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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved plans to waive visa fees for tourists visiting Sri Lanka from seven countries.

This includes China, Russia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Priantha Fernando said the decision was reached to rebuild Sri Lanka's tourism sector.

Sri Lanka is set to introduce a daily pricing formula for fuel in February 2024, as announced by the Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekara.

Under this new system, fuel prices will be determined on a daily basis, marking a significant shift from the existing pricing structure.

This change aims to provide more transparency and align fuel costs with global market fluctuations.

The existing online safety bill will be submitted for cabinet approval again as a new bill with additions, public security minister Tiran Alles said.

He told the cabinet at a meeting yesterday (23) that he discussed the draft submitted to parliament with civil society and media organizations few weeks ago.

Alles said that amendments effected incorporating their ideas and suggestions were referred to the Supreme Court by the attorney general while he was abroad.

Non-receipt of cabinet approval for same has caused a legal problem, he explained.

In that light, he said he instructed the AG to inform the SC that a new draft will be submitted with cabinet approval.

Lawyer-MP M.A. Sumanthiran said before courts a few days ago that the existing bill should be withdrawn and a new one introduced in its place.

Well-known beautician Premasiri Hewawasam has died, aged 64.

Following a sudden illness, he was rushed to Homagama Base Hospital in the early hours of this morning (22).

As a teacher, his professional courses together with the National Youth Services Council were well-received.

The overall rate of inflation as measured by National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) on a year-on-year basis has dropped to 0.8% in September 2023 from 2.1% in August 2023, according to the Department of Census and Statistics.

Meanwhile food inflation has increased to -5.2% in September 2023 from -5.4% in August 2023.

Issuing the NCPI, for the month of September 2023, the Director General of Census and Statistics said that headline inflation as measured by the Year-on-Year change (The percentage change in the current month NCPI over same month NCPI of last year) based on the NCPI has been compiled as 0.8%.

The headline inflation reported for the month of August 2023 was 2.1%.

Contributions to the inflation rate of September 2023 from the food group and non-food group are -2.4% and 3.2% respectively, the report said.

On a monthly basis, the Year-on-Year inflation of the food group increased to -5.2% in September 2023 from -5.4% in August 2023 and the Year-on-Year inflation of the non-food group decreased to 5.9% in September 2023 from 9.0% in August 2023.

Comparing the month-on-month changes, NCPI (Base 2021=100) in September 2023 has increased to 203.5 from 201.9 reported in August 2023. This shows an increase of 1.6 index points or 0.8 percent as compared to August 2023.

The month-on-month change was contributed by increases in food items and non-food items of 0.41% and 0.36% respectively.

Meanwhile core inflation, which reflects the underlying inflation by excluding volatile items of food, energy and transport groups in the economy as measured by the Year-on-Year change based on NCPI (Base 2021=100) for the month of September 2023 was decreased to 1.7% from 4.1% reported in the month of August 2023.

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A Presidential Election is set to take place in 2024 in accordance with the Constitution of Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has revealed. Furthermore, the Presidential Election is also set to be followed by a General Election, the Head of State said at a United National Party (UNP) convention held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium this afternoon (21 Oct.).

Addressing the Special General Convention of the UNP, President Wickremesinghe emphasized his commitment to bolstering the country’s economy by positioning Sri Lanka as a smart nation.

Accordingly, the Head of State outlined the timeline for upcoming elections in line with the constitutional provisions, and added that local government elections are expected to transpire in the first half of 2025.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks during his address at the Special General Convention of the United National Party held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo today (21).

The theme for this year’s UNP Anniversary convention was “Smart Country – 2048.” The vision behind this concept is a vision of an intelligent and prosperous Sri Lanka, where every citizen recognizes their potential, upholds virtuous goals, and embraces diversity while harnessing modern technology and nature to cultivate a nation of adept and resourceful individuals. The “Smart Country” concept envisions the creation of a prosperous nation.

Departing from conventional party politics vying for power, the main objective of this year’s UNP Special Convention was to adopt a nation-centric approach to reorganize the party for this purpose. Party leader President Ranil Wickremesinghe also presented an amended party constitution designed to facilitate this transformation.

A significant amendment allows the United National Party to establish an online presence and engage actively in social media platforms, thus facilitating the digital transformation of the party. The President emphasized the need for the UNP to evolve into a technologically adept and intelligent party, aligning itself with the broader vision of building both a smart nation and a smart party.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the People’s United Front, extended his congratulations to the United National Party Special Convention.

The Sugathadasa Stadium was packed to capacity, with attendees representing various regions of the island, including the North and East. The event was inaugurated with immense pride, featuring the party leader, President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The celebration also featured cultural and artistic elements, underscoring the diversity and richness of Sri Lanka’s heritage.

Minister Manusha Nanayakkara presented President Wickremesinghe with a “Let’s start with me” badge, symbolizing the collective effort needed to construct a smart nation.

During the ceremony, an archived edition of the “Siya Rata” newspaper was presented by its editor, Mrs. Maya Kalubowila, to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, in turn, handed it over to the Secretary General of the party.

The President stressed the imperative need to eradicate corruption and emphasized the passage of long-awaited anti-corruption legislation, along with the introduction of multiple ordinances to combat corruption both within the government and political parties. He reiterated the United National Party’s strength in contributing to the nation’s economic development and emphasized the party’s role as a forward-looking entity that will serve the nation’s interests in the future.

Notable speakers at the conference included United National Party President and Member of Parliament Wajira Abeywardena, Deputy Leader of the Party Ruwan Wijewardena, National Organizer Sagala Rathnayaka, Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Lands and Tourism Harin Fernando, along with General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

A multitude of senior officials, United National Party members, former ministers, and religious dignitaries led by the Maha Sangha graced the occasion.

Paddy worth Rs. 100 million has gone missing from five warehouses of the Paddy Marketing Board in Kurunegala, said the Ministry of Agriculture.

After workers complained, minister Mahinda Amaraweera has ordered the PMB chairman to furnish a detailed report within three days.

Upon receipt of the report, the matter will be handed over to the CID for investigation, said Amaraweera.

Famed dancer and dance teacher Kalasuri Rajini Selvanayagam has passed away, aged 71.

Rajini Selvanayagam, who was dubbed the Queen of Dance, was also honored with Kala Keerthi and Vishwa Kala Keerthi awards.

Born and raised in Balangoda, she entered the world of arts and left her mark as an extremely talented teacher who gifted her knowledge to the students of Sri Lanka.

Funeral arrangements of Kalasuri Rajini Selvanayagam will be announced later.

Senior UNP leader Ravi Karunanayake has apologized to all UNP supporters for a lack of attention paid to them, while maximum efforts were being taken during the good governance regime to revive the country.

The finance minister at the time, he said the result was that nearly three million supporters abstained at the last general election to hand a very bad defeat for the party.

He assured them that no injustice will be done to them in the future, when he delivered the welcome speech at the UNP’s special convention at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo on 21 October.

UNP is one big family

Karunanayake also extended an open invitation especially to all deserters to return to the party.

“The UNP is not a family party. Its value is that the entire party is one big family. That is why we are called the united national party,” he said.

We made, and will continue to make, the country

Every time the economy of the nation and the people suffered, the UNP uplifted them.

“The UNP is a party that makes the country. It was the party that introduced the Mahaweli, universities, ports, Mahapola, housing, trade and industrial zones and modern technology.”

Ranil proves himself as reviver of the country

After Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the prime minister, resuscitated the economy in 2015, he was again entrusted with the task of uplifting the country from bankruptcy in 2022, he said.

“We proved by action in 2015 that only the UNP can uplift the economy. As the finance minister, I implemented a special programme to strengthen the economy,” said Karunanayake.

A year ago, president Wickremesinghe started rebuilding the economy and the ‘lone elephant’ was able within two months to work with other parties in parliament.

“Everywhere, talk of the town is his excellent action.”

Real leader surfaces during a crisis

Even those who make boastful remarks accept him to be the only leader to work with a vision for the future, he said.

With a new constitution for the party, the UNP is going to create an extensive alliance for all to unite as one and to take the party on the path to victory in 2024 and form a government, he said.

Ranil will be the common candidate

Karunanayake appealed to all to help rectify shortcomings, awaken the dormant party supporters and extend support to take the country to development.

At the same time, the UNP should implement a mechanism to strengthen the supporters, said Karunanayake, adding that he would promise to give them priority under such a government.

The incumbent will be fielded as the common candidate at the 2024 presidential election, and the victory thus gained will take the country to speedy development, he added.

Public security minister Tiran Alles said the president consulted him before granting a three-week service extension to police chief C.D. Wickramaratne.

Alles reacted as baseless to certain social media reports that claim he was unaware of the decision.

The minister said the president had lengthy discussions with him regarding the matter prior to his (Alles) overseas visit last week, with the president too, due to go to China within days.

A decision was taken there to appoint Wickramaratne on an acting capacity for three weeks until their return home.

Alles added that extending the IGP’s tenure until the end of this month would not be a problem.

Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe will poll 10 million votes and win the 2024 presidential elections, said UNP chairman Wajira Abeywardena.

Addressing the party convention at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo yesterday (21), he said that as per the constitution, the presidential polls would be followed by parliamentary elections next year.

Early 2025 will see the holding of the provincial council polls, he said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the commencement of the construction of a temple and a Stupa in Henan Province, China, designed to embody traditional Sri Lankan architectural elements reminiscent of the historic “White Horse” temple.

This temple complex is recognized as China’s first Buddhist shrine. The decision to undertake this project was made during a recent discussion held in Beijing, in which President Wickremesinghe engaged with the head of the “White Horse” temple, His Holiness Yin Lee.

The initial stone for this temple’s construction was laid during the tenure of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, with Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, the then speaker, officiating the ceremony. Regrettably, the project had been put on hold, but now, under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe, it is set to recommence, with new plans in the making.

The President also emphasized that this temple will house copies of Buddhist Pali scriptures, which were brought from Sri Lanka to China by the renowned monk Faxian. These invaluable scriptures will find their new home in this temple, marking a significant cultural exchange between the two nations.