News
Sri Lanka welcomes two millionth tourist, reaching post-2018 milestone
Sri Lanka welcomed its two millionth tourist of the year on Thursday (26), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) announced in a statement.
The milestone visitor was Thai national Prasan Ingkanunt, who arrived with his wife and sister on flight UL 403 for their first visit to the island. This marks the first time since 2018, when Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals of 2.3 million, that the country has achieved such numbers.
According to the SLTPB, daily tourist arrivals have surpassed 10,000 in the past week, with further increases anticipated as the holiday season progresses. The country welcomed 1.4 million visitors in 2023, indicating steady growth in tourism numbers.
The resolution of online visa issues in September 2024, following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s ascension to power, has been pivotal in driving the recent surge in tourist arrivals, the Bureau stated.
The government has set ambitious targets for the tourism sector, aiming to attract three million arrivals and generate USD 5 billion in revenue by 2025.
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has also garnered international acclaim, earning 21 prestigious accolades in 2024. These include Forbes ranking Sri Lanka as the fourth most popular solo travel destination, National Geographic naming the Pekoe Trail among the world’s best hiking experiences, and the Wanderlust Gold Award for Most Desirable Island.
To further boost visitor numbers, the government plans to extend free visa facilities to travellers from 39 countries in 2025, a move expected to enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal as a global travel destination.
India has mourned one of its longest-serving prime ministers, Manmohan Singh, with a state funeral in Delhi.
Singh led the country from 2004 to 2014 and was considered the architect of India’s economic liberalisation. He died on Thursday aged 92.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at the ceremony on Saturday. He has called Singh one of the country’s “most distinguished leaders”.
Mourners turned out across the capital to pay their respects as Singh’s coffin, flanked by an honour guard, was taken through the city to the cremation grounds.
His eldest daughter lit his funeral pyre at the crematorium in front of Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and senior members of Singh’s Congress Party.
Foreign dignitaries such as the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful were also in attendance.
Singh received full state honours in a ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.
Following his death on Thursday night, the government declared seven days of national mourning.
Paying tribute shortly after his death, Modi said Singh’s “wisdom and humility were always visible” during their interactions and that he had “made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives” as prime minister.
Opposition congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was also present at the funeral, said he had lost “a mentor and a guide”.
Among foreign tributes, US President Joe Biden said his country’s “unprecedented level of cooperation” with India would not have been possible without Singh’s “strategic vision and political courage.”
“He was a true statesman. A dedicated public servant. And above all, he was a kind and humble person”, Biden said in a statement.
Singh changed India’s economic growth trajectory during his time as prime minister and as the country’s finance minister in 1991.
He is remembered for saying in his first budget speech: “No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come”.
He continued to build on his economic reform measures as prime minister, lifting millions out of poverty and contributing to India’s rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
[BBC]
News
Building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of local and global labor markets is a key objective of the government’s development vision – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that building a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of both local and global labor markets is a key objective of the government’s development vision.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on 27th December at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall [BMICH] during the certificate awarding ceremony for students who completed diploma programs under the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority.
At the event, certificates were awarded to 761 young individuals who successfully completed diploma courses across thirteen subjects.
Speaking further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated: “For a country, a nation, or a society to develop, it requires individuals with diverse skills. Our government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the education system. Youth must acquire skills that are directly relevant to achieving full employment, and we must foster a workforce with entrepreneurial capabilities. This approach will help bridge the skills gap between the labor market and the youth community.
Our policy statement emphasizes providing technical and vocational education from school to tertiary levels, allowing broader access to education and training opportunities that align with labor market needs.
Every profession should be valued, and individuals entering any profession should feel recognized and important as members of society. Instilling confidence that they can thrive in their chosen careers is essential.
The youth of Sri Lanka possess immense potential to shape a better future for the country. To utilize this, we must prioritize the development of vocational and technical education, improve training infrastructure, enhance training quality through capacity development, and create diverse pathways for youth to pursue vocational education.
The government is dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people in the vocational and technical education sector to build a skilled workforce aligned with local and global demands.”
The Acting Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority Samanthi Senanayake, Director General Major General Priyantha Weerasinghe, and diploma recipients attended the event.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA-367’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit this morning (28th December 2024). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.
‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA-367’ is a 90.71m long vessel manned by 120 crew members. Meanwhile, she is commanded by Commander ANUGERAH ANNURULLAH.
During their stay in Colombo, the crew of the ship is expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country. Concluding the official visit, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA-367’ is scheduled to depart the island on 30th December.
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