By: Staff Writer

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Air India resumed operation in Sri Lanka with Hayleys as new General Sales Agent following Sky Aviation Ltd’s failure in multiple attempts to legally restrain it from transferring local agentship of Indu Sky.

Indu Sky made an application in the District Court of Colombo, seeking an enjoining order against Air India days prior to the expiration of the GSA Contract, to prevent the latter from appointing a new GSA and this enjoining order was refused recently.

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has selected Hayleys, Sri Lanka’s leading blue-chip multinational conglomerate, as its General Sales Agent for passenger sales in Sri Lanka.

The keen interest of Air India to carry out frequent flights to Sri Lanka is evident by the continued operations as well as the increase in the number of flights operated to the country.

Leveraging the expertise, scale, and reliability of the Hayleys Group, the partnership will further enhance Air India’s presence in Sri Lanka to support the airline’s ongoing transformation and global expansion.

“Hayleys is honoured to represent Air India in Sri Lanka. Together, we share a commitment to corporate responsibility and uphold similar values, allowing us to offer unparalleled credibility, strength, stability, and value to our customers Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC said.

The improved connectivity resulting from this collaboration will add greater momentum to Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism industry, creating value for our nation and supporting the growth aspirations of Air India,”

Air India operates 17 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka, contributing to the growing trade and tourism between the two countries. With its vast global network spread across five continents,

Air India offers convenient connections via Delhi or Chennai to passengers travelling between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world, particularly North America, Europe, and Australia.

India’s rising economic strength is leading to exponential growth in travel. More than 23 million inbound tourists and 10 million outbound tourists were recorded in 2023, making it one of the single most dynamic emerging hubs for aviation in Asia, with over 300,000 annual arrivals from India.

The strategic partnership supports Air India’s ongoing transformation and modernisation programme that is poised to offer Sri Lankan passengers a world-class flying experience with Indian hospitality at the core of it.

With its orders for 470 new aircraft, the airline is expanding and modernising its fleet, leading to the arrival of one new aircraft every six days through this year and into the next. Coupled with the other transformational changes designed to elevate the travel experience for customers.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has taken a significant step forward in the realm of connectivity by granting preliminary approval to ‘Starlink’ for the provision of satellite-based internet services in Sri Lanka.

This announcement was made by the State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath.

Herath asserted that while the preliminary approval has been granted, the final endorsement will be contingent upon the completion of a formal public consultation process.

This process is crucial for gathering input from stakeholders and the general public to ensure transparency and inclusivity in decision-making regarding telecommunications services.

In response to the development, the President’s Media Division (PMD) has indicated that comprehensive details regarding the upcoming public consultation will be released imminently.

The initiative is an indication that the government is committed to fostering an open and participatory environment wherein the concerns and perspectives of all stakeholders, including citizens and industry experts, are duly considered.

The introduction of satellite-based internet services by Starlink holds immense promise for enhancing connectivity across Sri Lanka, particularly in remote and underserved regions where traditional infrastructure may be lacking.

By leveraging advanced satellite technology, Starlink aims to provide high-speed and reliable internet access to users nationwide.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): U.S. President Joseph Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with over 50 world leaders, have congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on their electoral success.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi has extended an invitation to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend his upcoming swearing-in ceremony, an invitation that President Wickremesinghe has accepted.

Traditionally, Prime Minister Modi has invited leaders from neighbouring countries to his swearing-in ceremonies. Sri Lanka, being a member of both SAARC and BIMSTEC, received invitations in previous years.

The government is now considering extending invitations to leaders from other regional countries, including those from the Gulf and Central Asia, pending their availability to travel to India at short notice.

Several international leaders, including those from Israel, Singapore, the UK, France, and China, have conveyed their congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on his victory.

Notably, President Biden praised the strong relationship between India and the United States, highlighting its “unlimited potential.”

The congratulatory messages also extend to journalists, civil society workers, and others who contributed to India’s democratic processes.

The U.S. State Department commended Indian voters and stakeholders for their commitment to democracy.

President Putin was among the first international leaders to congratulate Prime Minister Modi on his electoral success.

Similarly, leaders from the UAE and China expressed their interest in strengthening bilateral relations with India.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to participate in the G-7 outreach in Italy and the SCO summit in Kazakhstan, where he will engage with world leaders, including President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Additionally, South Asian leaders, including those from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and possibly Sri Lanka, are anticipated to visit India in the coming weeks.

As the international community recognises India’s growing role in global affairs, leaders like Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have called for India’s participation in international peace summits.

Whilst Modi has not confirmed attendance at such conferences, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional peace and prosperity.

The congratulatory messages pour in as India prepares for Prime Minister Modi’s third consecutive term, signifying the importance of India’s leadership on the global stage.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Today (06), the Sri Lankan Parliament is set to debate the government’s proposed Electricity Bill for its second reading, amidst strong opposition from various quarters, including MPs, trade unions, and civil society groups.

The government argues that the bill aims to establish independent and accountable corporate entities, promote competition, ensure consumer protection, and foster renewable energy growth.

However, critics have raised several concerns regarding its implications.

One major issue is the bill’s constitutional inconsistencies. The Supreme Court recently declared it inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution, suggesting amendments for its passage.

Opposition MPs have criticised the rushed approach in passing the legislation, advocating for more time for thorough analysis and debate to address concerns.

Despite these objections, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera affirmed the bill’s scheduled presentation for debate.

The bill’s significance lies in its potential to reform the electricity sector, including unbundling Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) services and facilitating private sector participation, meeting the requirements of the bailout programme executed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Critics, however, argue that the bill neglects consumer protection and could politicise the electricity sector.

Trade unions have threatened to defeat the bill, alleging it offers no benefits to workers or consumers, they pointed out.

Furthermore, concerns about national security have surfaced, with some politicians alleging attempts to integrate Sri Lanka’s energy system with India’s, threatening sovereignty.

Industry experts have also voiced apprehensions, criticising the bill’s approach and its potential for political interference.

The proposed National Electricity Advisory Council composition, they argue, lacks adequate expertise in the electricity sector.

Moreover, the bill’s impact on the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has raised concerns, with fears of weakening its regulatory authority.

Whilst the bill aims to modernise the electricity sector, its current form faces significant opposition and scrutiny, highlighting the need for comprehensive review and amendments to address the concerns raised.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): There are plans underway to implement new visa measures, including exemptions for certain countries, such as Sri Lanka, in the near future, the Embassy of Thailand in Sri Lanka disclosed.

Currently, applicants can still lodge visa applications at the Embassy, with the standard processing time being two working days (applications submitted on Monday typically yield results by Wednesday), according to the Embassy.

In a recent announcement, the Embassy outlined that Thailand is in the process of finalising the legal procedures for the new visa measures, with the effective date yet to be confirmed.

Under the upcoming regulations, the Thailand Embassy will introduce three types of visas: the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Visa Exemption (60 days), and Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Among these measures, Sri Lanka is included in the list of countries granted visa exemptions for visits to Thailand, particularly for tourism and short-term business purposes, for a duration not exceeding 60 days.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Department has rolled out fresh passport seals for arrivals and departures at international airports across the nation.

Controller General of the Immigration and Emigration Department, Harsha Ilukpitiya, confirmed the deployment of these new seals at Katunayake Airport on June 1st, 2024.

Ilukpitiya highlighted that the implementation of these novel seals has commenced at various other international airports in Sri Lanka.

The new system features a blue seal for arrivals and a green one for departures.

Furthermore, Ilukpitiya disclosed that analogous seals have been introduced for ports and passenger cruise ships, with three distinct seals being designated for each sector.

Shedding light on the rationale behind this initiative, he noted that the previous seal, in use since 1948, had been susceptible to misuse, prompting the need for a more secure alternative.

Despite encountering delays in the past, attributed to several complaints regarding the fraudulent exploitation of the old seal, Ilukpitiya affirmed the department’s resolve to swiftly introduce the new seals.

Importantly, he assured that the newly introduced seals have been crafted with anti-counterfeiting features, mitigating the risk of duplication.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (06) in a significant legal decision concerning the extent of executive pardon powers rendered a ruling invalidating former President Maithripala Sirisena’s grant of a Presidential pardon to Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, convicted in the Royal Park murder case, deeming it arbitrary and unlawful.

The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva, ordered the nullification of two Presidential pardons issued to Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, citing non-compliance with constitutional provisions.

The court asserted that ex President Maithripala Sirisena’s actions violated the petitioner’s Fundamental Rights (FR) and the public trust doctrine in granting the presidential pardon to the aforementioned convict.

The Women & Media Collective organisation initiated this Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of Sirisena’s decision to grant a presidential pardon to the Royal Park murder convict.

In light of this ruling, the Supreme Court directed the relevant authorities to take lawful measures regarding the implementation of the sentence imposed on Jude Jayamaha.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, along with Counsels Rukshan Senadheera and Ranmali Meepagala, represented the petitioner. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the victims, while Faizer Mustapha PC represented former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Saliya Peiris PC acted on behalf of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle represented the Attorney General.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): Geologist Professor Athula Senaratne addressed the media in Kandy yesterday (06), shedding light on the challenges posed by inadequate equipment in accurately forecasting recent adverse weather conditions.

The absence of requisite instruments hindered the provision of timely warnings regarding the deluge of 400mm rains witnessed in certain regions across the nation in recent days, according to Senaratne.

In his statement, Prof. Senaratne emphasised the crucial role of appropriate equipment in enhancing the precision of weather forecasting.

He underscored that with the necessary technological resources at hand, meteorological authorities could have issued advance alerts to mitigate the impact of the intense rainfall experienced in various parts of the country.

Furthermore, Professor Senaratne highlighted a systemic gap in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, particularly in the domain of rainfall measurement equipment.

He lamented the inadequacy of facilities for accurately gauging precipitation, indicating a pressing need for investment and modernisation in this sector to bolster the nation’s resilience against extreme weather events.

June 06, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has unveiled Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while pursuing its economic objectives.

During the World Environment Day celebrations held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (05), he highlighted Sri Lanka’s pioneering role as the first Asian country to embed the global objective of zero carbon emissions into its national policy.

President Wickremesinghe stressed that Sri Lanka’s response to climate change and environmental challenges transcends conventional programmes, now being integrated into the country’s economic and foreign policy frameworks.

He underscored the forthcoming Climate Change Act and the establishment of the Climate Change Centre, which will establish a comprehensive legal framework for addressing environmental and climate change concerns, setting Sri Lanka apart from other nations.

Addressing the audience, President Wickremesinghe showcased Sri Lanka’s proactive engagement in recent COP Conferences on Climate Change and other international platforms.

He announced a significant initiative: the draft legislation for establishing the International University on Climate Change in Sri Lanka is expected to be enacted before June next year.

Expressing reservations about the financial commitments from Western and developed nations to combat climate change, President Wickremesinghe juxtaposed the expenditure on conflicts with the potential investment in climate change mitigation efforts.

He called upon developed countries to extend relief to low-income African nations while advocating for tropical countries to mobilise their resources to manage climate change effectively, thereby contributing significantly to global climate control.

President Wickremesinghe also formalised the establishment of the Warnagalawatta Environmental Protection Zone in the Ratnapura District through a gazette announcement.

Furthermore, he honoured eight students from four school environmental pioneer brigades with symbolic medals during the event.

The President’s address underlined the urgency of this year’s World Environment Day celebration amidst escalating global temperatures.

He expressed optimism that a concerted focus on global climate change will enable the realisation of the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership, the celebration at the Presidential Secretariat, themed “Effective Land Use is a Healthy Alternative,” witnessed the launch of the “National Green Procurement Policy.”

This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to foster sustainable development and environmental stewardship.