News

Visiting couple draws government’s attention to glaring shortcomings

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/5

Sahan Weerasooriya

Covid-19 response:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government should re-examine the procedure in place to allow visitors from abroad amidst the rampaging Covid-19 epidemic as part of the overall efforts to alleviate difficulties, a Danish-Sri Lankan dual citizen told The Island yesterday (4).

The Danish passport holder now staying at a hotel in Kalutara with his wife said that even those who had been inoculated overseas and PCR tested negative immediately before leaving for Sri Lanka were subjected to 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The irate guest pointed out that in spite of them being tested negative on the first day of their arrival here, current quarantine laws forced them to remain at the hotel for the entire stipulated period.

They arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from Copenhagen via Doha this week.

The Health Ministry owed visitors an explanation why those who had been inoculated abroad and tested negative twice within two or three days were compelled to stay in hotels.

Responding to another query, the Danish passport holder said that 14-day compulsory quarantine of those even tested negative seemed unfair, particularly against the backdrop of a pilot project being implemented in the Kalutara district to keep infected asymptomatic Covid-19 confirmed patients at home.

Assuring that they appreciated ongoing government efforts to bring the situation under control, the visitor warned of long term consequences of what he called unfair treatment of foreigners. “In spite of whatever difficulties experienced, we’ll visit the country. In fact, my having a foreign passport is irrelevant,” he said, adding however foreigners would find 14-day compulsory quarantine of those who had been inoculated and also PCR tested negative extremely discouraging.

Asked whether he felt comfortable with the procedures in place for foreigners and Sri Lankans visiting Sri Lanka, he said his wife carried a Sri Lankan passport. “Essentially, in our case, we were subjected to the same set of rules regardless of the different status of our nationality. The hotels involved in this project provide efficient service in spite of an extremely difficult situation.”

The visitor said that the government, particularly those in charge of the tourism portfolio, should be wary of unscrupulous elements taking advantage of the ongoing crisis. Referring to an online statement on www.army.lk dated January 15, 2021 made by Army Chief General Shavendra Silva who is also the head, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), he said corrupt practices were admitted in the hotel quarantine process.

“What we want is to get those foreign arrivals a fair deal with decent meals, full care and accommodation at the lowest rate possible,” the army website quoted Chief of Defence Staff as having told a group of hotel owners/hoteliers/ hotel executives at a meeting held at NOCPCO premises on January 12th.

The Danish passport holder pointed out that General Silva was on record as having said that attempts had been made to collect money from hotels promising them guests. And some such instances had been thwarted, the guest said, demanding fleecing of visitors should stop.

According to him, when they first planned to visit Sri Lanka, accommodation for two at a particular hotel categorized as Level 1 was offered for USD 400(approximately Rs 80,000.) In addition to that, the charges included (for two persons) 24 USD for insurance cover, USD 80 for four PCR tests and USD 55 for transport (BIA to hotel situated ten minutes away from the old parliament). Altogether, a stay in that hotel would have cost us USD 559, he said.

At that time, the above mentioned rates were offered, those arriving from abroad could have left the hotel within 48 hours if they tested negative, he said. But, due to sudden closure of the BIA, they hadn’t been able to come and when the airport was reopened, the government introduced 14-day mandatory quarantine much to their disappointment, the Danish passport holder said. But a two-week stay there would have cost 400 USD into 14 days, the visitor said, as they didn’t want to take that offer, those who facilitated the project offered two other hotels and they picked the one that charged USD 910 for 14 days full board (USD 70 per day). In addition to the hotel charges, PCR tests USD 160, insurance USD 24 and transport USD 70. Altogether, the cost came up to USD 1,164, he said, adding that when they arrived at the BIA, authorities therein didn’t bother at least to verify whether they had been inoculated.

The guest said that he obtained dual citizenship during the yahapalana administration. Although the Immigration and Emigration stamped his Danish passport with his dual citizenship status, the government didn’t issue a passport at that time. Responding to The Island queries, he said in spite of his dual citizenship status, he sought a tourist visa at a cost of USD 36.

The guest who had been living in Denmark for over 30 years said that the government should pay attention to cohesive tourism strategy or face the consequences. The Chairman of the Tourist Board Kimarli Fernando was recently seen on CNN urging foreigners under a bio bubble scheme, he said. Such a costly advertising campaign should be backed by an efficient system in place on the ground. According to him, though many people from Denmark visited the country on the day he and his wife boarded an airline at the Copenhagen airport bound for Doha, they were the only ones visiting Sri Lanka. However several dozen joined them at Doha, almost all Sri Lankans to arrive in Colombo.

If the government was genuinely keen in putting in place a system to face the daunting post-Covid challenges, it couldn’t afford to address issues pertaining to the tourism sector, he said.

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News

Fast Attack Craft P 4447 recovered in successful salvage operation

Published

13 hours ago

2026/09/14

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy successfully recovered its Fast Attack Craft P 4447 following a successful salvage operation, bringing a multi-stage emergency response to a close.

The craft, which ran into distress during a routine patrol on 15th August 2026 off Angulana, was brought to the surface on 11th September, from a depth of approximately 80 feet. It was
subsequently towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises.
The initial phase of the operation immediately following the incident focused on search and rescue. A joint effort involving the Navy, Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana
resulted in the rescue of 11 crew members. The search and rescue phase drew to a close with the recovery of the remains of the Second in Command of the craft, on 4th September.

Following the search and rescue phase, specialized Navy diving and salvage teams launched a dedicated recovery phase against rough sea conditions and underwater challenges, adhering to
strict safety protocols. The Navy’s marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams utilized specialized technical know-how and equipment to raise the vessel in stages.

Thus, the salvage operation marked an outstanding achievement attained through the professionalism, technical expertise of Navy divers, and coordinated contribution of all
engineering and technical branches of the Sri Lanka Navy. Technical support and specialized expertise were also extended by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC.

News

CIABOC member’s appointment: Controversy over Speaker under probe heading selection process

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Opposition should intensity its focus on the forthcoming selection of a member of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and remain vigilant as Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne, MP, the head of the Constitutional Council (CC) tasked with making the relevant recommendation, is under investigation by the CIABOC, sources familiar with the ongoing inquiry told The Island.

Chethiya Goonasekara, PC, is expected to complete his three-year term on Dec 31, 2026. Sources pointed out that CIABOC Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation made by the 10-member Constitutional Council.

The CIABOC initiated the investigation following a complaint lodged by suspended Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne in early February this year. Sources said that as Goonasekera is scheduled to complete his term toward the end of 2026, the CC would have to call applications soon to choose the successor.

Goonasekara received his appointment from President Ranil Wickremesinghe in January 2024. A Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala was appointed Chairman of the CIABOC. The other commissioner is K. Bernard Rajapakse.

Asked whether Iddawala and Rajapakse, too, would complete their terms soon, sources said that in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act No 09 of 2023, the Chairman of CIABOC would hold office for a period of five years, second commissioner (K. Bernard Rajapakse) for four years and the third commissioner (Chethiya Goonasekara) for a period of three years.

Sources said that the Opposition as well as civil society representatives in the CC should take up the issue of Speaker facing an investigation by the CIABOC taking part in the forthcoming selection process. Responding to queries, sources emphasized that the issue was whether in terms of Section 107 of the Anti-Corruption Act the participation of the Speaker in the selection process amounted to a violation of the Act itself.

The current members of the CC are Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, Speaker and Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, Bimal Rathnayake, MP, Aboobucker Athambawa, MP, Ajith P. Perera, MP, Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP, Austin Fernando, Civil society representative, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne, Civil society representative and Ranjith Ariyaratne, Civil society representative.

Sources pointed out that in spite of the sensitivity of the case, the CIABOC recorded Kularatne’s statement in the second week of August, six months after he lodged the complaint.

The CIABOC on 3, 8 and 10 Sept recorded the statements from the Transport Officer, Deputy Director, Administration and Assistant Director, Finance regarding the use of facilities by the Speaker, those assigned to his staff and other relevant matters.

The NPP named Dr. Wickramaratne as the Speaker after Asoka Ranwala resigned over controversy regarding his higher education qualifications.

SJB lawmaker Dayasiri Jayaskera has repeatedly raised the issues concerning the Speaker with the focus also on the Speaker using two government-managed residences, relevant staff in addition to expenditure on food, transport and fuel provided to the Speaker’s private secretary.

Political sources said that trouble erupted after the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Council in late January sacked Kularatne accusing him of providing false information to secure his appointment. Before being appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament in 2023, Kularatne held several high-ranking positions, including Secretary to the Chief Government Whip, Additional Secretary to the President, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Additional Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition.

The SJB declared in Parliament that Ranwala should be brought back as the Speaker as they have no faith in Wickramaratne. MP Mujibur Rahuman jokingly told parliament that the Opposition wouldn’t raise Ranwala’s educational qualifications.

News

GMOA: Countrywide cadre revision not done since 2015

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Dhammika

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stressed the need to conduct a comprehensive countrywide cadre revision urgently.

GMOA spokesman Dr. Lasitha Dhammika told The Island that the failure on the part of successive governments to conduct cadre revision caused the deterioration of the public sector health services. Due to the absence of required statistics, they hadn’t been able to fully comprehend the situation on the ground and to ascertain the requirements of the public.

Dr. Dhammika pointed out the expansion of the services without supporting statistics and the need to initiate an immediate cadre revision. According to him, the GMOA had raised this issue with successive governments without success. The GMOA spokesman said that they also sought relevant information from the Health Ministry in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act two weeks ago but was yet to receive response.

(SF)