President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his intention to implement recommendations from the commission report led by former Chief Justice Priyasad Depp on digitizing Sri Lanka’s election system. President Wickremesinghe’s comments highlight a forward-looking approach to enhancing Sri Lanka’s electoral process through digital technology, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing key systems and improving efficiency in governance.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has undertaken a humanitarian mission to liberate the entire nation from this misery, stated Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. He mentioned that while the current government has considered state employees a burden on the country until now, they have suddenly deemed them important due to opportunism, attempting to deceive state employees with political gimmicks to retain power.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera saya SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP Leader Anura Dissanayake are making many promises to voters to win the Presidential Election. But most of their promises are against IMF agreements. Even President Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot break those agreements. If he breaks those agreements, the IMF will stop supporting our country. Even the President is not capable of rebuilding it.
The Parliament has informed the Election Commission that a vacancy has been created in the House following the resignation of Thalatha Athukorala as a Member of Parliament. This has been informed in terms of the Section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, the Parliamentary Communications Department said.
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a warning to the public regarding a surge in fraudulent activities involving individuals impersonating tax officials. These scams have been reported in various regions, including Colombo, Panadura, Negombo, Wennappuwa, and Minuwangoda, it said in a statement.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government has introduced an online platform (www.pravesha.lk) for railway passengers to purchase tickets. This new system now allows passengers traveling even short distances to buy train tickets using their mobile phones.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe, clarified that reports claiming a decision has been made to cancel all un-updated driving licenses are entirely false and that no such decision has been taken.
Australia’s United Petroleum, the latest foreign firm to enter the fuel retail market, was officially launched in Sri Lanka. Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said that accordingly, they will commence retail fuel operations in September 2024 with 150 dealer-owned and operated fuel stations.
Mahinda Deshapriya, Chairman of the National Delimitation Committee for Local Government institutions, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the postponement of 2023 Local Government Elections as a victory for the people.
Sri Lanka will host New Zealand for a two-match Test series during next month’s presidential election, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced today. The first Test will begin on September 18 at Galle, but there will be a rest day on September 21 when the voting is set to take place, the board said.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Nguyen Van Phuc, and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Dr. Saj Mendis, signed a renewed Education Cooperation Agreement for the period of 2024 to 2026. This agreement, initially established in 1999, continues to serve as a key framework for fostering collaboration in education and training, particularly benefiting Sri Lankan students, researchers, and academics. The signing took place at the Ministry of Education and Training in Hanoi, Vietnam.
During the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Phuc highlighted the crucial role of education in the socio-economic development of any nation, regardless of its economic status. He pointed out that Vietnam’s strong educational foundation has played a vital role in the country’s economic success, including attracting over US$ 30 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and achieving exports exceeding US$ 360 billion annually.
Ambassador Mendis emphasized the impressive economic growth Vietnam has experienced, noting that its GDP per capita has surged from just US$ 90 in 1990 to approximately US$ 4,500 today—a 50-fold increase.
The Sri Lankan delegation at the signing included Minister Counselor Kethma Rajapaksa Yapa and officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Hanoi. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Director General Nguyen Thi Thanh Minh and senior officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of light showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Eastern and Uva Provinces during the evening or night.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced a plan to provide tea growers with a 50 kg bundle of chemical fertilizer at a concessionary price of Rs. 4,000 through the State Fertilizer Company Ltd. This initiative aims to address the decline in tea production caused by the reduced use of fertilizers, which resulted from both the increase in fertilizer prices and the previous ban on chemical fertilizers.
The need for such concessions has become evident as the tea industry struggles with decreased production. The government’s decision to offer this subsidy is intended to encourage the use of fertilizers and help increase tea yields. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, recognizing the critical role of fertilizers in revitalizing tea cultivation in the country.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to reduce the price of diesel and kerosene by Rs. 25 per liter in an effort to strengthen and support the livelihoods of fishermen. This decision is part of the government’s broader strategy to revitalize the country’s fisheries industry, which has been severely affected by the ongoing economic crisis.
The reduction in fuel prices aims to minimize the impact on the industry, where a large number of fishing vessels have been forced to cease operations due to the rising cost of fuel, leaving fishermen struggling to cover their increased working capital expenses.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana explained that the Cabinet’s approval was granted to a joint proposal put forward by the President, in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Minister, and the Fisheries Minister.
The proposal includes an allowance of Rs. 25 per liter of diesel for fishing vessels that use diesel as fuel, applicable for a period of six months. Additionally, fishermen using kerosene will receive an allowance of Rs. 25 per liter for up to 15 liters per day, for a maximum of 25 days per month, for six months. This initiative, referred to as the “allowance to settle the fisheries industry,” is intended to provide much-needed relief to fishermen and help stabilize the sector.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced significant reforms aimed at making the public service more attractive and efficient. Starting from January 2025, the basic salary of all government employees will be increased by an average of 24 to 50 percent. This move, aimed at forming an effective and productive public service, was approved by the Cabinet on August 12.
Udaya Seneviratne, Chairman of the Committee appointed to address salary-related issues for state servants, shared these details during a media briefing at the President Media Division yesterday. He stated that, with the committee’s proposals, government employees will benefit from attractive salaries and enhanced benefits beginning next year. The salary increases will be based on factors such as educational qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and the roles performed by public servants. The basic salary will be increased by at least 24 percent for the lowest grades, with overall increases ranging from 24 to 50 percent for all public servants. The adjustments will be phased in starting January 2025, with an average target of a 50 percent increase.
In addition to the salary hike, the government will maintain the cost of living allowance at Rs. 25,000 per month for up to three years starting in January 2025, considering inflation and other economic factors. This means the basic salary of the lowest state employee will be Rs. 30,000, bringing the total monthly salary, including the cost of living allowance, to Rs. 55,000.
Pensioners will also benefit from these reforms. From January 2025, they will receive a cost of living allowance of Rs. 12,500 each, and unpaid salary increments for those who retired before 2020 will be granted, with corresponding revisions to their pensions.
“The public service plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s development and is the driving force behind it,” Seneviratne emphasized. He added that a comprehensive recruitment scheme for state employees has been proposed to prioritize the necessary reconstructions to overcome challenges in the public service, create a productive work environment, provide excellent service to the public, and play a leading role in economic development.
In 2025, a scientific work study will be conducted in the public service to assess the number of employees required and to implement a scientific program for restructuring the public service. This will include introducing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government employees for the first time. Salary increments will be based on performance, and incentives and non-financial benefits will be introduced.
Seneviratne noted that the government’s capital investment program for E-Governance will prioritize the digitization and automation of the public service, especially over the next three years starting in 2025. This initiative will begin with the Grama Niladhari’s office and will focus on institutions that generate government revenue and provide public services.
To reduce the livelihood burden on government employees, the “Agrahara Medical Insurance Scheme” will be restructured, maximizing benefits through a contribution of Rs. 1,000 per month from every government employee, including pensioners. The National Insurance Trust Fund, which implements the Agrahara scheme, will also work to modernize the national hospital system, providing special amenities for government employees in selected hospitals.
Amidst the current trend of Sri Lankans migrating for employment opportunities and higher education, Seneviratne highlighted the need to secure free higher education, provide legal and administrative independence to universities, and create opportunities for international students to study in Sri Lanka. This could turn Sri Lanka into a Centre for Knowledge, contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): zMessenger (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneering MarTech company in Sri Lanka with over two decades of industry experience, has solidified its position as a leader in the Sri Lankan market by partnering with Meiro Customer Data Platform (CDP).
As a trailblazer in the MarTech landscape, zMessenger has been at the forefront of mobile marketing in Sri Lanka. Known for its innovative mobile and digital marketing solutions, zMessenger has consistently pushed the boundaries of customer engagement and brand presence across various platforms. This new partnership with Meiro is set to revolutionize how zMessenger delivers data-driven marketing solutions to its clients.
The integration of Meiro’s CDP into zMessenger’s service portfolio marks a significant milestone in their journey. By unifying customer data across multiple channels, Meiro enables zMessenger to deliver more precise targeting, enhanced personalization, and improved customer engagement for their clients.
Speaking on the partnership Jayomi Lokuliyana, the CEO of zMessenger highlighted the significance of this collaboration:
“Before partnering with Meiro, our clients faced challenges in consolidating and analyzing complex marketing data from both online and offline sources. This made it difficult to craft effective marketing strategies that resonated with their target audiences. We chose Meiro CDP because it met our clients’ needs with its ability to handle hybrid implementations (both cloud and on-premise) and its user-friendly interface, which allows business users to navigate and utilize the platform without extensive technical expertise.”
What truly sets Meiro apart is their commitment to working closely with us and our clients. They’ve provided exceptional guidance and consultation on maximizing the use of their CDP for targeted marketing efforts. Since implementing Meiro CDP, we’ve seen remarkable improvements across the board. For instance, one of our banking clients was able to reduce their cost per click from three digits to two digits, showcasing the power of a well-executed data strategy,” added the CEO.
With Meiro CDP now a part of their toolkit, zMessenger is poised to deliver even greater value to their clients. The ability to optimize marketing outcomes through data-driven insights not only strengthens zMessenger’s overall service offering but also reinforces their position as a vital partner for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of modern marketing.
The partnership with Meiro reflects zMessenger’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the MarTech space. As they continue to lead the charge in Sri Lanka’s digital marketing industry, zMessenger’s collaboration with Meiro will undoubtedly set new standards for customer engagement and data-driven marketing in the region.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): The United States Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Jennifer R. Littlejohn met the State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon at his office in Colombo on Tuesday (Aug 20).
Following a warm reception by State Minister Tennakoon, diplomatic talks began with the US delegation. The discussions were centred on exploring opportunities for connecting Sri Lankans with US experts and to get the necessary support for the development of hydrography service in Sri Lanka.
The discussion concluded with the sharing of souvenirs to mark the occasion. Chief Hydrographer of Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya, also joined the discussion.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has raised concerns regarding the government’s decision to provide subsidies to the general public following the announcement of the presidential election. Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi, criticized these actions as “unacceptable” during the pre-election period and confirmed that the Election Commission has been formally notified of the issue.
In response to these concerns, Minister of State for Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya, clarified that the subsidies were not introduced to influence voters but to address the economic challenges faced by the public. Despite this explanation, Hettiarachchi argued that such measures, if necessary, should be postponed until after the election to ensure the fairness of the electoral process.
August 23, Colombo (LNW): Ather Energy, one of India’s leading electric two-wheeler (e2W) manufacturers, is set to expand its international footprint by entering the Sri Lankan market.
The company plans to open its first experience centre in Sri Lanka in the next quarter, marking its second international market entry following Nepal in November 2023.
The expansion will be facilitated through a partnership with Evolution Auto, a joint venture between Sensei Capital Partners, Atman Group, and Sino Lanka, the company said on Thursday.
Evolution Auto will serve as the national distributor for Ather in Sri Lanka, overseeing sales and service operations. Ather also plans to establish a network of fast-charging infrastructure across the country, aiming to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Ravneet Singh Phokela, chief business officer at Ather, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s entry into Sri Lanka, emphasising the growing preference for EVs in the market due to rising petrol costs and environmental benefits.
“Ather’s e-scooters are known for their performance, design, and reliability, through which we aim to appeal to new-age Sri Lankan customers who appreciate quality modern products,” Phokela said.
Zahran Ziyawudeen, CEO of Evolution Auto, also highlighted the company’s mission to lead sustainable transportation in Sri Lanka and expressed excitement about the collaboration with Ather to bring world-class electric scooters to the market.
Ather Energy, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in India, on Thursday said that it plans to expand into Sri Lanka in the coming quarter, days after it secured funding from NIIF at a unicorn valuation.
The expansion will be the company’s second international launch after it entered Nepal last year.
Evolution Auto will serve as the company’s national distributor and will manage Ather Energy’s sales and service operations in Sri Lanka.
Additionally, Ather will also focus on establishing a network of fast-charging infrastructure across the country to facilitate EV adoption.
“We are thrilled to enter the Sri Lankan market. Sri Lanka has been a part of our global expansion plans after Nepal, where we established our presence last year,” said Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy.
“With the increasing cost of ownership of petrol vehicles and the economic and environmental benefits of electric vehicles, the Sri Lankan market has shown an increasing preference for EVs.
Ather’s electric scooters are known for their performance, design and reliability, through which we aim to appeal to new-age Sri Lankan customers, who appreciate quality modern products,” he added.
Ather Energy competes with newly-listed Ola Electric and reportedly plans to list on the Indian stock exchanges next year, according to reports.
