Category: Special Reports
Sail Lanka anchors sponsorship for Galle Literary festival 2024
The Galle Literary Festival, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), unveils its highly anticipated program for 2024, promising a diverse and engaging experience for literature enthusiasts. The Festival, taking place from January 25 to 28, will feature over 180 talks, workshops, and events that embody a renewed commitment to diversity and […]
The Princess Royal to visit Sri Lanka from 10 – 13 January
The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence will arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday 10 January for a three-day visit. The visit comes as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. The UK and Sri Lanka share many strong personal ties and common interests making the two countries natural partners through […]
GALLE CONCERTO 2024: 6 Festivals In Art, Food, Literature & Music; Call for Extended Stays on SL’s South Coast
During the South Coast peak season of January through March of 2024, the ‘Galle Concerto’ series gives impetus to a symphony of heritage and contemporary festivals in art, food, literature, and music. Leading Lankan and international culture makers will be headlining the events – speaking, presenting and creating on topics pertinent and inspiring to Sri […]
Government Initiates VAT Exemption for Ayurvedic Products & Medicines to Lower Healthcare Costs: Minister
State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody announced a significant step toward reducing healthcare costs by exempting Ayurvedic products, medicines and industries related to indigenous medicine from Value Added Tax (VAT). The decision aims to make traditional medicine more accessible to the public. Additionally, the State Minister mentioned that the cabinet has granted approval for […]
CA Sri Lanka expands its presence in the United Kingdom with new overseas chapter
Embracing its role as a world-class professional body, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) continued to expand its global footprint by establishing a new chapter in the United Kingdom. The CA Sri Lanka United Kingdom Chapter was formally unveiled at a special event in Greater London, in the presence of […]
Hirdaramani Apparel, Lacoste Foundation, and UNDP Collaborate to Empower 100 Families
Hirdaramani Apparel and the Lacoste Foundation have come together through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka’s facility for Private Sector Giving to promote socio-economic recovery and food security and address its multidimensional vulnerabilities. To signify the partnership, Vinod Hirdaramani – Chairman, Hirdaramani Apparel, and Azusa Kubota – Resident Representative of UNDP in […]
Sri Lanka and Thailand to Sign Free Trade Agreement in February 2024
The 8th round of negotiations for the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) concluded successfully on November 29th, paving the way for a historic deal to be signed in February 2024. The negotiations, co-chaired by the Chief Negotiators of both countries, Auramon Supthaweethum (Thailand) and K. J. Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka), saw both sides agree to […]
Suvasarya Pioneers Mixed Reality in Asian Ambulance Service with Pilot Projects in Colombo & Jaffna
Today marks a significant step forward for 1990 Suvasarya, as the ambulance service becomes the first in Asia to adopt mixed reality and AI technology for real-time doctor-paramedic communication. This innovative partnership with Wavenet and Microsoft marks a major advancement in emergency medical care for the region. Previously limited to phone calls, communication between paramedics […]
U.S. Department of Agriculture Commits USD32.5 Mn to Fund McGovern-Dole School Feeding Program
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo is pleased to announce a new $32.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Sri Lanka for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, a food assistance initiative that reduces hunger and improves literacy and primary education.By providing school meals, teacher training and related […]
Sri Lanka elected to the Executive Board of the UNESCO
Sri Lanka was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the term 2023-2027, during the 42nd General Conference of the inter-governmental organization, on 15 November 2023 in Paris. Sri Lanka obtained 144 votes out of 188 member states voting at the said election, co-securing the 3rd highest vote […]
Government urged to crack down on tax evaders instead of taxpayers: Harsha
In a press conference held yesterday, MP Harsha de Silva, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, shed light on the government’s tax collection efforts, revealing significant shortfalls in expected revenue. His comments have ignited a debate on the fairness of the current tax collection system and whether the government should prioritize collecting taxes from […]
Borders and Budget: Visa reform will boost tourism and reverse brain drain
By Daniel Alphonsus Three million tourists are set to visit our shores next year. We will issue nearly as many online visas – millions too many. ETAs are a tourist’s bane: rather than dreamy sun, sea and sand, the weary salaryman’s getaway begins with the tedium of forms. The tourist’s ayubowan to Sri Lanka begins […]