News
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosts panel discussion on strengthening trade relations with Thailand
At the invitation of the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, along with the Sri Lanka Greater Mekong Business Council, hosted a panel discussion on “Business Opportunities between Thailand and Sri Lanka: Food, Agriculture, and Health for Sustainable Prosperity and Wellbeing.” The event took place on March 3 at the Kingsbury Colombo and was followed by a Business Networking Session with a visiting delegation from Thailand.
The delegation, organized by the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Board of Trade of Thailand, consisted of 17 officials and business representatives. This visit followed a business promotion mission to Thailand in February 2025, aiming to strengthen trade and investment ties, particularly in sectors vital to sustainable development.
The panel discussion brought together industry leaders and experts from both countries to explore opportunities in the food, agriculture, and health sectors, focusing on fostering sustainable prosperity and wellbeing.
Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the delegation, noting that their focus on these sectors aligns with the Sri Lankan government’s priorities, including food security, agriculture, and tourism-driven services.
Paitoon Mahapannaporn, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka, highlighted the growing trade between the two nations, with recent shifts from traditional exports like precious stones to raw materials, processed products, plastic products, textiles, chemicals, tea, and spices.
Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, emphasized the need for collaboration between the two countries to add value to products and services, thus enhancing access to global markets.
The delegation, led by Angubolkul, included key Thai entrepreneurs from various industries. In addition to the panel discussions, the delegation will also visit local industries to explore potential areas for collaboration in Sri Lanka’s food, agriculture, and health sectors.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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