Year: 2022

Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest

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Sri Lanka targeting European travellers hit by gas prices, tourism minister tells Quest ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka is looking to attract European tourists affected by rising gas prices in that region in the coming winter season, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told CNN’s Richard Quest in an interview. Speaking on CNN’s Quest Means Business programme Tuesday November 08 evening, Fernando said Sri Lanka has short and long term plans to revive the island nation’s crisis-hit tourism sector. “The short term is jumping into India and getting all the Indians to come…

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today

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CWIT construction project in Colombo Port kicked off today The construction work of the newly built Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) within the Colombo Port was initiated today. The project was flagged off by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagle was also among the participants at this event as a special guest. The entire project will cost US$789 million. 51% of this total investment belongs to India’s Adani Group, 34% to John Keells Holdings PLC, and 15% to…

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Delimitation Committee to meet today

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Delimitation Committee to meet today Technical committees to be appointed this week BY Mirudhula Thambiah (The Morning) The five-member National Delimitation Committee on the Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities appointed by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and chaired by former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, which is to submit its final report by 28 February 2023, is to meet and appoint technical committees during the course of this week. Speaking to The Morning on Sunday (6), Deshapriya said that a final report on the matter will be submitted to Premier Gunawardena by…

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province

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Roundtable discussion on development of the Northern Province A roundtable discussion on the development of the Northern Province was held last week hosted by Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah. Several Ambassadors and High Commissioners and representatives of international organisations attended the discussion which focussed on challenges and opportunities in Northern Province, some of the on-going initiatives and those planned to enhance socio-economic development. Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thiagarajah, Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi and Centre for Policy Alternative Executive Director Dr. Paikiyasothy Saravanamuttu addressed the forum. Korean Ambassador Santhush Jeong Woonjin, Thailand Ambassador…

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics

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Sri Lanka opposition SJB demands elections, warns of protests against delay tactics (Monday October 31, 2022)  ECONOMYNEXT – A proposal by Sri Lanka’s minister of justice for a special committee in parliament on election reforms is being challenged by the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which claims that the proposal is an attempt to delay elections. SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at an event said on Monday October 31 claimed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had given an assurance to ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) legislators that…

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BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A

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BASL calls for strong independent institutions through 21A Warns failure to create independent institutions will negatively affect future law reforms and rule of law Claims recent constitutional reform was a result of the public outcry due to the economic crisis Says 21A does not restore status quo which prevailed prior to 20A Calls on the President and all responsible to ensure integrity of nominations to independent institutions The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for strong independent institutions to be created through the 21st amendment to the constitution.…

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera

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We should strive to be self-sufficient thus ensuring food security: Mahinda Amaraweera (Dily Mirror 29th Oct 2022) The World Food Programme estimates that 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka, which is more than 30 per cent of the country’s total population, are “food insecure” and in need of humanitarian aid. Of these individuals, around 5.3 million are either cutting down on the number of meals they eat or missing meals entirely, and at least 65,600 are in a state of acute food insecurity. Since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka…

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50 kg bag of Urea at Rs. 10,000 for farmers

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50 kg bag of Urea at Rs. 10,000 for farmers First stock of 13,000 tons of urea received on World Bank concessionary loan                                                 The Ministry of Agriculture has received the first stock of 13,000 tons of Urea fertiliser yesterday under the World Bank concessional emergency loan of $ 110 million. The Government will provide a 50 kg bag of urea fertiliser to paddy farmers at Rs. 10,000.…

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Netherlands to provide innovative agro know-how to ‘Grow Food’ program

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Netherlands to provide innovative agro know-how to ‘Grow Food’ program PM appreciates assistance provided by Netherlands for infrastructure development, agriculture Calls for more investments in agriculture, IT, renewable energy, transport and tourism The Netherlands has assured to extend further support to Sri Lanka especially with know-how to the Government’s “Grow Food” program. This assurance was given by when Netherlands Ambassador Bonnie Horbach called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday. The Premier thanked the Netherlands for the assistance provided to infrastructure development and agriculture and various other sectors and urged…

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The political crisis and the evolution of 22A

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The political crisis and the evolution of 22A M Y M Ayub (Daily Mirror 22nd Oct 2022) The draft 22nd Amendment was conceived, born and bred within the ranks of the SLPP, the party that brought in the 20th Amendment. It was in essence approved twice by the Cabinet dominated by SLPP members who voted for the 20th Amendment Irrespective of whether the 22nd Amendment to the constitution Bill is passed in Parliament or not, the vacillation of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) over supporting it in the…

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