USS Spruance of the United States Navy which arrived at the port of Colombo on a replenishment visit on 18th November 2024, departed the island today (19th November), after successfully completing its replenishment operations. The Sri Lanka Navy extended a ceremonial farewell, upholding its rich naval traditions, as she departed.
USS Spruance departs Colombo
AMW and New Holland Tractors celebrate 10-year partnership with free inspection campaign
Associated Motorways (Private) Limited., a leader in Sri Lanka automotive industry celebrates ten successful years of partnership with New Holland Tractors as its sole distributor in Sri Lanka. Since the inception of the partnership, AMW has been deeply committed to supporting the agricultural sector by providing reliable equipment and unparalleled service to farmers across Sri Lanka. In celebration of the partnership, and in lieu of the current ‘MAHA’ season, AMW conducted a series of free inspections for loyal customers around the country.
Throughout the month of October, AMW’s service teams conducted free inspections in key agricultural locations including Mullaitivu, Horowpothana, Batticaloa and Sammanthrai. The objective of the inspection campaign was to support local farmers by ensuring that their New Holland tractors were in optimal condition for the upcoming season. Over 100 inspections were conducted during the campaign, underscoring the company’s dedication to supporting farmers and helping them maintain their equipment, which is essential for their livelihoods.
Additionally, AMW also offered a variety of other benefits to participating farmers, such as expert technical advice from CNH trained technicians, who provided valuable insights on tractor maintenance. The company also offered special discounts on genuine spare parts, giving farmers an opportunity to access high-quality components at affordable prices. The AMW team also immediately addressed any urgent repairs on the spot, allowing farmers to resume their activities with minimal disruption.
AMW is proud to support their loyal customers, recognising the pivotal role that farmers play in lives communities and the national economy. As forerunner in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry, AMW remains dedicated to providing exceptional service and support agricultural sector, and empowering farmers the necessary tools and resources they require for their livelihoods to thrive.
Switzerland Successfully Hands Over 14-Year Safe Labour Migration Programme (SLMP) to Sri Lankan Government
COLOMBO, November 18, 2024 – the Government of Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has successfully concluded the Safe Labour Migration Programme (SLMP) in Sri Lanka after 14 years of dedicated support. The programme, which ran from 2010 to 2024, aimed to enhance labour migration governance, safe and regular migration practices, support sustainable reintegration, improve the well-being of both men and women migrant workers and their families within the migration cycle.
The SLMP was a significant collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) allowing various project implementing partners to work at the national policy level as well as decentralised sub-national and grassroots.
Specifically, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and various local civil society organisations extended their technical support and expertise in enhancing policy reforms, migrant services, skills development and recognition, awareness campaigns, and the promotion of fair and ethical recruitment practices. The programme contributed to the National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment (2023-2027), which received Cabinet approval in 2023 and includes expanded measures for migrant worker protection.
A Swiss delegation will arrive in Colombo for a special handover ceremony to officially transfer the project to the Government of Sri Lanka. The event will take place at Cinnamon Life on November 20, 2024, and will be attended by high-level representatives from both governments, collaborated organisations, partners, local civil society organisations, trade unions, employers’ associations and migrant workers. Ambassador Christian Frutiger, Assistant Director General of the SDC and Head of Thematic Cooperation Division, representing Switzerland will formally transfer the SLMP management of the project to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This handover marks Switzerland’s longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka in creating sustainable policies and frameworks for labour migration.
Key achievements of the programme include:
● Development of the Skills Passport and an electronic platform for recognizing prior learning (e-RPL);
● Capacity building of nearly 600 government officers and training of 579 trainers on labour migration and migrant service delivery;
● Reaching 250,000 migrant communities through awareness campaigns and establishing 17 Migrant Information Centers;
● Supporting the reintegration of returning migrant workers and their families through skills recognition, financial literacy programmes, grievances handling and psychosocial support;
● Strengthening migrant peer support networks in 13 districts;
● Sri Lanka becoming the first country in South Asia to nationally integrate the South Asia Qualification Referencing Framework (SAQRF) for skills recognition;
● Connecting trade unions, foreign employment agents and employer federations.
With these accomplishments, the Swiss Government is proud to hand over the SLMP to the Government of Sri Lanka, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project. This transition allows local authorities to continue supporting the safe migration of Sri Lankans, building on the foundation of enhanced policies and institutional capacities developed through the SLMP.
SLID’s first-ever International Director Conference a resounding success
he Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) recently concluded Sri Lanka’s first ever International Director Conference. The event was held under the theme ‘The Courage To be Bold’ and was designed to inspire leaders to take on challenges in the ever-evolving corporate landscape and provide them with essential tools to charge their growth trajectories upward.
The groundbreaking event offered participants an opportunity to gain insightful knowledge and take in incredible success stories of over 25 experts from various industries, whose boldness, resilience and innovativeness helped them excel in a challenging and constantly evolving local and global landscape.
Mr. Hanif Yoosuf, Co- Founder of Expo Lanka Holdings and the Governor of the Western Province was the keynote speaker at the conference. Mr. Yoosuf delivered an unscripted address giving a rare treat to the audience of personal anecdotes including advice bestowed upon him by his mother when he was quite young. He went on to say, “The courage to be bold, is the courage to stand up and move forward.”
The conference consisted of four in-depth and highly focussed technical sessions which covered key areas including business growth, digital transformation, sustainability, and governance. Each session was highly engaging and provided attendees with valuable insights and knowledge.
The first session of the event focussed on the topic, Business Growth: Thriving in the Global Market. This session allowed attendees to explore and understand a variety of strategies for navigating complex global markets and how to maximize opportunities for global and regional growth. The session focused on the future economic landscape and highlighted the relationship between economic growth, trade and geopolitical challenges.
The second session covered was titled “Digital Horizons: Venturing into New Frontiers”. This provided Directors with invaluable knowledge on the integration of digital strategies into operations to help ensure long-term sustainability. The session showcased how digital transformation is currently reshaping businesses and highlighted many ways that companies can leverage technology such as data analytics and automation.
The third session featured the topic “Sustaining Success: Green Strategies for the Future”. The session covered the utilisation of green strategies in businesses to meet market demands, regulatory standards and drive innovation for a sustainable future. It highlighted the importance of sustainability in modern business practices.
The fourth and final session was an engaging fireside discussion that covered the topic “Ethics & Leadership: A Fireside Chat on Strategic Governance”. The session featured a panel of business leaders from a variety of fields who discussed how ethical considerations can help drive long-term success, improve risk management and align with the increasing demands of corporate transparency.
Mr. Chanitha Rathnayake, Director of a reputed company in the construction industry, who participated in the conference stated, “I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the successful organization of the conference. All four sessions were informative and engaging. The diverse composition of the panels, comprised of experts from various backgrounds, was an excellent approach. I was particularly impressed by the first session on navigating and growing in the global market amidst the economic crisis. The insights shared were invaluable, especially in today’s challenging economic climate. Additionally, the last session on ethics provided a refreshing perspective, particularly for someone from the construction industry. Thank you once again for organizing such a well-planned and insightful conference.”
This landmark event offered Directors and leaders an unparalleled opportunity to learn and gain inspiring and actionable knowledge from industry pioneers helping them lead their organizations boldly into the world, into the future.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) is an organization focused on empowering today’s Directors with insights and skills to take on their roles with confidence while preparing a new generation of Boardroom Leaders for the challenges of tomorrow. In existence for over 25 years, SLID is at the forefront of corporate governance, elevating boardroom excellence through its 1000 strong membership of business leaders representing private and public sector organizations.
AIR FORCE OPEN SQUASH TOURNAMENT RETURNS FOR ITS 16TH EDITION IN 2024
The Sri Lanka Air Force organizes the ‘AIR FORCE OPEN SQUASH TOURNAMENT – 2024’ as an annual event in the Squash Calendar for the 16th time together with Sri Lanka Squash Federation. The tournament will be held from the 18th to 26th of November 2024, at the Air Force Squash Complex, SLAF Base Ratmalana.
The tournament has attracted over 450 entries and will feature all top and novices Junior Players in the country under the age categories of 09, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 of Girls’ and Boys’ and also all top ranking Senior Players in the country including tri-services under the categories of Men’s and Women’s Opens, Men’s and Women’s Novices, Men’s Over 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55. This year’s tournament will be thrilling and highly competitive as extended to Air Force Squash Players in the South Asian circuit from India and Pakistan.
The Grand Finale will be featured on 26th November 2024 in the evening at the same venue. Attractive cash prizes will be rewarded to the winning individuals in addition to the Air Chief Marshal PH Mendis Challenge Trophy for Men’s and Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke Memorial Trophy for Women’s open categories.
The 16th Air Force Open Squash Tournament – 2024 is an internationally recognized ranking event which will be expected to associate individuals from all walks of life including top-ranking players from the Squash Network.
Sri Lanka Customs Revenue Task Force seized a large quantity of illegally imported drugs from a warehouse in the port of Colombo.
In a counter smuggling operation to prevent illegal pharmaceutical drugs from coming in to the market, a large quantity of illegally imported medicines have been seized by Sri Lnaka Customs Revenue Task Force last week from a warehouse in the Colombo Port.
The medicine is identified as PREGAB 150mg which is subject to NMRA lisence. This is usually prescribed as a pain killer. However, this drug is widely abused by drug addicts and therefore has a very high demand in the market.
The smugglers target school children with this drug to lure them to addiction, so that the customer base is widened and a steady demand is maintained.
The shipment has been arrived from India and was intercepted at a warehouse located inside the Colombo port premises. No NMRA lisence has been obtained for the importation.
Around 1.8million of these capsules were found concealed in 36 wooden speaker boxes imported by a businessman in Pettah.
The market value of the seized drugs is estimated to be around Rs. 90 million.
Further investigations are being carried out by officers attached the RTF under the guidance of Director General of Customs and Director of Revenue Task Force.
Popular Maldivian Artist Abdullah Faiz an Art Exhibition in Colombo
RUZAIK FAROOK
The Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka had organized popular Maldivian Artist Abdullah Faiz, an Art Exhibition titled “ Nala Dhivehi Raajje “ A visual Journey through the Maldives to mark the Republic Day of Maldives.
The Inauguration Ceremony was held at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Horton Place, Colombo 7 recently. It was held under the patronage of High Commissioner of Maldives Masood Imad.
Chief Guest of the ceremony Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mass Media Ms. Deepa Liyanage opened the exhibition.
The Exhibition will display historical and Contemporary Landscapes of the Maldivian Island, its culture and life of the people.
Diplomats, Embassy Staff , Maldivian Artist Abdullah Faiz and invitees were present.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake casted his vote at the Saikoji Preschool Polling Station,
RUZAIK FAROOK
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake casted his vote at the Saikoji Preschool Polling Station, Abeysingharama Temple, Panchikawatta, Colombo.
Meanwhile NPP Colombo District Candidate Dr. Rizvi Salih casted his vote at Carey College Colombo.
VFS Global: Visa Services
International media highlighted last week that the British government has announced that VFS Global will take over visa services in 26 new countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, in a significant move to streamline the UK visa application process.
The British Government announced that it will increase VFS Global services in 26 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia and grant its approval to carry out its visa services as part of its effort to streamline its process.
The transition due to take place between September 2024 and January 2025 will make the process more streamlined thus making travel to Britain for either tourism or business much easier informed sources said. Therefore it has been noted there is a positive link between the granting of E-Visas and the increase of tourism and investment has taken this step to boost tourism, investment.
History and Origins
A subsidiary of Kuoni Travel Group. The company’s primary mission was to provide a more efficient, transparent, and simplified process for visa applications, managed solely by government agencies and diplomatic missions. The company’s services initially focused on managing front-end visa services for governments and embassies, handling routine administrative and non-judgemental tasks, such as collecting visa applications, biometric enrolments, and applicant documentation.
Contributions to World Travel
VFS Global’s commitment to secure data handling has been integral in maintaining the trust of governments and applicants, further cementing its reputation as a reliable visa processing partner.
As international travel continues to grow, VFS Global’s model demonstrates that outsourcing visa processing is both effective and scalable. Outsourcing to a specialist like VFS Global allows governments to meet the high demand for visa applications without sacrificing security or efficiency.
Presently under the ownership of EQT, a leading global investment firm, which provided investment and support, to expand the company’s technological infrastructure and service offerings. As of today, VFS Global operates in over 140 countries, managing visa and passport application services for around 67 client governments worldwide.
VFS Global has introduced an array of technology-driven services that enhance the efficiency and accuracy of its operations. For example, the company’s ‘Visa at Your Doorstep’ (VAYD) service enables applicants to complete visa applications from the comfort of their own homes, a solution particularly beneficial for those in remote areas or with mobility constraints.
Therefore supporters of outsourcing visa services to VFS Global argue that it could increase efficiency, enhance service quality, and align Sri Lanka with global standards for visa and immigration processes. VFS Global could mean shorter wait times and greater convenience, that will benefit Sri Lanka.