May 18, Colombo (LNW): The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has called on all citizens to refrain from using polythene papers and plastic covers for Vesak decorations, including lanterns, pandals, banners, and posters, to mitigate environmental harm. The CEA’s request comes in light of the significant negative impact these materials have on the environment, rivers, lakes, and other waterways.

A recent CEA survey revealed that over seven million tons of non-degradable polythene and plastics flow through rivers, waterways, and streams, ultimately reaching the ocean. This pollution severely affects marine life, including crucial fish populations.

CEA Chairman Venura Fernando emphasized the public’s responsibility to avoid non-degradable materials for Vesak decorations. He pointed out that a variety of degradable raw materials, readily available in the country, can be used instead. These materials can be recycled or safely burned after use, unlike non-degradable polythene and plastics, which persist in the environment for thousands of years, causing extensive harm to fauna and flora.

Additionally, the government has issued a special gazette notification prohibiting the use of polythene and plastics for political, social, and cultural events, reinforcing the CEA’s appeal. Chairman Fernando urged the public to consider the long-term environmental impact and opt for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives for their Vesak celebrations.

May 18, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka made a significant impact at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai, highlighting the country’s attractions and offerings. Organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the Sri Lanka pavilion showcased the nation’s unique tourism potential to a global audience.

Arabian Travel Market, one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism sector, attracted over 41,000 attendees and featured 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries. This year’s theme, “Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship,” set the stage for showcasing cutting-edge developments in the industry.

The Sri Lanka pavilion was inaugurated by key dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Udaya Indrarathna, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, and Chairman of SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu. With over 60 travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and leading hotels and resorts from Sri Lanka participating, the pavilion aimed to attract the diverse and cosmopolitan market of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and international visitors.

In a bid to enhance air connectivity and facilitate seamless travel experiences between the two countries, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Emirates Airlines at ATM 2024 on May 7. The MoU was signed by the SLTPB Chairman and Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the UAE, and the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates.

A press briefing by Minister Fernando highlighted Sri Lanka’s tourism potential and collaborative efforts with UAE stakeholders to boost tourist arrivals. He announced significant progress in re-establishing the tourism industry post-Covid-19, supported by airlines. Minister Fernando also highlighted the recent opening of the luxurious ITC Rathnadipa hotel in Colombo and the availability of several other high-class hotels and 700 villas across the country, offering personalized experiences and diverse adventures for tourists.

Ambassador Udaya Indrarathna emphasized coordinated efforts to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism industry sustainably. Consul General Alexi Gunasekera highlighted the UAE’s importance as a hub for luxury, independent, leisure, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, underscoring the value of events like ATM for networking and sharing best practices within the industry.

SLTPB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu invited everyone to experience Sri Lanka first-hand under the new destination branding “You will come back for more,” reinforcing the country’s appeal as a premier travel destination.

May 18, Colombo (LNW):The Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry has taken significant steps to boost youth involvement in agriculture by allocating Rs. 1,600 million for the establishment of 160 villages across 25 districts, with six Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Villages in each district this year.

Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera announced that the programme aims to establish 160 Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Villages, covering all 25 districts. Under the first phase, each village will receive Rs. one million. The initiative seeks to attract youth to agriculture, introduce them to new agricultural technologies, target local markets and exports, and direct them towards high-demand agricultural products.

A discussion regarding the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Village Programme was held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute on Thursday (16), chaired by Minister Amaraweera. Officials from the Agriculture Ministry, provincial agriculture departments, and affiliated institutions participated.

The Cabinet has approved the programme, and projects in these villages will include vegetable and fruit cultivation, other crops, plantation crops, fish product industries, sheltered house cultivation, and livestock-related products.

Minister Amaraweera emphasized the need to reverse the trend of youth moving away from farming. “To attract the youth community to agriculture, they need to establish their confidence in it. I informed the Cabinet and presented the project report on the Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Village Programme. The Government has responded positively.”

He called for everyone’s support in implementing the programme. State Ministers D. B. Herat, Mohan Priyadarshana Silva, and Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharmakeerthy also attended the discussion.

May 18, Colombo (LNW): Deputy British High Commissioner in Colombo, Lisa Whanstall, conducted an inspection of the ongoing mangrove restoration efforts at Anavilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, supported by the Blue Planet Fund. During her visit, she also met with stakeholders involved in the restoration and improvement of these vital ecosystems.

May 18, Colombo (LNW): Showery and windy conditions are expected to enhance during the next few days from today, due to pre-monsoonal conditions over the country and surrounding sea areas.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-eliya districts.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island after 12.00 noon.

Heavy showers above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times in Southern province.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

May 17, Colombo (LNW): Major General Aruna Deshapriya Gunawardena and four other accused have been acquitted by a three-member High Court bench in connection with the Rathupaswala incident. This verdict was announced 11 years after the events in question.

The case involved the killing of three individuals and the injuring of approximately 50 others during a protest in the Rathupaswala area of Weliweriya on August 1, 2013. The protest was sparked by local concerns over drinking water quality.

The acquittal was based on the failure of the Attorney General to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. This decision marks the conclusion of a prolonged legal battle stemming from the tragic incident.

May 17, Colombo (LNW): In a recent development, Sri Lankan opposition leader Sajith Premadasa took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify a misquoted statement published by the Daily Mirror, which sparked controversy and widespread discussion.

Premadasa’s tweet read: “.@Dailymirror_SL is a mockery of journalism. Deliberately misquoted me and later changed the article, no correction issued. I said I will cancel liquor licenses issued as bribes not ban liquor stores if we come to power. What I will ban is @Dailymirror_SL from any press briefings.”

The opposition leader was addressing a report that initially stated he would ban liquor stores if elected to power. Premadasa emphasized that his actual intention was to cancel liquor licenses that had been issued as bribes, not to implement a blanket ban on liquor stores.

The Daily Mirror subsequently removed the article from its website, but did not issue a formal apology or correction, leading Premadasa to label their actions as a “mockery of journalism.”

However, the concluding statement in Premadasa’s tweet, which suggested barring the Daily Mirror from future press briefings, drew significant criticism from advocates of press freedom. They argued that such a move would undermine the principles of a free press, essential for a functioning democracy.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and the media in Sri Lanka, raising important questions about journalistic integrity and the balance between correcting misinformation and preserving press freedom.

May 17, Colombo (LNW): Port City Colombo, a visionary multi-service special economic zone poised to transform Sri Lanka into the next global investment destination, provides the opportunities to a diversity of companies to upscale their businesses within the property development and key thrust sectors, whilst being supported by strong investor mechanisms, .

With the aim of becoming a world-class hub for corporate relations and the engine of Sri Lanka’s future economic development, Port City Colombo will empower large-scale business growth within the South Asian region through a reliable and competitive regulatory environment that enhances the ease of doing business. 

This progressive economically ring-fenced landscape is projected to reinvent the Sri Lankan economy, from one that has been traditionally focused on manufacturing and tourism to a contemporary system that is geared towards the export of services, Port City Economic Commission officials said. 

To be considered a Primary Business of Strategic Importance, companies are necessitated to demonstrate interest in real estate, social infrastructure, or commercial property development, and meet the threshold of a minimum investment of USD 100 million per land plot or USD 25 million per social infrastructure plot.

Corporate entities, who are interested in setting up business operations, could qualify as Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance under the one of the following criteria: an annual global revenue of more than USD 50 million; a minimum of 100 employees within five years from commencement of operations; or an entrepreneurial venture with a valuation of at least USD 500,000. 

Apart from the above criteria, businesses also have the option of showcasing a contribution towards the social and commercial advancement of Sri Lanka by fostering innovation, knowledge transfer, technology transfer, research and development.

With strategic drivers including the ability to transact in sixteen different foreign currencies, 100% capital and profit repatriation, and 100% foreign ownership, Port City Colombo provides favourable conditions for international businesses to invest and set up operations, whilst fostering an increase in job creation and attraction of top talent for not just Sri Lanka, but also South Asia as a whole.

By driving trends in information technology, logistics, commercial services and more, Port City Colombo also aims to stimulate growth in Foreign Exchange through key business investments, which would further contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic development.

Showcasing a strong emphasis on inviting a higher influx of foreign direct investments, Port City Colombo enables commercial entities to become qualified as Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSI’s), which are designated Authorised Persons (AP’s) with a higher eligibility for incentives. 

This streamlined process is governed by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, the single-window facilitator that regulates and administers all matters connected with businesses and other operations within the vicinity and from the area of authority of the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone.

May 17, Colombo (LNW):Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has announced a step-change in its strategic direction, as it commits to deepening its position as a world-leading provider of high-value, innovative dairy ingredients.

As part of this, the Co-op has announced it is exploring full or partial divestment options for some or all of its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.

Chairman Peter McBride says this is a significant move for the Co-op which will set it up to grow long-term value for farmer shareholders and unit holders.

“We have conducted a strategic review which has reinforced the role of our core business. This is working alongside farmers to collect a sustainable supply of milk and efficiently manufacture products valued by customers, to deliver strong returns to farmer shareholders and unit holders,” says McBride.

CEO Miles Hurrell says the review has also given the Co-op confidence in the role it plays in the dairy nutrition value chain, with one of its greatest strengths being the production of world-class, innovative ingredients for customers to take to consumers.

“We believe we can grow further value for the Co-op by focusing on being a B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels.

“This will be enabled by strong relationships with farmers, a flexible manufacturing and supply chain footprint, deeper partnerships with strategic ingredients customers, further investment in our Foodservice channel, continued delivery on our sustainability commitments and investment in innovation.

“In this context, we are exploring divestment options for our global Consumer business as well as our integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka,” says Mr Hurrell.

Fonterra’s global Consumer business has grown over the years since Fonterra was formed and is performing well. It includes a portfolio of market leading brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti, Anlene, Anmum, Fernleaf, Western Star, Perfect Italiano and others.

Fonterra Oceania is a fully integrated business, recently created through merging Fonterra Brands New Zealand and Fonterra Australia. It comprises Consumer, Foodservice and Ingredients businesses. Fonterra Sri Lanka comprises Consumer and Foodservice businesses.

Collectively, the businesses in scope for potential divestment utilised approximately 15% of the Co-op’s total milk solids and represented approximately 19% of Fonterra’s group operating earnings in the first half of FY24, with our Consumer businesses delivering strong underlying earnings.

“A divestment of these assets would help create a simpler, higher performing Co-op with our focus on our core Ingredients and Foodservice business and doing what we do best,” says Mr Hurrell. “As a next step, Fonterra will appoint advisors to assist with assessing divestment options.