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Urgent measures needed to halt exodus of skilled personnel

Published

3 years ago

2022/08/26

Thilina Walpola

Tourism, vital cog, of economy in dire straits

By Harischandra Gunaratna

The emigration statistics revealed that at least 32% of tourism industry experts had left the country for foreign employment, and 32 Sri Lankans left for greener pastures every hour, since early this year due to the current economic downturn, said Dr. Harsha Jayasinghe, the newly elected Chairman of Institute of Hospitality.

Dr. Jayasinghe delivering his address after being elected the new Chairman of the local affiliate of the leading British based Institute of Hospitality Industry at the RamadaColombo recently said: “Against this backdrop, we face a formidable challenge to come up with a solid plan to create strategies to retain the skilled employees in the local industry whilst attracting more newcomers, especially youth to the industry.

“The recent government decision to revoke the emergency regulations is a step in the right direction and it augurs well for the already ailing tourism industry in the country which needs a tremendous boost,” the news Chairman said.

“There is a dire necessity to motivate specially youngsters, to undergo training in varied disciplines in the hospitality industry and I am proud to say that the country possesses the expertise to do the job. However, the majority of Sri Lankans still do not view tourism as the ideal field for their children to make a career of. Hence, it is of paramount importance that we change their mind-set”, he said.

For the past few decades, tourism has become a key income generator for the country, especially in terms of foreign exchange. Therefore, it has to be protected by all stakeholders and the powers that be has a bounden duty to provide every incentive to protect and develop the tourism industry which is a money spinner, Jayasinghe opined.

Tourism is the third largest foreign exchange earner in the country. It provides employment directly and indirectly to a large number of people and has helped immensely to bring in the much needed foreign currency to government coffers.

Although 52% of the total population of the country are women, they are highly under-represented in the tourism industry. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka today is highly male dominated. It is important to find suitable measures to offer women the appropriate flexibility and incentives to increase their contribution to the industry, Dr. Jayasinghe pointed out.

Young professionals need attractive career prospects which will help us keep them in the industry. But if necessary appreciation and recognition is not given to them, they will unfortunately leave and that will be a huge loss to the already ailing industry.

The Institute of Hospitality UK is the world-wide professional body for individual managers and potential managers in the Hospitality industry (Leisure and Tourism Industries). The Institute supports its members throughout their careers, through dissemination of the latest industry information. Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka Chapter is a member of the IH UK.For the past few decades, tourism has become an income generator which is needed to protect, conserve and enhance Sri Lanka’s natural environment as well as the tangible and intangible cultural and historic assets.

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Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 01 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended 11 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan of Kareinagar, Jaffna.

The Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Kovilan.

Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of one Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 11 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (11) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.

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Tri-Forces donate LKR. 372 million, a day’s pay of all ranks to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/3

Priyan

Members of all ranks from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force have collectively donated a day’s basic salary to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was established to restore livelihoods and rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Accordingly, the total contribution made by the Tri-Forces amounts to LKR. 372,776,918.28.

The cheques representing the financial contributions were handed over on Wednesday (31 December) at the Presidential Secretariat to the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The donations comprised LKR. 250 million from the Commander of the Army, Major General Lasantha Rodrigo; LKR. 73,963,879.71 from the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and LKR. 48,813,038.97 from the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present on the occasion.

News

CEB demands 11.57 percent power tariff hike in first quarter

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/3

Thilina Walpola

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) seeking an 11.57 percent increase in electricity tariffs for the first quarter of 2026, citing an estimated revenue shortfall and additional financial pressures, including cyclone-related damages.

According to documents issued by the PUCSL, the proposed tariff revision would apply to electricity consumption from January to March 2026 and includes changes to both energy charges and fixed monthly charges across all consumer categories, including domestic, religious, industrial, commercial and other users.

Under the proposal, domestic electricity consumers would face increases in unit rates as well as fixed monthly charges across all consumption blocks.

The CEB has estimated a deficit of Rs. 13,094 million for the first quarter of 2026, which it says necessitates the proposed 11.57 per cent tariff hike. The utility has noted that any deviation from this estimate whether a surplus or a shortfall will be adjusted through the Bulk Supply Tariff Adjustment (BSTA) mechanism and taken into account in the next tariff revision.

In its submission, the CEB said the proposed revision is aimed at ensuring the financial and operational stability of the power sector and mitigating potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply. The board-approved tariff structure for the first quarter of 2026 has been submitted to the PUCSL for approval and subsequent implementation, as outlined in Annex II of the proposal.

The CEB has also highlighted the financial impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which it said caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure, with total losses estimated at around Rs. 20 billion. Of this amount, Rs. 7,016.52 million has been attributed to the first quarter of 2026, which the utility said has a direct bearing on electricity tariffs.

The CEB warned that if external funding is not secured to cover the cyclone-related expenditure, the costs incurred would need to be recovered through electricity tariffs in the second-quarter revision of 2026.

Meanwhile, the PUCSL has said that a decision on whether to approve the proposed tariff increase will be made only after following due regulatory procedures and holding discussions on the matter.

By Sujeewa Thathsara ✍️