Connect with us

News

Lankans overseas can apply or renew passports online!

Published

on

Sri Lankans living abroad will be able to apply for a new passport or can renew their passport with effect from June 01, it had been stated at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations.

It was revealed by the officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department who participated in the sectoral oversight committee on international relations, held recently under the chairmanship of its chairman, MP Namal Rajapaksa.

Officials further pointed out that Sri Lankans who live abroad can apply for passports online without visiting Sri Lankan embassies in their countries.

The committee also discussed the implementation of e-passport and the chairman of the committee instructed the relevant officials to speed up this process.

There was also a discussion about various issues including the shortcomings found in visa application online in the committee. For the above purpose, the chairman of the committee instructed the officials to quickly prepare and implement a necessary mechanism for foreigners to obtain their visas without difficulty, and to take necessary steps to further improve the facilities of Sri Lanka’s international airports for both locals and foreigners.

The importance of attracting tourists from high-income generated countries like Europe to Sri Lanka was discussed at length and the chairman advised the officials to take the necessary steps for that without delay.

The members of the committee, Members of Parliament Niroshan Perera, S. M. M. Musharraf, Sagara Kariyawasam, Yadamini Gunawardena, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, had attended the meeting while MP Chandima Weeirakkody attended with the permission of the committee Chairman.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited also participated in this meeting.

News

Forests on state lands to be designated as reserves

Published

on

By

The Ministry of Environment has decided to designate several forests located on state owned lands as official forest reserves.

Deputy Minister – Anton Jayakody has stated that such forests, each spanning 05 hectares or more, have been identified in every district.

Special priority will be given to designating forest reserves on mountain peaks.

In the first phase, 20 forests in districts including Monaragala and Ampara have been selected under the new program named ‘Vanaspathi’,  he said.

He further said the initiative aims to protect these forest areas and expand the country’s forest cover.

Continue Reading

BIZ

No cases filed against 22 banned pyramid schemes – CBSL

Published

on

By

Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has banned 22 institutions operating illegal pyramid schemes, no legal action has been taken against any of them so far, according to reports.

This was disclosed during a workshop held at the CBSL yesterday (July 08) on the dangers of pyramid schemes.

According to CBSL officials, after initial investigations, the files were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.

The CID’s Financial Crimes Unit has reportedly completed its investigations and submitted findings to the Attorney General’s Department, which is responsible for filing cases.

However, it was noted that not a single case has been filed to date.

The CBSL states that investigations will be continued against companies engaged in these illegal practices and hopes at least one or two such cases would be filed by the end of this year or early next year (2026).

Continue Reading

News

NPP’s Nishantha Jayaweera sworn in as MP

Published

on

By

U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National People’s Power (NPP) National List Member of Parliament before the Speaker of the House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (July 09).

He fills the Parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma last month.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved