News

Lanza underlines importance of keeping economy ticking, while strictly following health guidelines to keep virus at bay

Published

3 years ago

2020/11/5

State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza said on Tuesday that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed the government to take necessary steps to keep the lives of the people intact in the face of the Covid-19 crisis and to continue the economic process as well as development activities.

A discussion was held on the same day at the Wattala Divisional Secretariat under the patronage of State Minister of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure, Nimal Lanza and State Minister of Rural Industrial Promotion, Prasanna Ranaweera regarding revitalizing the lives of the people in the Gampaha District by controlling the spread of Covid-19, providing an allowance of Rs. 5,000 to eligible families who are facing financial problems due to the curfew and distributing essential food bags worth Rs. 10,000 to quarantined families.

State Minister, Nimal Lanza addressing the gathering said steps had been taken to streamline the mechanism for providing the necessary facilities to the people by implementing the decisions taken at the recent discussion chaired by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force for economic revival and poverty eradication, Basil Rajapaksa on maintaining the lives of the people in the face of the pandemic situation. Accordingly, on the instructions of Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, State Ministers and Members of Parliament have taken steps to maintain those guidelines more accurately in every electorate in the Gampaha District.

“No country in the world has stopped its economic activities due to the Covid-19. Even in the face of the crisis, the country has to continue the economic process. Otherwise our country will collapse in every field and also face an economic disaster”, Lanza warned. State Minister Lanza said that the development of the country should be taken forward, while strictly following health guidelines to keep the pandemic at bay.

Former Western Provincial Councillor Randir Rodrigo, Chairman of Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Thyagiratne Alwis, Deputy Chairman of Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Jagath Jayatunga, Wattala Divisional Secretary and a number of government officials were present on the occasion.

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Business

President outlines a bold vision for Sri Lanka tourism at THASL’s 58th AGM

Published

4 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

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)

Published

7 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

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.

Latest News

Cabinet gives green light for Colombo Port City Order No. 3 of 2023 to be presented in Parliament

Published

8 hours ago

2023/11/28

Priyan

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)