News
SLINEX 2024: Advanced naval maneuvers highlight collaborative exercise
The Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) Sayura returned to the island last Tuesday after successfully participating in the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) 2024. The bilateral exercise, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation between the two nations, took place from December 16 to 20 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, India, and the surrounding eastern waters, the Navy said.
SLINEX, a collaborative naval exercise that began in 2005, has become a cornerstone of maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. This year’s edition featured the participation of SLNS Sayura from Sri Lanka and INS Sumitra, accompanied by a Chetak helicopter, a Sea King helicopter, and a Special Forces team from India.
The exercise was conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase, held from December 16 to 18, included professional and social exchanges to foster mutual understanding. The Sea Phase, from December 19 to 20, showcased advanced naval maneuvers such as gunnery exercises, replenishment at sea (RAS), visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) drills, and helicopter operations. Special Forces from both navies also collaborated in slithering and other operational demonstrations.
The event, hosted under the auspices of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command, underscored the commitment of both nations to promoting maritime security in the region. SLINEX has been instrumental in sharing best practices, building operational synergy, and addressing common maritime challenges, reinforcing the broader vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
The Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development has recommended the establishment of Sri Lankan Standards, i.e. the import testing methodology for imported tires used for passenger cars and pneumatic tires for three-wheelers with the aim of ensuring a fair competitive environment for local
manufactures and ensuring consumer safety and security.
Taking into the said recommendations, “Import and Export (control regulations N0.08 of the 2026)” has been enacted to amend the existing regulations by means of the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2508/27 dated 2026-10-01, prescribing Sri Lanka standard 1212 for the import of passenger types (HS Code 4011.10.90) and Sri Lanka standard 1347 for the import of
pneumatic tires for three – wheeled vehicles (HS Code 4011.90.10).
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to submit the aforementioned regulations to Parliament for approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 02.06.2025 to introduce a new act to promote and providing legal provisions for facilitating the Public Private Joint Enterprises within Sri Lanka as well as the establishment of the National Agency for Public Private Partnership Joint Enterprises.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the relevant draft bill and the Attorney General has given his clearance to the said draft bill.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said
draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit it to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Regulation, development and control of indigenous medical sector in Sri Lanka comprised of Ayurvedha, Sidhdha, Unani, Local Therapies are carried out under the provisions of Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Although amendments were made to the act from time to time as per the requirements, the necessity of further amending the Ayurvedha Act has been identified to enable efficiently maintaining all activities of local medical field productively, further formalizing the regulation of the sector, taking actions to providing licenses applicable to export of local medicines, and achieving the progress and sustainable development goals in the local medical sector.
Based on the said factors, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to direct the Legal Draftsman to formulate a draft bill to amend the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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