July 23, Colombo (LNW): The grand opening of the Golden Gate of Ruhunu Katharagama Maha Devalaya took place on Sunday (21) morning, with an outstanding view affirming the participation of many pilgrims around the country.
The opening ceremony of the event was held under the patronage of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka.
The ancient tradition of cleaning feet (pa dowanaya kireema) of the pilgrims visiting the Devalaya in gratitude (prathi anumodana kireema) of paying homage to the God Kataragama follows the opening event of the Golden Gate of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya.
The event was held under the organisation and participation of Basnayake Nilame Dishan Gunasekara.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): National People’s Power (NPP) anti-corruption activist Wasantha Samarasinghe claimed the government is attempting to sell the Hilton Hotel in Colombo at a price far below its original valuation.
Initially valued at $124 million, the hotel is now appraised at $55.5 million, a significant decline in just one year, Samarasinghe asserted.
The former MP questioned what it appeared to be a significant drop of the Rupee rate in the alleged sale, considering the recent trend of appreciation of the LKR against the US Dollar.
“How did this figure come down so drastically? One year ago the dollar was Rs. 330 against the rupee. Today, it’s Rs. 310. So how can the value of the rupee come down by 50 to 60%?” Samarasinghe questioned.
The current selling price is even lower, set at $41.5 million, risking The Hilton Colombo, with 300 rooms on seven acres of prime property, of being sold at this undervalued price, he alleged.
Samarasinghe accused members of the President’s office, including Senior Advisor to the President Sagala Ratnayake and other senior officials, of facilitating what he described as “massive corruption.”
He also claimed the hotel is being sold to a company with a history of tax evasion and fraud.
Last week, the government announced that Melwa Hotels & Resorts (Pvt) Ltd was the sole prequalified bidder for the divestiture of shares held by the Government of Sri Lanka in Hotel Developers (Lanka) Ltd (HDL), the owning company of the Hilton Colombo.
According to the State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit, the Ministry of Finance called for an Expression of Interest (EoI) in October 2023 for the divestiture of the government’s shares in HDL.
Nine responses were received, and after evaluation by the Cabinet-appointed Special Project Committee (SPC) and the Special Cabinet-Appointed Negotiating Committee (SpCANC), four bidders were prequalified for the Request for Proposal (RfP) stage.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): The long-anticipated global tourism marketing campaign has been approved, with the Ministry of Tourism allocating approximately Rs. one billion for a one-year effort, announced Minister of Tourism, Sports, and Land, Harin Fernando.
This budget includes funds for digital campaigns targeting specific countries through multiple advertising agencies.
Fernando acknowledged past delays but confirmed the campaign’s approval and addressed current visa issues, highlighting efforts to streamline the process in response to free visa offerings by rival destinations.
He emphasised the importance of easy travel for tourists, minimising complications and delays at airports.
In a historic move, the Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority signed a significant MoU with the Central Cultural Fund, the Coast Conservation Department, the Ministry of Health, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
This agreement aims to enhance tourist facilities and address existing shortcomings, with Rs. 113 million allocated for infrastructure improvements at maintained sites.
The initial 10 vehicle permits, out of a planned 1,000, were awarded to private sector tourism companies to upgrade their fleets. Fernando expressed gratitude to President Ranil Wickremesinghe for permitting vehicle imports despite a four-year import ban.
An additional 100 applications for the travel sector, including permits for 10 electric vehicles for the Sigiriya area, will be issued next week.
Tourist arrivals from 1-21 July 2024 totalled 127,925, bringing the year-to-date figure to 1,138,174. India was the top source market with 30,442 arrivals (23.8%), followed by the UK (13,162 – 10.3%) and China (8,351 – 6.5%).
In a new initiative, the Ministry of Health will introduce paying wards for tourists at key destinations, initially in Dambulla, Pottuvil, and Tissa hospitals.
Health Minister Dr. Romesh Pathirana stated that these wards aim to provide enhanced facilities for tourists, supported by an Rs. 80 million allocation from the Ministry of Tourism, with additional investments from the Health Ministry.
Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake announced the installation of lifts at Sigiriya, facilitating access for differently-abled guests and senior citizens. Existing lifts from another site will be repurposed for this project.
Additionally, the much-anticipated ‘Light and Water Show’ at Sigiriya will be revived with environmental adjustments, and further tourist facilities at cultural sites will be provided.
However, the minister opposed balloon landings at Sigiriya due to security concerns, asserting that entry ticket rates for cultural sites align with similar international locations.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s inflation rate increased to 2.4 per cent in June, up from 1.6 per cent in May, as per the national consumer price index, leading to higher spending on transport, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco.
Inflation in the transport sector rose from 6.9 per cent to 7.5 per cent, while the hotel and restaurant sector saw a decrease from 4.9 per cent to 4.3 per cent.
In the category of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, inflation climbed from 26.6 per cent to 27.1 per cent.
Food inflation jumped from 0.5 per cent in May to 1.9 per cent in June, while non-food inflation increased from 2.4 per cent to 2.7 per cent.
However, the costs of water, electricity, and gas declined during this period.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): The passing of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament appears unlikely, as it is poised to be denied the required two-thirds majority for the ruling party, political sources disclosed.
The bill has been published in the gazette and, following a seven-day period, can be added to the Order Paper for its First Reading upon a Minister’s request, as per Article 78 of the Constitution and Standing Order No. 50(1).
The Second Reading is scheduled fourteen days after the First Reading, but if a petition is filed with the Supreme Court under Article 121, the bill will only proceed after the Court’s decision, legal experts pointed out.
The amendment aims to correct an inconsistency in Article 83(b) of the Constitution by changing the presidential term reference from six years to five years, aligning with the current term length.
Legal experts assert that this bill requires not only a two-thirds parliamentary majority but also approval through a referendum.
Opposition parties are mobilising to block the bill. Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP M.A. Sumanthiran has called for opposition members to walk out if the bill is put to a vote, arguing that it unnecessarily confuses the electorate and could complicate the presidential election process.
He also stressed the need for a referendum if the bill passes in Parliament and expressed concern over potential scheduling conflicts with the presidential election.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the party would discuss its stance on the bill later.
Meanwhile, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake assured that the bill would not affect the presidential elections, confirming that the elections will proceed as scheduled and that a gazette notification calling for the elections will be issued this week.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): Dr. Ranga Jayakody, an award-winning marketer and philanthropist, has urged the government to consider reducing the public sector retirement age to enhance service efficiency, cut state costs, and manage disruptive strike actions.
Addressing the media, Dr. Jayakody highlighted that such a move would alleviate youth unemployment and counteract the ‘Brain Drain’.
He suggested that retirees could pursue other employment or business ventures, thereby benefiting both their personal finances and the national economy.
“Efficiency tends to decline past the age of 50, whether in government or private sectors,” Dr. Jayakody noted.
“We need to create opportunities for younger generations to take over these roles, ensuring robust and energetic public service delivery.”
He stressed that the infusion of young talent and enthusiasm would propel the country forward with innovative strategies and knowledge suited to the modern world.
Reducing the retirement age would also encourage young professionals to stay in the country, addressing the ‘Brain Drain’.
Dr. Jayakody also pointed out the adverse impact of public service strikes on daily life, arguing that many strikes stem from demands for higher wages or better pension benefits.
He acknowledged that while public sector salaries are generally lower than those in the private sector, the lure of a lifelong pension makes government jobs attractive.
He criticised the current retirement age of 60, stating it hampers national development and that trade unions often defend inefficiency, burdening the general public.
Jayakody proposed legal reforms to mandate retirement at age 50, which he believes would improve public sector efficiency, reduce job congestion, and better manage strike actions.
“We need to approach this issue with a calm and rational mindset,” he concluded.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha has committed to resolving the grievances of teacher-principal trade unions within this week.
Several trade unions have initiated a two-week work-to-rule campaign starting yesterday (22), protesting the government’s delay in addressing salary discrepancies.
Teachers and principals have declared they will only perform their regular academic duties during this period.
Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero, Convenor of the National Collective Against Teachers’ & Principals’ Salary Disparities, expressed opposition to union actions aimed at political agendas.
Minister Premajayantha assured that academic activities in schools would remain unaffected by the trade union action.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): During the “Abhiman-2024” event at Epitome Hotel, Kurunegala, President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged foreign employment agencies to attract tourists from countries where they place workers, promising support from the Ministry of Tourism.
At the event, President Wickremesinghe awarded certificates and gifts to agencies significantly contributing to the economy.
He reflected on his two-year presidency, noting the progress made despite the challenging economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka.
He credited the recovery to the efforts of Sri Lankans working abroad and emphasised the need for the country to become an export economy.
He highlighted the importance of training workers for better job opportunities and urged foreign employment agencies to bring business opportunities to Sri Lanka.
He encouraged innovative thinking and promised government support for initiatives like food exports to the countries where Sri Lankans are employed.
Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, praised the President’s leadership during the economic crisis and acknowledged the significant role of foreign employment agencies in channelling USD 12 billion in foreign exchange this year.
He urged continued efforts to support the nation’s development.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Governor of the North Western Province Ahamed Nazeer Zainulabdeen, State Ministers, and leaders from foreign employment agencies.
July 23, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, with a few showers being expected to occur in the North-western province, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (23).
Strong winds of about (50-55) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaittivu.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil can be rough or very rough at times. The sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai via Mullaittivu can be fairly rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive in this regard.
July 22, Colombo (LNW): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for an urgent, comprehensive national strategy to tackle the critical issue of child poverty in Sri Lanka.
At an event at Mahagama Sekara Maha Vidyalaya, Premadasa revealed that 25 per cent of the nation’s children suffer from poverty, with 42 per cent facing multidimensional poverty, as per international data.
Premadasa stressed the urgency of the situation, advocating for the creation of a Presidential Task Force focused on eliminating child poverty.
The Opposition Leader proposed that this initiative be implemented through District Secretariats in all 25 districts to ensure effective local-level action.
Criticising the government’s lack of a plan to address the crisis, Premadasa highlighted the detrimental effects of child poverty, describing it as a relentless cycle.
He further explained that poverty hinders children’s education, resulting in poor academic performance, unemployment, and perpetuated poverty.
