News
Australian HC launches professional cookery by VTA towards inclusive skills development in tourism
On the invitation of the Vocational Training Centre (VTA),the High Commissioner of Australia, Paul Stephens, launched a professional cookery project in the presence of delegates, government officials, members of the Chef Guild of Lanka, VTA students, staff, and visitors at the VTA Centre, in Kandy, recently.
A press release said: The launch was designed to mark the commencement of Industry validated Professional Cookery training, now available at key Government training centres, and to support Supreme Chef – Season 3 which is a trademarked initiation of Skills for Inclusive Growth programme (S4IG), with the support of Australian Aid. The reality show experience, in the form of an organised challenge, brings under the spotlight Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, through food experience and culinary art challenges.
The development of professional cooking training acknowledges that these skills require dedication and passion to acquire and master. This is an occupation that can generate many rewards for those that complete the training requirements, enabling higher income employment, opportunities to travel, and culinary journeys that can promote the diversity and uniqueness of Sri Lankan cuisine. The three key objectives of Season 3 include the promotion of the occupation of a Chef as an aspiring profession, supporting tourism recovery and promotion by showcasing untapped tourism destinations, and the promotion of food security by highlighting local foods and ingredients to support improved nutrition and import replacement that supports inclusive economic growth.
During a time that innovative initiatives need to align itself with strategic priorities of the nation, including minimising dependence on food, commodity and ingredient imports, the focus of the launch paid special emphasis on local sourcing and creativity, using ingredients from within Sri Lanka. It was noted that VTA and S4IG had invested many years in building networks with multiple stakeholders of the public and private sector to bring to light this national initiative. Additionally, The Chefs Guild of Lanka was credited for providing masterclasses, judges, and marshals for the training and competition to give the project more industry legitimacy and to ensure industry standards are maintained. This reality show experience aligns with the Presidential declaration of 2021-2030 as the Decade of Skills Development in Sri Lanka. The show is delivered on a national scale and aired on national TV stations Rupavahini and Nethra TV.
High Commissioner Stephens said that Season 1 and 2 of Supreme Chef were limited to four districts and were open to anyone who has the passion in cooking. “Owing to the success of Season 1 and 2, we’ve designed and delivered a national programme that is supported by Training Agencies and Industry and includes an international quality curriculum developed with the leadership and support of the Chefs Guild of Lanka. This is yet another flagship initiative of Australian Aid that supports quality skills development that meets industry needs and provides employment opportunities in Sri Lanka”.
Chulangani Perera, Director General, VTA, said that television, broadcast, and publicity partners have accepted the reality show format as successful and are interested in the brand, trademark, and rights of the show in the future.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
The Supreme Court has been petitioned seeking an explanation as to how eight petitions filed against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution were not listed for hearing . Two of the petitioners, namely Dias Bandaralage Ajith Shantha Kumara Jayathilaka and Gunathilakage Dakum Dulara Gunathilaka, have requested an opportunity to examine the official Registry and parliamentary records so that all material facts may be objectively established. They said that their petitions that had been registered by the Supreme Court should have been heard along with other petitions.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Secretary General of Parliament, Speaker and the Attorney General have been named as the respondents.
The five-member bench that heard the petitions consisted of Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli, J, Arjuna Obeyesekere, J, Sampath B. Abayakoon, J and K.M.G.H. Kulatunga, J.
The petitioners sought the explanation in the absence of any judicial order dismissing, rejecting, striking out, terminating or otherwise disposing the said petitions. They have requested the disclosure of the complete procedural history of the unlisted cases.
The second petitioner Gunathilaka has referred to a speech by Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanathan Archuna in Parliament, on 21 August, 2026, regarding X-Press Pearl, a container carrier that sank off the port of Colombo, and related matters.
They have sought leave to proceed under Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution and asked for a full Bench of the Supreme Court, or the widest Bench, constitutionally permissible.
They also requested that the Chief Justice and Achala Wengappuli refrain from participating in the hearing and determination of their application, having regard to the objective-appearance issue arising from their prior constitutional and judicial participation in matters forming part of the factual subject matter now requiring examination.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Vinivida Foundation, Nagananda Kodituwakku, has requested the Supreme Court Registrar not to proceed with the determination of 22nd Amendment process, pending the hearing of fundamental rights petition filed by Chairman of the Vinivida Foundation lawyer, Sugandhika Fernando, seeking a full bench, excluding Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, to hear the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment Bill. She also requested that the hearing be suspended immediately until the matter was fully heard and determined.
Among the respondents are Chief Justice Surasena, the first respondent, and Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando.
(SF)
Sri Lankan passport holders travelling to Thailand wouldn’t be eligible for visa-free entry from 15 September, 2026, according to a new visa notice issued by the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo.
Under the new measures, all Sri Lankan travellers will be required to obtain a Thai visa before departing for Thailand. Visa applications must be submitted online through Thailand’s official e-Visa system.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo has also clarified that it will not accept visa applications submitted in person or in physical form.
According to the Embassy, tourist visa applications submitted by Sri Lankan passport holders are expected to take approximately 3–7 working days, calculated from the date on which all required documents have been duly completed and submitted.
Processing times for Non-Immigrant Visa and DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) applications may take longer.
Foreign nationals residing in Sri Lanka or the Maldives who hold valid work or residence permits may also require additional processing time.
The Embassy has cautioned applicants that it reserves the right to request additional documents or information when necessary. Applicants may also be asked to attend a visa interview on a case-by-case basis.
The new requirement represents a significant change for Sri Lankan travellers, who will need to complete the visa process before travelling to Thailand from September 15 onward.
The Embassy has urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for the latest visa requirements, procedures and updates.
INS Udaygiri makes port call in Colombo
Showers in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
22A: Exclusion of 8 petitions questioned, action filed against SC Registrar, others
Thailand shuts door on undesirables from Sri Lanka
Expertise France and the EU launch media project to strengthen environmental journalism in Sri Lanka
CLA questions non-inclusion of senior judges on five-member SC bench hearing 22A petitions
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