June 01, Colombo (LNW): The Presidential Media Division announced that the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) and the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) will be transferred to Moratuwa University’s Faculty of Medicine. This transfer is to facilitate pre-arrangements before commencing academic studies in January 2025.
This initiative aims to enhance medical education and healthcare services, aligning with the university’s goals to expand its academic and practical training facilities. The transition is expected to provide advanced medical education opportunities and improve healthcare delivery through the integration of NFTH’s teaching hospital resources with Moratuwa University’s academic programs.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Moosa Zameer is scheduled to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka from June 3 to 6. During his visit, Minister Zameer will meet with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. He will also engage in official bilateral discussions with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Zameer will be accompanied by senior officials from the Maldives Foreign Ministry. The visit aims to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries. The discussions are expected to cover a range of topics, including regional security, economic collaboration, and other areas of mutual interest.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): The Animal Production and Health Department reported a significant increase in daily egg consumption in Sri Lanka, which has risen by over one million eggs. Previously, the daily consumption stood at seven million eggs, but in recent months, it has exceeded eight million.
During a meeting with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, department officials attributed this surge to several factors, including the influx of tourists visiting Sri Lanka, rising meat and fish prices, and the public’s growing recognition of eggs as a nutritious food option. In response, Minister Amaraweera instructed the Ministry’s Livestock Division to conduct a comprehensive consumer survey on the consumption of eggs, milk, and meat, noting that a proper information survey had not been conducted for a long time.
Additionally, Minister Amaraweera emphasized the importance of maintaining the current level of egg exports, which stands at approximately 15 million eggs per month. He highlighted the need to preserve Sri Lanka’s position in the foreign market and cautioned against reducing export volumes, which could negatively impact the country’s international standing in the egg industry.
June 01, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha emphasized the importance of prioritizing extracurricular activities over endless examinations in primary education. He stated that children in primary grades should focus more on extra-curricular and co-curricular activities rather than purely academic pursuits.
“Engaging in extracurricular activities like sports helps build a balanced personality and produces a healthier group of children,” he remarked.
Dr. Premajayantha announced plans to reduce the number of examinations for primary grades and to enhance practical study activities within the classroom. These comments were made during his address as the chief guest at the award ceremony for the under-15 and under-17 cricket tournament organized by the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association at the Nelum Pokuna Theater.
The Minister also highlighted the resumption of school sports matches that had been missed due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that significant effort had been made to conduct and complete these events properly.
In support of school cricket development, the government has allocated Rs.1,000 million from the budget. This funding will be used in the coming months to improve school stadiums and cricket turfs and to provide necessary sports equipment.
“School cricket, an extracurricular activity, is being promoted with support from the Sri Lanka Cricket Association, as schools are a crucial breeding ground for talented cricketers in the country,” he added.
June 01, Colombo (LNW):Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces. Several spells of showers may occur in North-western province.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mullaitivu district in the evening or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
May 31, Colombo (LNW): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a landmark criminal trial in New York. This conviction marks the first time a former or serving U.S. president has been found guilty of a crime. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, and while he could face prison time, legal experts suggest that a fine is the more likely outcome.
Reacting to the verdict, Trump called it a “disgrace” and criticized Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case. Despite these convictions, Trump remains eligible to run for president and continues his campaign to defeat incumbent President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election. The court proceedings featured testimonies from 22 witnesses over six weeks, including Stormy Daniels, whose alleged sexual encounter with Trump was central to the case.
The New York trial is one of four criminal cases currently facing Trump. In Washington DC, federal prosecutors accuse Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss and inciting the Capitol rioters on January 6, 2021. This trial has been indefinitely postponed due to Trump’s appeal, which asserts that presidents cannot be prosecuted like ordinary citizens. In Georgia, Trump and 18 other defendants are charged with criminally conspiring to overturn his narrow defeat in the state in 2020. This trial has also been delayed after Trump launched an effort to disqualify the lead prosecutor. Additionally, Trump faces charges in a federal case in Florida for mishandling classified documents and taking them home after leaving the White House. This trial has been delayed as the judge considers motions from Trump’s legal team.
Reactions to Trump’s conviction have been sharply divided along party lines. Republican Congressman Jim Jordan called the verdict a “travesty of justice,” while Democrat Jerry Nadler said “justice was served.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the U.S. “is a nation built upon the rule of law,” urging respect for the verdict. Conversely, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both Republicans, criticized the conviction as a “shameful day in American history” and a blow to the idea of blind justice.
Despite these convictions, Trump remains a formidable candidate in the 2024 presidential race. The U.S. Constitution does not prohibit individuals with criminal records from running for president. However, recent polls indicate that a significant portion of voters in key swing states might refuse to vote for Trump if he is convicted. A poll from Bloomberg and Morning Consult found that 53% of voters in key swing states would not vote for Trump if convicted, and a Quinnipiac University poll showed that 6% of Trump voters would be less likely to vote for him, which could be consequential in a tight race.
In an email to his supporters shortly after the verdict, Trump reiterated his stance, calling the trial a “disgrace” and declaring himself “a very innocent man.” He emphasized that the real verdict will come on November 5, during the presidential election.
As Trump navigates these legal battles, the implications for his political future remain uncertain. Legal proceedings and appeals are expected to extend over the next few years, potentially overlapping with the 2024 election cycle.
May 31, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has directed the officials of the Welfare Benefits Board to prioritise the criteria that can be verified and determined in order to accurately identify poverty while selecting the “Aswesuma” beneficiaries.
Drawing examples, the committee pointed out that individual poverty can be identified better based on the electricity bill amount considering the electricity units consumed in each home, the Parliamentary Communications Department said in a statement.
The committee pointed out that there are major problems and lack of formality in the criteria used in the selection of “Aswesuma” beneficiaries, and advised them to rectify it as soon as possible.
The officials of the Ministry of Finance told the committee that they will change the method of giving points that is currently used in the selection of relief beneficiaries.
The matter was taken up for discussion when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament recently (28) under the chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, the statement mentioned.
Furthermore, the amendment to the regulations under section 27 of the Welfare Benefits Act No. 24 of 2002 published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2382/02 dated 29.04.2024 was considered before the Committee.
The members of the committee pointed out the way in which huge corruption and irregularities take place through the manual recording of data by those people while selecting the beneficiaries.
Accordingly, the Committee on Public Finance gave a recommendation to the Ministry of Finance officials to conduct the entire process from collecting necessary data to the selection of relief beneficiaries only via electronic means, it added.
Furthermore, the displeasure of the committee was expressed for not taking formal legal action for the irregularities that have arisen in relation to the selection of beneficiaries. The Committee pointed out that by not taking legal action, more and more corruption and irregularities will occur and it will create a serious obstacle for the right people to get the benefits.
Accordingly, the Committee Chair instructed the officials to investigate the complaints received and take necessary legal measures for the same.
Additionally, the order was reconsidered under Section 3 of the Port and Airport Development Tax Act No. 18 of 2011 published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2350-45 dated 21.9.2023. Milk powder prices and local milk powder market were discussed under this.
The Chair emphasized the importance of introducing a price formula for milk powder based on a scientific method. Accordingly, the Chair also instructed the officials to introduce the HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman index) index, it added.
May 31, Colombo (LNW):Seylan Bank PLC, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), will disburse Working Capital and Long-Term Loans from the ADB, aimed at bolstering the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in the country.
In an effort to stimulate economic growth and support local businesses, Seylan Bank will offer financial assistance to SMEs engaged in various industries, including Agriculture, Fisheries, Ornamental Fisheries, Aquaculture, Livestock, Animal Husbandry, Poultry, Tourism, and Export-Oriented Businesses.
Seylan Bank has been a consistent partner in regard to ADB funding in Sri Lanka. Through ADB’s credit lines, the Bank has disbursed loans to the SME sector and Tea Smallholders in the past.
SMEs looking to enhance their working capital will benefit from the competitive repayment rate of 8% for a three-year period.
Additionally, for other purposes such as building finishing work, purchase of fixed assets, or acquisition of commercial vehicles, loans with a six-year tenure are available at the same repayment rate of 8.5% to 11%.
One of the key initiatives introduced by Seylan Bank is the SME Hub, a pioneering concept tailored to meet the unique needs of SMEs.
The Seylan SME Hub aims to streamline financial services, offering convenience and speed through the bank’s extensive island-wide branch network. The dedicated banking services provided through the SME Hub include special advisory support to guide SMEs through their financial journey.
Moreover, export-oriented SMEs will have access to Seylan Bank’s revolutionary ‘Export Expert’ service.
This innovative offering is designed to empower SMEs by providing comprehensive support and knowledge-sharing, enabling them to excel in the global market. ‘Export Expert’ equips SMEs with the necessary tools and relevant financial literacy required to navigate and thrive in challenging times.
Speaking about this strategic collaboration, Ranil Dissanayake, DGM Branch Credit at Seylan Bank, expressed enthusiasm for the positive impact the initiative would have on the MSME/SME sector. “We are proud to partner with the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka to support the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Through our competitive loan offerings and dedicated services such as the SME Hub and Export Expert, Seylan Bank aims to be a catalyst for success for businesses across various industries
May 31, Colombo (LNW): A six-member delegation from Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is in Sri Lanka to conduct a comprehensive study of airport and immigration department operating systems.
“The purpose of this visit is to provide cooperation to improve Sri Lanka’s immigration system by achieving the same standards as Singapore and integrating advanced technology,” the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement.
“This will greatly contribute to Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernize and improve all processes related to immigration, visa issuance and citizenship.”
The team, who are here after Minister Tiran Alas requested Singapore Minister for Law K Shanmugam’s help, will provide a detailed report on recommendations to bring the existing system on par with that of Singapore.
Sri Lanka recently controversially outsourced its visa handling function to VFS Global, which requires the payment of “processing” and “convenience” charges of 26 dollars, even though the government does not collect any fees.
Maldivian authorities have reminded Sri Lanka of the long-standing bilateral agreement under which their citizens could travel freely between the two neighbours without any charges or bureaucratic barriers.
Singapore is another country which could take action against Sri Lanka if the bilateral deal is found to be violated, according to a source .
There are only a handful of countries to which Sri Lankan passport holders can travel without any visa restrictions.
The move comes amid repeated complaints on overcrowded immigration desks at the main Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
The ICA is responsible for securing Singapore’s borders against the entry of undesirable people and cargo through land, air and sea checkpoints.
It also administers immigration and registration services, such as issuing passports and Identity Cards to Singapore citizens, and immigration passes and permits to foreigners.
The ICA enforces laws and regulations relating to immigration and registration and is under the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs.
“I have asked Singapore government to study our airport and immigration to modernise them to the standards of Singapore and to give us a report on that,” Alles told reporters at a media briefing
“They are from Singapore Immigration Checkpoint Authority. I personally spoke to the minister in charge. This was about six months back. Last week also when I was there, I had a meeting with him and they will do a complete study and give us a report.”
“Then they will give us a comprehensive report. We may not be able to do this at once. But we have to target to bring the standard to that level,” the Minister said.
May 31, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka tourism promotion bureau’s strategic partnership with Emirates airlines has resulted in bringing the highest number of tourists in to the island by its flights during the past two years.
It has extended support during the three decades of long relationship and especially during the pandemic time to effectively promote tourism and serve the market.
Sri Lanka tourism has benefited from joint activities including trade shows, trade familiarisation trips, exhibitions, and workshops with air traveling facilities provided by Emirates.
Under this set up Global airline’s travel services arm dnata Travel to host key destination promotion event “Horizon: Sri Lanka” on 3 June in Colombo to increase bookings to the country
Emirates Group revealed yesterday that outlook for travel to Sri Lanka has been increasingly strong in 2024, with passenger bookings up more than 200% compared to 2023 levels.
The UAE and UK continue to represent the most prominent source markets seeking to travel to the country, it added.
To further boost destination “Sri Lanka” the Emirates-linked dnata Travel Group on 3 June will hold a travel industry event in Colombo hosted by senior representatives from its global brands.
Sri Lanka, aims to connect dnata Travel Group brands including UAE-based dnata Travel, UK-based Travelbag, its corporate travel division (dnata Travel Management), its partners at Emirates Holidays, and others, with the local travel and hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, to increase global travel bookings to the country.
dnata Travel Group Divisional Vice President, Global Ground Services Sebastien Doussin said: “A key element of the strategy for our global travel brands is to continue to increase our presence and strong industry connections across the Indian Ocean, as we remain one of the most prominent producers of room nights to its range of attractive destinations.”
He said “Horizon: Sri Lanka” marks the third event it has held across its island locations, following successful editions in the Maldives and Mauritius.
“Our events compliment the Strategic Plan for Sri Lanka Tourism 2022-2025 to engage in joint promotions with airlines, travel agents, and tour operators. We hope to encourage future collaboration across the industry and further boost tourism,” Doussin added.
“At our upcoming event, business leaders from across the dnata Travel Group will showcase opportunities for growing tourism to Sri Lanka in key markets, including the promotion of its diverse attractions, cultural richness, air connectivity, diverse accommodation offering, affordability, and more – to position the country as a year-round travel destination of choice for our travellers.”
Other, key opportunities will include Multi-centre holidays: Positioning Sri Lanka as part of wider, multi-centre trip planning, to capitalise on strong customer demand across dnata Travel Group brands for destinations such as Dubai and the Maldives, all accessible and serviced by Emirates.
