The Tourism Ministry expects anywhere between 500 and 1,000 tourists to visit Sri Lanka daily from 1 August.
The Tourism Ministry expects anywhere between 500 and 1,000 tourists to visit Sri Lanka daily from 1 August. Since the reopening of the country’s borders, after they were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, 18,200 tourists have arrived, leading to the country earning nearly $ 40 million, as per figures claimed by the Tourism Ministry. According to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, discussions are underway with newly-appointed Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa regarding the development of the tourism sector. He said that the only way to solve the problems of those employed in the tourism industry, which has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, is to open the country and restore the tourism sector. The Tourism Ministry is currently hoping to hold discussions with the relevant authorities of those countries that have imposed travel bans on Sri Lanka, with the hope of lifting the said bans. The US relaxed its travel ban on Sri Lanka from “Level Four: Do Not Travel” to “Level Three: Reconsider Travel” effective from 6 July, and this travel advisory on Sri Lanka is a periodical revision published by the US State Department under the Level Three category. Meanwhile, during a recent discussion with the people who are involved in the tourism industry in the Sigiriya area, Ranatunga added that there is no point in implementing piecemeal solutions for this issue, adding that the Government’s purpose is to win back the attention of tourists by promoting Sri Lanka as a country that is Covid-free, through the conduct of a proper vaccination programme. Accordingly, Ranatunga has submitted a Cabinet memorandum to obtain approval for the construction of water circuit houses and water bungalows to develop the tourism industry. This Cabinet memorandum proposes the construction of such houses and bungalows in the vicinity of the islands in Kalpitiya. Currently, such water lodges and water bungalow systems are in operation in countries such as the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mauritius, Mexico, Cambodia and Fiji, as well as in France and Switzerland. Eco-friendly water lodges and water bungalows will be constructed in such a way as to provide an innovative experience by constructing these in the shallow waters around islands present. The Morning
18 litre domestic gas cylinder will be sold at Rs. 1150
The Cabinet has altered the sale of a newly introduced 18 liter domestic gas cylinder at Rs. 1150 and advised to mark 9.5kg in the cylinder. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has submitted a Cabinet paper to this effect and it has been approved by the Ministry of Trade. The Litro Gas Company had reinforced the gas cylinder for sale at a price of Rs. 1,395. Accordingly, the consumer can purchase an 18 liter gas cylinder at a concessionary price of Rs. 245 compared to the previous price.
Four people including a monk remanded for abusing a 13 years old girl
Four people, including a monk, have been remanded in custody on charges of abducting, abusing and aiding and abusing a 13-year-old girl. The Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court has remanded four persons including the Chief Incumbent of a temple in the Rajagiriya area until the next day. The National Child Protection Authority has received information that she was abducted and abused, claiming that she was given a divine mandate.
A woman has committed suicide by jumping from the sixth floor of the Kotelawala Defense College.
A 32-year-old woman has committed suicide by jumping from the sixth floor of the Kotelawala Defense College. Police said that she had worked as a lab management assistant there. The woman had returned from work after taking a two – month leave to treat her stress. She had also requested a transfer from that division to another location and that transfer had been granted.
Sri Lanka reported 48 deaths due to covid 19 infections
The Government Information Department has reported 48 deaths due to corona infection yesterday. Accordingly, the number of corona deaths in the country has risen to 3827
It is hard to feed the animals in the dehiwala zoo due to economic crisis – Wimalaweera Dissanayake
State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake says it is hard to provide foods and other facilities for the animals kept at the Dehiwala Zoo. He added that the closure of zoos due to the Corona expansion has led to a loss of revenue and not only the Dehiwala Zoo but all the zoos in the country are facing a severe economic crisis. He also mentioned that zoos will be opened under the health guidance on this situation.
Laugfs Gas has decided to stop importing gas.
It is reported that Laugfs Gas has decided to stop importing gas. This is due to the refusal of banks to provide credit facilities for gas imports. According to the reports the company has been importing gas and trading at a loss for a long time. Thirty percent of domestic consumption in the country is Laugfs customers.
Covid 19 current situation in Sri Lanka – Daily PCR tests amount is reduced – Sudarshani Fernandopulle
Minister of State Sudarshani Fernandopulle says that the number of PCR tests conducted to identify corona infections has been reduced. She said the tests were reduced because the vaccination program is being successfully implemented in every district across the country. Although the number of corona deaths has been steadily declining, the risk of corona sweep has not gone away, she said. Therefore, it is very important for people to follow the health guidelines regularly, she added.
The country is moving towards a military junta- Duminda Nagamuwa
Duminda Nagamuwa, the propaganda secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party states that the country is currently moving towards a military junta. He also points out that the government is launching a strong crackdown on anti-government protesters and there was no agreement between his party and the JVP. He made these comments while participating in a discussion on a Youtube channel.
20%- 30% of the population in and around the Colombo suspected to be infected with delta variant
Twenty to thirty per cent of the population in and around the Colombo metropolitan area is suspected to be infected with the Corona Delta variety, Health Ministry spokesman Dr Hemantha Herath said. So far, most of the Delta infections have been found in Colombo residents. He added that there may be a greater number of infected people in the community that have been identified.