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Over 250 youths from Jaffna apply to join Air Force

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More than 250 youths from Jaffna have applied to join the Sri Lanka Air Force during the ‘Air Tattoo 2024’ educational and technological exhibition, which was held in Jaffna in commemoration of the SLAF’s 73rd anniversary.

The Sri Lanka Air Force conducted the ‘Air Tattoo’ from March 6 and concluded on a momentous note, marking a potential turning point in relations between the SLAF and the Jaffna community.

The event, held at the Muttraweli Ground, not only served as a platform for education and technological exploration but also witnessed a remarkable display of renewed interest in the Air Force from Jaffna’s youth.

The final day of the ‘Air Tattoo’ was held yesterday, with the Senior Adviser on National Security to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka attending the event as the Chief Guest. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, extended a welcome to the Chief Guest upon his arrival.

Addressing the media, Sagala Ratnayaka said that the SLAF conducted a recruitment programme in view of the programme for the first time in Jaffna, and over 250 young people from Jaffna applied to join the SLAF. “This surge in interest, with over 100 aspiring officers and 156 seeking other ranks, signifies a significant shift in the community’s perception of the Air Force,” he said.

He invites the people in Jaffna to join the Sri Lanka Air Force and to be part of the SLAF.

Meanwhile, the President’s advisor thanked the SLAF for launching several programmes to help the school students in the area.

“The country had gone through difficult times, but now we have overcome that period. It is imperative to build a robust economy moving forward, with a particular emphasis on the North, especially the Jaffna area, taking a leading role,” he said.

Sagala Ratnayaka said that the government is concentrating on developing tourism in the North and the East, as well as bolstering manufacturing industries.

He said the government is working hard to raise the living standards of all the people in the country.”

(dailymirror.lk)

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Gem & jewellery export revenue drops by 25% due to taxes!

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Although gems and jewellery worth US$477 million were exported in 2023, exports have fallen by 25% to US$360 million last year (2024) after the imposition of taxes on the gem and jewellery industry, says Chairman of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) – Mr. Navin Sooriyarachchi.

He stated this at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday (July 07).

This media briefing was held to inform the media about the newly opened VAT Refund Counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

He said that following discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), taxes were imposed on their industry from January 01, 2024.

Accordingly, an 18% VAT was imposed when selling gems and jewelry to tourists as well as when importing rough gemstones. In addition, a 45.14% tax was imposed on gold imports, he added.

Noting that the NGJA has issued about 8,000 mining licenses, he said that these should produce gemstones worth over US$ 1.5 billion annually, assuming that around 50% of these mines were profitable.

He added that Gem and Jewellery had the potential to be the second largest primary export of the country.

However, following the imposition of the 18% VAT, sales have declined significantly, Mr. Sooriyarachchi says, adding that competitive practices such as post purchase VAT refunding followed by other countries have further affected this situation.

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8 DIGs in India

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It is reported that 02 senior DIGs and 07 DIGs have simultaneously left for overseas courses.

Eight of them have gone to India for a course that will be held until July 12th. 

The Police HQ has taken measures to appoint other SDIGs and DIGs to cover duties of these officers, reports say.

The officers who are overseas in these manner are Senior DIGs Waruna Jayasundara and Dhanapala Abeywickrama as well as DIGs Sujith Wedamulla, Nuwan Mendis, Udith Liyanage, Pradeep Kalupahana, Sarath Kumara, Indika Hapugoda and H.C.A. Pushpakumara.

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Consultant neurosurgeon further remanded

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The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered to further remand Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a consultant neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, until July 15.

Dr. Wijeratne was previously arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and subsequently remanded.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order after considering the facts presented by officials from the CIABOC and legal representatives of the defense.

The court also ordered the release on bail of two other suspects who had been remanded over the same case.

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