By Hiran H Senewiratne

New Zealand has expressed interest in promoting local export crops production by acquiring and managing efficiently large extents of land in Sri Lanka, which at present are not productive.

“A scheme to establish dairy farms in the North and East, which New Zealand helped to draw-up a few years back but was subsequently abandoned, serves to highlight the need to resume such programs, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka, David Pine, said at a Pathfinder Foundation forum comprising industry experts and representatives of local media institutions held at the Colombo Club, Taj Samudra last Thursday.

High Commissioner Pine said there is already cooperation in the dairy and agricultural sectors. New Zealand is willing to provide further assistance regarding food safety and phytosanitary (health of plants) standards.

New Zealand further aims to help Sri Lanka in knowledge- sharing and technology transfer in capacity building, climate resilience and increasing support in the education sector by establishing educational institutions, besides facilitating student exchange programs.

At present the bilateral trade balance is in favour of New Zealand, that is, Sri Lanka imports more than US $ 252 million while Sri Lanka exports only US $ 41 million to New Zealand.

HC Pine said that both countries should have close economic relations to harness the true growth potential of both countries.

The HC reiterated that an increased population of South Asian heritage immigrants living in New Zealand and existing dynamics in the geopolitical space had stimulated interest in the region.

HC Pine added: “The response to the imbalance in bilateral trade is to focus on the overall trade balance, as the bilateral trade balance becomes irrelevant in the context of global value chains.

“In addition to tourism and trade, governance, parliamentary exchanges and social relationships are also important in the bilateral context.

“The importance of the visit of the ‘Women in Peace’ delegation needs stressing, as is the need to focus on increasing opportunities for Track II dialogue.

“In terms of future prospects in promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination among New Zealanders, the aim is to engage and mobilize the diaspora, improve connectivity and extend support for niche areas, including sports, as a connector of two sport-loving nations.

“New Zealand is resolute in paying close attention to the South Asian region and Sri Lanka, in particular, on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.”

The Pathfinder Foundation has previously hosted similar roundtable discussions with the Heads of Mission of France, Australia and the UK. At the event diplomat and chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation Bernard Gunathilake presided.

The effective implementation of the National Budget has been a key concern for many years. To enhance the feasibility of budget proposals and extend the discussion beyond just the month following a budget speech, the Ceylon Chamber is launching a seminar series titled Implementing the National Budget 2025. This initiative aims to drive actionable insights and ensure a more structured approach to execution. The first in this seminar series will be held from 9.00 am – 11.00 a.m. on 11th March at the Ceylon Chamber Auditorium.

This session will focus on tax-related policy shifts, including the removal of the Simplified Value Added Tax system, introduction of the Digital Services Tax, and other significant amendments to the VAT (Amendment) Bill and the Inland Revenue Department (Amendment) Bill.

The Keynote Speaker at the event will be Charmaine Tillekeratne – Head of Tax, Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives. An expert panel comprising of Thanuja Perera – Tax Policy Advisor, Ministry of Finance and S. Iyesha Asanthi –Commissioner, Tax Policy and Legislations Unit of the IRD will represent the policymakers while Yohan Lawrence, Secretary General – JAAF, and Chairman, EASL, and Ganesh Deivanayagam – Chairman, Easwaran Brothers Export Ltd., and Immediate Past President of TEA will present the views of the private sector, their implications for businesses, and strategies for compliance and adaptation.

Register for the seminar at https://event.chamber.lk/event-register/356. For more information email events@chamber.lk or call Shashini on 011 55 88892.

Sun Siyam Pasikudah celebrated International Women’s Day on 08 March with a heartfelt celebration honoring the invaluable contributions of its female colleagues. The day was filled with gratitude and festivities including a cake-cutting ceremony and conversations that highlighted the resort’s efforts to encourage female participation.

Despite women constituting well over half of the country’s population, their representation in the hospitality sector is below 10 percent which is disproportionately low when compared to the women making up over half of the entire hospitality workforce globally.

This disparity is often attributed to social stigmas, safety concerns, and traditional gender roles that discourage women from pursuing careers in hospitality. Addressing these challenges, Sun Siyam Pasikudah has implemented targeted initiatives to create a more inclusive environment.

The resort actively recruits women from local communities, offers comprehensive training, and provides a supportive and safe working environment. By doing so, the resort not only enhances the professional growth of its female employees but also contributes to the socio-economic development of the Eastern region.

“At Sun Siyam Pasikudah, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our success. We value the unique perspectives and talents our female team members bring, enriching guest experiences and strengthening community ties. Committed to equal opportunities, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive,” said Arshed Refai, General Manager.