SL President Calls for Unified Environment & Climate Change Law

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
Claude Gunasekera

The Sri Lanka Climate Summit 2024, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, under the theme Code Red: Climate Risks and Opportunities for Sri Lankan Businesses, on 7th May at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo.

As the imperative to address climate change grows increasingly urgent against a backdrop of rising temperatures and increasingly erratic weather patterns, climate change has evolved into a pressing global issue demanding urgent attention from governments, businesses, and societies worldwide. Against this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Climate Summit will address the dual reality of the impending risks of climate chance and the opportunities presented to Sri Lankan businesses.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed the Summit’s inauguration, on Current Climate Policy Context and Vision for Sri Lanka’s Green and Just Economic Transition. ( Read below the full speech of the President).

The Summit kicked off with a high-level introduction session, featuring national and international leaders of climate action. The Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber Mr. Duminda Hulangumwa outlined the Sri Lankan Businesses in the context of Climate Action.

President of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Research Park, Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala spoke on the Importance of an Energy and Net Zero Plan for Sri Lanka.

Biodiversity Scientist and Taxonomist Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda described the Identification of Climate Threats to Sri Lanka & Implementation of Mitigation Strategies.

CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment & Water, and advisor to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Arunabha Ghosh emphasized how the Climate Crisis is Affecting the Business Landscape, Climate Crisis on Businesses and how Businesses can React.

Resident Representative UNDP in Sri Lanka, Ms. Azusa Kubota defined the importance of Public Private Partnerships Towards Climate Action.

Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber’s Steering Committee on Climate Action, Mr. Dilhan Fernando moderated the panel discussion Creating a Multi-Stakeholder Ecosystem for Climate-led Growth.

The summit continued during May 8 and 9, which drew an insights of renowned national and international experts in the fields of public and climate policy, academics, industry veterans and leading personalities in the climate action charge, to explore climate risks, opportunities, and the facilitation required to mitigate risks and successfully leverage growth opportunities. The Summit in its entirety has contributed to developing a Climate Action Plan envisaged to drive green growth and climate action in terms of adaptation and mitigation of climate risks according to Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.



Senior Advisor to the President Mr. Ananda Malawathantri, was also among the dignitaries present. Additionally, diplomatic officials, representatives from foreign organizations, businessmen, and other dignitaries attended the event.

Event partners were Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and United States Agency for International Development while the event was sponsored by EFL Global, ATG Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd., CITI Bank, Nestle Lanka PLC, Vidullanka. Co-sponsors were MAS Holdings, Diamond Cutters, Macksons, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Amana Bank, NDB Bank. Global Green Growth Institute, was the Knowledge Partner and Telecommunication Partner was Dialog. Media Partners were Dialog TV, Echelon, EconomyNext, Wijaya Newspapers, MTV, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, The Genesis Project, UN Global Compact, Biodiversity Sri Lanka and Dentsu.


Speech by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Summit.

Sri Lanka Aims for an Export-Oriented, Competitive and Green Economy Towards Net Zero.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized on-going efforts to enact unified legislation addressing environmental protection and climate change. He highlighted the government’s commitment to crafting economic policies geared not only towards fostering export-oriented competitiveness but also towards transitioning to a green economy, aiming to achieve net-zero by 2050.

Acknowledging the recent prolonged spells of extreme climate conditions as indicative of future climate change impacts, the President stressed the urgency of addressing climate mitigation measures promptly.

He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka Climate Summit which commenced yesterday (07) at the Shangri-La, Colombo.

The inaugural Sri Lankan Climate Change Conference, hosted by the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, commenced yesterday under the theme “Climate Action for our Nation and the Planet.” Scheduled to run until May 09, the summit aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted climate crisis, both from a global and national standpoint. It seeks to assess potential disruptions to critical sectors of the economy and deliberate on policy reforms necessary for transitioning towards a low-emission, climate-resilient economic framework.

During his address, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the nation’s proactive approach to combating climate change. He announced the establishment of a dedicated climate change centre in Sri Lanka and his instructions to the officials to model legislation based on the United Kingdom’s Climate Act, endorsed by global financial institutions. The President emphasized the significance of Sri Lanka’s role in addressing climate change, particularly within the Indian Ocean and the tropical belt and outlined plans for the International Climate Change University to be established in the country.

Addressing the gathering, the President further said:

It gives me great pleasure to be here with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, primarily because the Chamber has been working with the government on the current issue of climate change.

Today, you have organized this summit, which is a long-felt need for Sri Lanka, for the business community to meet here and to discuss the ways and means of how we could combat climate change. Since I took over as president, I have given top priority to climate change. In fact, I established the Climate Change Centre in my office and appointed an advisor. Until then, our focus has been on the environment. That doesn’t mean that we should take our focus away from the environment, but we must also realize the important role that climate change plays within it. If climate change takes place, as some of you fear, then the environment itself will change for the worse. Therefore, how we can adapt to climate change, how we can combat climate change, is certainly a matter of importance for all of us. I need not say anything more.

You know what it has been like in the last few days, walking around in the city. And this is just a sign of things to come. My task as president has been to restore the economy. In other words, to stabilize the economy. That task is nearing an end and we have to now focus on the next step.

We can’t carry on with this economic model, which certainly hasn’t worked. And we have, as I mentioned many times before, transformed ourselves into an export-oriented economy and a highly competitive economy. For this purpose, the government will be introducing legislation in parliament, which will ensure that all government policies focus on the transformation to a highly competitive export-oriented economy. In fact, the bill will most probably be gazetted next week.

But I am not going to deal at length with the bill, except to say that one of the items in the bill, inn carrying out this transformation, is to ensure that we achieve net-zero by 2050. And I can tell you we will achieve it before that. Sri Lanka can do it.

So in making our policies, which are going to affect all of you, not merely a transformation of an economy into export orientation, but into an economy that is based on achieving net-zero. So that’s how we are going to work this out.

As it is, the first step is, we are already drafting a new law, which will deal with the environment and climate change. In some countries, we have different acts dealing with laws, but we decided that we will bring it together, one law, which will handle both environment and climate change.

It retains the Central Environment Authority but will also bring in the Climate Change Centre. In the process of drafting, I’ve asked the officials now, in doing so, let us as far as possible, follow the Climate Change Act of the UK, which I think is a good one and it puts the burden on the government and the minister to act on the advice of the Climate Change Committee and to table the regulations in Parliament. So that is the legislative aspect that we are bringing in.

On that basis, we have to have a green economy. So green financing, and the whole aspect, the commercial and economic aspects become important. That’s where the Chamber of Commerce has an important role to play. We will promote the green economy. We will give priority to promoting a green economy. We might as well be the first in the region to do so. We are small enough to do that. And, our development, I hope, all of you will focus on seeing how we can succeed in becoming a green economy.

So part of this will also, again, will depend on how we structure our new financial instruments. One reason for following the Climate Change Act of the UK is that it has been well accepted by the financial circle. So we will ensure that our green financing, the different options available, are certainly based on the same practices as the UK. The rest is how do we get these instruments together? What do we do?

Well, that’s why I think the Chamber of Commerce, the Stock Exchange, our investment ministry all should come together. So that’s one area that will have to be developed once we announce the details of our policy on climate change. I would want it to cover every sector of the economy.

We might as well start from the beginning. We need not be looking at different sectors and sequencing it. We are small enough, and where we are, we can start on all sectors together. But what, has engaged our attention is the energy sector. I remember when we started the accelerated Mahawali scheme as a member of the Cabinet at that time, was to ensure that we had a majority of hydroelectricity potential. So we built all these reservoirs just within a space of 10 years.

But since then, as development came, we had to also bring in the fossil fuels. Now we have brought the fossil fuels, we brought the mini hydros, and what’s the next stage? Are we going to stay on with fossil fuels, or move on? Now Sri Lanka certainly has potential for renewable energy. If you look at our solar capacity, and our capacity for wind power, we are looking at something like in the region of 30 to 50 gigawatts.

One of the things that depends on determining the wind power now is the inquiry we are carrying out about how birds will be affected in the Mannar district. I have seen the CEB plant, and I have seen how it operates, and it’s automatic, so it switches off when a bird comes near. But nevertheless, let’s exhaust that, it will take a bit of time, but I said let’s get through this, and be sure that we avoid any harm to wildlife in the process. But we certainly have this potential.

It’s not merely on land, not only offshore, but on the high seas. It will start from about Puttalam and go all the way to Mulaitivu, and again, as far as wind power is concerned in Hambantota. That’s the wind power potential. Solar is anywhere. And in addition to land, the ancient kings left us with reservoirs, which we now find also becoming useful for floating solar.

The interest in solar is just starting. We have a long way to go, but the vision statement I made with Prime Minister Modi included Sri Lanka selling energy to India. So we have now agreed to have the connectivity. We’re also now working on another project near Poonakary or Pooneryn, to utilize the Poonakary reservoir. And that includes building the largest battery storage facility in Asia. So we are also now working on battery storage. There’s much more potential that is coming to place.

But we want to make the best use of the renewable energy sources that we have. Some people have spoken about the biomass, but most of the reports that I’ve received so far doesn’t indicate that biomass has such a good future in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, let’s get our energy worked out.

So this is one sector that we are looking at. Based on energy, we can do many changes. If there’s green hydrogen, since we are developing the Trincomalee port, we have the, the Colombo port, and we have the Hambantota port, then we become more attractive as a regional logistics centre. So this is some part of the thinking that is going on as far as the economy is concerned. The rest of where we start, what we do, is left to the Chamber of Commerce and the other institutions and the smaller chambers outside there. So now it’s up to you to make use of the potential that we have in Sri Lanka.

In keeping with this, we’ve also decided to emphasize on teaching technology. Again on the vision statement, Prime Minister Modi has been generous enough, to give us a campus of the IIT Chennai. So that will come into Kandy. In addition, the government is asking the universities to ensure that engineering faculties are started in all universities.

And next is the emphasis on the teaching of AI. The government itself is starting another university in Kurunegala and another university in Sitawaka, affiliated on the same model as the KDU, which will focus on technology. And finally, there’s one more university which we are planning again on technology.

So this is important for us. But we need the personnel. We have a shortage of skilled people. I think, Duminda has been involved in restructuring the total system of vocational training. All this is necessary to go to the next stage of technological development and as far as the economy is concerned, a new area is agricultural modernization. So there will be far-reaching changes including making available about 300,000 new acres for agriculture to take place. So all this fits into agriculture, the green economy.

The next issue is to go out of Sri Lanka into the world. The global community has still not been able to come together on an agreement of how we deal with the challenges. From COP meeting to COP meeting, we’ve gone there and there’s a lot of talk but unfortunately there has been no agreement. I don’t think we can go on and on meeting like this.

In the next two meetings either we must come to some agreement or give this up. That’s what Sri Lanka plans to tell the COP. But on our own, we’ve taken three initiatives. Firstly, debt restructuring and debt restructuring must help the African nations. That funding is necessary. Money is necessary, to make it available for the African nations to push through.

Otherwise, there would be a disaster on the continent. We ourselves went through debt restructuring. We didn’t go and ask for money. We did it the hard way. Okay, that’s all right, as Sri Lanka is a country that can make it. But the rest of them certainly need it.

Secondly, funds that we are waiting for, which were promised in Glasgow, but either the money got lost or it never left the banks where it was stored. But that unfortunately happens to be the story of funding. Now that funding is required.

We need that funding but the money hasn’t turned up, while we are watching for this money to come we see for instance in the last few weeks a fairly large chunk of money being voted by the US congress to help Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. The EU is also voting money to help Ukraine that may be in the region of about $100 billion and I don’t know how much Russia is putting in to keep the war going in Ukraine. But certainly all this together must be coming to about $ 150 to 200 billion.

Just imagine what that can do. We went from COP meeting to COP one conference of the party to another conference of the party to another conference of parties and where?

We were promised all these monies we are standing watching the fight and all of a sudden all the money goes into Ukraine and Gaza and towards Taiwan. So remember that the developing world has to put up a fight. We have to put up a fight on one side and on the other side we must do all we can to develop it commercially.

This is why in Sri Lanka I have promoted the concept of the tropical belt. After all, the tropical belt is the sink. So let’s identify every area in the tropical belt, which is commercially viable as far as climate change is concerned for different projects. Let’s do all that first. If the money is not coming to us as aid or a development, okay, let s take the money in for commercial development of the environmental projects. So I mean, you look at what’s available in Africa.

Look at what’s available in Sri Lanka. So let’s do that. But we will be pushing it at the next meeting or the conference of parties and in addition to that IORA. Here we are studying on the potential for the Indian Ocean.

So take the tropical belt cross the Indian Ocean and there you get the big sink you want. That is what Sri Lanka will be pressing and that will make a big change. The money is there. We have to get the money. If it’s not coming through the traditional development assistance, well there’s commercial potential let’s exploit it. Why are we waiting? That s what we require.

Then with Sri Lanka also bringing the legislation, we’ve been speaking with some of the countries to establish the international climate change university for climate adaptation. We ve already selected about 600 acres at the old Skanska camp and the surrounding area in Kothmale.

So that’s where we’ll be working. We ve been talking with Korea and we’ll be talking with India, China, Japan and some of the Western countries that have shown interest. So with the legislation ready, we hope to start that next year. But this is Sri Lanka s contribution that we are making as a country to climate change. I thought I d mention that here.

I don’t want to take any more of your time, because there’ll be a far more interesting discussion that will take place. So I thank you for inviting me to address this gathering.

SRI LANKA EXPORTS REACH USD 1139 MILLION - A 10% INCREASE IN MARCH

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
Export Performance in March 2024

The merchandise export performance in March 2024 amounted to US$ 1,138.9 million, recorded an increase of 9.77 % compared to March 2023. Furthermore, export performance in March 2024 increased by 7.51 % compared to the preceding month, February 2024. Figure 1 shows Monthly Merchandise export performance from the year 2021 to March 2024.

The value of services exports for the month of March 2024 was US$ 275.1 Million, increasing 8.39 % over the corresponding period of 2023.

Subsequently, total exports for the month of March 2024 was recorded as US$ 1.4 Billion including merchandize and services exports.

Major Exports in March 2024

a) Products & Services with Positive Growth (Increases)
Export earnings from Apparel & Textile increased by 6.66 % y-o-y to US $ 443.9 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
Export earnings from tea which made up 12% of merchandise exports, increased by 13.35 % y-o-y to US$ 124.86 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023. This increase is mainly due to the strong performance in the export of Bulk Tea and Tea packets, increased by 23.31 % and 6.51% respectively.

Furthermore, volume of tea exports increased by 18.2 % in March 2024 compared to March 2023. Additionally, Tea exports to Iraq, UAE, Russia and Saudi Arabia markets, increased by 202.07 %, 102.46 % and 48.41% respectively.

Moreover, Export earnings from Rubber and Rubber Finished products have increased by 7.45 % y-o-y to US$ 97.98 Mn in March 2024, with the strong performance in exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (7.41 %) and Industrial & Surgical Gloves of Rubber (12.18%).
On monthly analysis, export earnings of Coconut based products increased by 32.2 % in March 2024 compared to March 2023. Moreover, export earnings of Coconut kernel products, Coconut fiber products and Coconut shell products increased by 41.87 %, 25.53 % and 21.06 % respectively in March 2024 compared to March 2023.

Export earnings from Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Milk powder, Coconut Cream and Liquid Coconut Milk which are categorized under the Coconut kernel products increased by 37.82 %, 87.36 %, 73.0 % and 36.21 % respectively in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
Being the largest contributor to Coconut based sector, Coco Peat, Fiber Pith & Moulded products which are categorized under the Coconut fibre products, increased by 36.95 % to US$ 19.2 Mn in March 2024 in comparison to March 2023.

Earnings from Activated Carbon, which is categorized under the Coconut shell products increased by 19.58 % to US$ 14.78 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 35.81 % y-o-y to US$ 49.45 Million in March 2024, with the positive performance in exports of Processed food (95.31 %).

In addition, exports of Transport & Logistics services increased by 35.67 % to US$ 144.9 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.


b) Products & Services with Negative Growth (Decreases)

Export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils decreased by 47.5 % to US$ 17.1 Mn in the month of March 2024 compared to month of March 2023 mainly due to the poor performance in export of Cinnamon (-34.15%), Pepper (-78.4%) and Cloves (-85.82%). Clove exports to India decreased by nearly 100% in March 2024 compared to March 2023.

Export earnings from Seafood decreased by 21.35 % to US$ 20.22 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.This decrease was mainly due to the poor performance in export of Frozen fish (-23.55 %).
In parallel, export earnings from Ornamental fish decreased by 19.75 % to US$ 1.91 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.

Furthermore, the total export earnings from Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery decreased by 19.58 % y-o-y to US$ 24.85 million in March 2024. However, Diamonds (9.13 %) and Jewellery (16.28%) shown positive growth, while export earnings from Gems experienced substantial decrease by 58.23 % in March 2024.

Additionally, export earnings from the Electrical & Electronics Components decreased by 10.54 % y-o-y to US$ 40.74 Mn in March 2024 with poor performance in exports of Electrical Transformers (-16.6 %) and Other Electrical & Electronic products (-23.54 %).

Export earnings of Boat building recorded US$ 10.88 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
In addition, exports of ICT/ BPM, Construction and Financial services decreased by 3.32 %, 48.09% and 6.15 respectively in March 2024 compared to March 2023.

Exports during the period of January – March 2024

Cumulative merchandise exports during the period of January to March 2024, increased by 5.71 % to US$ 3,168.9 Million compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

The value of services exports for the period of January to March 2024 was US$ 788.7 Million, increasing 7.76 % over the corresponding period of 2023.


a) Products & Services with Positive Growth (Increases)
Earnings from export of Tea, Rubber products, Coconut products and Food & Beverages increased by 6.51 %, 10.18 %, 25.24 % and 26.05 % respectively during the period of January – March 2024 compared, in comparison to the corresponding period of 2023.

Earnings from export of Tea increased y-o-y by 12.89 % to US$ 354.78 Mn in the period of January to March 2024. This increase was mainly due to the strong performance in export of Bulk Tea (27.7 %) and Tea Packets (2.58 %).

In addition, export earnings from Rubber & Rubber finished products increased by 10.18 % to US$ 268.44 Mn in January – March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 attributed to increased exports of Industrial & Surgical Gloves of Rubber (11.55 %) and Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (13.61 %).

Export earnings of Coconut & Coconut based products increased by 25.24 % to US$ 203.62 Mn during January – March 2024 compared to the last year. Earnings from all the major categories of Coconut based products increased in the period of January – March 2024 compared with the corresponding period of 2023 due to the strong performance in export of Coconut Oil (23.04 %), Desiccated Coconut (25.23 %), Coconut Milk Powder (53.04 %), Coconut Cream (43.38 %), Liquid Coconut Milk (29.54 %), Cocopeat (30.86 %) and Activated Carbon (23.61 %).

Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 26.05 % y-o-y to US$ 126.33 Million in the period of January to March 2024, with the positive performance in exports of Processed food (77.12 %).

In addition, exports of ICT/ BPM and Transport & Logistics services increased by 4.69 % and 14.06% respectively during January – March 2024 compared to the last year
b) Products & Services with Negative Growth (Decreases)

Earnings from export of Apparel & Textile have decreased by 1.9 % to US$ 1,245.34 Mn during the period of January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Further, earnings from export of Apparel declined by 1.05 % and export of Textiles declined by 10.66 % in January to March 2024.

In addition, export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils decreased y-o-y by 31.6 % to US$ 69.44 Mn in the period of January to March 2024. This decrease was due to the poor performance in exports of Cloves (88.69 %).

Meanwhile earnings from export of Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) decreased by 15.51 % to US$ 107.14 Mn in the period of January to March 2024 compared to the corresponding period of 2023. This decrease was due to the poor performance in exports of Other Electrical & Electronic Products (30.08 %).

Further, export earnings from Seafood decreased by 4.1 % to US$ 63.9 Mn during the period of January to March 2024 compared to year 2023 due to the poor performance in Frozen Fish (-15.99 %).

In addition, exports of Construction and Financial services decreased by 6.87 % and 18.89% respectively during the period of January to March 2024 compared to the corresponding period of 2023.

Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Major Markets

Among the top 10 export markets of Sri Lanka, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Canada and China have shown positive growth in both March 2024 and the cumulative period of January to March 2024 compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
United States of America, Sri Lanka’s single largest export destination, which absorbs 23% of Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports, increased by 2.39 % to US$ 241.5 Mn in March 2024 compared to March 2023. However, exports to America in the cumulative period of January to March 2024 decreased by 1.4 % to US$ 711.57 Mn compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
Additionally, exports to the United Kingdom increased by 13.48 % to US$ 88.57 Mn in March 2024 compared to the corresponding month in 2023. Meanwhile, exports to the United Kingdom increased by 6.56 % to US$ 239.02 Mn in cumulative period of January to March 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Exports to FTA Partners (India & Pakistan)
a) March 2024
In March 2024, exports to India & Pakistan constituted 6.5% of the total merchandise exports, experienced a notable 4.11 % increase to reach US$ 77.32 Mn, compared to March 2023. Further, exports to India recorded an increase of 1.41 % whereas exports to Pakistan increased by 38.38 % in March 2024 compared to March 2023.
The positive performance of India was driven by higher exports of Animal Feed and Petroleum oil, while Pakistan's positive performance was led by increased exports of Other Electrical & Electronic Products and Desiccated Coconut.
b) January – March 2024
Exports to India & Pakistan accounted for 7.2% of total merchandise exports decreased by 10.31% to US$ 200.63 Mn during the period of January to March 2024 compared to the corresponding period of previous year.
Exports to India decreased by 12.52 % during the period of January to March 2024 when compared with the corresponding period in 2023 while exports to Pakistan increased by 20.17% y-o-y in the same period.
The negative export performance of India was driven by lower export of Animal feed (-12.52 %), while Pakistan's negative performance was led by decreased export of Beetle leaves.


Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Regions

Exports to the European Union (EU) which accounts for 24% of Sri Lanka’s exports during both March 2024 and the cumulative period of January to March 2024 increased respectively by 4.79 % and 2.54 %.

Exports to the top five EU markets were recorded as; Germany US$ 163.94 Mn (increased by 6.34 %), Italy US$ 157.82 Mn (decreased by 0.39 %), Netherlands US$ 87.83 Mn (increased by 5.02 %), France US$ 60.62 Mn. (increased by 5.79 %) and Belgium US$ 55.42 Mn (decreased by 0.45%) during the cumulative period of January to March 2024 in comparison to the corresponding period in 2023.

AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS SRI LANKA TO ELEVATE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
Claude Gunasekera

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Australia’s Market Development Facility Join Forces to Elevate Sustainable Tourism through Enhanced Research, Innovative Promotion, and Responsible Practices

In a landmark move to bolster sustainable tourism practices in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF). This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to enhance research capabilities, diversify promotional efforts, and foster inclusive responsible tourism initiatives within the country. The MoU signing was attended by the Chairman and Director General of SLTDA and other SLTDA officials. Representing MDF was MDF Team Leader Oliver Mathieson, MDF Sri Lanka Country Director Maryam Piracha, and MDF Sri Lanka Deputy Country Director Subraja Subramaniam.

Mr. Priantha Fernando, Chairman of SLTDA, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, "This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka. By strengthening research capabilities and diversifying promotional efforts, we aim to foster a vibrant and resilient tourism sector."

Oliver Mathieson, MDF Team Leader, emphasizes the organization’s commitment towards supporting Sri Lanka’s sustainable tourism initiatives. “MDF Sri Lanka has been a longstanding supporter of the industry,” he noted. “We are pleased to continue our work with Sri Lanka’s apex tourism body, particularly in strengthening tourism research. Accurate and timely tourism data is invaluable to better marketing and promotion strategies – and increasingly important in targeting the growing segment of tourists seeking sustainable products and services.”
A previous collaboration between SLTDA and MDF focused on initiatives inculcating an evidence-based decision-making culture within the tourism industry which included the development of a five-year research roadmap and supported capacity building of the research team. Building on this foundation, the new MOU underscores a commitment to further elevate Sri Lanka's tourism sector through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives.

MINISTER ALLES DEFENDS VFS - VISA DEAL

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
By Saman Indrajith

Opposition MPs in Parliament called on Public Security Minister Tiran Alles to focus on rectifying the mess created by visa facilitating agency VFS-led consortium instead of trying to frame a youth who criticised it at the BIA.

Minister Alles said the awarding of the contract to VFS had been approved by the Cabinet, and Parliament had approved revised visa fees.

JVP/NPP MP Vijitha Herath said that the government’s move to institute legal action against the youth who had expressed his displeasure would lead to public outrage. “Everybody knows now that the youth in question intervened against a wrong move by the government. Because of his intervention, the government decided to suspend the foreign agency that issued visa to foreigners and brought down the fee from 100 dollars to 50 dollars. His action led to save 50 dollars taken from the foreigners being shifted out of the country. He used his freedom of expression to inform the entire nation of the wrongdoing. He is the one who opened the eyes of the Cabinet and rectified the error. If the government takes legal action against him,not only the members of the legal fraternity, the entire nation will stand by him, all progressive forces will support him. The government would further worsen the mess,” Herath said.

Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said that Minister Alles had misled the House when talking about VFS.

Minister Alles said that he did not speak of VFS in Parliament but only about increasing visa fees. “The VFS proposal was submitted to the Cabinet and then it was referred to a Cabinet subcommittee which studied that report for three months. Thereafter it was returned to the Cabinet and was given approval. I did not speak of VFS in Parliament,” the Minister said.

Kiriella called on the Secretary General of Parliament to bring Hansard to the chamber to ascertain the veracity of the standpoint taken by the Minister.

Alles said the agreement had been made after a proposal was made by the company. The Cabinet has given its approval for the deal.

Kiriella reading out from Hansard proved his point that Alles on a previous day had spoken about VFS in Parliament. “How could this be done on a Cabinet approval, financial control powers are with Parliament,” he queried.

SJB Colombo District MP S.M. Marikkar said that the deal between the government with IVS-GBS-VFS Global was worth 840 million dollars over its 12-year lifetime.

The firm was charging 18.5 dollars per visa and a 5 to 7 dollar ‘convenience fee’ on top of the government visa fee from tourists trying to enter Sri Lanka.

Marikkar said the VFS Global was placed to earn cash flows of up to 100 million dollars a year based on tourist promotion targets of the industry, over the contract period.

The firm would earn 35 million dollars in 2024, 43 million dollars in 2025, 49 million dollars, 56 million dollars in 2026, 62 in 2028, 68 in 2029, 74 in 2030, Marikkar said reading out from a document.

The group would earn 80 million dollars in 2031, 86 million in 2032, 92 million in 2033, 96 million in 2034 and 100 million in 2035 million. VFS Global group stood to earn 840 million dollars over the period of the contract which was renewable every two years. The deal was awarded without a competitive procurement process, Marikkar said.

NFF leader MP Wimal Weerawansa said that Minister Alles had told the media that the youth’s conduct at BIA which is an international airport could not be approved. We know that there are many other happenings at the BIA that we do not see in other international airports. I call on the Minister not to take action against this youth.

FREE VISA TO 67 COUNTRIES
- Tourism Minister

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 09-05-2024 |
Claude Gunasekera

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando announced that the government will allow visa-free access to 67 countries very soon. He said that a joint Cabinet paper with Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry was submitted to facilitate visa-free access for citizens of 67 countries, to boost tourism. He said he personally believes tourism promotion does not necessitate visa requirement. Speaking to the media, at Sri Lanka Tourism office in Colombo Fernando emphasised efforts made towards introducing hassle-free entry processes to attract more tourists to the country.

Minister elaborating on the increased Visa Fee skirmish, he claimed that neither he nor his Ministry were consulted in this regard and he stressed the importance of involvement from Tourism Ministry in matters pertaining to industry. He acknowledged that he was aware of the new visa system but was unaware of details of its implementation as the subject minister in charge is Tiran Alas the Minister of Public Security who is also in charge of visa issuance under the Department of Immigration and Emigration. As a Cabinet Minister, Fernando affirmed his commitment as a collective responsibility.

He said “I was aware that there was a proposal to bring in a new visa system, but only as a visa facilitation system. We did not know the exact implementation date or the technical details,” he explained, adding that it would have been great if it was implemented with a three months’ notice.

“As far as I know, the previous Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system faced several challenges, especially regarding security. Over the years, there have been recurring security concerns, particularly with Sri Lanka serving as a transit point for illegal drugs and terrorism threats. Given this backdrop, it is essential to implement all necessary precautions to ensure safety,” he said.

The Minister highlighted that the rationale behind implementing the new visa system is best understood by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles. However, he supported the notion that the new visa system by VFS Global offers broader reach and may yield positive outcomes for Sri Lanka in terms of security, efficiency and promotion opportunities.

The Minister also said he will take necessary legal action through the Online Safety Act against those who criticized him when he had no responsibility to this matter.

In addition, Fernando said he will not participate at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market to avoid unnecessary speculation and controversy over the visa issue. “Now that I am aware of VFS having an office in Dubai, I prefer not to participate in the ATM next week. Otherwise, people might insinuate that I attended to receive benefits from the newly implemented visa system,” he remarked.

In conclusion, Minister Fernando expressed faith in President Ranil Wickremesinghe to solve this issue. “So let’s hope for the right things to happen,” said Fernando with an understanding of the industry and collaborative efforts towards positive outcomes.

Priantha Fernando Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Shirantha Peiris Chairman Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, Nalin Perera Managing Director Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau were also present at the media briefing.

Talaimannar-Dhanushkodi Paddle Challenge Sea Kayak Race Held for Avurudu by SL Navy

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 14-04-2024 |
Claude Gunasekera

Talaimannar-Dhanushkodi Adam's Bridge Paddle Challenge concludes on successful note, for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The inaugural Adam's Bridge Paddle Challenge – a sea kayak race held from Talaimannar, Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi, India was held on 11th April 2024. The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Navy in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, National Association of Canoeing and Kayak Sri Lanka and Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association.

The shallow waters of the northern region, particularly the Mannar and Jaffna peninsulas, offer an ideal natural setting for the advancement of water sports. Against this backdrop, this competition was arranged to boost tourism linked to water sports, providing numerous advantages to the people of the Northern Province. This initiative also aims to foster the longstanding friendship and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, inspired by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera's vision. The opening ceremony of the event was held under the auspices of the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, Mr. Ledchumanan Ilaangovan and the Commander of the Navy, at the Talaimannar beach vicinity in the evening of 10th April.

Meanwhile, the Adam's Bridge Paddle Challenge got underway on the morning of 11th April from Talaimannar to Dhanushkodi. Representing Sri Lanka, 31 athletes from National Association of Canoeing, Kayak Sri Lanka, Jade High School Kayaking Club, Adventure SEALs, Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club, Royal College Colombo 07, Gateway College and Lanka Adventure took part in the competition. In the same vein, 03 players from Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association also competed in the event. In a notable achievement, the Navy Commander also participated in the event by kayaking. The Commander of the Navy, known for his expert kayaking skills and record-setting paddle around the island, provided significant motivation to young athletes by participating in the Adam's Bridge Paddle Challenge.

Certificates were distributed to all tournament participants at Talaimannar Beach, attended by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake, Director General Services, Rear Admiral Priyal Vithana, Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Naleen Navarathna, Commander Southern Naval Area and Chairman National Association of Canoeing and Keyak, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Deputy Area Commander North Central Naval Area, Commodore Mangala Mummullage, Secretary National Association of Canoeing and Kayak, Captain Chaminda Wijesiri as well as representatives from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association.

The Adam's Bridge Paddle Challenge was held under two categories, namely K1 and K2. Accordingly, the men's championship (Best Paddler) in the K 1 category was won by Lance Corporal RR Senaratne of the Sri Lanka Army. The second place in the men's K 1 category was won by Chief Petty Officer JC Jayasinghe of the Navy and the third place was won by Leading Seaman HMAD Gunathilake. The women's championship (Best Paddler) in the K 1 category was won by Leading Air Woman KWN Madushani from the Sri Lanka Air Force. Its second and third places were won by MJ De Silva and SM De Silva respectively. Meanwhile, the men's championship in the K 2 category was won by Chief Petty Officer JC Jayasinghe and Leading Engineering Mechanic JB Ekanayake of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Commander of the Navy, speaking at the event, expressed that the tournament would see the participation of numerous foreign athletes in the coming years. He highlighted the potential for significant tourism promotion as water sports gain popularity in the shallow seas of the northern region. He also mentioned plans to expand the competition route from India to Talaimannar in 2025, alternating the starting point each year. Moreover, he stated that organizing this tournament would greatly support the promotion of tourism and the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, fostering cultural exchange.

Representatives from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, senior officers from the Navy, government officials, kayak athletes from clubs, schools and tri services as well as school children from the area witnessed this event.

CBL sponsored Gift Parcels to over 10,000 Children Nationwide

Lankapuvath | Colombo | 14-04-2024 |
Claude Gunasekera

The distribution of annual gift parcels to children under the care of 336 child development centers throughout the country, in line with President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s initiative, took place across the island.

Coordinated by the Office of the President, with support from the Office of the Chief of Defense Staff and the Sri Lanka Army, the distribution aims to bring joy to over 10,000 children, alongside the President’s New Year message.

Regardless of their circumstances, these centers across various provinces, including the Central, Eastern, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western, will ensure that every child feels included and valued, extending a sense of family to them.

CBL proudly sponsored this program, facilitating the delivery of these much-awaited parcels to children nationwide.

Under the vision of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, today marked the distribution of New Year gift parcels to children under the care of 336 child development centers nationwide in celebration of the Sinhala Tamil New Year.

Gifts were distributed in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha, the initiative spanned the entire day, ensuring every district was covered as children received New Year sweets and gift parcels.

This endeavor, was executed in collaboration with the private sector, notably the Ceylon Biscuit Company and the President’s Office, was themed “Happy New Year to Children in Orphanages,” aimed at spreading joy to every child, regardless of their circumstances.

Accompanied by the President’s New Year message, over 10,000 gift parcels were distributed among the children. Following President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s directives, the Army, under the supervision of Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army, and guidance from General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, facilitated the distribution of these gift parcels.

This effort covered 336 centers, including 40 in the Central Province, 57 in the Eastern Province, 16 in the North Central Province, 23 in the Northern Province, 19 in the Sabaragamuwa Province, 25 in the Southern Province, 14 in the Uva Province, and 106 in the Western Province, ensuring this year’s gift parcels reached their intended recipients