News
Udayanga claims his venture brought in nearly USD 300 mn via Mattala
… wants impartial probe to clear his name
Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, yesterday (28) said that with the blessings of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government he had been able to operate six flights per week from six Russian airports since 28 Oct., 2024.
Weeratunga told The Island that altogether there had been 153 flights to date and they had brought in 58,886 passengers to Mattala. “99% percent were tourists,” Weeratunga said, adding that since Red Wings Airlines launched flights to Sri Lanka on 28 Dec., 2022, as a result of his direct intervention, there had been 397 flights to Mattata carrying 153,716 tourists.
Weeratunga estimated that the country had received USD 246 mn thanks to their efforts to promote Russians to visit Sri Lanka.
The former Ambassador said that there had been a separate project to promote tourrists fron Moldova, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland since 2023. According to him, since 20 Dec., 2023, SkyUp and FlyOne operated 122 flights that brought in 15,511 tourists. In addition to USD 246 mn earned from Red Wings operation, SkyUp and FlyOne brought in a further USD 24 mn. Tropical Aviation Services functions as the local agent for all three airlines whereas Russian “ANEX”, “FUN & SUN” and Ukrainian travel firm “JoinUP” were involved, Weeratunga said.
According to him “Exotic Holidays International”, “Aitken Spence Travels” and “Deluxe Holidays” provided the services required by tourists.
Declaring that his efforts to promote Mattala brought nearly USD 300 mn to the country, Weeratunga urged the government to conduct impartial investigation into allegations that have been made against him over the years. (SF)
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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