News

Chinese cruise ships to visit SL after travel restrictions are relaxed

Published

10 months ago

November 25, 2022

editor

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.

News

Four including ex-journalist arrested from Manna Ramesh’s gang

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2023

editor

Four members of underworld leader Manna Ramesh’s gang were arrested on Sunday (24) in connection with the shooting at Talduwa, Avissawella in which two youths were killed and two others were injured.

Police said a journalist who worked in electronic and print media was also among the suspects who were arrested while hiding in Homagama and Pitipana areas by a special police team.

Investigations revealed that three of the four suspects are addicted to drugs.

Police said that the shooting was carried out in retaliation to the brutal attack on Manna Ramesh’s brother in Talduwa about 6 months ago.

The suspects were arrested on charges of sheltering, aiding and abetting the two underworld members who carried out the double murder.

A senior police officer said the arrested journalist has maintained close relations with Manna Ramesh for a long time and he had even been paid a salary.

He said the journalist, who was in close contact with high-ranking police officers, had obtained various information and given it to Manna Ramesh.

It was revealed that this journalist has also provided information about the whereabouts of the murdered youths.

The person who provided shelter to the assailants is also among the arrested suspects.

Manna Ramesh is currently hiding in Dubai, UAE and it was revealed that he is collecting ransom from rich businessmen in many areas including in Ratnapura and Avissawella.

The police special task force and three special police teams are conducting investigations to arrest the underworld members who committed the double murder in Talduwa.

Four youths who were on their way to a funeral in Talduwa in a three-wheeler were recently attacked by members of Manna Ramesh’s gang. Two youths were killed while two others were seriously injured and hospitalized.

Investigations are being conducted under the supervision of Sabaragamuwa Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeva Dharmaratne, Kegalle Deputy Inspector General of Police Roshan Rajapakshe and Senior Superintendent of Police Jayasiri Kodithuwakku.

(Divaina)

News

Two surrender over deaths of three SL men in Malaysia

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2023

editor

Two suspects have surrendered to the Malaysian Police in connection with the killing of three Sri Lankans in the Sentul area of Malaysia.

The Sri Lankan High Commission in Malaysia said that the two suspects are also Sri Lankans.

The bodies of the three Sri Lankans were recently found by the Kuala Lumpur Police on the second floor of a building belonging to a Sri Lankan couple in Sentul.

One of the three deceased was the son of the couple who owned the house, while the other two were reported to be two people who were renting the house.

News

Tremor recorded in Buttala

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2023

editor

A minor tremor measuring a magnitude of 2.4 in the Richter Scale was reported from Buttala at around 11:20 last night (25), the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said.

Its epicenter was recorded at a depth of 1 km.

However, there was no report of any damages so far.