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Chinese cruise ships to visit SL after travel restrictions are relaxed

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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing, with a view to attracting more Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka, is also actively exploring the possibility of Chinese cruise ships and yachts visiting Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador, Dr. Palitha Kohona had a very successful online meeting with the Vice President of the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) Zheng Weihang, on 23 November 2022.

Vice President Zheng said that Sri Lanka will be promoted as a new market for Chinese cruise ships. On 15 November, he had attended a conference of Chinese cruise ship operators, where he formally proposed that Sri Lanka be designated as a destination for cruise ships after the travel restrictions are relaxed. He had proposed creating four/five Sri Lankan cruise itineraries. Ships will dock in Sri Lankas’ ports for a day and give the passengers the option of taking tours in the region close to the port thus engaging land operators as well. He specified that the CCYIA will work with the Embassy to promote Sri Lanka at cruise-related conferences.

Ambassador Dr. Kohona responded that the Embassy will also assist with these goals actively. Sri Lanka has three well-established ports for cruise ships: Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee. He stated that there were many cruise visitors from Europe before the pandemic, and recently welcomed the Cruise ship VIKING MARS with 900 tourists on board. He highlighted that other European cruise ships are scheduled to call at Sri Lanka ports in the coming weeks. The Ambassador suggested that tourists could experience not only the coastal cities but also the Buddhist sites of the island, like the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, or the lush green forests, home to the biggest concentrations of wild elephants and leopards in Asia.

Vice President Zheng added that CCYIA plans to organize exhibitions of Sri Lankan products in Shanghai (Nov 2023), Shenzhen (Nov 2023), and Haikou (Apr 2023) and the association will also organize exhibitions and sales outlets on Chinese cruise ships to promote Sri Lankan gems, tea, artifacts and other products.

Ambassador Dr. Kohona said that the Embassy successfully participated in the last CIIE, with two National Pavilions (Food and Beverages, Gem and Jewelry). He opined that a collaboration with CCYIA will benefit both Sri Lanka and the cruise industry. The Ambassador extended an invitation to Vice President Zheng and the team of CCYIA to participate in the upcoming Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Event which is to take place in mid-December at the Embassy.

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Keeri Samba shortage : 40,000MT of rice to be imported

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The government has recommended to import 40,000 MT of substitute rice to address the shortage of Keeri Samba in the local market.

Following the notification by the Consumer Affairs Authority that sufficient stocks of Keeri Samba are not available, the Food Security and Cost of Living Committee, which met at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (June 25) made the above recommendation.

Accordingly, around 5,000 MT of rice will be imported through state institutions while the remaining will be imported by the private sector, the PMD said.

A decision was also made to continue purchasing Keeri Samba paddy at a price of Rs. 120 per kilogram through the Paddy Marketing Board and Sathosa in order to safeguard local farmers.

Discussions were also held regarding the provision of storage facilities for Corn required for Thriposha production and the importation of rice or broken rice or else alternative raw materials for beer and animal feed production.

Attention was drawn during the discussions to the production of corn based on consumer demand, as well as the production of canned fish, eggs and meat and importation of salt.

Fertiliser importation, stock maintenance, supply and distribution were also discussed. The progress of fertiliser distribution for the Yala season, the progress of issuing “Odapana” loans and the overall success of cultivation activities during the Yala season were reviewed as well.

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Indictments filed against Rambukwella family over 43 charges

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The Commission to investigate allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has filed indictments under 43 charges against  former Media, Health and Environment Minister – Keheliya Rambukwella and five other members of his family.

The indictments have been filed against the following accused, the first accused Keheliya Bandara Rambukwella, the second accused Priyadarshani Epa, the third accused Chamithri Jananika Rambukwella, the fourth accused Ramalee Rambukwella, the fifth accused Amali Rambukwella and the sixth accused – Isuru Bandara Polgasdeniya.

They were previously arrested over an investigation conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and were subsequently released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

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Annual bus fare revision to be announced after fuel price revision

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) has said that the annual bus fare revision will be announced after considering the fuel price revision scheduled for July 01.

Yesterday, transport authorities decided to reduce bus fares by 2.5% with effect from July 01.

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