News

Special notice for Lankans in Dubai as UAE declares visa amnesty

Published

7 months ago

September 6, 2024

editor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched a two-month amnesty scheme starting from 01 September 2024. This initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to correct their visa status or return to their home countries without incurring fines or facing entry bans.

In support of this amnesty, the Consulate General in Dubai has arranged special consular services for Sri Lankans from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, from Monday to Friday, in addition to the regular consular services conducted from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily. Similarly, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi has a special consular support program running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from Monday to Friday.

According to the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), the amnesty provisions extend to individuals born in the UAE without official documentation.

However, the amnesty does not apply to individuals who have entered the country illegally, those who have been previously deported or have deportation cases against them by the UAE or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as those who absconded from their employer after 01 September 2024.

Individuals who wish to exit the country must apply for an exit permit, which is valid for 14 days from the date of issuance. If those who obtain exit permits do not depart within this period, previous fines and restrictions will be reinstated. Those who wish to remain in the country must regularize their visa status.

For further assistance, Sri Lankan nationals in the UAE are encouraged to visit the Consulate General in Dubai during the designated hours or contact the Consulate General for more information via the following channels:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +971 4 611 55 00 or +971 4 611 55 55

The Consulate General also requests that relatives of Sri Lankans living in the United Arab Emirates without legal residency permits to inform them of the opportunity given and make use of this time period to rectify their residency status or return to Sri Lanka under the amnesty granted.

The Consulate General remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all Sri Lankans in Dubai and Northern Emirates and will continue to provide necessary support and services during this amnesty period.
(Consulate General of Sri Lanka – Dubai)

News

Govt. needs a plan to face US taxes – RW

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

Former President – Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized that the Sri Lankan government needs to unveil a plan to face the situation created by the US reciprocal taxes.

Making a special statement, Mr. Wickremesinghe points out that although the taxes have been paused at the moment, it will not be scrapped altogether as it is a part of Trump’s manifesto.

As a direct consequence of these taxes, around 100,000 jobs are at risk, he warned, adding that the consequences would ripple across the broader economy.

“Even if the taxes imposed on Sri Lanka are slashed, we will be compelled to pay taxes of 25% – 30%, resulting in exports still declining” he said.

Noting that Sri Lanka will have to generate funds to start setting its debts by 2028 as per the debt restructuring programme, Mr. Wickremesinghe emphasizes that the Government will have to treat this as an emergency situation and come out with a plan to face the situation.

He emphasizes that firstly, discussions must be held with the US and secondly, it must be planned how to solve this issue domestically.

News

50 schools in Kandy to be closed next week

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

50 schools in Kandy town and surrounding areas will remain closed from April 21 – 25 in view of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Central Province Chief Secretary and Education Secretary – Madhupani Piyasena said.

The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic is scheduled to take place at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 18. Thereafter, it will continue daily for ten days, from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m.

The schools that will closed are as follows :

1. Gurudeniya Maha Vidyalaya
2. Vidyaloka Maha Vidyalaya, Thennekumbura
3. Dharmaraja College
4. D.S. Senanayake Maha Vidyalaya
5. Mahamaya Girls’ College
6. Berrewaerts College
7. Berrewaerts Primary School
8. Siddhartha College, Ampitiya
9. Dambawela Primary School
10. Gothami Balika Vidyalaya
11. Sri Rahula National School
12. St. Anthony’s College
13. St. Anthony’s Girls’ College
14. Sri Chandananda Buddhist Girls’ College
15. Vidyartha College
16. Thakshila College
17. Hemamali Girls’ College
18. St. Sylvester’s College
19. Gannoruwa Junior School, Denuwara
20. Eriyagama Pushpadana Vidyalaya, Denuwara
21. Samudradewi Girls’ College, Wattegama
22. Kandy Model School, Wattegama
23. Mahaweli Maha Vidyalaya, Wattegama
24. Kappetipola Vidyalaya, Kandy
25. Sanghamittha College, Kandy
26. Dharmasoka College, Kandy
27. Senkadagala Weerodhara Vidyalaya, Kandy
28. Rasindev Vidyalaya, Kandy
29. Vimalabuddhi Vidyalaya, Kandy
30. Lumbini Royal College, Kandy
31. Peradeniya Hindu College, Kandy
32. Peradeniya Junior Secondary School, Kandy
33. Peradeniya Central College, Kandy
34. Sarasawi Uyana Maha Vidyalaya, Kandy
35. Ranabima Royal College, Kandy
36. Mahanama College, Kandy
37. Kingswood College, Kandy
38. Seethadevi Girls’ College, Kandy
39. Dharmawickrema Girls’ College, Kandy
40. Siddhi Lebbe College, Kandy
41. Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy
42. Girls’ High School, Kandy
43. Viharamahadevi Girls’ College, Kandy
44. Madduma Bandara Vidyalaya, Kandy
45. Hindu Senior College, Kandy
46. Good Shepherd’s Convent, Kandy
47. Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy
48. Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Kandy
49. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy
50. Badi-Ud-Din Mahmud Girls’ College, Kandy

News

Norochcholai shuts down one generator

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The Norochcholai Power Plant has temporarily shut down one of its generators due to a decrease in daily electricity demand, according to Dhammika Wimalaratne, the spokesperson for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

This measure has been in effect since April 11th.

The CEB expects to reconnect the inactive generator to the national grid by April 21st.

According to reports, power plants that generate electricity using fuel have also been deactivated, prioritizing electricity generation from hydropower plants and renewable energy sources.

Disconnect only if an SMS is received

Meanwhile, the CEB has urged rooftop solar system owners to temporarily disconnect their units only if they receive an SMS notification from the board and only until 03.00 pm.

A statement by the CEB notes that they have decided that the electricity supply needs to be managed during the April holidays, following a detailed study on the forecast demand for electricity during the time period.