News
Allegations of ‘Diesel Mafia” in CEB with claims that union officers no longer in office
“Decisions taken after Aug. 31 null and void”
by Ifham Nizam
Sections of the CEB Engineers Union (CEBEU) have amid rumbles of a blackout over the New Fortress Energy (NFE) deal say that all decisions taken by the President and Executive Committee of the CEBEU since August 31 are null and void because their mandate to hold office has already expired, CEB sources said.
They said no AGM had been held this year as required by the union constitution despite ample opportunity to hold one. It requires the union president and other officers including the executive committee to organize the meeting, where a quorum of a third of the membership is required, to elect office bearers and consider other matters brought up with due notice. This had not been done and with Aug. 31 already past, the previous office bearers are no longer properly in office.
They allege that “now, some key people in the CEBEU, which is a trade union of professionals, have fallen into the pockets of the diesel Mafia and are doing their bidding under cover of the union to safeguard and protect their personal agendas by opposing and delaying many projects,’’ an engineer said.
The failure to hold the AGM in time has been brought up in the context of the NFE deal opposed by many engineers.
Opponents of decisions taken by the current office bearers say that the affairs of a union of professionals are being conducted in an unprofessional manner. It was not clear whether dissidents will challenge decision taken by outgoing office bearers in court.
Addressing the 58th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) held on Monday (27) at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a comprehensive strategy to propel the country’s tourism sector to new heights. Focused on surpassing the target of 5 million tourists and redefining traditional approaches, the President’s vision extends to achieving 7.5 million visitors in the coming years. The President emphasized the need for innovative thinking and collaboration within the industry to ensure sustainable growth.
“When I took over the government, I realized that sustainability alone is not sufficient. How are we going to earn foreign exchange? How are we going to have a positive balance of trade? In that, there were many suggestions. But what is the low-hanging fruit? And one of the low-hanging fruits was tourism. Let’s promote tourism fully,” President Wickremesinghe declared.
The President acknowledged the need to move beyond the existing framework and embrace competition to elevate Sri Lanka’s standing in the global tourism market. Drawing parallels with countries like Vietnam, he questioned why they had more tourists despite being in the industry for a shorter period. President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of increasing the number of tourists to 2.5 million in the upcoming year and subsequently expanding on this figure.
(PMD)
Business
Free visas for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan from Monday (27)
The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has stated that nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan will be granted free visas from Monday 27-11-2023 to 31-03-2024 as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry.
Nationals of the above nominated countries possessing, Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Services and Ordinary Passports are eligible to enjoy a visa free regime under this scheme.
The above mentioned nationals should apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka subject to granting / issuing free of charge up to 31-03-2024.
Under this scheme tourists can enjoy a 30 days free visa period and a double entry facility is permitted within 30 days from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.
Free ETA under this scheme can be applied up to 31-03-2024.
The free ETA cannot be extended further and is limited only to thirty (30) days. In case the free ETA period of 30 days expires after 31-03-2024, an extension of visa could be applied subject to paying the appropriate fee.
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Cabinet gives green light for Colombo Port City Order No. 3 of 2023 to be presented in Parliament
The President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotion has published the Colombo Port City Orders No. 3 of 2023 (Enterprises with Strategic Value – Guidelines for releasing or encouraging to award for customs – free enterprises) under the provisions of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2355/30 dated 25.10.2023.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal furnished by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Investment Promotions to submit the said orders to the Parliament for its concurrence.
(PMD)
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