Untitled Document
September 19, 2024 [GMT]
SL maintains tourist arrival momentum in August so far
[Saturday 2024-08-10 16:00]


The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka maintained momentum in August, as within the first eight days of the month, over 53,000 international visitors entered the country. 

The provisional data showed that the island nation welcomed a total of 53,150 tourists from August 1 to 8, bringing the year-to-date international arrivals to 1,252,209.

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka maintained momentum in August, as within the first eight days of the month, over 53,000 international visitors entered the country. The provisional data showed that the island nation welcomed a total of 53,150 tourists from August 1 to 8, bringing the year-to-date international arrivals to 1,252,209.

  

Analysis shows that the weekly arrival average has improved from the levels of about 35,000 in April, 26,000-27,000 in May and June and about 43,000 in July.

The August weekly arrival average is about 46,000 while the daily arrival average is about 6,600.

Typically, in August, the island nation witnesses an increase in the tourist arrival rate, due to the summer season. However, it is uncertain if Sri Lanka will be able to maintain the momentum for the coming weeks and months, due to the issues in the issuance of tourist and visit visas.

Sri Lanka is currently looking to move back to the eVisa handling system rolled out by Mobitel, after the Supreme Court issued an order on August 2 to suspend the new online visa portal managed by IVS-GBS and VFS Global, due to the lack of transparency in awarding the project to the said entities.

While the tourism authorities were hopeful and determined that the transition to the Electronic Travel Authorisation would be completed by this week, Public Securities Minister Tiran Alles said the change could take months.

Arrangements are rolled out to issue on-arrival visas and for Sri Lanka missions to issue visas. However, the process is not as smooth as expected. Several tourists and travel agents have taken to social media to share the issues and challenges.

Unless immediate measures are taken to rectify the issue, it is likely for Sri Lanka to see a hit in its tourist arrivals. The top source markets for Sri Lanka tourism so far in August are India, the United Kingdom and China.

  
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National Security Council discusses security for Presidential election
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

The National Security Council, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, held a meeting today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss preparations for the 2024 Presidential election.



Canada to slash international student permits, tighten foreign worker rules
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

Canada announced Wednesday it was slashing international student permits next year, and tightening foreign worker rules to further bring down the number of temporary residents in the country.



Three persons suspended for leaking Grade 5 exam paper
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

Three persons, including the invigilator, who were on duty at the examination centre of the Rathmale Thissa Maha Vidyalaya in Anuradhapura were to be suspended over the leakage of a Grade 5 Scholarship Examination question paper, North Central Provincial Education Director S.M.W. Samarakoon said.



Exams Department, CID probe over Grade 5 scholarship paper leak
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

The Examinations Department and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have launched an investigation into concerns raised over the first paper of the recently held Grade 5 Scholarship examination.



Sri Lanka reaches agreements with external commercial creditors
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

Sri Lanka has reached agreements with external commercial creditors to restructure approximately USD 17.5 bn of external debt, achieving a 40.3% Net Present Value (NPV) concession, the President’s Media Division said.



Schools close tomorrow for election; reopen on Monday
[Thursday 2024-09-19 17:00]

The Education Ministry today announced the closure of all schools tomorrow (20) as requested by the Election Commission. The schools will reopen on Monday (23).



GMOA to launch trade union action tomorrow
[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has announced a trade union action tomorrow (18), targeting hospitals across the country, GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.



Grade Five scholarship exam paper leaked
[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

Six teachers, including a school principal in an examination centre in Anuradhapura, who had allegedly shared the first question paper of the Grade Five scholarship examination using a mobile phone, were taken into custody by the officials of the Examinations Department.



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[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

Over the past 76 years, politics in the country has turned into a massive business, causing widespread hardships, Presidential candidate Janaka Rathnayaka said.



Sajith confirms fuel subsidies for several sectors
[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

SJB presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, addressing a rally, pledged to provide targeted fuel subsidies to essential workers, including farmers, fishermen, three-wheeler drivers and school van/bus operators.



AKD confirms VAT removal for key sectors
[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the presidential candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP), has pledged to completely remove VAT on essential sectors such as food, education, and healthcare.



Boxes of matches distributed with candidate’s image in Nuwara Eliya:
[Tuesday 2024-09-17 17:00]

PAFFREL has received reports from the Nuwara Eliya area over a group distributing boxes of matches featuring a Presidential candidate's picture and election symbol on either side. Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi, said he has informed the Assistant Commissioner of Elections for the Nuwara Eliya district about this issue.



No curfew plans on election day, security measures in place
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

The Public Security Ministry said that there are currently no plans to impose a curfew on election day and that all security measures are in place, with the armed forces on standby if necessary.



Female Prime Minister in NPP government?
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

NPP MP Vijitha Herath hinted that the Prime Minister could be a female in a National People's Power (NPP) government. Speaking at a meeting in Minuwangoda, he said after the victory on September 21, a new Cabinet will be appointed with the powers vested with the President under Article 47.3 of the Constitution and parliament will be dissolved.



Voting for Ranil & SLPP will only benefit AKD – Patali
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

MP Patali Champika Ranawaka, leader of the United Republic Front, urged voters planning to support Ranil Wickremesinghe or the SLPP not to waste their votes.



Sri Lanka has not established new consulates in Israel: FM
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

Claiming that Sri Lanka has not established any new consulates nor made additional honorary consul appointments in Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka continues to maintain its official embassy in Tel Aviv, which has been the sole diplomatic mission in Israel since 2000.



Bill to ban corporal punishment soon: Ranil
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to bring in a legislation to ban corporal punishment soon.



ITAK decides to support Sajith despite internal dissent
[Monday 2024-09-16 17:00]

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has officially reached a final decision to endorse Sajith Premadasa, the presidential candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), at the upcoming presidential election. The announcement came after a party meeting held this morning (Sep. 16) in Vavuniya, where the party’s central committee made the final decision.



Probe underway after helicopter escorting President makes emergency landing
[Sunday 2024-09-15 16:00]

An investigation has been launched after a back-up helicopter escorting President Ranil Wickremesinghe made an emergency landing on Saturday. The Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 412 (SUH 522) made an unplanned landing in a paddy field in Eppawala yesterday due to a technical issue.



Sri Lanka’s AKD vows to cancel ‘Corrupt’ Adani Wind Power project if elected
[Sunday 2024-09-15 16:00]

National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that his government would cancel Indian conglomerate Adani’s 450 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka if elected. He claimed the agreement was corrupt and skewed against Sri Lanka’s interests.


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