August 10, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Immigration and Emigration at the airport is currently grappling with significant challenges related to visa checks for incoming passengers, primarily due to the suspension of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system. 

A senior department official highlighted that immigration officers in the arrival lounge are struggling to verify the online visas that were previously submitted before the suspension. 

This issue has also affected passengers during their boarding process, as many have faced difficulties with visa verification.

In response, the department has shifted to issuing only on-arrival visas. However, the online visa verification system for arriving passengers has yet to return to normal.

 It’s important to note that on-arrival visas are not available for nationals from specific countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Myanmar. This restriction adds another layer of complexity to the already strained system.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that many foreign tourists have already paid for their visas through VFS Global, raising concerns about additional charges for on-arrival visas. The department has made it clear that without issuing these visas, they cannot permit passengers to enter the country.

As of now, the department’s official website has posted a notice regarding the suspension of the visa issuance system, effective from August 2 at 17:00 Sri Lanka Standard Time. Passengers whose visa applications were in process or submitted after this time are eligible for a refund and are instructed to share their application reference number with [email protected].

In a related development, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) filed a fundamental rights violation petition (SC/FR/221/2024) in the Supreme Court on July 30. The petition, filed in the public interest, calls for accountability in the procedural violations and misuse of public trust by officials involved in procuring private entities to handle the ETA system for tourist visas.

The petitioners argue that the lack of transparency and adherence to proper guidelines in the decision-making and procurement processes has significantly impacted the tourism industry, the national economy, and national security. 

They contend that the actions and inactions of the respondents have violated the citizens’ fundamental rights to equality and information, as enshrined in Articles 12(1) and 14A of the Constitution.

Among the respondents named in the petition are the Minister of Public Security, the Controller General of Immigration, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, several private companies, and the Attorney General. The petition highlights several key issues, including agreements with private entities that could lead to substantial financial losses and harm to the tourism sector.

A notable incident at the Bandaranaike International Airport in May 2024 brought to light the problematic nature of appointing private entities for visa processing. 

The petition emphasizes that the existing partnership with Mobitel (Pvt) Limited, which has been in place since 2012, ran smoothly without major issues. In contrast, the private entities involved in the current arrangement have charged significantly higher fees and have been linked to several operational problems.

The petition calls for the respondents to be held accountable for their illegal, arbitrary, and unreasonable actions or omissions in the procurement process

August 10, Colombo (LNW): Golden Island Hospitality (Pvt) has partnered with India’s prominent Majestic Group Hotels & Casinos to introduce the Majestic Pride Casino in Sri Lanka. This new gaming facility will be located at the Lotus tower premises in Colombo, offering a premier gaming experience.

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policy of Sri Lanka has granted a casino business license to Golden Island Hospitality under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act No. 17 of 2010. Following the completion of necessary agreements on July 4th, the Majestic Pride Casino is poised to become a key player in Sri Lanka’s gaming industry.

Further solidifying this venture, an agreement was signed on August 1, 2024, between Golden Island Hospitality and the Sri Lanka Board of Investment under Section 17(2) of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Law No. 4 of 1978.

Golden Island Hospitality announced that the Majestic Pride Casino will be established in the iconic Lotus Tower in Colombo 10, promising a world-class gaming environment. This venture marks a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s gaming and hospitality sector.

Majestic Pride Casino aims to become a leading destination for tourists, enhancing Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, contributing to the economy, and providing job opportunities for local youth in the gaming and hospitality sectors.

For over 15 years, the Majestic Group has been a leader in luxury and entertainment in Goa, India, drawing tourists from across the country with their exceptional offerings and commitment to excellence.

Ranked the 19th tallest tower in the world and 11th tallest in Asia, Colombo Lotus Tower opened to the public with its main function as a radio and television broadcasting antenna for more than 100 stations and telecommunications service providers.

It also boasts six floors of retail and tourism offerings including a museum, restaurants, a food court, MICE facilities, an observation deck and one floor of luxury hotel rooms.

While details of the casino itself are light, a senior official said that Kreate Design would lease out one floor of Colombo Lotus Tower covering 44,000 square meters and that the floor would be used to create an entertainment area comprising a casino and a water park, among other attractions. The initial agreement is for 10 years.

Kreate Design’s Business Development Director Cyntia Chan is quoted as saying, “This investment agreement includes development of water sports and an entertainment zone, one of the best to be developed at world class standard at the Lotus Tower in Colombo.”

“This will enable Colombo Lotus Tower as a hub to develop trade, investment and tourism activities between Singapore and Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka currently has five legal casinos, of which three are owned by Dhammika Perera and two by Ravi Wijeratne.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Registrar General of the Registrar General’s Department to receive information on Trusts, property registrations and any suspicious activities.

These activities are   relating to Trusts and property registrations in relation to Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and related crimes. 

This MOU has been entered into by the FIU, in terms of the provisions of the Financial Transactions Reporting Act, No. 6 of 2006, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced.

Registrar General W.R.A.N.S. Wijayasinghe and Director of the FIU Dr. Subhani Keerthiratne have signed the MOU on behalf of the respective institutions. 

The MOU was signed in the presence of . P Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the CBSL, in the capacity as the Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) National Coordinating Committee, and Mrs. E H Mohotty, an Assistant Governor of the CBSL, also attended the event.

Legal persons and legal arrangements could be misused for ML/TF and related crimes, and thereby could threaten the stability of the national and global economic and financial systems, the CBSL said, adding that legal arrangement includes an express trust, a fiduciary account or a nominee.

This MOU will facilitate the Registrar General’s Department to provide information to the FIU relating to Trusts, property registrations and any suspicious activities, which will be vital for prevention, detection and prosecution of ML/TF and related crimes.

With the signing of this MOU, the FIU has entered into 15 MOUs with domestic government agencies, including Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Police, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Inland and Revenue Department.

Other institutions  included , Department for Registration of Persons, Excise Department of Sri Lanka, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, etc., in order to share information to strengthen the AML/CFT framework of the country. 

The FIU has entered into 45 MOUs with foreign counterparts as well, according to the CBSL.

1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he chose to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming Presidential Election, free from any party affiliation, to address the nation’s hunger crisis. He emphasized that the people’s suffering transcends party lines and political colours. The President made these remarks during the “Kantha Ape Balaya” women’s conference held in Colombo
2. Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara have resigned from their respective ministerial portfolios. Accordingly, Fernando has resigned as the Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs while Nanayakkara stepped down the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment. The Supreme Court’s ruling was issued declaring that the decision taken by the SJB to suspend the party membership of Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando was lawful.
3. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that his son, MP Namal Rajapaksa, was chosen as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate at the party’s request. The former President was responding to questions by journalists about a comment from Minister Prasanna Ranatunga alleging that Mahinda Rajapaksa disapproved of his son’s candidacy.
4. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has announced that only 1,000 passports will be issued per day until October. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, he said that the issuing of e-passports will begin from October.
5. Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry has held discussions with the Egyptian business community on ways of unleashing untapped potential to expand trade and investment between Sri Lanka and Egypt, particularly in sectors including agriculture, apparel, ICT, renewable energy and tourism.
6. A discussion has been held at the Election Commission regarding the security measures to be implemented on the day of the accepting of nominations for the 2024 Presidential Election. The meeting was attended by senior police officers from the Colombo District and officials from the Election Commission.
7. The Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana announced to the House that he has endorsed the certificate on the Bill titled “Public Financial Management” on 08 August 2024 in terms of the provisions of Article 79 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
8. National People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that new defection laws will be brought under an NPP government. Addressing an NPP gathering in Malwana, Dissanayake said that this election is unique due to the nepotistic ties of the prominent candidates. “This alone is enough for you to vote for the NPP,” he said.
9. The Court of Appeal today postponed the order on the bail application filed by former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella to September 04.
10. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team has issued a warning about a fraudulent advertisement that falsely claims the Election Commission is soliciting applications for new staff. Charuka Damunopola, a senior information security engineer, advised against clicking on the link provided in the advertisement.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees to discuss the bilateral relationship between the two nations and ongoing economic cooperation. The meeting focused on strengthening the ties between China and Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on deepening economic collaboration and exploring new opportunities for mutual benefit. The discussions are part of the continued efforts to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): The U.S. Embassy has announced an additional commitment of US$ 24.5 million (Rs. 7.2 billion) from the American people to further support Sri Lanka’s development and strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two nations. The announcement was made during a visit to Sri Lanka by Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Asia, at an event held at the Finance Ministry. The event was also attended by USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director Gabriel Grau and Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.

The funds, allocated through a Development Objective Grant Agreement between USAID and the Sri Lankan Government, aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s market-driven growth, enhance environmental sustainability and resilience, and promote good governance practices. These efforts are expected to make a significant positive impact on the lives of Sri Lankans through partnerships with the government, non-governmental organizations, and civil society.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung highlighted the enduring commitment of the American people to investing in Sri Lanka’s economic growth and good governance: “Since 1956, the United States has invested in Sri Lanka’s people, empowering them in their entrepreneurial pursuits, strengthening Sri Lanka’s resilience to climate change and macro-economic shocks, and enriching lives across the country. This additional funding demonstrates our steadfast commitment to working with local partners in Sri Lanka. Together, we are building a foundation for lasting stability and prosperity for communities across the country.”

Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Asia, emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership: “The United States and the American people are proud of our longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and its people. This funding is an investment to further support the country’s locally led initiatives to drive sustainable solutions for Sri Lanka’s development challenges.”

Since 1956, the United States has provided over US$ 2 billion (Rs. 598 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka, supporting a wide range of sectors including agriculture, education, health, environment, water, sanitation, infrastructure, governance, and business development, as well as providing humanitarian aid. U.S. support has been instrumental in modernizing Sri Lanka’s diesel coaches, supporting the Thriposha supplemental nutrition program, developing electric vehicle charging stations, and empowering women entrepreneurs to drive economic growth.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) will conduct a nationwide census on wild elephants across Sri Lanka from August 17 to 19. The survey, led by Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Suriyabandara, will monitor elephants at 3,130 survey centers established throughout the country.

The census will involve the participation of staff from the DWC, other government agencies, security forces, private sector employees, students from higher education institutions, and volunteers. The Director General confirmed that these participants have received the necessary training, and their security will be closely monitored throughout the census. Minimal facilities will be provided to ensure their comfort and safety. The data collected will undergo formal analysis, and the results will be released accordingly.

The primary objectives of this islandwide elephant census include establishing and enhancing protected areas, developing strategic plans to mitigate the human-elephant conflict, balancing development activities with conservation efforts, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to international conservation, and making predictions about the future of the elephant population in the country.

The last nationwide elephant census was conducted in 2011, revealing a minimum population of 5,879 elephants in Sri Lanka. The survey indicated that 55.09% of the population were adult elephants, 25.03% were young elephants, 12.04% were calves, and 6.04% were infants.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that hunger is a non-partisan issue and urged all women in Sri Lanka to unite in creating a strong economy for future generations. Speaking at the “Kantha Ape Balaya (Women’s Power)” conference at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo on August 9, the President highlighted the sacrifices made by mothers who went without food to ensure their children could attend school. He also reminded the public of how some leaders who now speak of patriotism and the people’s suffering abandoned their responsibilities during difficult times.

The event, which saw the participation of leaders and representatives from major women’s organizations across the island, regardless of political affiliation, was organized to reinforce support for President Wickremesinghe’s plans to stabilize the country’s economy.

During his address, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of advancing women’s rights, noting that the Women’s Empowerment Act has been approved, ensuring equal rights under the law. He called on the nation to set aside political differences and work together to address the needs of the people, emphasizing that hunger affects everyone, regardless of party affiliation.

President Wickremesinghe also reflected on his journey to the presidency, stating that he took on the role because others had shirked their responsibilities. He credited the support of three influential women—India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva—for helping Sri Lanka overcome its economic challenges. He also acknowledged the assistance of Samantha Power from the U.S. during the country’s fertilizer shortage.

The President expressed gratitude to these women, noting that without their support, Sri Lanka would not have made the progress it has. He urged the nation to focus on maintaining the relief provided through international support and to continue pushing forward for the betterment of the country and future generations.

Looking ahead, President Wickremesinghe announced plans for a large women’s conference next year, aimed at raising awareness on women’s issues and further advancing their rights. He called on all Sri Lankans to join efforts to lift the burdens of daily life and work together to develop the country.

August 10, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western province and in Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night.

Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Northern and Eastern provinces.

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

Colombo, August 8, 2024 – In yet another display of disregard for judicial authority, Kasun Rajapaksa, the Managing Director of the DSI Samson Group, has been issued new summons for repeated contempt of court. This comes after a prior ruling in favor of Mr. Sajith Rajapaksa, the former Managing Director, who had challenged his illegal removal from his positions within the company.

In March 2024, the Colombo Commercial High Court, led by Judge Priyantha Fernando, scheduled an order to be issued on April 30, 2024, addressing Mr. Sajith Rajapaksa’s challenge against his dismissal. The judge also initiated an investigation into Mr. Sajith Rajapaksa’s complaint demanding legal action for contempt of court, as the defendants blatantly ignored the court’s directive to reinstate him to his former positions.

Court documents reveal that Kasun Rajapaksa, who holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, along with Dilshan Rajapaksa, a director at DSI Group and Vice President of the National Chamber of Exporters, engaged in dubious offshore business practices. These actions led to financial misappropriations exceeding Rs. 400 million, violating the group’s fiscal regulations and the country’s exchange regulations.

Despite these serious allegations and a court ruling in favor of reinstating Mr. Sajith Rajapaksa, Kasun Rajapaksa has continued to flout court orders with impunity. This ongoing contempt of court has necessitated further legal action. Other respondents implicated in the case include Chandula Janith Rajapaksa, Lasika Randika Rajapaksa, and Waruni De Silva.

The court order dated August 2, 2024, underscores Kasun Rajapaksa’s persistent lawlessness and his flagrant disregard for legal directives. His actions not only undermine the rule of law but also reflect a troubling pattern of Non Accountability, Transparency & Irresponsibility within the DSI Samson Group Leadrship & Board of Directors.

The current board of the DSI Samson Group includes figures such as President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, who serves as an Independent Director in several companies and is a notable legal professional; Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, who holds director positions in several educational institutes in both the private and public sectors; and Mayura Fernando, who holds directorships in multiple corporates.