News

Post-Ditwah tourism: Govt. to retain UK interest in SL as key destination

Published

4 weeks ago

2025/12/29

Against the backdrop of devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the government has launched a project to ensure Sri Lanka remains as an attractive destination. In line with this project, the Sri Lankan High Commission in London in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has recently briefed tourism industry leaders, tourism officials, travel trade partners, agents, writers, bloggers, and travel and tourism enthusiasts from the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. According to the HC, the event brought together about 70 UK-based persons.

Delivering the opening address, the SL High Commissioner in the UK Nimal Senadheera, outlined Sri Lanka’s renewed tourism narrative, emphasising resilience, recovery, and sustainable growth. He highlighted the positive recovery of the sector despite recent challenges, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to being a safe, welcoming, and high-quality destination for international travellers. He also noted that the United Kingdom continues to be Sri Lanka’s second-largest source market in 2025 and outlined the role of the SLHC in supporting recovery efforts, engaging the Sri Lankan community in the United Kingdom, and providing timely travel updates to UK travellers.

Key travel updates and plans for the coming year, including global marketing initiatives, were presented by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhika Hewawasam. He was joined by the President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, Nalin Jayasundara; the President of The Hotel Association of Sri Lanka, Asoka Hettigoda; and the Regional Manager – Europe and the Americas of SriLankan Airlines, Chinthaka Weerasinghe, who joined virtually from Sri Lanka.

The event was moderated by the Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London, Somasena Mahadiulwewa. The programme included destination and testimonial videos, updates from SriLankan Airlines, and an interactive question-and-answer session, providing networking opportunities and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s renewed confidence and strong partnership with the United Kingdom travel and tourism market.

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Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.