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Twinning Colombo Port City with City of Las Vegas initiated

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/24

Deputy President of the US-based Sri Lanka America Chamber of Commerce Aruna Abayakoon (extreme left) had discussions with Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board Chairman Suresh de Mel (centre) in Colombo with Chamber directors, Lalindra Wickremaratne and Douglas Perera

The Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce (SLACCOM), America’s nationally founded conduit for the promotion of trade, commerce and investment between Sri Lanka and the US, initiated the twinning of Colombo Port City and the City of Las Vegas, latter the global convention capital, to the delight of Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) chairman Raja Edirisuriya, in a productive dialogue he had with the Chamber.

In mid-January, the two-hour discussion on promoting investment, trade and commerce between the two nations, and most importantly the proposal to twin the two cities envisaging enhancing economic corporation, between Edirisuriya and the representatives of the SLACCOM, its president Sanje Sedara, Deputy President, Aruna Abayakoon and directors Douglas Perera and Daya Gamage took a positive turn when the BOI chief expressed his support and undertook to get Sri Lanka government’s serious concern to a range of proposals which emanated from the Chamber, SLACCOM spokesperson said.

During the dialogue – held in the United States – between the Chamber and the BOI Chief, it was disclosed that attracting conventions to Colombo Port City can be tied in to the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority which will act as a strategic partner to cross market conventions for Sri Lanka. Las Vegas has links with all the major cities and municipalities worldwide: resulting in countless cross-cultural business and education opportunities.

During the discourse between the Chamber and BOI Chief Edirisooriya, what emerged was that many of the new companies which are moving to Las Vegas are tech related and that Sri Lanka and Colombo Port City could get the necessary visibility by aligning with these companies. Colombo Port City will also have an opportunity to attract the US based tech companies to invest in Colombo Port City by expanding the economic zones by offering its quality work force and various tax incentives, it was disclosed.

In early January, three officials of the SLACCOM – deputy president Aruna Abayakoon, directors Douglas Perera and Lalindra Wickremaratne – were in Colombo meeting the officials of the BOI, one of whom was Executive Director Prasanjith Wijayatileke, and Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Suresh de Mel to discuss trade, commerce and investment using the City of Las Vegas, the global convention capital and the all-year meeting venue of economic activists from far-away lands.

The discussions at Colombo meetings were made available to BOI Chief, Edirisoriya when Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce officials had discussions with him in the United States.

The Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce three-member delegation that met BOI Executive Director Prasanjith Wijayatilake in Colombo apprised that with more than 10.5 million square feet of convention and meeting space, Las Vegas hosts nearly 60 of the 200 largest conventions and 20,000 meetings annually. 49.5 million people visited Las Vegas in 2019 , according to the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority. For the 11 months of 2021, visitor volume is at 29.23 million, a 64.3 percent increase over 2020 but 25.2 percent below pre-pandemic 2019.

During the Chamber officials’ discourse with EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel in Colombo trade shows (Las Vegas being a trade convention capital), explore opportunities in trade shows that EDB does not participate and support with resources, finding markets for a multitude of Sri Lanka’s export products such as Agri, hand crafts, IT solutions, wellness tourism, fisheries among others were raised.

The SLACCOM, whose professionals a drawn from every productive sector and regions in the United States, decided to base its functions in the City of Las Vegas in the State of Nevada as the city – for decades – developed its infrastructure to host global conventions and attract trade and commerce leaders year round.

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“Investments in Professional Education Are Investments in Institutional Strength and National Progress” – PM

Published

34 mins ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that strengthening Sri Lanka’s professional education framework and aligning it with internationally recognised standards is essential to building a skilled, ethical, and globally competitive workforce.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the official launch of the QS-accredited Chartered Qualification in Human Resource Management (CQHRM) at SCQF Level 11 (New Syllabus), organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka under the theme New Heights of Recognition. The event was held on Wednesday, 18 February at the Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

Emphasising the importance of expanding professional and vocational education pathways, the Prime Minister stated:

“This is of crucial importance to us in broadening our educational pathways and opportunities. We need to increase access to education that is globally recognised and that offers multiple pathways in professional and vocational fields. This aligns closely with the reform process we have initiated in the education sector and with our commitment to lifelong learning where individuals can work and learn at the same time, and where education is not limited to a particular age group but continues throughout life.”

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s national priorities, the Prime Minister further observed:

“At a time when Sri Lanka is focused on economic recovery, institutional reform and sustainable growth, the need for competent and ethical human resource leadership is clear. A competitive economy depends not only on investment and infrastructure but also on skilled professionals who can lead institutions effectively.”

The Prime Minister noted that the QS accreditation of the CQHRM qualification strengthens international recognition of Sri Lankan human resource professionals, enhances professional progression pathways, and reinforces confidence in the country’s professional education system. She also underscored the role of human resource leadership in advancing equity and inclusion within workplaces, including fair recruitment practices, safe working environments, leadership development for women, and inclusive policies for persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals.

Addressing the future of work, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of preparing for rapid technological transformation, including the growing impact of artificial intelligence on industries and workforce management, encouraging institutions to proactively adapt to emerging demands.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, along with other distinguished guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.00 noon 19 February 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 19 February 2026

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Navy and Coast Guard seize 04 Indian fishing vessels poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

During operations conducted in the dark hours of 18 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 04 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar and off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

Recognizing the detrimental effects of poaching on marine resources and the livelihoods of local fishing communities, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard continue to conduct regular operations as proactive measures to deter such activities. These efforts underscore the collective robust approach and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine ecosystems while ensuring the economic security and wellbeing of its citizens.

The 02 fishing boats along with the 10 fishermen held in Mannar were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar and the remaining 02 fishing boats intercepted off the Delft Island, together with 12 Indian fishermen were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy for onward legal proceedings.