News
‘Save the Sri Lankan Smile’ to woo holidaymakers
By Harischandra Gunaratna
An ambitious campaign named ‘Save the Sri Lankan Smile’ to give a boost to the country’s tourism industry was initiated by one of the leading Destination Management Company, NKAR Travels and Tours, at the Colombo Ramada, on Tuesday.
Managing Director of NKAR, Nilmin Nanayakkara, whilst expressing confidence that the campaign would be a grand success, said: “We need to find a way to retain the ‘Sri Lankan Smile’ for which the country was known to the outside world, but, sadly, the magical and beautiful smile had gradually vanished from the faces of our people today”.
Nanayakkara said the fourmonth campaign would initially reach out to around five million people, across the globe, including Sri Lankans domiciled overseas, and it would be an ideal way to bring a fast and an effective recovery to the country’s tourism industry.
The campaign is intended to be promoted through social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
Nanaykkara said: “I have no vested interests in initiating the campaign and the dynamic NKAR team kept no stone unturned in seeing it become a reality for the love of the country and to assist the tourism industry which is going through a bad patch.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said, “Our smile is our brand and we must vigorously take it to the world.”
Fernando expressed his appreciation to NKAR for initiating a dynamic and an innovative campaign to woo holidaymakers.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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