation is also expected to record a net profit in 2024, with revenue reaching Rs.2,000 million.
Measures to control the elephant menace have been implemented, with over 4,700 workers maintaining 5,390 km of electric fencing. A survey on the country’s elephant population is planned for the first time in 13 years. Additionally, the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance has been amended, introducing new laws to combat wildlife crimes effectively.
